Sam & Megan: holiday

Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Happy New Year!

As usual, December was a very busy and fun month. Here's what we've been up to:

Sam helped the scouts make snow shoes. Now all they need is snow! We've had a few flurries here and there, but no real snow all winter. How boring!

Cohen in an elf hat he made at a local book store's story time.

Sam experimented making what he called "Grinch Candy Canes".

"I'm not sure what to think about this guy, but I sure do like his candy!"

We've been able to spend some much anticipated time with Katrina's family. One night they all came over for dinner and then we went to Temple Square. Another night they all watched Cohen while Sam and I went to a movie--the babysitter to kid ratio was 8:1. Just one more perk of our open adoption.

Temple Square w/ Katrina's family

One Christmas Eve we had brunch with and spent most of the day with Megan's family.

The two beautiful Great Grannies who started it all.

Cohen discovering the joys of Flarp.

Megan's Dad, a.k.a. The Pancake Master

Cohen playing Wii "bats" (baseball) with his Uncle Dan and cousin Jackson.

Cohen got at least 10 cars, plus a motorcycle and a helicopter for Christmas. He loves each and every one (especially the latter two).

Cohen gave Sam and me a much appreciated present on Christmas morning ... he slept in until about 9:30! He got up just in time for a present that surprised us all--we got to Skype Katrina! She looked and sounded so happy. While we miss her a ton, we're so grateful she's where she is. She also received a much needed Christmas gift--an investigator attended church.

After chatting with Katrina we opened presents, went to church and then had family over for dinner.

Cohen thinks his Missionary in Training tag is pretty cool. Too bad he hadn't opened it before our Skype session with Katrina. We'll be sending her a photo.

Cohen got a toy grill--I think he likes it!

Cohen making Sam a delicious plastic hamburger. Yum!

For New Year's Eve we went out for pizza and and then went bowling with some family and friends. Cohen liked bowling, but his favorite part was dancing to the music with his cousins.

Cohen's first time bowling.

This past year has brought us so much to be grateful for: a new job for Sam that he LOVES, lots of time with family and friends, Cohen learned to talk, and we were approved to adopt again. Hopefully the coming year will bring a new addition to our family!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

November Roundup

our back yard cherry tree

Wow! This month has flown by. I just realized I have only published one post this month and December begins in a couple of hours. Here's a quick rundown of what we've been up to this month:

Sam went to work peeling and sanding the logs he harvested for his parents banister.

Cohen started using the toilet - very infrequently, but it's still a major celebration at your house!

Sam taught Cohen the art of tortilla making and Cohen became a master of glue while making our first displayed Christmas decoration (it's on the fridge behind him)

For the 3rd year in a row, we participated in the annual Adoption Walk With Me 5K to raise awareness of the positive outcomes of adoption in our community. BTW, Katrina is doing great on her mission. She's in a new area that she loves. We miss her TONS and can't wait to spend some time with her family who will be in town next month.

Sam tried to use the shop-vac as a leaf blower. It didn't work very well, but Cohen had a blast playing with it.

We discovered the joy of indoor camping. Cohen calls marshmallows "farfallows".

The newest member of our extended family was born last month. He was born 8 minutes after Megan's sister arrived at the hospital! Cohen calls him Baby Will and we can't get enough of him.

Grandma (Megan's mom), Cohen and William on Thanksgiving.

We decorated for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. Cohen's tree ended up looking very similar to the way he decorated it last year. At least this year he hasn't tried eating any of the ornaments.

One night when Cohen was supposed to be in bed he got into the gift wrapping box and had a lot of fun with the ribbon.

And last of all, some stuff I've been thinking about A LOT lately, but I'm not quite sure what to say about it ...

We've only been approved to adopt again for a few months. Why does it feel like SO MUCH longer?! I obviously have yet to master the art of patience!

This month we've had contact with a couple of different women trying to find families for their children. This time is such a roller coster of emotions. Trying to be realistic while staying hopeful, faithful and grateful can be a struggle at times. Discouragement and doubt keep trying to rear their ugly heads. And trying to make sure we're doing all we can to help our next child find his/her way to our family vs. having faith that the Lord will bring us together can be a tough balancing act.

However, as frustrated and powerless as I sometimes feel, I always think of those planning to place their child for adoption and the task they have of trying to find the right family. Now THEY have the hard part in all of this. I cannot imagine the pressure that must accompany making such an important decision. I'm glad we can be a part of a few of their journeys. I truly feel blessed for the opportunity to do whatever we can to help them with their decision. We clearly experienced through Cohen's adoption that Heavenly Father has a way of working things out. I just have to be patient.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Axel & Buzz

Happy Halloween!

This really is the first holiday (besides birthdays) that Cohen has really gotten excited about. It's been my favorite Halloween ever!

Cohen dressed up as a character from his favorite movie, Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story. He does a great, "To infinity and beyond!" We went to the store today and I let him wear his costume (minus the wings) and he thought that was pretty cool. I'm such a dork--we were going down the escalator (Cohen's favorite part of going to this particular store) and I began thinking about how happy and blessed I felt. There I was at the store with my darling little boy, who was elated to be riding the escalator and even more excited about being dressed up as Buzz. I felt overwhelmed with gratitude. I totally almost started to cry--I had to put in some serious effort to keep a normal face and hold back the tears. I am so grateful for Katrina and our Father in Heaven for giving me the chance to be Cohen's mom. I am so blessed!

Sam stayed up until 2 a.m. working on Buzz's wings and then got up extra early in the morning to finish them. Also, when it came time to trick-or-treat (we went to my sister's house to hang out and trick-or-treat in her neighborhood), Sam and Cohen were the first ones out the door (seriously, Sam couldn't wait for the other kids to be ready).

Our jack-o-lantern.

Our little family at my sister's annual Halloween party. Cohen as Buzz Lighyear, Sam as Axel Rose, and me in a costume I threw on last minute to put a smile on Sam's face (he was bummed that I didn't plan on dressing up this year)

Check out THE wings!

At some point during the night I mentioned to my sister that I'd always wanted blue hair. Low-and-behold, she had this wig. What do you think?!

We let Cohen have free reign of his candy bucket on ride home. The next day we found this. No wonder he now asks Sam or me to take off the wrappers!

Monday, July 18, 2011

TWO!

Time flies when you're having fun! Most who don't know Cohen think he's at least three because he's so tall. But I can't believe he's already two! By the time you're my age, not much changes between birthdays. But Cohen has learned a lot since last year: he can walk (and run!), count to 10+, pedal his tricycle, shoot a basket, name ALL of his cousins, aunts, uncles grandparents and friends, dance, sing, and he can finish the sentences and lines to his favorite books and songs.

To celebrate we had a casual dinner party at our house yesterday. I debated whether or not to have a family party AND a friend party, but opted for "just" a family party. Most of his closest friends are cousins anyway, so we'll save the friend thing for later. We had a houseful and yardful with just family anyway.

Dinner included Cohen's favorite foods: hot dogs & sausages, french fries, veggies & ranch dip, and ice cream. Of course we had cake, too. Last year's cake was an aesthetic disaster, but all the kids loved it. So this year I used the same idea with a few changes and it turned out much prettier.

Cohen was ecstatic about the "balls" on his cake.

I wonder what he wished for??

Only the birthday boy could get away with this.

Great grandmas, grandparents, great uncle, aunts, uncles, cousins and Katrina's family. A pretty big crowd for a two year old! The more the merrier, I say!!

When buying Cohen b-day presents, Sam and I need to remember other people will get him gifts, too. He got a lot of stuff: stuffed animals, books, cars, clothes, puzzles, chocolate milk, candy, balls, a power drill, and his favorite, a lawnmower that blows bubbles. I think it's time get rid of some of his "old" toys. They are starting to take over the house!

Happy Birthday Bub-o. We love you!

Friday, July 8, 2011

Happy B-Day America!

We spent the 4th of July weekend at Sam's sister's. They live on about 10 acres just outside of a small town. Their property includes a seasonal stream, swimming pond and several out buildings like a gazebo, outdoor kitchen and a small cabin. They also have these little flower, vegetable and sculpture gardens, and sitting areas peppered throughout the property. It's seriously a work of art.

We attended the town parade which began with a 5k fun run that Sam and our nephew ran in. We also went to the firework show that was pretty darn amazing for such a small town. We had such a great time we've decided to make it a tradition.