Feeling Festive

For the first time in our married lives, Zac and I spent Christmas morning at our own house. In the past we have always packed up for Christmas weekend and split the time between our two families, but this year we live much closer. It was also the first year that Harrison could enjoy Christmas, so it was a great time to start our own traditions. Every year we go to Zac's granparent's house for Christmas eve dinner of prime rib, which we always look forward to. This year though we made an extra stop before grandma's house and took soup to homeless people on the streets of Ogden with my family. The last time we did it was maybe 5 years ago, and we had a great experience with it so we wanted to do it again. It always feels great to help someone in need, but at Christmas it feels more sentimental. My parents made so much soup that we had tons extra and ended up giving most of it to a shelter. It makes me so grateful for what I have and it reminds me that I need to be doing more to help other people. I wonder how these homeless people got to where they are now. Do they have families who worry about them? Was it circumstances that they couldn't help that got them there, or was it bad choices? No matter the reason, they don't want to be there. The lesson I learned was that it isn't our place to judge them. It doesn't matter how much or how little you can give. The important part is that we realize what we've been blessed with and pay it forward to someone else. I made a promise to myself that night that I will be more giving to people who aren't as lucky as I have been. It was also a great experience for Harrison to see it. Sure he won't remember that night, but if we make a habit of helping others so he can see it, hopefully he will learn to give too.

At grandma's house the kids draw names and buy a present for 1 cousin. Harrison loved seeing what all the other kids got and tried out their presents too, at least as much as they would let him. We discovered Harrison's love for babies. All the little girls got dolls from grandma and grandpa, and Harrison gave them all hugs. Once he hugged them and carried them around a little bit, he (not so gently) tossed them on the ground. Then he noticed that there was a real baby in the room and wanted to try it out, but judging by how he carried the babies by the neck it didn't seem like a good idea. Maybe when he's a little older.





Just a little side note: This boy hates pictures and doesn't smile for them. What can I say? I don't really blame him. He may look mad all the time, but it's just a front. He does smile.

He also got a hand-me-down Mickey Mouse phone from Zac's aunt, which was the hit of his Christmas.



He tested out Carson's rocking horse. It passed the inspection.



Posing for a picture with Grandma and Grandpa Robinson. Harrison got a little remote-controlled airplane that is also a shape-sorter. He loved the airplane, hated the picture.



The adults all bring a random gift and we play a game. The Snuggie and its knock-off cousin The Cuddle Up were a hit.





I am sad to say that I didn't get any pictures Christmas moring. I was so busy videoing everything that I botched it. We had a fabulous Christmas though. We had lots of together time and I think we all got everything we wanted. Shout out to Zac, who is a fabulous and sentimental gift-getter. So thoughtful and he has great taste. Love you baby.

Oh December. There you are.

Wow... December already. Does it really have to mean my baby is one year older? I was happy about 1. But 2? Is he really not a baby anymore? He will still always be my baby. We had a great party. It was Buzz Lightyear themed and we had all the family over for lasagne and homemade ice cream cake that looked like a planet (which I failed to take a picture of...of course). He got spoiled rotten and his newly cleaned out room is once again full. He loves Toy Story and Cars. He loves trucks and trains. He is talking up a storm and sometimes I can't believe the words he picks up on. He has the funniest sense of humor and can make you laugh about something that really isn't funny at all. He loves appliances and cleaning tools of all kinds. But most especially pay phones and vaccums. He just started saying "Oh MY gosh" and says "sorry" when he bumps into a wall or when you're standing in the way of something he is trying to get to. Funny boy. Just now I was on the computer and Zac says "Hill, you have to come here." So I walk into the laundry room and this is what I see.

When my house is a little too quiet and he is nowhere to be found, I usually find him in the garage sitting in the car with the keys in his hand trying to fit them in the ignition. Maybe that will only be cute until he figures out how to take it out of gear... I am truly loving every minute of the little boy he has grown in to. He always keeps us smiling. He has taught me more patience than I thought I could ever have. He has the most tender heart. Whenever he hears a crying baby he gets a worried look on his face and says "Baby cry." He will give hugs and kisses and pats on the back whenever it strikes him. The first thing in the morning when I get him out of bed, he gives me a hug and a pat on the back and then goes directly to either his train or finds a phone to play with.

If I find him doing something he knows he shouldn't be doing, he'll look up at me and say "Bye. See you." and shuffle me out the door. I think the hardest part of him growing up is that he doesn't need me as much anymore. He finds a million things to do all day and every once in awhile he'll look at me and say "Play." But for the most part he doesn't need or want me to entertain him. Did it have to happen so fast? Bittersweet. Happy birthday baby.