Our friend Mandy text one evening saying that the BYU Alumni Association made free tickets to a Suns game available, so the four of us went together to a Monday night game. We were ahead the whole game until a very close back and forth in the fourth quarter that ended in us losing. That was too bad, but it made the last quarter really fun and exciting!
Asher loving being social at the grocery store.
He falls asleep almost immediately when we drive.
In the Amazon era, Santa's bag is blue (and very helpful in hiding gifts until Christmas).
The last weekend before Christmas, I realized that the boys were going to be getting a lot for Christmas, but weren't getting the chance to give. So, helped them with some home made gifts.
Benton made Ethan some rubber band shooters and Asher a fabric rattle.
Ethan made Benton a light table (LED light in a plastic tub that he decorated) and Asher a crinkly blanket.
We also took a case of water bottles like Mike likes to take to work, and taped a personal note on each bottle, so that Mike will get an extra smile with each water bottle he drinks.
On the 23rd, we picked up Nana and Papa at the airport. I decided to surprise them and bring the boys, even though it was their bedtime. We stood and watched for like 30 minutes, and somehow missed them leaving the gate area. We ended up walking up behind them while they were waiting for us to drive up to the curb. And this is why Mike and I basically never do surprises: they never work.
They were awfully cute waiting, though.
Asher was trying to stand up, but his footed jammies were too slippery and his feet kept sliding further and further apart.
We went to a park on Christmas Eve, and Asher got to play with sand for the first time. He loved it.
The boys each opened a gift on Christmas Eve. Ethan and Benton loved their light up toys from Grammy, and Asher loves is Sophie giraffe from Grandpa and Grandma.
Christmas day was very poorly documented. I don't even think I have a picture of the tree and presents before they started opening. They are both very into telepods this year, so they enjoyed those from us.
Christmas dinner.
The boys got so many fun gifts! We have really generous family members. I wish I took pictures of each, but we were having too much fun playing with them.
Grandpa and Grandma got Ethan and Benton lights for their bikes. Ethan's tires are below the recommended size, I think, but my stubborness + 1 hour or more of effort=lit up tires!
SO fun!
Banana cream and caramel apple pies.
We naively hit the mall near us the day after Christmas. They boys had a lot of fun on the carousel.
We also took Nana and Papa with us to the Children's Museum, and we went on a few mile jog (me)/bike ride (Nana and Ethan)/roller blading (Mike)/stroller (Benton and Asher) trip that ended at a near by park. Unfortunately, Asher had a pretty high fever that weekend, so we didn't get out to do too much.
Mom and I went out and saw Into the Woods and bought some jewelry, though, and it was really fun to get out together. I also attempted to put Jamberry wraps on her finger nails.
Benton ended up with an ear infection and maybe pink eye (mucus draining from his eyes just like his nose), so by the time we got that diagnosed on Monday, we had just enough time to hit a local park before taking Nana and Papa to the airport. It is so fun spending the holidays with family, so we were so glad they made the trip out!
Since then, we've been enjoying Christmas break. Ethan has been working on thank you letters. This was my favorite: "Dad, I like the playdough, but where is it?" Mike got them little cans of playdough and hid action figures inside, but the boys didn't know where I put it away.
We spent New Years Eve doing chores, then let the boys roast marshmallows before putting them to bed on time. Mike wasn't feeling well, so we just went to bed early too. Apparently, we got snow flurries that night! In Phoenix!
The next morning I made pancakes in the shape of 2015 and we used our pogo passes from Nana and Papa to go skating! The boys actually really liked it. They had to use Fisher Price skates, so I am trying to find used skates to buy rather than rent every time.
And a random picture of Asher in one of the predicaments he has gotten himself into with his attempts to crawl. He gets up on hands and knees, but ends up going backwards. This time, it was in between a bed and wall.
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