All about Sawyer

Hello, hello!  What's up?  I'm up, on top of this table!  I get in trouble every.single.time.  But I just keep right on climbing up until I get to the top.  My mommy isn't really going to do anything to me.  She thinks I am adorable. 

So you want to know some things about me at this age.  Well, let's see.  I am 16 months old now.  I wish I could tell you my stats like weight and height and all that jazz, but mommy hasn't taken me to the doctor yet.  But you don't hear me complaining.  I know what happens there.  This lady acts all nice and then sticks a needle in my legs!  I am growing and I eat really well.  I haven't even been sick.  I have just had a runny nose from cutting these teethe.  But guess what?  They are all almost in and I have been sleeping for like 12 hours at night.  Mommy takes me into my room and as soon as I see that room go dark and I hear that music come on, I lay my head on my mommy's shoulder and snuggle for a minute.  Then she lays me in my crib and my bum goes up in the air and I'm out!

I love being outside.  I could stay out there all day long.  I love my swing and I love jumping on the trampoline.  I watch my brother like a hawk and a copy everthing he does.  The good, the bad and the ugly.  Poor mama!  I climb on top of things all.the.time.  I love to be up high!  It scares everyone so bad.  I love all electronics.  I babble and try to talk.  I can say mama, dada, wawel, nana, andon, bye-bye, uhoh, and I shake my head and say uhuh, that means no.

You know what happened to me the day after Christmas?  My mommy took me to Children's hospital to have a skin tag removed from the side of my neck.  You see, I was born with this nipple looking thinking jutting out from my neck and mommy and daddy decided that thing needed to go!  The doctor put me to sleep and cut it off and had me back in my mommy's arms in like 20 minutes.  Isn't that amazing?  Now I just have a little red spot but that will go away.

Oh yeah, I love to dance.  When I hear music, I just start rocking to the beat and squealing.  It makes me so happy.  I'm a pretty happy baby unless you have waited too long to feed me or put me to sleep.  Then I break down real fast.

This family loves me like crazy.  Someone is always watching me and giving me attention.  I think I'm a keeper.

New Year's Feast {2013}

I started a New Year's family tradition this year.  I have wanted to do this for a while now but could never get my act together.  I stole this idea from another blogger, nieniedialogues.  Stephanie is a mother who was in a horrific plane crash and was burned all over her body.  She is such an inspiration and I have been following her story for about 3 years now.  Anyway, she always does this back to school feast and has a theme to go along with it that her family focuses on through out the school year.  I thought this was a pretty cool idea.  I have never been able to get it together before school so I decided to make it a New Year's tradition.

I saw this quote by President Monson and loved it:

Keys to abundance in 2013:
Have a postive attitude
Believe in yourself
Face challenges with courage

"at the advent of a new year, I challenge Latter Day Saints everywhere to undertake a personal diligent, significant quest for what I call the abundant life-a life filled with an abundance of success, goodness and blessings."

Laurel and Savannah making crowns for the "feast."  They were so excited when I told them about this new family tradition.  They love having parties as much as I do.  They couldn't wait to see what the theme was.  Melanie and her family were still living with us, so I asked one night what our menu should be for our feast.  Jeremy, their 12 year old, said, "how about roast!"  So roast it was! We also had potatoes and carrots, green beans wrapped in bacon and a delicious brownie truffle for dessert. 

Savannah, Jeana, Laurel

We had another special guest!  Dad was still visiting and was still acting his silly self.  Laurel and Savannah insisted he wear a crown and then he hung the key napkin ring (keys to abundance, get it?) from his ear.

I think that if I can teach my children these three things early in life, their life will be more abundant. 
So here's to a great 2013!

Sad News/Unexpected Visit

The day after Christmas I got a call from mom with some sad news.  A very dear family member, Ruth McIntosh had passed away suddenly.  Barney, Ruth's husband is my dad's cousin and best friend.  Barney and Ruth have lived in this small community outside Camden, Alabama my whole life.  Ruth was like an aunt to me.  She was pretty amazing.  So that was shocking and sad to hear.  Then mom told me that dad was flying to Birmingham so he could attend the funeral and spend some time with Barney.  The reason for the visit was sad but we are happy that we got to spend some time with him right after Christmas.

Landon telling grandpa all about it!  Dad and Landon sat right there in that position for a very long time talking.

I love this picture!  Dad is always playing with the kids and acting silly.  This was the first time he had seen Sawyer since he was two weeks old.

Dad and I got to spend the whole day together, just the two of us.  We ate lunch at Panera Bread, drank hot chocolate and went shopping for some shoes, which we never found!  He swept my kitchen floor everyday, multiple times.  The man loves a clean floor.  I treasure times like this with my dad.  He lives so far away and I don't get them very often.  He always slips us some money, or fills up our tank with gas, or buys dinner for the whole family.

Becoming Buddies

I love how these two are becoming such good buddies and playmates.  You can tell that Sawyer adores Landon.  He watches everything that Landon does.

Unfortunately for Landon, that backfires sometimes.

And for me.  I'm just trying to adjust to raising boys.  It is so different from girls.  They are fast and dangerous and just do things that are crazy.  I'm having fun, most days! :)

Christmas morning 2012

I always love Christmas morning.  The children come running into our room and are so excited!  There is nothing better.   Here are some moments captured:

Sawyer was the early bird this year.  I woke up with him while everyone else was still sleeping.  He was so cute when I took him into the living room.  He saw all of these presents under the tree and he kept doing this surprise look with his face.  He loved the swing that santa brought!

Laurel was over the moon when she saw Mckenna! 

Savannah was so excited to get Bitty Baby.  She named her Grace, which is Savannah's middle name.

Landon got this bike that you operate with your feet.  It helps with your balance.  His cousin Luke has one and Landon tries to take it from him any time he can, so we knew he would love it!

It was cold and rainy all day so Landon rode it all through the house!

Sawyer just loved the paper and unwrapping boxes!

This was by far one of my favorite Christmas'.  Seth's mother also came up and spent the night with us on Christmas eve.  It was fun having her here on Christmas morning.  She's always so good to our children.

Christmas Eve 2012

We always enjoy going to granny and papa's for our Christmas Eve festivities.  We eat lots of good food and play dirty santa, which always provides much entertainment.  I didn't take many pictures this year.  I guess I was too busy keeping little hands from reaching and grabbing.

Papa got to pick first!

Landon working on the train.

Landon making a tunnel for the train.

Sawyer and Alistair are 2 months a part in age.  He would just walk by and pat Alistair on the head like he was a little puuppy.  So cute!

Sweet Luke playing with cars.

That's it!  That's all I got.  We love this family tradition.  Granny and Papa always make sure everything is so festive and fun for the kids.  Then on the hour and half drive home we get to say things like, "is that santa's sled in the sky?" 

Church Christmas Party {Live Nativity Scene}

Stars were gleaming, shepherds dreaming; And the night was dark and chill.

Angels' story rang with glory; Shepherds heard it on the hill. Ah, that singing! Hear it ringing, Earthward winging, Christmas bringing! Hearken! We can hear it still!

When Joseph went to Bethlehem, I think he took great care to place his tools and close his shop and leave no shavings there.  He urged the donkey forward then, with Mary on its back, And carried bread and goat cheese in a little linen sack. I think there at the busy inn that he was meek and mild And awed to be the guardian of Mary's sacred child.  Perhaps all through the chilly hours he smoothed the swaddling bands, and Jesus felt the quiet strength of Joseph's gentle hands.

Away in a manger, no crib for his bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head; The stars in the heavens looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.  The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes; But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes. I love thee, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.  Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.  Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, And fit us for heaven, to live with thee there.

 

This was the sweetest part of our church's Christmas Party.  I was so happy that Laurel (angel), Savannah (star), and Landon (cow) could be a part of it. 

 

After they finished singing, Sariah, who was leading them in the songs said, "thank you everyone.  That is our program for tonight. Oh, what is that I hear?  Do I hear bells?"

 

And then Santa and Mrs. Clause walked in.

Laurel told him that she wanted an American girl doll.  "This year, could it be a real one and not one from Target!", said Laurel.

Savannah told him that she would like a bitty baby.

Seth stood in line with Landon for a pretty long time.  Landon would not sit on Santa's lap.  It was really funny.  He told Seth he would do it and then he wouldn't even make eye contact.  He ran right pass him.

I think we sometimes forget the true meaning of Christmas.  I was glad that we did the nativity scene first.  It was a great way to start the Christmas holiday.

 

 

 

Snippets from the McWane Center

We met our preschool group downtown at the McWane center.  "I promise, Sawyer, as your mother  I will do my best to protect and keep you safe from your brother, Landon.  This is my solemn promise to you.  But only after I get the picture!"  I know.  Seriously what is wrong with me?  I try to capture everything on camera.

I love the McWane center.  On this visit they had the trains set up, which Landon loved.  Sawyer was all over the place.  I was a little stressed watching both boys.

Sawyer and Landon fishing.  Sawyer and I stayed here for a long time while Landon slid down the slide that went from one floor to the next.  I could see him when he came out and he would climb all the stairs to the next floor and do it all over again.

They loved the Clifford town.  Here they are sailing away!

The coolest Aunt Ever!

Aunt Audra and Uncle Linn came all the way from Utah to the SEC Championship game in Atlanta.  Alabama was playing and Alabama won!  They came to see us before heading back to Utah.  Audra brought all the children Alabama shakers and red and white necklaces.  Needless to say, I think Seth and I are the only Auburn fans left in the house.

The girls think that Aunt Audra is the coolest aunt ever!  They made her swing off the limb of the tree to be initiated into their tree club house.  This was Jeana's first time meeting Aunt Audra and she told her mom that night, "I never knew Laurel and Savannah had such a pretty, young aunt!"  She did all kinds of flips on the trampoline and stood on her head and she can still do a back hand spring!  Yeah, she was pretty much showing off!!!!  I said, "please, you are making me look bad!"  I really love that they think she is so cool and that she spent so much time with them.  It breaks my heart that we live so far away from each other.

The next day, the girls went to school and we once again hit the woods and went for a walk.  The weather was 75 degrees.  Melanie and her family were still living with us at this time so it was so much fun for Melanie, Audra and I to all be together again.  We laughed and told stories all day.  Melanie can remember everything from our childhood.  It is amazing how she can recall stories and silly songs.  I love listening to her.

Landon is such a man's man!  He still calls Uncle Linn, bubby.  He followed him around all day.

Don't snakes hibernate in the winter?  Oh yeah, I forgot.  We are in Alabama and the weather is 75 degrees in November.  As soon as we came out of the woods, we heard Molly barking.  We knew she had some animal held captive and then we saw this snake.  It gave me the creeps that we had just walked all through those woods.  There is no telling how many snakes we walked past.  YIKES!!!!  So, not only do the girls think Aunt Audra is cool, but so does Landon!  That crazy girl got a long stick and killed the snake, which we found out later was a cotton mouth!  The snake was moving really slow.  I guess it was on its way to hibernation.  Landon stood right there and watched the whole thing.  He still talks about that, "hey mommy, remember when Aunt Audra killed that snake, huh?"  He adds "huh" to the end of everything.

The night before they left they treated us to barbeque ribs!  I mean come on, who comes to the south and doesn't eat some barbeque!  It was a great short visit and I think my sis is pretty cool too!

Decorating for Christmas

These two girls get so excited to decorate for christmas!

Landon's favorite part was once again putting the stockings on his feet and calling them boots.

And oh yeah, we have a baby in the house this year.  So all decorations were hung high.  The tree was only half way decorated.  This makes a woman like me, who lives to decorate, a little crazy, but oh well, it's all for the children, right? 

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Thanksgiving Week

I think this past Thanksgiving was my favorite.  Seth took the whole week off from work and we just hung out at home before and after Thanksgiving.  The weather was so nice so we took lots of walks and played outside.

Trees are always involved.

This huge tree fell and landed across the creek. 

All the kids had fun crossing it with daddy.

Landon testing his limits.  "Let me just see how close I can get to the water without falling in."

This is the best view up here!

I would have loved it if some animal had popped its face out of that hole. 

Nothing better than a man pushing a stroller!

Awww... I love this family of mine!