Christmas

Christmas this year was lovely. I tried to keep it a bit low key and with the help of Joe, I didn't get stressed out. We also tried to keep presents on the few and simple side which was a good thing seeing that Eli was overwhelmed with the amount he did get from all the extended family. Though the best thing about Christmas for Eli was that he got to play with his grandma and grandpa Abel. He's going to be going through attention withdrawals when they leave.
I'm keeping Skabelund traditions alive in this new little family and love doing it. We had homemade pizza (asparagus and chicken is delicious) and rice pudding on Christmas Eve. The next morning we had a birthday sweet roll. We sang happy birthday to baby Jesus (sorry Aaron you got shafted) and Eli got to blow the candles out. It's a nice way to start off the morning remembering what Christmas is really about.

We didn't have a snowy Christmas but by Monday morning Eli was able to use the new shovel gramps and grams Skabelund gave him. It's the first real snow storm we've had here.
The other day I read this quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson. He wrote, "Rings and jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. the only gift is a portion of thyself." I have to say looking back at the last year the times that were most enjoyable was the time I spent with family. Joe's best gift to me throughout the year were his small acts of service especially in the last couple of weeks as I've ballo0ned. I know he just loves picking things off the floor for me, tying up my boot laces and being my back pillow. Hopefully, I've given a portion of myself to those I love most too. I'm so thankful for the lovely family I have. I'm excited for the new little one on the way even with the looming work of helping Eli adjust, the lack of sleep, recovery, and stress in general.

Speaking of being a balloon, I'm bigger than I was with Eli and this picture proves it. Some of my maternity shirts don't even fit over my belly and I still have a month and a bit to go. I'm sure Eli could name quite a few animal names that are descriptive of me.
Speaking of the little chap. He's become quite the talker. It's fun to see what new words he says every week. He's newest thing is counting to ten when we play hide and seek. Though with the language comes a stubborn determination to do his own will.
Hope that all had a Merry Christmas... and will have a good New Year.

November

Eli's birthday was on the 20th of November. All he knows of birthdays is what we have read in books and what he remembers from Joe's birthday. Since I had made Joe a pinata for his birthday, I felt I had to make one for Eli. A ball theme seemed the easiest way to go about it seeing a balloon looks most like a ball. Plus, I couldn't have another ugly pinata (Joe's pinata ended up looking like a pickle instead of boat).

We had a little party the 19th. Eli was waiting to eat the cake all morning long... he didn't even care that he didn't get to blow out the candles (a friend helped him blow them out).

We also played pin the soccer ball on the player. All the kids helped Eli open his presents. He got a couple of books, blocks, broom and dust pan, ball, monkey slippers and a rolling pin. Eli was excited about them all. Thanks!

He just received belated gifts from Sandy, grandma and grandpa Abel at Thanksgiving. I don't know how we missed taking even one picture of Eli with the grandparents or of Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving was delicious and relaxing. Eli loved playing with his trains and grandparents. Joe and I enjoyed the weather while walking around the neighborhood.

Friday we were able to ditch the little one off on grandma and grandpa while we went to the temple. It was lovely. It is probably our last chance of going for a while since the baby will be here in a couple of months. Eli was lucky enough to take the Toby (the metro) to the zoo with grandma and grandpa.

It was fun to see Joe's old house and neighborhood (he lived in Maryland for about 3 years as a small lad). We also went to a colonial farm on the Potomac, saw lots of animals and a view of Mount Vernon. Sunday we headed back. Though Joe and I decided we abhor the traffic around D.C. and are glad we don't travel in it on a daily basis. Eli traveled surprisingly well, lucky for us!

Halloween

The climax of Halloween came the night before as we rolled ourselves to the Trunk-o-Treat. After creating a masterpiece of a costume for Eli (Thomas the Train), he refused to wear it. He was a bit overwhelmed by everything that was happening... there were games, candy and a lot of weird people dressed up. I did make a bucket for him that didn't leave his side. At least he liked something. Plus, he learned how to say "Thomas".






Joe and I had the gumption to dress up. Oh, we are so spirited.

I have to say I thought I was pretty clever coming up with our costumes... even the babe got to dress up.

If you can't figure it our from the picture I'm an oven, the babe's a bun, and Joe's the mighty baker.




Halloween morning we did get Eli to put on his costume in order to take pictures and a bit of video. Our camera doesn't always work though and we have lines going through the pictures/videos. Still, lines and all, Eli's pretty cute. Perhaps we'll get a new one but that's we say about everything else we own.

night swimming

This is what happens some nights at our house, where tv is nonexistent, toys are few and boredom wakens imagination.

Aren't these boys the cutest. Kinda wish I was having another one...

But what can I say girls are lovely too, seeing that I am one.

Perhaps I will become a sporadic blogger if only to share our funky videos with family, seeing that life will not likely take us as near to family as we would like.