Outside

Landon and Elliot both learned how to say "outside" while we were in Arizona. They spent a lot of time outside on walks, helping Papa feed the cows, and just running around the yard. What a treat!

We had to go all the way to Arizona to build a snowman. Uncle Dean brought some fresh snow from the Grand Canyon for it. Then we had a bonfire, roasted some hot dogs and ate Smores.

Family Fun

As I mentioned in a previous post, we spent a few nights at the Crandell's house the first week. Now I actually have a few pictures to show what we did. The picture above was taken by Tannis at the Crandell Christmas party in Grandma and Grandpa Crandell's back yard. I love what good friends Elliot and Landon are!

We spent a lot of time playing with all the cool toys while we were there. Landon has always had a fascination with lifting items that are just about as big as he is and carrying them around. This fire-truck was no exception.

Aunt Tannis showing off her footie pajamas to match all the kids

On Saturday I went to Tannis' "Let There Be Praise" dance concert. She did an amazing job!

This picture shows a typical event while in Arizona...eating sweets handed out by grandparents and aunts and uncles. Elliot and Landon loved it!

Crandell cousins: Emery, Landon, Elliot, Ian

With Great Grandpa Crandell

Crandell cousins with Great G&G Crandell

Kelley, me and Taryn at the Crandell party

These clappers were gifts from Great Grandma Crandell and they were a big hit among the kids.

Mrs. Claus even showed up to the party.

La Barge Canyon

Brooks and Sterling hiked La Barge Canyon in the Superstition Mountains on Saturday the 19th.

Hello Sunshine!

We left Spokane on Tuesday, December 15 and headed to Arizona. Brooks was mostly done with finals although he still had a paper to complete when we got to AZ. The boys did great on the plane other than Landon throwing up when I let him eat a couple of my peanuts. Oops! Luckily it was a short flight and it didn't make too big of mess. We were sweating as soon as we stepped off the plane. Our first night here we got to see both of our families and it was great to see everyone. It was cute to watch Landon and Elliot interact with all their grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins.

The first morning, we walked over to Grandpa and Grandma Reese's to say hi and see all the animals. Elliot was a little hesitant, but Landon loved it. We fed carrots to the goats, mules and horses. Landon wanted to be in on all the action, and Elliot preferred to watch. We all loved being outside without jackets and cold hands.

One great thing about AZ is all the fresh citrus this time of year. Here is Landon biting into one of the many grapefruit on their citrus trees. He doesn't find out until a bit later how sour it actually is.

Elliot liked watching the chickens over the fence.

In the mornings, we just hung out in our pajamas and played. This is such a treat because at home Brooks leaves early and we don't get as much relaxing family time.

Elliot with his bunnies

On Wednesday, I went to the park with my mom. It was almost 70 degrees outside and people had dressed their kids in long sleeves with sweaters and jackets. I wanted to laugh because in Spokane that is shorts and t-shirt weather.

On Friday, we went with the Crandells to see the temple lights and then stayed with them for a few nights. We enjoyed playing games with them and going to a few family parties. We got to see Mason be ordained as an elder on Sunday and I got to go to Tannis' Christmas dance concert Saturday night. I took almost no pictures the whole week:(

Beginning of December

The first couple of weeks in December were crazy around our house. Brooks was gone all the time studying and preparing for finals and the boys and I spent a lot of time together. They were sick for a lot of that time which made things interesting around our house. With the cold weather in full force, we spent a lot of time in our pajamas hanging out at home. Once finals were over, we headed to Arizona for Christmas and to spend time with family.

I decided to make some fleece pants for the boys and was pleased with the final result. The first pair I made were too big, so I made the pattern a bit smaller and hoped for the best. They turned out pretty well and are great for chilly mornings at home. Here is Landon sporting the pants after I finished hemming them.

Elliot with a runny nose. Proof they weren't feeling well.

And here is the tree all set up. It was fun to actually have it up this year.

Merry Christmas

Playmates

In the past few weeks, Landon and Elliot have started playing with each other more. I often hear laughing coming from the other room and walk in to discover them doing something to make each other laugh. They love to come up with new things to get into and have a ball making mischief together.

Playing with newspaper from Shelci Crandell on Vimeo.

The Black Friday ads made for an especially fun time this day.

at bottom of stairs from Shelci Crandell on Vimeo.

sliding down stairs from Shelci Crandell on Vimeo.

Since they started using the stairs, they have figured out an effective and quick way to get down: slide on their stomach as fast as possible. They entertained themselves for 30 minutes this day going up and down the stairs laughing the whole time.

Sliding down stairs 2 from Shelci Crandell on Vimeo.

Recent Happenings

The past month has flown by and I have almost no pictures to show for it. We had Thanksgiving at our house again and I cooked one of the turkeys. For the second year in a row, I forgot to take a picture of the turkey before we ate it. We had a few friends over and enjoyed a fun Thanksgiving Day.

After dinner, the girls talked me into getting out my Christmas decorations including the Christmas tree. I wasn't planning on putting it up this year, but I am glad we did. Landon and Elliot like it and it makes the house look festive.

Another big event this month was the birth of HelenAnn. Our good friends Samantha and Jeremiah had her the Friday before Thanksgiving and they still made it on Thanksgiving Day. I can't believe this is the only picture I have of her! Samantha was supposed to be with the girls while we went to see New Moon, but decided to go into labor instead.

The past month we have made a few new friends as well. It is too cold to be outside for long and we have found some indoor solutions. We go to play groups, the kids museum, the library and the play area at the mall. For all you Arizona people, do you remember the weather guy named Bill Kelly? He is now living in Spokane and does the weather on one of the stations here. In the past couple of weeks I have run into him twice, once at the mall and once at the kids museum. Landon even tried to drink his coffee.

In the past couple of months, I have also been reintroduced into the world of sewing. I sewed a few things when I was younger, but it has been a long time. Heidi and I sewed togas and tunics in October for our Roman party and then I sewed a couple of ties for Landon and Elliot a few weeks ago. My next adventure is fleece plants for the boys. If I can just master sewing in a straight line, I think I will be okay.

18 Months

Landon and Elliot are now 18 months old. They love life! Some of their favorite things right now are cars, trucks, airplanes, trains, books, animals, bath time and snacks. They play together well and are the best of friends (most of the time). They can say each others names and love to join in on whatever activity the other one is doing. Their vocabulary grows each day and it is so fun to watch them learn new words.

Landon loves cars and tells me about his cars multiple times a day. He brings me a car and says "car" repeatedly. The past few weeks he has been more adventurous with trying to say new words. He learned how to say "bubble" yesterday which was so cute to listen to. Landon is really good at sharing with Elliot. If Elliot is sad because Landon has the car he wants, Landon will often just hand it over. He doesn't seem as attached to his stuff as Elliot is. (This is not all the time by the way. There is plenty of fighting that goes on around here as well.) Landon knows his animal sounds, and of course the sounds a car and fire truck make. We hear those a lot around here. Landon likes to read, but gets distracted quickly. In the past couple of weeks he has turned into a great hugger. He loves to give hugs and is so sweet about hugging Elliot especially.

Elliot LOVES to read. He will sit on our lap and read for an hour if we have the time. When you finish with one book, he will bring you another one and another and another. The airplane ride to AZ shouldn't be too bad for him if he keeps that up. Elliot is also talking a lot more. He likes to process the words before he tries them though. I love watching him think it through before he tries a new word. Elliot also gets pretty attached to particular toys. He has a couple of cars that are favorites and books as well. He likes to have a car in his hand almost non-stop. He knows his animal sounds, car noises and fire truck noises as well. Elliot is such a happy boy. It is easy to get him to smile and laugh. He has grown to enjoy wrestling with Landon as long as it doesn't last too long.

Everyday is a new adventure with them around and we love having them in our family!