Ruby Update

Our little firecracker Ruby is just trying to grow up as quickly as possible.  That girl has more personality in her little finger than an award winning actress who just received an Oscar.  
 

Little Sweetie :)

Ruby is extremely fun to have around - you must watch out for mood changes though - those can be dangerous. ;)

Rubes has many loves in the world - one of the main ones being boots.  She LOVES boots.  She has some pink ones I scored at my last bins run in Oregon that are most likely too small for her, but she still seems to find them and have them on her feet 24/7.  She loves stomping around in them and putting them on herself.  Any shoe she can get on herself is a winner.

She loves her hippo and her "blank-ily" as she calls it and loves putting her blanket on her head while walking around in her boots.  

Pretending she's going somewhere is also fun.  She'll yell, "Bye!  See ya later!  Have a good trip!" as she stomps in her boots out of the room, comes back and then repeats it over again.

She LOVES tea parties - and calls them "my parties" all the time and prefers to hold your teacup up to your mouth for you.

She goes through phases of foods - cheerios was a main one for a while, and then she recently has loved frosted mini wheats.  She loves apples - BIG apples - which means a big slice (just like Ross) that she chomps on while going about her playtime.  She could down an entire box of Mac and Cheese if I let her I think - while Ross has to be poked and prodded to finish his meal of it.

Ruby has learned the deliciousness of candy and asks for it constantly - even though I only let her have it MAYBE once a week.  She definitely has a sweet tooth.

Today, in fact, as we were getting buckled in the car to leave church, she was having a meltdown, and in the midst of it, saw a piece of a candycane on the floormat, and yelled, "My candy!  I dropped it!  Dang it!" She's not even 2 yet!  And she has learned "Dang it" and can use it properly in its context....oh heaven help us.

She is extremely fast.  Ruby always seems to find things that she should not be in to, and knows how to juke away from you with an added flair.  I'm not just saying for me - in my slow pregnant body.  Stephen has ended up on his rump more than once trying to fake out Ruby in order to catch her with whatever unsafe thing she has in her hands at the time.  

When I get her up in the morning, if she's in a good mood, she'll make her voice high and sweet saying, "Good morning!" and "Had good dreams" "Good sleep" which always melts me.  

Sometimes, when she's NOT in a great mood - she has crazy meltdown tantrums.  Steve calls her a fainting goat during these.  She makes her body go rigid in her tantrum and collapses to the ground.  It's pretty hilarious.

Sundays are funny days, because she'll throw a tantrum getting changed into her dress...yet when church is over and we try to take her out of it, we get another tantrum....fun fun fun!

Ruby does really well now in nursery though which is wonderful.

Her favorite Primary songs are "Once there was a Snowman" "I am a child of God" and "Do as I'm doing".  Some of her favorite other songs are "Let it go" "Frosty the Snowman" "Jingle Bells" and any of the Winnie the Pooh songs.  It's amazing to me how quickly she picks up songs too.  She can know words from the chorus or part of it after listening to it one time.  It's crazy! She definitely loves singing.

She usually requests "Let it Go" before going to bed as well as "Pearly Shells".  She cracks me up being in the same room as Ross, because if she ever wakes up before Ross, I can hear here yelling, "Hey Ross!  Rooooossss!" to try and get him up as well.  She'll also yell, "Mommy, where are you?!  Daddy?! Ross!" in the morning as well. 

Ruby, like her brother, is a lover of books (score for mom!) and I'll catch her upstairs in their room sitting in the glider looking at books for quite a while. Some of her favorites are: Five Little Pumpkins, Goodnight Moon, Shoe-la-la, (figures right?) and Pete the Cat.  If she's not interested in a book you're reading, you can forget about her sticking around.  

She still loves brushing her teeth, and is starting to get an interest in potty training - telling me she needs to go potty, getting on the potty, and having nothing happen.  I think she likes being big like Ross.

She would stay all day in the tub with the tub crayons if I let her.  Having free reign to draw on everything in there is extremely satisfying for her since I have to regulate her whenever there is any sort of writing utensil in her hand elsewhere.  

She LOVES to color and wants to do it ALL the time.  She also loves stickers and decorating your hands with them.  

Her vocabulary is crazy and extensive.  It's nuts to me that I can already have full sentence and phrased conversations with her.  She is very with it and knows much better than I give her credit for - maybe it's because I want her to stay my baby more - I'm in denial.  

Ruby is great as saying prayers and loves to bless everyone in our family, along with pillows, blank-ilies, fans, drinks, and anything else she can see around her.  

We are definitely all growing up too fast around this house, and I have NO idea how she's going to be with this new baby.  I'm hoping she'll be excited and wanting to help all the time.  She loves to help with other babies she sees - so lets hope for the best! :)  We love our Ruby - that's for sure. :)    

Ross Update

It seems with all the hustle and bustle of things, I haven't written about things Ross and Ruby are up to these days.  

Ross has been busy asking me questions all day long...ALL DAY LONG. :)  He is a very curious boy.  Some of his favorite things to do are to help me with anything around the house.  If he hears the kitchen sink turn on, he comes running, dragging a chair behind him so he can help do the dishes.  Doing laundry has become another favorite hobby.  He prefers throwing the dirty laundry in the washer along with the detergent.  His go to jobs are cleaning the mirror and counters, and always reminds us to clean the toilets (I wonder if he's gotten that from his Grandpa Don - who is a bathroom cleaning fanatic). ;)  

He also loves to help make cookies (mostly so he can get to the sample-the-chocolate-chips part or sneak some cookie dough) and muffins.  Muffins are the best in his book. :)

He is an avid book lover - always asking to be read to and quizzing me on different parts of the book - letting me know if I'm right or not. :)  Some of his recent favorite books are Shark in the Dark, I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean, Too Many Toys, and anything new from the library.  He knows his letters and most sounds - though W and M get confusing. ;)  He's a good counter and also knows his numbers.  He loves puzzles more and more and loves to play games.  Hide and Seek may possibly be his favorite (this house in Colorado is a great one for Hide and Seek).  

Coloring isn't a favorite in Ross's book, but if he can cut things with his scissors, he's all over it.  THOUGH - coloring with the crayons for the bathtub is extremely fun.  That was the best $4.95 I've invested in. :)

He's still my little toy hoarder.  Stephen decided his nickname should be Smaug (from the Hobbit).  He seems to have a 6th sense as to if a toy of his has been taken from its pile. He can sense the weight and amount that has been lifted from his treasure.  We're back to working on sharing once again.

Ross loves to visit the library and tells me every book he pulls out is his favorite and wants to check it out.  (This is interesting juggling Ross pulling out every book in the library to check out and Ruby running rampant looking for mischief - unless there are crayons and papers at the table - then she'll be distracted for a while.)  

His favorite Primary songs are "I Am a Child of God" "Follow the Prophet" and "The Wiseman and the Foolishman".  Whenever he hears a song he loves, he scrunches his lips up to his nose while bouncing to the beat and says, "Yeah mom!" - like he's totally feeling that song.  I love it!

Silly Face!

Whenever we say something that Ross doesn't agree with he likes to tell us, "Nuh-uh - that'll be not true!" and he still calls excavators "effigators" even though when we stop and have him say it the way we tell him - he pronounces it correctly.  

When I tell him he has to take a big drink, he makes his face as big as he can while he takes the gulp - as in his eyes open really wide and he tenses his facial muscles. :)

At bedtime he's finally realized that blankets keep him warm and now asks for us to put his blankets on him.  If he's cold, he'll ask, "Will you snuggle me so I can get warm?" Who, in their right mind can refuse that?!   He goes through phases of staying in his bed through the night, and then has a few days at a time where he tries to get in our bed in the middle of the night.  He's doing better now that we're situated here more in Colorado.  Our goal is to be completely potty trained through the night - but are kind of stuck in a rut in that department at the moment.  He just can't wake up enough to realize he has to go.  We'll get it sorted eventually though.

He loves to open his blinds in the morning (which of course wakes Ruby up) and tell us, "It's morning and the sun is out!" whenever he gets up.  He prefers a half slice of a bagel with cream cheese, and blueberries for breakfast, and STILL could eat goldfish all day long if I let him.  He's my healthier eater though - always finishing his veggies and fruit before having to be persuaded to eat the main part - a sandwich, etc.  He LOVES spaghetti - if he can sprinkle parmesan on it, as well as pizza, green smoothies, and hotdogs. 

He'll remind me, "the baby's not coming out of your belly yet, Mom" all the time while he pats my belly.  And since he's just about the height of my big pregnant belly, he usually likes to pat and rub it while he's talking to me if we're standing. :)  He's going to be a great big brother to his new little brother coming to join the family. I can't believe he's going into Sunbeams in Church.  He can't be that old!  Oh how we love our Rosscopants :)  
   

Christmas 2014

Christmas this year was a little unique since we weren't going back to Utah or having any family visiting us this time.  I was excited about the fact that I didn't have to rush off anywhere though. 

Christmas Eve Steve got off early and we got ready for that evening.  We had an appetizer dinner, helped to make cookies for Santa, and then had a sweet program Stephen had prepared to tell the Nativity story to our children.  Unfortunately, our children were not in the greatest of states to sit reverently and participate in the story of Christ's birth.  With multiple meltdowns and a few time outs - we made it through.  That's how it goes with little ones though right?  We still did it, and I still loved how much Stephen had done to make our devotional meaningful.  Christmas Eve is his favorite part of the season.  I love how much he loves it. :)  After bathing our kids and throwing them in their Christmas jammies and into their beds, we settled in and got ready for Christmas. :) 

Discussing the sign that Jesus was born

Paying somewhat attention...

We at least had one child with us during the Christmas story.

This is Ross putting on his shepherd costume by himself...he didn't want any help.

Ruby wanted to put her own on as well.

 
Steve and I were more excited to give our kids Christmas than any of the last few years.  Ross was SO excited.  We had a Santa countdown block that we would move every day getting Santa closer and closer to the chimney - Ross kept trying to skip days hoping Santa would get here faster.  We did our advent calendars and Christmas chains diligently, and the day finally came - though Ross of course forgot when he woke up - but was immediately with it and excited once it dawned on him when he got downstairs.  This video may be my favorite thus far of Christmas. :)

Luckily, we all slept till about 8 and started Christmas by about 8:30 that morning.  The kids were thrilled with their presents (we'll have to work on Ross being more thrilled about his bike) and loved everything they got.  It was quite the Christmas (I did go crazy on Black Friday deals this year).  We skyped with both of our families and opened each other's presents then and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

This man works hard, plays hard, and knows how to rock Christmas Jammies all at the same time. :)

Ross and Ruby got a play kitchen with play food, bikes, some games, clothes, blocks, and books.  Ross had wished for a helicopter, a police car, or a firetruck from Santa and got the helicopter.  Ruby got the play food she wished for too. :)  
 

Crazy haired Ruby on Christmas!

So excited!

Ruby was EXTREMELY excited about her bike. :)

Have I mentioned it's extremely dry here in Colorado?  Steve's umpteenth bloody nose - Merry Christmas.

There are a few things I find hilarious in this picture. :)  See if you can tell. :)

Apparently the scanner for a register is also a phone. :)

I could NOT get Ruby to look at me for the life of me!

Ruby polished off the cookie and a half that Santa left behind.  She's helpful that way. :)

Ross helping me open my present. :)

Ruby wanting shoes on of course - though the cushy slippers threw her through a loop - she'll warm up to them eventually. :)

Stephen, in his old age, had wished for a paper shredder - and looked like he was 5 again realizing Santa had made his wish come true when he opened it. :)  He also got a board game, some movies, tums (like I said - old man), his pellet gun to take out the birds in the back, and a family calendar for desk at work.  
 

This happy, HAPPY man holding his paper shredder. :)

Ross chose a Lightning McQueen to give to Daddy (no hidden agenda there huh?)  On the way home from the store and the rest of the day, Ross and I talked about how we CAN'T tell Daddy because it's a surprise for Christmas.  It seemed to sink in.  Stephen told me later of a conversation he had with Ross.  

Ross saw a box that he wanted to wrap Steve's present in which prompted him to say, "Daddy that's the box for your present!  It's for Lightning McQueen - you can't know about it, because it's a surprise - so don't look okay?" Steve agreed, and Ross, feeling like he in no way let the cat out of the bag, went back to playing with his toys.  This happened a few other times. :)  

On Christmas morning, the sweetest part of Ross realizing it was Christmas was that the first thing he wanted to do was have Daddy open his present (which he had strategically hid in the closet).  It was fun watching him open it as well. :)

Stephen got me a fabulous magnet board that I've always wanted, a sweet SLR camera cleaning kit, a high tech thermometer I've been eyeing forever (I hate our cheapy one that takes a full minute to work), and a beautiful scarf.

We got some great clothes, shoes, games, jewelry (for me), and fun stuff from my parents.  Ross was excited to play with the train yard from my parents too - and Ruby loved the play food they sent as well.
   
Then we played with some toys and got ready for the missionaries to come over for dinner and to call their families.  We had both the Elders and Sisters come so we were quite the party.  We made a turkey dinner - LOVE left over turkey - and played games while the missionaries took turns skyping with their families.  It was fun hosting them and we were glad to spend the day with a full house.  

That night after getting our kids in bed, Steve and I went to watch one of the movies we got and promptly fell asleep before even the opening credits started.  :)  A very Merry Christmas indeed. :)     

Merry Christmas!

 

Gingerbread Houses and Visiting Santa

We've tried to keep up with the festivities - mostly doing them ourselves since all our new little friends seemed to catch the sickness bug and didn't want to spread it. :)

We made our Gingerbread house together for the first time.  The event went as follows:

Ross held a piece of red fondant in his hand the entire time (since I told him he couldn't eat any of it until we were done building the house and took a picture) and then gobbled it up the second we said, "Go".  He did help put on pieces of candy though.

Ruby was our scraper.  If any candy was dropped/misplaced/not guarded - it was gone.  She immediately popped it in her mouth crunching it happily...that girl is going to have cavity problems - I just know it.

Steve felt the need to use every single part of our gingerbread house kit - including squirting ALL the frosting on the house - even when it looked finished.  

I attempted some exterior design skills which were rejected by my children, and got banned to picture taking. :)

Who cares about looking at cameras when candy is on the table?

It was quite "frosty" thanks to Steve - Ross helped place most of the candy on the roof - Steve took care of the chimney.

Hurry and take the picture mom so we can eat it!

It's finished

This was supposed to be a Christmas tree, but Steve ran out of green frosting...

Time to eat!

Yum!

One of the pleasures of living in a small town is that you can only get so big of a crowd at places.  My friend, Kami, told me that Santa comes to one of the banks here where they give you candy, a toy, take your picture and give it to you for free, AND there are no lines.  This is incredible compared to visiting the City Creek mall in Utah where you have to PAY a ridiculous amount, schedule well in advance, and wait forever to see Santa.

We showed up with no one else there and a VERY legitimate Santa sitting in his chair just waiting for Ross and Ruby to show up.  Ross lit up like a Christmas light immediately.  He was so excited to see Santa and talked to him THE ENTIRE TIME - telling him about any and everything he could think of.  This is quite different from last year when he was so excited he couldn't even say a word.  

He climbed right up on his knee and, even though we rehearsed over and over that you can tell Santa three things you're wishing for and he will bring ONE of them to you, he immediately listed off about 500 things he was wishing for that Christmas, and threw in there somewhere in the middle that he had been a good boy.
 

Making sure to tell Santa EVERYTHING he's thinking of - he told him all about his grandparents too. (Thank goodness there wasn't a line of kids waiting.) :)

Autographed by Santa!  I love Ross's face. :)

When it was Ruby's turn she was so happy to smile and wave at Santa, until we put her on his knee - she turned into an acrobatic gymnast at that point trying to get away as quick as she could.  We squeezed a picture in, and she was off exploring.  She kept coming back to smile and wave at Santa though - from a safe distance of course.  

You can tell how Ruby feels about this experience. :)

And she's done. :)

They both got a candy cane and a bell as well as an autographed picture from Santa - score!  VERY fun. :)