Our Last Day of 2009

Can you believe it's already the end of another year?? Wow! I can still remember what I did last New Years Eve--NOTHING, just like this year, haha. Last year we didn't do anything because I didn't feel good because I was in the first trimester with Jake. And, Ryan was a only 10 months old so it wasn't like we could go out and party :)

Jim was going to make a roasted chicken, but it didn't get thawed out in time. SO, we just made some lemon herb chicken, mashed potatoes, and broccoli. We put both boys to bed at their usual bed times, but Jim and I actually stayed up until after midnight. We stayed up and watched the marathon of "The Next Food Network Star." Boring, huh.

We had a very low-key New Years Eve, but we're pretty low-key so we enjoyed it. I do look forward to the days when Jim and I can go out to dinner by ourselves or go to a fun party with family and friends. For now, I enjoy staying home with my boys.

Jake is cutting his two bottom teeth. I was trying to get a good pic of him showing his teeth, but that is a nearly impossible task.

Hmm, weird, Ryan's in the saucer :)

Jerry, Michelle, and Will came for a visit on their way to ring in the new year in the Center of the Universe aka Oak City. They had our name for Christmas on the Nielson side and dropped off some gifts, too. Just before they left, they brought their dog Moose in for Ryan to see. Ryan was ecstatic! He was so excited it was actually scaring Moose. I wish I wasn't so obsessive compulsive and could handle having a dog in the house, but that will never happen. Maybe one day we can have a dog outside, maybe.

After Jerry, Michelle, and Will left, Ryan freaked out because he wanted to go outside. Jim's a good sport and took Ryan outside to play for a bit.

Me with my boys on the last day of 2009, wahoo!

Happy New Year!!

Fun in the Snow

It snowed again today--alot. We didn't have anything going on (besides cleaning that needed to be done and putting Christmas away and I wasn't in the mood to do either) so Jim took Ryan outside to play.

But before Ry went out to play, he had to play in with his new found toy that he loves...

...the saucer! He used to hate to get in this thing now I can't keep him out of it.

He'll come and get me and says, "pleeeaaaasssse," and takes me to the saucer because he wants to get in.

I have the saucer on the lowest height for Jake. It's just a bit short for Ryan :)

But he still loves it and insists on playing in the saucer. Having Ryan in the saucer isn't such a bad idea--when he's in the saucer I know he can't get out (without a big bang anyway) so I know he isn't getting into something he shouldn't be or terrorizing Jake :)

After we got the boys bathed and dressed for the day, we got Ryan suited up to go outside. Jim was willing to take Ryan out because he wanted to take his new snowblower for a spin.

I was in my room rocking Jake to sleep for his nap when I hear a loud thud on my window. I jumped because it scared me--I'm a jumpy person. Guess what it was? Jim threw a damn snowball at the window! I wanted to kick his butt. I had Jake asleep, but I jumped when the snowball hit the window so it woke Jake up, ugh. I went to the window and pulled up the blinds. Jim pointed up to me so Ryan could see where I was. I could hear Ryan saying, "Ma!" It was cute. Since Jake was awake, I decided to go downstairs and see what the boys were doing. I couldn't believe all of the snow. The snowflakes were HUGE.

Ryan thinks you go out in the snow to eat it :) We'll have to teach him to stay away from yellow snow.

Eating more snow off of the sand box. I wanted to take the sandbox in for the winter, but we didn't get around to it.

Telling me about the "NOOWWW!" as he calls it. He leaves the "s" off so sometimes we have to see what he is pointing to. Otherwise we think he is just telling us no :)

Sitting down while eating snow.

Jim cleared the back steps while they were outside. They were completely covered again in 3 hours.

Ryan came up the stairs to say hi. He ate some snow off of the grill and then went back down and played some more.

When we finally convinced Ryan to come inside (I seriously don't think he gets cold. His coat is so warm and we put him in snow bibs, boots, hat, and gloves so I think he's snug as a bug and would stay out all day), the saucer is the first thing he ran to.

I love that face :)

At the end of the day, I took Jake's shirt off and left it on the top of his head. Ryan has to do anything that Jake does so he immediately wanted his shirt just like Jake's was. Here he is reading a book with Jim with his shirt on the top of his head.

Ryan loves reading books and he especially loves reading them with Jim. Jim will help Ryan point to things in the books and make noises. Ryan loves it.

After Christmas Sales

My mom, Molly, and I went to a few of the after Christmas sales today. I had a few exchanges to make and mom did, too, so we decided to do a little shopping.

We got some pretty good deals at a few of the stores. My favorite--75 cents for 150 sq. ft. of wrapping paper! We all about died when it only rang up for 75 cents. Mom got a boat load of stuff and only spent $20. I had to buy diapers and a few other things so I spent a bit more :) We also hit the dollar aisle at Target and got some cute Valentine's stuff. It was awesome. But, can you believe Valentine's stuff is already out?? Crazy.

We also got some good deals at Pier 1, Bath and Body Works, and Kohl's.

Even though it snowed alllll day long, we stayed out and got all of our errands done. I love getting a good deal :)

Christmas Dinner @ Paula & Casey's House

Paula & Casey went with Casey's family for Christmas Eve this year so they had all of the Mangelson crew up for dinner tonight at their house. We couldn't get together before Christmas, but I think it was kind of nice to get together after Christmas. We got to see what the Nielson's got for Christmas and hear about what everyone else got. It was alot of fun.

Casey and Paula served a nice tri-tip roast with mashed potatoes. We had some yummy salads, green bean casserole, and rolls. Paula made some homemade rice pudding with real whipped cream for dessert. It was way good. Jake even had a bite and loved it.

After dinner, Cade did a little magic show for us. He really had me fooled. But I caught onto the trip the second time he did it. I guess that's why magicians don't do their tricks twice :) The kids played and all had a really good time together.

Casey did a light show outside that was choreographed to music. When we left, Jim had Ryan in the truck waiting for me to bring Jake out. Ryan was loving the lights and kept yelling "la la la's"! He loved their lights. They were awesome.

Thanks Casey & Paula for the fabulous dinner and for having us over. It was really nice!

The kids playing with the Nielson's new Christmas toys

Max brought his Thomas the Train and Percy figurines with him to the party. He set them down and Ryan snatched up Percy. Max didn't want Ryan to play with it. To distract Max, I showed him Nick's new Handy Manny that rode on a motorcycle. Sophie was really concerned that Max was playing with Nick's toy. I told her he was just playing with it and he wouldn't take it home so she went back to what she was playing with. After a minute, she came back over to Max and pointed her finger at him and said, "But it's not yours!" And then she went back to playing with her toy. It was hilarious :)

Ryan and Nick playing with Nick's new measuring tape.

Nick's Design & Drill was a big hit among all of the kids.

Ryan playing with the infamous Handy Manny doll that is Nick's, haha.

Ryan sat at the kids table and had a bowl of mashed potatoes. He wanted someone to sit with him. I sat with him for a minute until Jake started bawling. So Jim then took his turn at the tiny table :)

Everyone visiting after dinner.

Cade performing his magic trick. This is the trick that had me fooled.

Hayden being Cade's assistant.

Everyone watching the magic show.

Jason and Sophie made an awesome design with the Design & Drill toy. Go Utes!

Nick

Ethan

Jake gagging himself on Jim's finger, haha.

Ryan playing with Buzz Lightyear

Grandpa in his favorite spot :) Paula has a recliner just like the one dad has at home.

Emilee playing the 20 Questions game.

Visit to Oak City

We went over to Oak City today to visit Jim's family for Christmas. We didn't get out of Levan until after 2pm. It took a little longer than expected to make a pancake breakfast, pack up all of our Christmas presents, and get everyone ready :) Oh, and Jake decided to take a nap so I let him to sleep.

When we got over to Oak City, they were just getting ready to eat. We had fed Ryan lunch before we left, but who doesn't want a turkey dinner :) So we all ate again. After our 2nd lunch, we all just hung out and visited.

It was really nice to visit with everyone. Ryan loves seeing Grandma & Grandpa and the puppies. Ryan fell asleep on the way back home. When he woke up the next morning the first thing he said was, "Where did the puppies go?" So funny.

The boys sitting with Jim eating fruit snacks. Great breakfast, huh.

Saying, "Cheese!"

Really, we made breakfast after this so Ryan didn't just have fruit snacks to eat :)

The puppies were so excited to see Ryan and Ryan was excited to see the puppies. He gets more brave every time we see them.

Jake even sat with Grandma for the first 30 minutes or so when we first got to Oak City. I was shocked. It all went downhill from there though and the bawling started soon after.

Guin rocking her "baby" :)

Ryan watching t.v. downstairs with the kids

Richard with his hair all fro'ed out :)

Right before we were getting ready to leave, Ryan had one last run with the puppies. It was hilarious. Mya would run and Ryan would chase her. Ryan wasn't quite fast enough for her though.

Looking for Mya...

Here they come!

Ryan was so wound up. It was really fun to watch. We were all laughing.

He would get down on his hands and knees and crawl. He even would get down on the ground and pat the ground to call for the puppies.

McKel and Richard

Ryan getting ready to leave

Guin and Crandall