28

Brooks celebrated his 28th birthday while in Arizona. We picked up his free dozen donuts from Krispy Kreme, ate lunch at Matta's and of course ate dinner at Joe's BBQ to get the free birthday meal. Brooks and I even got to go to a movie together on his birthday which was a nice treat. We haven't done that in a while. It was so nice to have family close by to watch the boys.

Cabin Trip

On Christmas Day we headed up to the cabin to spend time with all the Crandell family. One of the days we attempted to go out and play in the snow. We spent about triple the time getting ready as we did actually in the snow. First of all we couldn't find a place to go and then when we finally got out of the car, the babies were miserable. I didn't get any pictures, but there were some pretty intense snow outfits put together for the snow trip. Gotta love all the snow gear thrift store finds in Heber! We stayed until Sunday and enjoyed good food, family games, puzzles, ping pong, video games and time with family while we were there.

The boys took a bath in the big tub at the cabin and loved it. They even had a small audience watching.

Grandpa and Grandma Crandell stopped by for about 15 minutes on their way to Aztec. Grandpa has a picture like this with most of his grand kids and the boys were at just the right age. Landon really liked it.

There were lots of willing hands to help feed the boys at the cabin.

Somebody is ticked about taking pictures!

What handsome cousins

A nice view of Weaver's Needle on the drive back to Queen Creek

Christmas Morning

Elliot woke up Christmas morning with a nasty cough and we were worried he was going to end up in the hospital on Christmas. Luckily he improved quickly and was able to open gifts with everyone. Landon slept in, the one day I didn't want him to, and I ended up waking him up at 8:15. The boys weren't too concerned about the gifts, but it was fun regardless. They got a soccer ball, a football, wooden blocks, a phone, a train, an elephant that shakes, books and a few other things. Nana and Papa got them some train bath toys and some keys. Brooks got me a Batman movie, an apron (which I still haven't seen because he couldn't pick it up because of the snow) and tickets to a Gonzaga basketball game. He even asked our friends to babysit during the game, which is one of the best gifts of all. I got him Ticket to Ride, a new backpack for his laptop and I made a blurb book for the year 2007, per his request. Overall a great Christmas. In the afternoon we headed up to the cabin in Heber.

This was taken before Landon was awake. Elliot hadn't opened any gifts, but he was sure interested in Chereese's white board.

Brooks wanted to make sure that Santa brought the boys a soccer ball this year.

Christmas Eve

We went to the Crandell's Christmas Eve in the afternoon and did our gift exchange. Sterling and Taryn got us an amazing sketch of Landon and Elliot that I was totally surprised by. We got Tannis some piano books and made Dave & Susie a picture book of the boys. Then we attempted to get some family pictures while we were all together.

This is the drawing we got from Sterling and Taryn. I love it! Now I just need to decide where to hang it.

Of course our attempts at a good cousin picture were once again thwarted by unwilling participants. What can you expect from a bunch of babies?

Ian sat still while swinging and we all crowded around for a cousin picture

Both boys really liked swinging with Daddy

A truck for Landon

A train set for Elliot

Landon was super excited about the boxes

All the babies were dressed in Christmas gear

Afterwards, we went to Grandma & Grandpa Crandell's house for their traditional Mexican food on Christmas Eve. After yummy food, we were off to the Reese's for the Christmas Eve program. That was a short stay for us because Elliot got sick and threw up. I was hoping they were getting better, and that was not a great way to end our Christmas Eve. Brooks and I took off to put the boys to bed. We did get to sing some Christmas songs and see most of the talents before leaving. We just crossed our fingers and hoped that Christmas Day would be better and no one would be sick.

Sick Kids

Cute, slobbery, buggery faced boy

After a long day at the zoo, we noticed some eye junk in Elliot's eyes. I was hoping it was nothing, but knew that Heidi's kids had just gotten over pink eye and wasn't too shocked that Elliot had it even though we hadn't seen them in 5 days. Right away, I called the doctor hoping to get some eye drops prescribed. They were cautious and said they could see the boys that evening even though they were just about to close. We headed down there to see the doctor. Both boys were starting to get an ear infection and the ear, eye and nose issues were all related. They started an antibiotic right away and got some drops for their eyes. Not a great way to head into Christmas, but I am glad we got it looked at sp quickly. It could have been a lot worse if we had waited. Seriously, I am still trying to figure out why babies have to get sick.

Zoo Trip

Last week we headed to the zoo with family and friends. The weather was great and the company even better. We went with Joe, Shelli, Denton & Myah Dobbins, Mom C and Tannis, Taryn & Ian, Kelley & Emery, Mom P, Amerae & Chereese, Grandpa & Grandma Reese and Fern & John Deyholes. The boys enjoyed being outside, at least until it was nap time.

First stop: elephants

Denton checking out the elephants - Love the hair Denton!

Next up: Petting zoo, which all the kids seemed to enjoy


Ian

Denton

Myah

Elliot with Aunt Tanny

Sitting on the tractor

John kept yelling "combine" the entire time he was playing with the tractor

Landon & Elliot with Aunt Rae Rae & Aunt Reesa

Hanging out with Myah