A Special Kind of Christmas

This was the first year we spent Christmas alone, as a family of three. Instead of a White Christmas, we had a very Wet Oregon Christmas. We hibernated. We ate delicious food. We cuddled in warm fuzzy blankets on our couch next to the fresh Christmas tree and listened to the rain. Stephen drank lots of hot chocolate- and we're still trying to finish off all the other goodies. It was time where Family was everything. And I loved it.

Ah, Christmas. How magical it gets when you have a little "believer" in the house.

Christmas morning I pulled him out of his bed and said, "Guess what, Santa came last night and brought you a surprise." And all he could say was, "Ho Ho?" with a funny expression on his face. "Ho ho"-That's what he calls Santa. Well, it was fun for us and fun for him. He'll get it a little more next year....

At anyrate, the train table Ho Ho left was/is a huge hit! As well as the chalkboard/whiteboard that will get lots of use I'm sure. Perfect- a "wall" brought in especially for writing on.

Our families sure spoiled us with all those packages, too.

Thank you so much for helping our tree not look so lonely this year.

Along with all that, I just loved having some free moments to reflect on the birth, life, and mission of our Savior. This year we just simplified and read some picture books of the nativity to Jacob before he went to bed, then we watched Joy to the World, and read some talks in the Ensign. I thought a lot about what my family would do Christmas Eve to celebrate the story of our Lord's birth while growiing up. It seemed we'd have some traditions but also some new activities every year.

I'm curious as to what traditions others might have?

Any ideas for small families with young children for our future Christmas Eves?

or days leading up to?

We surely missed our family and friends at home this year.

But it was a neat thing feeling so connected and

grateful for them across the many miles that night.

Hope your holiday was peaceful, jolly and joyous. And here's to a happy new year!

Meeting Santa

Last night Jacob met Santa for the first time.

Of course there was absolutely no lap sitting. But he did give him a high five!

And today we had this little gem sent to him.

Santa's special video message for Jacob...

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/guest/GR2NDtU1p-MPIBesSZfx7A

If you haven't done it for your kids yet, try it. Even the little guy kept saying "More? More?" when it was over.

I think he likes Santa better on screen than in person.

Ho Ho Ho! Such fun!

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

This year we started a new Oregon tradition. We went to a local tree farm and cut down our own Christmas tree.

Stephen knew exactly which kind he wanted. The Noble Fir of course.

(I learned something new about him this year. Apparently for years growing up he worked at a tree lot at christmas time. He knew his trees- and how to tie them securely on top of a car.)

We waited for the tractor wagons to take us to the trees.

{Jake looks like he belongs in A Christmas Story in that puff coat.}

The owners gave us a saw and a cart to haul it back on... And we trecked out to the forrest.

And whalah!

The farm also provided free hot chocolate, christmas cookies, and popcorn as a reward for all our "hard work."

Now that's the Christmas Spirit!

Little things like this make Oregon a very special place for our family.

Merry Christmas!

D is for Disneyland

Roadtrip to Disneyland with my family!

This picture is my new favorite. Jacob just kept holding Brigham's hand in the car.

(Perhaps meant as an apology after startling him with his squeals?)

They both were amazing travelers. And it melts my heart to see how much Jake adores him.

I almost apologize for the photo overload. But its Disneyland, folks! I can't help myself.

We have sure missed this place...

The best part of going at Christmastime is being there at night with all the lights, fireworks, and snow. And this year we got to see the new World of Color show at California Adventure. Incredible. Highly recommend.

It was so fun to celebrate Caleb's, Jacob's, and Mom's birthdays all along with Christmas in one special weekend!

The giant lolli. Kinda gross, but funny at the same time. Oh well. It's the Holidays!

As is tradition in the Hicks house, we got our Christmas PJs on our pretend Christmas Eve. Special Mickey ones this year of course.

Everything was just as fun as I had remembered..... except for one thing.

We missed you, Johnny!!

(And in your absense I took one for the team and was in the front at splash mountain.)

Feliz Navidad, Elder Hicks. {read with a New Jersey accent.}

Party in St. George!

The day after Thanksgiving we flew to St. George for a few days. We had a weekend full of celebrations. First an AMAZING thanksgiving dinner and then Jacob's birthday- miniature golfing in the dark, Jumping Jacks bounce houses, christmas shopping, Wii games and Rock Band, and a LOT of tasty treats.

The big kids came up with a difficult obstacle course in the bounce houses. I lost. But was still proud of myself for finishing within two minutes. IT WAS HARD! But fun...

We had such a great time! We miss you Davis fam!

TWO YEARS

We did it. We made it to Two Years Old alive. After all the climbing out of highchairs, falling out of cribs, jumping off of anything while saying his own version of "to infinity and beyond".... we have both survived. And we are both smiling.

I am a believer that TWO years old may be the most adorable age.... that way you can forget about the millions of "terrible two" tantrums (OH THE TANTRUMS!) and hopefully just remember the good times.

Two Year Old

Happiness Is...

Trains (Go go THOMAS!)

Licking the peanut butter of the sandwhich crackers and tossing the rest

iChats with grandparents

Always putting your hood on when you go outside now, just incase of "OoWain" (rain)

Coming downstairs in the morning, so happy to see your toys are still there!

Suckers

Anything Cars or Toy Story

Plain wheat bread and yogurt

Making up your own words for things (ie. Airplane is ALWAYS "ah choo"- not sure why, and not to be confused with "choo choo.")

Forts under the kitchen table

Tub time, but not before running around naked until someone catches you!

Making new friends and having real "playdates"

Waiting at the window for daddy to come home

"Wrestling"

Learning to count and constantly saying "One more?" with one finger up.

Juice boxes

Finally letting your mom change your diaper... sometimes

Feeding the ducks

Driving around to find the real trains (great rainy day activity)

Helping me search for food at the grocery store "nana?" "apple?"

Watching home videos of yourself and laughing out loud

Playing "Up" & "Dowww" with the car windows.

Golf balls!

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and calling Mickey "Hot Dog!"

Cuddling in the rocking chair while reading book after book. "One more?"

Singing "Popcorn Popping" and "Wheels on the Bus" with all the actions

Your girlfriend "Naaaheee!" (Natalie)

Dancing. Oh the DANCING!

Playing with Buzz and "Wooh eee" (those middle consonants are tough!)

Learning to keep quiet in Sacrament meeting despite the No Cheerio rule

Spontaneously giving your parents hugs and kisses when you are happy or doing something fun!

Trying on all of our clothes while I'm trying to do laundry or "helping" with the dishes

And trying to speak in sentences "Mmmmm nnnnnn Buzz?" "Mmmmm nnnnnn Mama?"

(We'll get that whole talking thing someday. But for now its pretty funny.)

He is just our hyper-mobile, soft-spoken, screaming, gentle giant,

whom we couldn't live without.

Happy Birthday!

Farewell to Fall

Goodbye, Autumn. You were AMAZING this year.

I figured since it snowed this morning

(in a place they say only gets snow maybe once or twice a year)

it was time to say farewell.

We took these a few weeks ago, soaking up some of our last sunshine until the spring...

I had been warned about boys and sticks. But I didn't know it started this EARLY!

Leftover Halloween candy, anybody?

Thought I'd take this along in hopes he'd SIT and give me a real SMILE.

Instead he just kept making this face...

{Jacob, you are the light of my life! Thank you for letting me take so many pictures.

I know I am kind of out of control. But you are just so ridiculously adorable.}

So, let's Talk Football.

Not something you'd expect me to say, right? Right. It was one thing when I was a sophomore cheerleader and pretended to be interested in what a "first down" was. And then it was ok when I went to BYU and did it for the social scene. I admit I went to one game at USC, but I was fine to never hear another vulgar swear word or experience the smell of alcohol and marijuana again in my lifetime.

I don't even watch football on TV. Of course I do my wifely duties and allow Stephen to tell me the scores while I smile and say "cool!" when the team he wants to win is in the lead. But really, I just don't care much. And I completely tune out anything "fantasy football."

Well, this last week there was a bit of a "miscommunication" at Stephen's work. Someone was under the impression he wanted a couple USC vs. OSU tickets. I'll spare you the long story- all you need to know is he knows he never told anyone to buy tickets for him. But Friday when he was leaving work he saw an envelope saying "DAVIS 2 Tickets- please write check to ______ for $150."

What?

I mean, the guy loves his football but to say he was stumped is an understatement.

We were actually offered two free tickets from another source, so we tried selling the pricey pair. Craigslist+lots of phone tag = a buyer.... but unfortunately we made it to the stadium 10 minutes too late. The guy had been offered free tickets from another stranger. While walking to the entrance two other people offered us free tickets.

Ugh. So there we were, stuck with these ridiculously expensive tickets that we didn't ask for while people were just handing them out like they were sticks of gum.

We figured we'd just try to make the best of it. We chugged our hot chocolate outside the gate- 'cause of course they wouldn't let us bring it in. We proudly wore our Cardinal Red and Gold in a sea of Orange and Camoflauge. I ate an "ok" hotdog and some chilli. And in the four hours, USC gave us one touchdown to cheer for. We lost. Big time. And the seats were nothing to write home about.... let alone blog about. :)

All we could do was laugh about it all. And take an iphone photo.

On the way home we couldn't help but think about all the things we could have done with $150. Bought another year's trip to Disneyland? Fly home to Utah? Go to an amazing concert that guaranteed real entertainment? Purchase some christmas gifts for our family and friends?

I mean, shouldn't the tickets be refunded if your team loses and the entire game was quite uneventful?

Too much information, I'm sure. I guess I just wanted to give the above PHOTO it's true story.

Yay for date night!

The end.

7D for 7 Sessions

With the support of some very special people I got an early christmas present this year...

The marvelous Canon 7D

It has become my new "baby". Jacob might be a little jealous. Just kidding- It actually just gives us another excuse to go out and enjoy the outdoors together before all the rain hits. And of course he's still my favorite subject.

*****

November is the "photographer's" crazy time of year. Christmas card photos!! I had multiple requests for sessions in LA so last weekend I flew solo to my old stomping grounds for only 48 hours. I was able to squeeze in 7 sessions! A weekend full of friends, returning clients, and new referrals- It was AWESOME... but I definitely missed my boys back home. I may or may not have cried when I boarded the plane all by myself.

I owe a lot of thanks to those that have helped me get this new hobby up and hopping. It's so fun to think of all that's come from it in just one year. And yes, the more I learn- the more I realize I still need to learn!

I'm a little busy with touching up lots of photos, but I thought it might be fun to show just one favorite from each LA session- just since I'm here and all. More will be up on the photo blog next week, for the few of you that appreciate that sort of thing....

Here's a sneak peek:

I miss you sometimes, California. You have been good to me. See you in December!

The Halloween Post

I just have to share some favorites from this weekend!

Stephen's parents and sister came to town to celebrate the holiday with us and we had a blast showing them around the town.

One of the first stops was the Pumpkin Patch at Davis Family Farm.

We had to take advantage of the short breaks of sunshine.

If it's a good sitting pumpkin it must be a good carving pumpkin right?

The patch was a bit picked over at this point.

But that just made it more fun for Jacob to run around.

He'd lead everyone to the next area we should explore.

{Saying goodbye to the Hayride Driver}

We carved some nifty jackolanterns.

And then got ready to spook!

Bwhah. This picture makes me laugh out loud...

So, my mother in law is a seamstress queen! She made the potato head costumes and helped me with the details to our Jessie and Woody outfits. Its so fun how they really got into it with us!

We decided we'd be the Toy Story 2 crew- since there are 2 buzz lightyears in that one. :)

Jake sure loved being his aunt "mim mee"'s sidekick!

And you know those moments that just make you want to cry they are so adorable? Going trick or treating with Jacob was one of those. He could barely even pretend to say the words- but he knew exactly how to do it. He'd knock then point to the bowl. Then after he'd take the candy and turn to walk away, he'd look over his shoulder, do this sweet wave and say "Bye!"

Sure melted my heart.

Hope you all had a fun Holiday!