{A UT Christmas}

We ended our Christmas break back in UT. We celebrated with both sets of my parents, rang in the New Year, and even managed to catch up with a few friends (though not as many as we wanted). All in all it was a wonderful break from our house, and it always feels good to go "home". I did miss MD though. Except for the cold.

My Mom and Ray's Christmas tree. I don't know how she does it, but my Mom's tree looks perfect every year.

Jonas with his Dinosaur slippers.

G&G gave him the Handy Manny Construction set. I think he had as much fun looking at everyone on the box as he did playing with the pieces inside!

Waiting to open the goods.

Grandpa Ray, Devin, and Jonas watching football. As you can see, Jonas was happy as a clam to be watching a movie on Devin's computer. That way everyone wins!!

Back to Grandpa and Grandma Stevenson's. Taryn ended up with a new phone (her first) from Santa. We didn't hear much from her after that. She's sent and received more texts since Christmas than I have in my life!

Jonas telling everyone how excited he was to open MORE gifts. We had a great Christmas in Utah too. We were VERY spoiled. We have such a great family who loves us. We truly felt blessed to be able to spend time with them once again. We know it won't always be that way and we're so glad we got to enjoy it again this year! Thanks for all you did for us. We look forward to June :)

{An Idaho Christmas}

This year we went to Idaho for Christmas. It was lots of fun to see Devin's parents get to watch the grandkids open their presents from Santa. (Devin's brother and his family joined us)

Jonas didn't wake up until after 8 :) Although the other kids woke us up before 6. Their parents didn't establish "the time rule" with them :)

...and we had a replay of our MD Christmas when J wouldn't open any presents until he had something to eat. So Dad rescued him with a quick yogurt....

.....and that did the trick. Then it was off to open presents.

Alexa...almost lost in the mass of toys and paper.

Samantha and Jace. I love their faces. Who knows what they were opening...it didn't matter...they were excited every time.

We had a great trip to Idaho complete with a game of Capture the Flag. Uncle Kerin brought more Nerf Guns than I have ever seen and we shot at each other until we were too tired to shoot. We played hours of the Wii, ate lots of good treats, and made lasting memories. Thanks for all fun!!

{Utah Happenings}

Our first few days in UT are always crazy. Adjusting to time, seeing everyone again, and exploring our surroundings. My Dad had the whole first week off when we got there and it was HEAVEN! He watched Jonas so I could shower and nap. He put J in his car seat, carried him everywhere, got him out of his car seat, and took us where ever we wanted-including to lunch almost every day. It was my favorite part of our vacation. Spending time with Dad is rare-so we really took advantage of it! Thanks for all the fun Dad :)

We rode to Lehi to watch my little sister, Taryn play basketball on the Sophomore team. Since she is a Freshman, it was a pretty exciting event for her (and for us). She played VERY well and scored quite a few points-but I can't remember how many...sorry T.

This is a good picture! Rylee (our cousin) is the one on left facing us in red. Taryn is the other one in red facing us. It was a bonus to be able to watch them both in action :)

I missed T picking her spandex out of her....well....you know. But this does show her sweet shoes :)

She took her turn on the bench too.

Jonas was a great cheerleader. He looks drunk here...but he was just saying "Cheese" for the camera. He squints his eyes because the flash that comes next is so bright. Sooooo we get the cute "Cheese" smile...and the squinty eyes.

Brook was great fun for Jonas. She was willing to play anything with him and was his best bathing buddy ever. He LOVED bathing in the jet tub with bubbles.

Even though this car is for girls :) J loves it. It doesn't work, but Brookie pushed him around in it. She's always lots of fun!

Kaylee (Who stole my camera and took this picture-and still manages to get dates) is also great help with Jonas. She followed him around, made sure he didn't play in the toilet (again), and made plenty of treats for him. She also made sure he ate every piece of candy he found. Jonas learned to take the candy to Kaylee because she wouldn't tell him no!

THIS is how Taryn babysits. I asked her to watch Jonas while I showered. I came upstairs to find her asleep on the heat vent and Jonas in front of the TV waiting for someone to start his movie. Needless to say...she got fired :)

Taryn spent a lot of time resting on the heat vent. Since she gets up at 4:28 every day to get ready for basketball practice...I guess she deserves it.

Taryn decided to make these delicious cookies. Then she started asking questions like....what's soda? What if it says to put Soda and Powder in? Eventually I accused her of being a "Virgin" cookie maker. She threw us all for a loop when she yelled (and I quote)..."I am NOT a Virgin". Don't worry...we had a long talk about what did and did not qualify one as a "Virgin". She's got it all straight now.

This was the end results from Ms. Betty Crocker. Mile High Homemade Oreos. She enjoyed them. :) I love you Taryn :)

{A Maryland Christmas}

Since we went to UT/ID for Christmas this year, Santa was nice enough to make an early stop in MD and bring presents to Jonas. He must have understood the whole packing situation (and it was a situation!!). Jonas didn't wake up very happy and we eventually had to stop the festivities and eat some breakfast. That did the trick. Then he was more than happy to open presents.

After Breakfast. Much Happier Boy!

He must have opened clothes on this snap of the camera. Watching Jonas open clothes was the highlight of our Christmas. He'd peek in the box and if he saw clothes He was ANGRY. He'd slam the box closed and move on. He DID NOT want to open any clothes. Such a boy.

Posing with the first gift.

The Loot

Before we left for our 3 week vacation we rode the train in Walkersville with our friends. It was a cold day, but the kids didn't seem to mind. The ride included a visit with Santa who gave the kids Candy Canes. Jonas loves trains as of late-so he was in heaven.

Brady, Jackson, Lauren, and Kara joined us....

....so did Scotty, Aleese, Barrick, Lily, and Liam.

While Jonas didn't cry when Santa came, he didn't really smile either. He mostly tolerated him being there.

After the train ride we had (gross) Hot Chocolate and cookies in the museum. Jonas LOVED this train set. We must have watched it go around 100 times.

Since J loves trains so much, we took him to the mall to ride this little train. He was in Heaven (as you can tell by his face). He got to ride it twice. Once with Mom and once with Dad. He and I rode it a few weeks ago and he cried and signed for more when we got off. I felt so bad I made Devin take us back. His reaction was totally worth it. He loved it!

J and Dad on the train. I'm not very good at action shots :(

{Family Pictures Fall 2010}

We took advantage of Diana's talents again and asked her to take some pictures for our Christmas card. To say Jonas was uncooperative is a bit of an understatement. He hated the camera, the leaves, the table, the everything. Diana did catch a few of him with the bubbles. He's a challenge when it comes to eye contact with the camera.

This is one of two where Jonas is looking at the camera. Never a smile and a look. What a kid :)

I love that it looks like Jonas is "honking" Devin's nose in this one. He was so scared of being on Devin's shoulders for some reason. Made for a funny (looking) picture.

I love Devin's eyes in this one. Looking up at Jonas like....OH! This child. That's how we felt that day. Why is it that they never want to cooperate on the days we want them too?

Oh well. There are lots of cute pictures...but we're saving them for Christmas gifts :)

{Thanksgiving 2010}

We had a great Thanksgiving 2010. We missed seeing our family, but we were able to spend the day with extended family. Sadly I didn't take very many pictures. Devin has an uncle that lives about 20 minutes away and they graciously invited us to spend the day with them. We went to the Zoo in the morning and enjoyed the traditional Thanksgiving dinner in the late afternoon. It was fun to catch up, see new traditions, and enjoy the company of family.

Jonas L.O.V.E.S the Zoo. Much to our delight he had so much fun...even though it was a bit chilly!

Devin and Jonas in the Ape House.

I was hiding behind a sign and Jonas thought it was hilarious when I would jump out and scare him. He's a cute one.

Standing on the rocks all by himself. (For some reason he was a bit nervous-the rock isn't very big)

The nervous look.

Waiting to see his favorite animal at the Zoo...

...The Panda!! He loves them!

A shot of the BFF's.

This is the only shot I got of the actual dinner....and Jonas is eating a graham cracker. He isn't much for "real" or good food. Crazy.

Jonas is also very tricky. He has learned that if someone else is watching the TV and he wants to watch his show...there is still a way. (this happens on weekends when Dad is watching football) He will open the computer and then push buttons until we realize what he is doing. He knows that he can watch some of his favorites on the computer...so he does. This was Friday night. Doesn't he look cute all relaxed watching Manny?

{Halloween and Such}

Jonas ended up having a pretty fun time at the Trunk-or-Treat this year. He finally understood the process about halfway through. Take the candy, put it in your basket, look at the people giving you the candy (I think he was saying Thank You in his head...we're still working on that sign), move on to the next trunk. By the end of the night, it was getting cold and Jonas was dragging Devin and I to the next car. We also discovered that he does indeed like candy. Reese's Peanut Butter cups were a huge hit. He also tried a starburst, but kept taking it out of his mouth. I think it was too hard to chew. Anyways....we've been pretty boring since Halloween. Devin has raked the yard so much I've lost count and sadly our tree in the front yard hasn't even started dropping leaves. Ugh. I spend my days at this Doctor...or that Doctor. But the little Miss is healthy and as active as can be...so I'm not complaining.

Resting after gathering the goods.

He smiles when you sing to him. I was singing some song from Handy Manny. I think the people parked next to us thought I was nuts. I just wanted a smile from my 2 year old.

He wouldn't hold the ball...or his pumpkin while we trunk-or-treated.

The rear-view.

Truly the cutest, happiest boy I know. Love him.