Dancing with Grandpa

One of my warmest memories as a child was dancing with my daddy. He would blast Billy Idol or Pat Benatar, take my hands, and dance with me. I felt so special during those moments, and I'm so glad Ethan has that opportunity.

Dad bending down so Ethan can stand up.

Ethan had an absolute blast! - And I think Grandpa did, too.

Life in the SD

We have had so much fun in South Dakota! Grandma and Grandpa are thrilled to have their children and grandchild for a visit, and we are excited to see them as well. Below is the start of our adventures:

Grandma getting cuddle time in with Ethan. He's very stingy with his hugs, so this is hard to do.

We made coconut kisses which were so good! Let's just say they weren't around the house for very long..

We also dipped chocolates, which was more work than I anticipated. We made orange and mit chocolate, and those too are also not in the house anymore!

Like Grandpa, like Grandson

People are always commenting on Ethan's natural mohawk (which we love). I didn't realize this, but I guess my dad had one when he was a youngster! We decided to get some pictures of Ethan holding a picture of my dad at his age.

First Plane Ride

We decided to spend this year with the Olson family in South Dakota, which I have been very excited about! As Christmas fast approached, I started to get nervous, trying to mentally prepare to be the slowest person in the airport, as well as the person on the plane no one wants to be near.

Two days before our trip, Ethan got an ear infection and went on antibiotics. If anyone has had kids on antibiotics, they probably know a very common side effect is diarrhea! Yeah - this made for a much more entertaining trip than I originally anticipated!

Ethan playing on the plane. He was a total champ! This was his second outfit of the day, as he peed all over the first one.

A picture of the blow-out he had on our very small SkyWest plane from Salt Lake to South Dakota. I had to take him into the tiny bathroom and try to change him! Oh wow - that was so difficult! I had to put paper towels down on the toilet while trying to maneuver the diaper bag, making sure he wasn't playing with the nasty diaper. We are definitely NOT looking forward to flying back to Oregon.

Love the Bathtime

Ethan still loves bathtime, which means we do too! First, it's so great to see him so happy and smiley. Second, it means bedtime is soon! I used to think bedtime was just for the kids, but I have come to realize it is just as much for the parents' sanity.

Nick's b-day Party

This Saturday Lexie threw her husband a surprise birthday party, which ended up being more fun than I've had in a really really long time!

Ethan all bundled up. He's smiling in this picture, but he actually hated this fuzzy get-up.

Check out that huge bow on Lexie's shirt! Priceless.

Billy and I cheesing out for our Christmas photo. Pretty special, huh?

The birthday boy was required to wear reindeer antlers, which went will with his ugly Christmas sweater.

This was the best game I have ever played!

I was Queen Spatula, which is fitting because I actually AM a queen.

In the game you draw rules, one of which was that Lexie had to have her elbow on the board at all times.

Nick's dinosaur birthday cake, which was so amazingly good!

We had a white-elephant exchange, and Kyle got a bow sling and a half-naked action figure.

Kristi got my gift, which was an ugly pink ballerina nut-cracker with "2008" printed on it.

Gingerbread

I have never made gingerbread cookies on my own before, so I invited Mary-Anne over for this baking adventure. I had no idea how much work went into gingerbread, so I'm really glad I had someone to help who knew what they were doing.

Posing with our cookies. I'm like a proud grandma in this picture!

Not my gumdrop buttons!