Christmas

Both boys got new PJs Christmas Eve, and here they are showing off their cute little skinny bodies. Doesn't Kai look a little scary smiling here?
I thought this was a cute picture since all of the boys seem so interested in one of the toys that Kai got from his grandma :).
I just liked this one of Kai feeling so proud that he was standing up by himself. He isn't pulling himself up on things quite yet, so he shouldn't feel too proud that he had my help to stand there.
Chase got a tricycle from Santa, and that "green hill" to the left of him. With money being very tight this year with all of our recent changes, I shopped at DI for both boys. I got the bike for $5 as well as that cool car ramp/hill for $5. With the boys having no clue that they weren't brand new, I am sold on D.I. and all of the amazing deals I have been finding lately.

This picture was too cute not to post.

Christmas was a lot of fun this year with Chase believing in Santa, and Kai getting excited to open presents. The morning didn't start out too well with me waking up at 5:00 only to throw up, but thankfully my prayers were answered and I was feeling well within a few hours and able to have a fairly normal day.
Nathan and I set a pretty tight budget for each other this year and only allowed each other to spend $15 on each other's presents. It was supposed to be tricky to encourage creativity, and Nathan did a great job. He made me a CD of songs that I have been wanting, a tape recording of him telling me what he loves about me and our life together (my favorite gift), a really good-smelling body spray he got for $2 with a coupon from Victoria Secrets, and some chocolate. For him I got him a tortilla warmer he has been wanting for years it seems, some wooden suit hangers that were on sale at Linen's and Things, and I drew him a picture of Kai and Chase and framed it. Nothing big, but it is all about the thought that counts, and what was neat is that each of the presents were well thought out.
I am grateful for my little family, and for their spirits, and the fun that we have together. Having to live more simply has made me realize how much I really do have, and how much family and friends really mean to me. I am so grateful that we were able to celebrate our Savior's birth, and am so grateful for the sacrifices he made for each of us. It was great to celebrate Christmas with most of Nathan's family, and now we have 2009 to look forward to. I wonder what 2009 will bring? :)

The First Real Snow for Washington

We have been getting a little bit of snow over the past week, but all today we have been getting some decent snow flurries for this area, (I know many of you reading this are getting dumped with some major snow). Nicole, myself, Chase, and her son Joseph all went out this morning when the little boys were napping, and we had a lot of fun. Here we are "sledding" down the street. Chase enjoyed it even though it took some persuading to get him on the sled...he isn't the most adventurous little boy.
After Nathan came home from work this afternoon we decided to attempt the cold as a family. I didn't want Kai to stay out too long, so he and I went inside pretty soon thereafter; but we enjoyed watching "Daddy" sled down some dangerous hills and almost hurt himself.
I just had to post this picture of Chase and his cute little face (even though only a little bit of it is showing :D ).

Bath Time!

It is so much fun now that Kai is good at sitting up and can play in the bath with Chase. Sometimes Kai is a little too brave and will lunge for a toy he wants to play with, and ends up face deep in the water, but this is pretty rare. The boys enjoy playing in the water together, and especially like to splash. Here is a short video clip for those of you that don't get to see the boys very often (hopefully there are no particular body parts showing :P, I tried to be careful).