Christmas 2011

We tend to celebrate Christmas all month long and this year was no different. On December 10 we visited the lights on Temple Square with our friends, the Winegars and the Ormes. It was freezing that night, but we all had a good time. Connor really loved all the lights.

It snowed a few times this winter, but overall this winter was pretty mild. One of Connor's favorite activities was shoveling snow with Brad. He would beg him to go shovel snow, even when it hadn't snowed. We bought him his very own shovel. So cute watching him next to Brad.

Brad's new toy. It shoots snow about 20 feet.

We had a MOMS Club Activity with Santa Claus (my friend's dad, who happens to be in our ward) on December 20. I tried to prep Connor with "Look! It's Santa! He brings you presents and candy for Christmas!" over and over again to try to get him excited so he would sit on Santa's lap for a picture. Santa read "The Night Before Christmas" to all the kids and then they sat on his lap. Connor sat perfectly still and calm and when Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas Connor said, "Um, more chocolate." Santa laughed. He really loves chocolate. Grandma Brenda should be proud; he is definitely her grandson.

Friday December 23, we drove down to California to spend a week over Christmas with my family. We were there until January 2. It was a great trip, with the exception that Connor came down with Croup on Christmas Eve. We were in the ER from 11 p.m. 'til 3 a.m. since he was coughing so bad and having a hard time breathing. Great. Fortunately he is a pretty tough kid so it didn't really affect him too much after the first couple nights of coughing. Unfortunately I also caught it too (just a bad chest cold for me) and let me say, I really hate being sick when I'm pregnant! I couldn't take ANYTHING to help me feel better except Tylenol, which didn't help my symptoms at all. While in California, we:

opened Christmas presents (which I didn't get a single picture of, dang it, but aren't Will, Jaxson, and Connor cute in their Christmas jammies Christmas morning?!). Connor got books, puzzles, clothes, his blue tricycle from Gaga and Papa, a Buzz Lightyear nerf gun, and a train table from Brad and I (which we gave him when we got back to Utah).  Connor REALLY loves trains and he spent the first week playing with only that every day for 6-8 hours a day.  I wish I was exaggerating.

visited Irvine Park for a train ride,

went to Sea World,

walked around RSM Lake by my parents' house with Claire and Jaxson,

honored a new tradition - Chuck E. Cheese,

and just played around my parents' house and in their neighborhood.

We drove back to Utah January 2 at 3 a.m. (which we always do when we drive so Connor sleeps half the drive time - awesome). We had a great time with my family and always enjoy the Christmas season.

Happy 2-year Birthday Connor - October 2011

Connor turned 2 on October 23 and I can't believe 2 years has gone by so fast. We love Connor and can't imagine our lives without him now. Overall, he is an energetic and happy boy, excluding those "precious" 2-year-old tantrums we get regularly. :)

Connor had such a fun birthday, he's been singing the "Happy Birthday" song since October. We were in California the week before he turned 2 (for Ady to have her baby) so we were able to celebrate with my family first on October 20. We went to Chuck E. Cheese for games, presents, food (pizza is one of Connor's favorites), and birthday cake/cupcakes. We celebrated with my immediate family and the Smiths (Connor's friend Braden).


Claire made the cutest (and yummiest) cake and cupcakes for the party. Strawberry cake with vanilla frosting and silver sprinkles. Connor dove right in after we sang him Happy Birthday. It helped a lot that his favorite color is pink.


Connor LOVED his presents. Several Lightning McQueen cars, Mater truck, Lightning light-up shoes, a new train track set, sweaters and jammies with some of his favorite characters (Buzz & Woody, Thomas the Train, Lightning McQueen). Thanks everyone!


The other little kids had fun helping Connor open his presents faster.



Connor's favorite games were the slide, ski ball (he loves throwing things so I'm not surprised), putting the tokens in the machines, and then ripping the tickets off. He chose 4 suckers for his prizes with the tickets he won. How could the night end any better?




Connor's sweet friend Braden giving him a hug goodye.

We flew back to Utah on Saturday the 22nd and celebrated with the Jeppsons that night. We ate dinner and opened presents - more jammies, several new balls and trains, woody and buzz action figures, and his now favorite Lightning McQueen chair.


But Connor's favorite present by far was from his Aunt Cami. A whole gallon of chocolate milk just for him.



I also took the annual picture of Connor standing next to Brad. He's grown so much!

Connor age 1:

Connor age 2:

Happy Birthday Connor! We love you!