Goodnight 2008

It's hard to believe that today is the last day of 2008...I find myself remembering this year, but mostly thinking forward to 2009...

It's amazing to me the little person (with the big personality) that Jadon has become this year...so many changes its impossible to describe. I can't begin to imagine what more changes are in store for the next year. It's a roller coaster of ups and downs, twists and turns and I can't wait for the next ride!

Happy New Year to All of You!

The First Picture of Christmas

Jadon had his first round of Christmas this morning. Little Elves named Grandma Kate and Grandpa Doc came to town. They flew out this morning to Sacramento (we go on the 22nd), but they gave all of us our Christmas gifts this morning (you know b/c they are too big to take on the plane!) He got this Playhut thing with different tents and tunnels, so we created a long tunnel that stretches from our kitchen to the front door. Not kidding here.... To get to his presents he had to go through the maze...its was 6:15 a.m. blankie came with and here is the First Picture of Christmas! Will try to post more pictures of the loot...We were all very spoiled by the Elves.

Bring on the presents...

Merry Christmas Javier...

Javier came down the street on a very rainy Wednesday morning! Jadon was SO excited to see him and he had one of his first experiences with an umbrella (he thought this was really great)! Arizona kids.... Anyhow, Jadon is walking out in the rain and yelling to him "WE HAVE SOMETHING FOR YOU!" He was really excited to watch the garbage's trucks windshield wipers... Oh boys!! We gave Javier a gift card and one of our Christmas cards with Jadon's pictures from KLP. Thank you again Kim!!! He asked if we were going to be home on Saturday. He told me that he bought Jadon a Garbage Truck from Costco and wanted to come by with his wife and daughter to introduce them to "his boy"! I almost cried...seriously...is that not the cutest thing you've ever heard??? Promises to take pictures on Saturday afternoon for sure.

Up late...

Making some homemade Christmas gifts... Thought I would post this silly picture of me & my cake from Saturday night. The 4 layer Peppermint Frosting with White Chocolate Cream and Chocolate Ganache glaze Devil's Food cake... I didn't have time to shave chocolate for the top like the recipe called for, so I did my own decorations on the side with candy canes. This frosting was an insane project that almost made me late for cocktail hour of the progressive dinner! Duane, if there would have been any left I would have done a fed-ex for you...sorry about that. Next time you are in town, fabulous dessert of your choice. I promise.





So the good news is that I think I've done all my Christmas Shopping. Giving is so much more fun then receiving! Really...I need nothing! We shipped a box of our winter clothes and some present stuff to Sacramento. Packages are starting to arrive here from our 2nd favorite neighborhood truck, The UPS man! I'm staying current on the laundry...for everyone! Our Christmas cards should arrive tomorrow, so that will be the next project, along with some more baking this week. Jadon and I went to the bookstore today and picked up a few things. He bought special presents for his cousins and his gee-gu today. I have some crafty projects that I'm working on for gifts. Visitors arriving on Wednesday and Friday...thank goodness the cleaning people are coming this week!





The bad news is that I think Jadon is getting another cold. The last two colds have resulted in ear infections and trips to the doctor. Last year, he did the exact same thing and got sick on Christmas Eve. I feel like I'm a little bit on high-alert...just because we are flying and I so do not want him to be sick on Christmas again! Such is life...a trip to see our favorite pediatrician may be in the works this week, but hopefully it will just take its course and be gone. We'll see???



So I mentioned that Jadon has an Elf in my last post. Lately the Elf has been feeling pretty nice and has left candy canes with the itty bitty ornaments. One day, the elf forgot about the candy cane. At a bright 5:30 a.m. Jadon announced "Sorry Mom, No Candy Cane today..." His face was so serious and he could not get over this fact (so sad...the Elf really felt bad!!), but luckily we went to Dreaming Summit that day and Mrs. Vanica gave him a hershey's kiss...so his candy fix for the day was still intact.




Elf Duty calls...

The Polar Express...

This year Jadon loves trains. More then anything he likes The Polar Express. We read the book, we ring every bell, we watch the movie (a lot!) and Jadon's "elf" brought him a Polar Express Ornament for his tree. Yes, Jadon has an elf...and elf that brings him treats to his Train Advent Calendar. Little itty bitty ornaments for his personal tree.

So last night we went and saw The Polar Express in 3-D at Imax. He was in total amazement...never even flinched at any of the scary scenes with the train. He loves the part when the train is sliding all over the ice, he thinks its slippery!

Ryan posted a picture on his new blog of Jadon in his 3-D glasses...it is so cute! Check it out.

Laundry is calling...must go now!

We've been busy...

Baking Aunt Jeannie's cookies!!! Well...we've been busy with lots of other things.... Like working with our neighborhood to do 35 Angels off the tree at school, wrapping gifts, Holly Jolly Festival in Goodyear, visit with Grandpa Doc, making homemade gifts, decorating the house, shopping, shopping online, picture taking sessions, Zoo Lights with the Meese's, ordering cards, shipping presents to CA and today getting ready for our neighborhood progressive dinner. Whew...can you say all that in one breath?

All right the choo-choo is off the track around the tree, so I must go and save the day...

Thanks for the cookie wisdom Aunt Jeannie!!!!!! Jadon made his Daddy some Gingerbread Houses, then we busted out all of Nana Robyn's cookie cutters and found bells and a train!!!