The Beeston Family

Logan's first recorded work of art

This month, Taylor:
- got surgery
- got 2 more cuspids and 3 molars
- sat on Santa's lab and petted his beard
- rode the train through the North Pole (at the mall)
- fed himself using a fork
- loves to hide in the kitchen cabinet
- enjoys "talking" on the phone, even holding the phone to his ear

This month, Taylor started tackling Logan when he steals toys from him. He is also starting to figure out how things are put together, and attempts to put them together then take them apart, gently. He is getting to be very helpful; he knows to pass toys from one hand to the other when I dress him, to move his arms when I buckle him into his carseat, and also to hand me Logan's shoes when I put them on. He also loves to snuggle with stuffed animals and clean up his toys. He loves to jump on the couch. And finally, he does this really cute thing where if Billy and I are eating a snack in the couch, he'll come over to get some food, leave to play, then come back for food, and leave to play, etc.

I love Christmas! It truly is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! We have big plans this year to celebreate this special time.
- ride the Polar Express
- visit Temple Square
- decorate the Christmas tree
- take family pictures in front of the Christmas tree
- visit Santa at the mall
- watch Christmas movies
- watch the Nativity story
- sing Christmas songs by the piano
- bake and decorate sugar cookies
- bake cookies for Santa
- bake treats and deliver them to friends/neighbors
- drink hot chocolate/apple cider
- listen to Christmas music during meal times
- look at holiday lights at the park/in the streets
- write Christmas letters to friends/family members
- donate clothes/toys to a local shelter

Logan and Taylor are still a little young this year, but we have big plans for the Christmases to come. I cannot wait for these little helpers to show off their creativity.
- make paper snowflakes
- write a wish list to Santa
- write a thank you note to Santa
- draw or color pictures of Santa
- make ornaments
- go on a one-on-one date with mommy or daddy to pick out presents for siblings

Billy and I have lived in the smallest and cheapest butt-holes of the earth for 4 years now, ever since we got married. Now that we have a family, I am sooooo ready for...

• our own place (no more rent!)
• a backyard for our kids to play in
• our own washer and dryer
• a bed frame (not just a mattress resting on bricks!)
• an indoor garage
• couches that don't need to be covered up

I'm sure it'll still be a while before we are able to splurge on these few things, but I am sooooo ready to not be poor students living on loans anymore. Oh well!

WARNING: WIFE BRAGGING ABOUT HUSBAND

Today I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Not only do I have the most wonderful children in the world, but I also have the most amazing husband that could ever exist.

A few days before Logan, Taylor, and I were about to go home to Des Moines, it hit me that Billy’s 21-hour drive home really wasn’t necessary. Only 2 days after finishing his rotation in Gainesville, he would have an interview in St. Louis. On his drive home, he would be going through St. Louis. So why not make the 14-hour drive to St. Louis, stay there until the interview got done, and then only make the extra 7-hour drive to Des Moines? Of course it would mean not seeing him for another 2 days, but if he did come home, we would only see him for less than a day. Billy’s reaction to my suggestion: “But I want to come home and see you, guys. You’re worth way more than a 14-hour drive to St. Louis, there and back.” Awww...
When Billy got home that night, the boys were asleep, but my dad was still at our apartment, trying to get some rest before his own 16-hour drive back to Maryland. As soon as Billy walked in the door, I went running toward him and hugged and kissed him like never before. Then he suggested that since my dad was still in town, we might as well use him as a babysitter and go on a date. So we went… to a Sport Bar to watch the UFC fight. Every month, the guys get together to watch the fights, and I always get jealous because I wish I could go, too, but instead I have to hear about it from Billy and then wait for the fights to come on regular TV. The fights were awesome, and it was the perfect date to go on after not seeing each other for 7 weeks.
Just for the record:
My favorite fighters are: George St. Pierre, BJ Penn, and Matt Hamill
The ones I like the least: Tim Sylvia, Brock Lesnar
The ones I’m undecided about: Josh Koscheck, Matt Hughes,
The ones everybody knows: Randy Couture, Tito Ortiz, and Chuck Lidell.

Billy totally got me hooked to UFC fights. It’s something that we enjoy watching for quality time together. Yeah, I’ve got the most amazing husband that could ever exist.

This year, we got to celebrate Halloween 4 times on 3 different nights!!! Logan and Taylor quickly got the concept of digging into the candy bowls and had a blast all four times.

The first night, Thursday, we went to Des Moines University for their Halloween party. Logan and Taylor really enjoyed looking at the other children's costumes, but they enjoyed the fruit snacks and juice boxes even more.

Logan:

Height: 31 in. (48%), weight: 21 lb 5 oz (10%), HC: 18 1/2 (45%)

This month, Logan:
- wore his first winter coat
- started walking with shoes
- went to the pumpkin patch
- got 2 bottom molars
- went Trunk-or-Treating
- went Trick-or-Treating
- rode front-facing in his car seat
- only takes 1 nap

Logan loves to be held and watch me cook. He still occasionally poops in the bath tub. He enjoys playing hide-and-seek, especially when he can hide under a blanket. He has been fighting back when Taylor steals from him. He has been throwing food on the ground. He likes to cuddle with soft stuff, like stuffed animals. He enjoys putting small things inside bigger things.

Taylor:

Height: 30 in (19%), weight: 19 lb 6 oz (1%), HC: 18 1/4 (27%)

This month, Taylor:
- wore his first winter coat
- started walking with shoes
- went to the pumpkin patch
- got 1 top canine
- went Trunk-or-Treating
- went Trick-or-Treating
- rode front-facing in his car-seat
- only takes 1 nap
- blows kisses at mommy
- makes the lion sound after seeing a picture of a lion
- puts the phone to his ear and talks
- applauds at himself when he is finished eating

Taylor loves to be held and watch me cook. He still often poops in the bath tub. He gets a kick out of opening and closing doors. He is always fascinated by Logan’s shampooed head. He has been throwing food on the ground. He enjoys giving hugs and kisses, and playing with mommy’s tummy. He enjoys putting small things inside bigger things.