Mmmmm ... Mush!

Everyone, including Mr. Zachers, got a special box of cereal for Christmas morning! Zach's first taste of rice cereal was a semi-success. He was STARVING when he started, and gobbled up the first several bites. Once the edge was off his hunger and he started actually tasting what he was eating, he decided he wasn't too sure. We'll keep at it! Here are Z's first bites:

Eliot was my awesome "baby bird" eater and would open up super wide. It was a cinch and not too messy at all! Zach is proving to be a little more difficult and a lot messier! He cocks his head, leans forward, and doesn't really open his mouth but just shoves his closed mouth over the spoon. We have some training to do! I can't believe we're already to this stage!

Christmas Day

We had church first thing, so we went and battled our kids through what I'm sure was a lovely sacrament meeting (we were in the hall for most of it), then came home. This was the best we could do for a picture in front of the tree. This was the first one, and they went downhill from there.

Eliot with his special message from Santa on his new easel.

A little overwhelmed by all the "bells and whistles" of his new exersaucer.

Candy cane Z happily raiding Mom's stocking.

Our tired little babe obliging us with opening gifts.

Eliot and his special gift from one of his sweet admirers at Daddy's work. Spoiled!

Z with one of his new books. He looks so grown up!

E with his very special gift from Santa -- a Cars 2 plane. "He knew just what I wanted!" was his reaction. He was thrilled with the gift he's been asking Santa for for weeks. Santa always comes through! The sweet thing about Eliot's wish was that he also asked for a gift for Zach -- a "soft, cuddly friend," which Santa also happily granted.

The Night Before Christmas

This was our first Christmas Eve with just our family at our home. It was pretty quiet and simple, with a simplified Nativity story told with flannel board pictures, a couple Primary songs and Silent Night, "The Night Before Christmas" story, then leaving cookies and a key for Santa. The best part of all was Eliot's excitement. He must have come out of his room 10 times, each time using the excuse that he needed to remind me that if I didn't go to bed, Santa couldn't come. What a magical time for kids ... and their parents!

The boys in their Christmas jammies.

Eliot and the Nativity.

Singing Christmas songs with Mom.

Reading "The Night Before Christmas" with Daddy.

Hanging the key for Santa. Yes, we have a fireplace, but Eliot insists this is how Santa gets in.

Leaving cookies and milk for Santa. He was just a teeny bit excited.

Lights!

The lights at The Riverwoods were fabulous this year! Our trek down there kept getting put off because of other plans, sick kids, etc., so we didn't actually make it down there until Christmas Eve. Even though our full plans ended up being a total bust since the restaurant I wanted to eat at, the carriage rides, and Santa house were all closed because it was Christmas Eve, we still had a fun time letting Eliot run around the virtually empty place and taking in the beautiful lights. Next year, we'll go earlier in the season so we can experience it all.

Girlfriends & Co.

My high school girlfriends and I try to get together during the holidays, since it's one of the only times we're actually all in the same state! This year only four of us were able to get together, but my friends Amy and Amber were in from Texas and California, so the remaining Utah girls, Lori and I, were able to get together with them and their families for a breakfast. Here's all the girls (plus the kiddos who couldn't resist a photo op):

Our munchkins! We're getting to be quite the crowd! The hubbies were good sports and came along, too, but I didn't get a picture of all of us. It's crazy to think I've been friends with these girls for almost 20 years! I sure love them, and I'm glad that they've always been there for me. Always fun to reminisce about the crazy (and stupid) things we did as teenagers and to hear about all the craziness we're experiencing as we try to raise our little families.

Pre-Christmas

One of Grant's sisters spent Christmas with her in-laws out of state this year, so we held Christmas a week early at the Dickinsons'. It was a very fun night of appetizers and gift-exchanging chaos. We went home stuffed and spoiled, that's for sure!

Doesn't this picture just sum it all up? The anticipation of Christmas really is the best part!

Grant looking suave by the Christmas tree. No wonder I married this man. The charm just oozes.

Mom helping Zach open his very first Christmas present. He mostly loved sucking on the ribbons and paper (while, in some cases like this one, simultaneously sucking his thumb), but he seemed to enjoy the experience.

"Oh, What Fun!" ... Eliot's Preschool Christmas Program

Eliot's Preschool Christmas program was so fun! His teacher has taught them dozens of adorable songs, which I've heard in part over the past few months as he's come home and sung them to me. But it was fun to piece all the bits I've heard together as I saw him perform them with his class. The hand actions, facial expressions and all the extra bonuses that come from kids performing were hysterical! Here's a sample of the experience.

This was pretty much Eliot that morning. He had been to a cousins' sleepover the night before at his Grandma and Grandpa Dickinson's. We're guessing he didn't do too much sleeping at the sleepover.

Eliot's class. They are all darling!

I love this picture of Eliot. He looks so theatrical.

A taste of the organized chaos. It really was so impressive to see how well the children had learned the songs (some of them with multiple, complicated verses) and dancing.

Little Brother = Target

I'm sorry to say it, Zach, but I think being a little brother means you're bound to be the victim of your brother's "big" ideas, like these:

Being adorned in a pre-school wreath crown.

And being dressed up in all kinds of funny outfits ...

My only consolation is it could be worse. You could have had five older sisters like your daddy did. Ask him to tell you those stories, and the wreath and ball cap (and whatever else the future and Eliot's creative mind hold ...) won't sound so bad. In the meantime, thanks for being such a sport. And knowing you and your feisty personality, it's only a matter of time before you defend yourself. Until then, I'll do my best to come to your rescue quickly when I hear your brother laugh hysterically and say, "Mom, you've gotta see Zach!"

Happy Half Birthday!

Zachary turned 6 months old on December 14. Whew, where did those months go?! I swear time's going twice as fast with Zach as it did with Eliot. Maybe because with Eliot we were in law school and time seemed to drag? Or maybe because trying to keep up with two makes life busier and time seems to get away from me? Either way, we are in LOVE with this little boy! He has the funnest, funniest, cutest personality! He is obsessed with Eliot, is quick with a smile and a laugh, he's a good eater (we call him "piglet"), and usually a great sleeper (when he's not sick or having "toofy" troubles). Here are some pictures we took on his "half birthday":

We love you, our adorable Baby Z!! At 6 months, here's what you're up to:

• Getting ready to crawl by rocking on all fours and scooting like a frog usually you end up going backwards).
• Rolling just about wherever you want to go.
• Shrieking and screaming like a banshie, but not a whole lot of "talk" or babble yet (despite Mommy's bribes to get you to say "Mama").
• A lot of swelling, drooling, and discomfort, but still no teeth!!
• Strawberry blond hair is fading to a sandy brown, but in the right light (and in your fuzzy eyebrows), we still see some red!
• You L.O.V.E. your tubbies, especially when you get to share them with Brother.
• Your nicknames that are sticking are Zachers, Baby Z/"Z", and "Ree" (for ZachaRY)
• You are a very hands-on baby and love to touch and grab things.
• We still can't decide if you're pure Dickinson or if there's some McEuen showing through (Mom thinks you've got her ears, nose, and you've definitely got your Ampy McEuen's hair.)
• You love musical, interactive toys, especially your "Tad" that sings you to sleep.
• You're long and lean like your brother and dad, but a little "sturdier" of a build than Eliot.
• You like to tease and poke at/hit your brother during story/scripture time. And so it begins ...
• You are a happy, fun (albeit loud) baby who has added so much enjoyment to our home. You are Eliot's best audience and our little buddy. We love you Zachers!

Merry Christmas!

Don't these kids just sum it all up? I love what they have to say (and how they say it), and I'm so excited to share Christmas with my own sweet kiddos. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Anniversary Weekend:Year 9

At Temple Square. Hard to believe it was 9 years ago we were married here!

Grant and I have the tradition of trading off planning our anniversary getaway. This year was my year, and I admit I was a little selfish! Since our options were limited because I couldn't be away too long from Baby Z, I planned a Christmasy weekend in Salt Lake. We took advantage of the "Cousin Sleepover" weekend that Grant's mom plans for the kids, and saw a matinee of Ballet West's The Nutcracker, followed by dinner at a favorite restaurant, checking out the lights at Temple Square, and enjoying hot chocolate at Uncle Jerry's chocolate shop (aka Hatch Family Chocolates, home of the Little Chocolatiers, Grant's cousin Steve and his wife Katie). It was so fun to get away and enjoy some time with just the two of us!

At The Nutcracker. Grant was such a trooper! I was in heaven, living vicariously through all the moms and their little girls, who were all dressed up pretty and loving every moment. I have loved The Nutcracker since I was a little girl and used to see my friends dance in it every year for a school field trip. I always secretly wished I was a ballerina. Grant, who played the godfather role in a school play as a child, seemed to enjoy himself, at least until the men in tights came out. That was where he lost all interest in ballet. Men "poured into their tights" (those are Grant's words) may not have been his thing, but we were both blown away by the awesome orchestra, gorgeous costumes and scenery, and fantastic dancing. Ballet West's performance is touted as one of the best in the country. I loved it!

I've gotten so lazy with my camera, and though I did not get pictures of us enjoying our awesome dinner at The Blue Iguana (the "Gringas" fajitas with grilled pineapple still have me drooling), or at the chocolate shop (their hot chocolate now has my whole-hearted recommendation ... I had heard it was to die for, and now I totally see why -- it was a.ma.zing.), but we DID manage to snap a shot with Mr. Archuleta himself (okay, it was a lifesize cutout in the new Deseret Book, but still fantastic!). Thanks, David!

Making Room

You knew it was coming! Since the first year I found this, I have loved it dearly! It's all I can do to not look up Shawna Edwards now that I'm back in Orem. I want to meet her and hug her and thank her for the gift of this beautiful song. Throughout the year and especially during the Christmas season, I find this song running through my mind, and I am grateful for the perpetual reminder to stay focused on Christ. That has been probably my great lesson of this year -- to stay focused on Him always. I am too quick to allow my happiness be determined by other things and other people. But when I am centered on my Savior, all is well. I still struggle, but He guides and comforts and strengthens me. I love Him. More than anything I could share or give anyone this Christmas season, I would wish to share that I know He is real, He lives, and He knows each of us. His love is perfect and constant. He alone can heal our sorrows and give us the daily strength we need to bear our individual burdens.