Teaching a Two-Year-Old to Be "Crafty" (Or is he teaching me?)

We're nearly halfway into the "terrible two's," and so far, I'm not finding them to be so terrible. Knock on wood. Sure, Trenton and I have our battles (getting him dressed every morning—that one drives me crazy!), but generally, he is a sweetheart who can usually be reasoned with (although it may take a while).

But one thing I'm looking forward to is him getting old enough for us to broaden our activities/crafts. I had this creative idea for making valentines today, but mostly he was just obsessed with using the glue. (I can't blame him; it was his first time.) My vision of pretty paper hearts decorated with his cute scribbling and hanging with ribbon from a vase full of twigs quickly degenerated to this:



And then, this:


Oh well, someday!

Moments

We enjoyed some more blissful moments this weekend. The nearly 70 degree weather may have had something to do with it. On Saturday morning, we sat in the grass next to the farmers' market and ate our oranges and kettle corn. After naps we played as a family at Casanova Park. I've just started letting Chase go free at parks (as opposed to being stuck in the stroller), and his pure delight is priceless. (The downside is that he will require a LOT of supervision at parks for about the next year, but oh well!) Just like his brother, Chase loves to explore. His mission in life is to crawl hard and fast enough to get through any door that opens. He cries out like he's in pain every time we close the front door, patio door, or even a bathroom door when he didn't make it through. I love both my boys' zest for adventure.


Trenton amazes me daily at how much of a boy he is, rather than a baby. However, he still asks for kisses when he gets hurt and asks to "snuggle" when he's trying to avoid going to bed. Tonight we went to the San Carlos airport and sat practically on the runway while the little planes came in. He let me hold him on my lap, wrapped in a big blanket, for about one minute, and it was the type of moment that I want to remember forever. Big blue sky, tinged with the pink of dusk, and the feel of my "baby" in my arms.

The last moment of the weekend that I would like to remember forever is holding hands with Ryan over our complimentary creme brulee with a candle in it, celebrating our five-year anniversary at Sundance Steakhouse, albeit one month late. Truly one of my favorite moments of our married life. Life is good.

One Fine Day

Today was a blissful day. You have to treasure them when they come, right? After a week of Ryan working past midnight followed by a one-day flu bug that knocked me off my feet, today was bliss. (Thank you, flu, for reminding me how wonderful it is to be alive!) We visited our former neighbor, Gladys, who is now in a skilled nursing facility in Palo Alto, and while we were down there, we leisurely walked around the Stanford Shopping Mall and ate lunch on the patio at PF Chang's. The weather was warmer than it has been recently. The boys were hilarious, easy going, and adorable. And we had Ryan all to ourselves!


Trenton—so indescribably happy riding that horse, saying "Giddyup!" and "Neigh!"

Sunday Best

Does it not just kill you how grown up Trenton looks in this picture?!

Thanks to Ryan's family for the outfit. He finally grew into it! He was fully aware on Sunday of how handsome he looked. "I'm handsome!" he declared while looking into the mirror...

Christmas at the Williams'

One of my favorite parts of vacation was watching Trenton play with his cousins. They're older than him (12, 7, and 4), but they were so patient and loving with him. He watched Landon fly that helicopter about 15,000 times and LOVED it every time. When we woke up the morning after my sister's family left, the first thing he said was, "Friends?" (He doesn't know the word cousins yet.) He was so sad when we told him they were gone! And we were sad too, because it was a really nice letting the kids entertain him! :)

Grandpa and Grandma Wood's home in downtown SLC is always dressed to the nines for Christmas. And aren't they the cutest couple ever?

My sister Mary and newphew Landon at G&G Woods'

I love this photo because doesn't it perfectly capture how Christmas should be? Sitting, talking, laughing, relaxing. I love you guys!

By the way, next time I feel like I need a break, I might just have to fly my niece Talia (the cute redhead holding Chase) out here. She is so great with my kids!!

All decked out and ready for some sledding! (Because we watched "Caillou's Snow Adventures" on Netlix instant play several times before going to Utah, he was well-versed in snow activities. :)

Sledding with his crazy-fun Aunt Mary. Check out his face!!

The Williams sisters. (Mary - Where were you?? Oh yeah - sliding down the hill head first on your belly!)

Little sweetheart.

My dad is too cute, huh? He looks like one big, fun-loving kid here.

Our happy family. Chase was so bundled up he fell asleep like that.

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for spoiling us again this year!

Christmas with the Nielsens

We can't thank either of our families enough for hosting us for Christmas. The gifts, the food, the cleaning, the babysitting(!!!)—thank you so much!

The kid has never loved anyone quite like he loves his Uncle Kyle. He idolizes him.

Grandma Nielsen wanted to make sure Trenton associated really good things with his grandparents. A pinata full of candy (on Christmas morning) definitely did the trick!

Getting dressed in his new Christmas day outfit.

Making cranberry sauce with his grandma. (And maybe showing off his cookie monster underwear?)

The whole gang on Christmas Eve, right after we took gifts to a needy family.

This year's reading of Luke 2 may have featured a certain two-year-old carrying a big wooden reindeer upsidedown pretending it was a lawn mower.


After spending a few nights at Ryan's parents' house in Provo and a few nights at my parents' place in Murray, we drove down to St. George to see the new house his parents just bought there. It is gorgeous! While down there, we went swimming at this beyond fantastic indoor pool that is right by their house.

A Magical Christmas Night

Hopefully several Christmas posts will follow this one, but for now, I have to start with the most magical pictures of the season. The Nielsens took us to the Riverwoods outdoor mall in Provo because it was decked out for the holidays. I loved the ultra-vibrant lights and the warm firepits throughout. And best of all, their Santa knocked my socks off. Seriously, just look at him!

Trenton's Aunt Sarah prepped him on the drive over to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas. As soon as he climbed onto Santa, he said very seriously, "Toys and candies." Love that boy.

Chase was all smiles as soon as we set him on Santa's knee. He started grinning and pulling at Santa's beard.


Mr. Claus, Trenton, and his fabulous aunts. I can't get enough of that rich, warm lighting.

All bundled up and sporting his future alma matter... At least, if it were up to us. :)

Who wouldn't want to grab those icicle lights?

T and Aunt Launa (Ry's youngest sister)

Strolling with Grandpa.

The line was a bit too long to go for a carriage ride, but Trenton didn't mind in the least as long as he could get close to those horses. You can't tell from these pictures because too busy being curious to smile, but he really liked them.


A big thanks to Sarah for these gorgeous photos!