Buttoned Up

On Christmas Eve day we took the kids up the cabin one last time for the season.  Since the cabin is not finished, the caretaker will not plow to our cabin anymore.  We took up our sleds as well, mostly to try and wear down the kiddos so they would sleep well that night.

There was a lot of snow.  A lot.  Beautiful though.

The cabin is as close to being dried in as its going to get.  The roof membrane is on and most of the windows are in.  It is no longer practical or worthwhile to try and get workers to go up there.  So now we wait until the snow melts in the spring to start again.

Have you ever tried to take a selfie with an iphone propped on a deck covered with snow and ice?  It doesn't work very well.  Scott had a difficult time setting the timer then plowing through the 3 feet of snow in time.

Then the phone slipped. 

So we gave up and the boys continued with the snow angels, sledding and throwing snow.

Our Elf

Is your elf having difficulty finding new places to hide?  After 5 Christmas' in this house, our kiddos know all the spots and we have specifically told our elf he is not allowed to go on Pinterest to find exciting new ways to entertain the kids each morning.  I simply, I mean He simply does not have the energy for that. :)

A Guest Appearance

Baby Jesus needs some serious protection.

A Measuring Stick

For many years now, we have been going up to see the Christmas lights on Temple Square with Scott's parents.  It is something we look forward to during this season.  Each year we do the same thing.   Meet up at the Lion House after Scott's parents are done serving in the temple, eat dinner and then go see the lights.  We actually have the whole process down to a science so we can beat the crowds and congestion.

For some reason this event is one I always measure and look back on each year to see how it is gotten easier and how my kids are growing up.

In the early years with young babies and toddlers it was an exhausting evening.  Packing coats, hats, blankets, gloves and strollers was just the beginning.  Once we arrived downtown we had to haul everything across the parking garage and to the restaurant.

Dinner was always a chaotic event.   Carrying multiple trays of food to the table and pushing strollers through the line was the first part.  Then, cutting up food for the kids, helping them eat and hoping one of them didn't have a tantrum or start running around the restaurant before we all had finished.  I remember many years,  barely having time to shove down my food before the kids got out of hand.  There was also the worry that I would have to find a place to nurse Chase amongst the crowds as well. Been there. Done that too.

Chasey at Temple Square

Once the dinner was finished and all of the clothes were put on, it was the worry that they would get cold, we would lose one of them or one of them would start crying.  Or any number of these things happening all at once.  Once we finished and walked back to the car we would all be exhausted.  Let me re-state that.  Scott and I would be exhausted.  The kids were just getting started.

Each year when we have gone though, I have looked back at the previous year.  Soon, I wasn't nursing anymore. The next year, we only had 1 stroller and so on.  Slowly but surely it has gotten easier.  My boys now feed themselves and are responsible for their own clothes.  Yea!  I don't have to worry about tantrums and strollers.  Yea!   We can actually sit down and have a nice dinner and only tell Owen and Chase about 4 times to sit down and stop running around. 

On the other hand as it has become easier for us, it has become harder for Scott's parents.  Due to some health issues, Scott's mom no longer works in the temple and has a harder time getting around.  We are so grateful for the time we have to spend with them and hope we can continue this tradition for many more years.

A Change

A few weeks ago, Taylor handed me his 3rd revised edition Christmas wish list. 

On his list he had written that he wanted a pair of jeans and a button down shirt.

What?  I was confused.  This child has not worn jeans (save for 1 stake dance) or a button down shirt (except for church) in years.  All he wears is athletic shorts and athletic or cotton t-shirts.  Preferably with a Nike logo on the front.  When he is going out on a limb he will wear athletic pants.

All those jeans that I had so smartly bought during sales years ago and stashed them away for future use.  Never worn by this child.

So I questioned him about these items on his list?  Are these for church?  A special occasion?  A dare? To impress someone?

He told me no, he just looking to wear something different.  I had a hard time believing this.

Fast forward a few weeks and I noticed that some of his athletic apparel was looking a little skimpy and tired on him.  That's no surprise as he is growing right before my eyes and wears the same few things over and over.

I decided that instead of giving him jeans for Christmas I would just take him and buy him a couple pairs and a shirt. 

I still was dubious though when we went looking.  I didn't really think he knew what he wanted.  We found some jeans that he liked pretty easily.  Not too loose or not too tight.  He wanted them plain.  Nothing fancy.  Done.

He then went searching for just the right button down shirt.  I had no idea how to help him, so I just kept pointing out different fabrics and patterns.

At one point, I pointed to a plaid flannel shirt and said "How about something like this?"  To which he responded "I don't want to look like a lumberjack, Mom."   How could he not like a plaid flannel shirt?  You can't go into a clothing store without running into racks and racks of these.  They are all the rage right now.  I guess not so much for this 14 year old kid.

So,  I decided to keep my mouth shut until he found what he was looking for.

He did.  I looked at it and asked him for about the 10th time if he was sure he would wear it to school.  He promised me he would.  I then told him that if I didn't see him wearing it, he owed me money for the cost of the shirt.

I don't mind the change, that's for sure.  He wore them to school today and I could tell he was slightly uncomfortable in them.  A little fidgety.  He's not used to clothes that don't stretch.  We will see how long it lasts.

My handsome boys

 

Tucson

A week before Thanksgiving, Scott and I went for a short trip down to Tucson.  Scott and a few of his riding buddies decided to meet down there and ride the "Tour of Tucson" bike race together.

They all finished.  102 miles in 6 hours and 20 minutes.  Pretty impressive considering none of them had done much riding the month before the race.

The weather the warm and the food was great and I didn't have to ride a bike to enjoy it all!

 Taking a short break at mile 75.

 Scott always wears his lucky "leisure suite" jersey for bike races.