Autumn Rain

 Wesley was initially uninterested in the bike.  He opened up a clock puzzle and then just wanted to play with that.  Bret finally convinced him to hop on the bike, and Wes quickly became a huge fan.

Brynn found Christmas morning to be very peaceful.

 Wesley was pretty slow at opening presents so we had to take a break to get ready for church.  Brynn is still pretty little so I stayed home with her.  It would have been nice to see people from our old ward and enjoy feeling the Spirit there, but at least I got an decent nap while they were gone.

When everyone got back we finished opening presents.  I am always more excited about giving presents then getting them.  But I have to admit that once I get the gifts I really like it.  Bret got me an Wi-fi radio.
This is the only picture we have of all four of us, plus we got the bonus of one grandpa.

 Brynn with her presents.  Also she is not wearing clothes because she poo pooed through them.  We had multiple blowouts on this trip.

Next stop was to Punka's for a brunch.  Wes actually tried scones...progress in the eating department.

They were being so silly while taking pictures saying, "No cheese."

The silly putty Wesley found in his stocking there was a big hit (a super cool tractor stocking might I add).

Posing in front of the tree.

Next stop was to visit Great-grandma Hood (or Hook as Wesley calls her).  I haven't seen her for a long time.  Before this I hadn't been more then a 20 minute drive from my house of over two months.  It was good to see her.  She laughed and laughed when she got to hold the baby.  Brynn seemed pretty happy about meeting her great-grandma, too.

Four generations picture.

Photos are not always the easiest to take with little ones, but I am still happy to have them.

The kids could only handle a couple of hours at the nursing home.  I felt sad to have to leave her, but was grateful for the time we had. I also learned I have to watch my kids like a hawk while there because many of the other patients in the nursing home are drawn to children.  Most just watch the kids or commented on how beautiful they are, but while Wes was standing right by me one man (who no longer has the ability to speak) got a death grip on the neck of Wesley's sweater.  I was proud of Wes for staying calm while I pried the man's hand off and explained he was just trying to say hello.  I am also proud of myself for staying calm.

Next we headed back to Naunnie's house for Christmas dinner, and Wesley go to open the last of his gifts.
Dinner was delicious.  I was glad that that I brought Wesley's jammies with us.  He poo pooed though his clothes (which hardly ever happens with him anymore).  Still, it was nice he was in his jammies because he fell asleep in the car on the way back to Bret's parent's home.

So sweet.

Happy little Christmas girl.  I didn't end up getting a picture of both kids in their Christmas clothes together.  Maybe I'll still try and get a picture of that.

We left Monday after I had a chance to catch up on some much needed sleep.

Spending time with family is a wonderful way to celebrate the birth of our Savior, who made it possible for us to return to our Heavenly Father.
Merry Christmas, everyone!

This was the first time Wes hasn't slept in his pack'n play away from home.  We made a bed in my mom's walk in closet to give him an enclosed place to sleep.  He loved it.  He wouldn't come out when he woke up and played in there for over three hours in the morning.

The kids and I had a delightful time at my mom's, and Bret had a delightful time being alone.  Poor man needs alone time to recharge and it doesn't happen much.

  

We headed over to Bret's parents for Christmas eve dinner.  I realized before that night it had need almost six months since I had seen Bret's sister and family.  It was nice to spend time together.

Then we took pictures of the kiddos in front of the tree in their Christmas jammies.

They both had reindeer one their jammies, and Wes' had reindeer on his feet.  Cute jams for the worlds cutest kiddos. 

 Wesley was having some pretty naughty moments a couple of weeks ago.  His behavior was the worst when I was nursing the baby.  One of the things I did to try and help him deal with his sister getting attention is to have him hold her and spend more time with her.  Bonding time seems to help.  I also think that as I recover more and life getting more normal is helping too.  The last couple of weeks he has acted out a lot less.

I love how cute my kids are.  Wesley loves when Brynn lays in his bed next to him while we read stories and sing before nap and bedtime.  He always asks for her to stay and sleep in his bed with him. 

 I should have started with uncooked noodles because Wes did not want to touch the cooked noodles.

 So I dumped sprinkles over the noodle to try and incise him into touching it a little.  He whined for me to pull the noodle out, and I told him he was a big boy and could do it himself.  So he dumped out the measuring cup so he wouldn't have to touch it.  I put the noodle back in, and he touched it a little.

 Sigh.  I guess we have to start somewhere.

 Still he is cute and had fun.  Notice the paper towel to the side.  I had to keep wiping of his hands because he doesn't like when they are dirty.  We have been talking about how it is okay to have messy hands while we eat and do projects.  Kids with issues with food textures also have issues with textures on their hands.

 After we cleaned out from the ranch painting Wes wanted to play with play-do.  He called me over to show me how he made the baby Jesus.

Here is our project the next day.  I really need to go to the store to get supplies, but I am not taking the baby out yet so shopping is tricky.  We started with threading noodles on yarn.  Even though I taped the end the noodle where a little too small, and it was pretty hard for even me to get it through.  So Wes glued graduation confetti on to paper with jam.

It is fun to try all the cool project ideas I find online, but really it's all about the sensory experience so I am making it work with what I have.

 I think I did a pretty good job.

She sure is a keeper!

Daddy took him to give the neighbors a sorry note.

Brynn turned four weeks on Wednesday.

I had been planning on talking a picture of Wes in his big brother shirt while Brynn wore her little sister shirt in the hospital.  That didn't end up happening.  Well, it is pretty much too small now, and she had a blow out diaper before I got a picture of Wes with her.  Oh, well.  I think I have another little sister shirt in a bigger size.

Yep.  That's peanut butter in his hair.  I am very grateful for baths.

Tuesday I was finally able to try french braiding my hair.  I had watched a tutorial on how to do it during a middle of the night feeding several nights before and really wanted to try it.  It didn't turn out to bad for being my first try and having no talent with my hair.  I was able to do a little Christmas shopping while the kids napped (don't worry Bret was home).  It was nice to have my hair and makeup done.  I usually look like a shlub so no pictures of that.

While I was out I picked up winter hats for this kids.  Brynn's is slipping off in this picture.  It's cuter when it's on all the way.  I was so excited at how cute the kids look in their hats that Wesley couldn't stop laughing with excitement, too.

Wesley helped me to make homemade play-doh.

1 Packet of Kool Aid

1 Cup of Flour

1/2 Cup Salt

3 tablespoons of Vegetable Oil

1 Cup of Boiling Water

I got the recipe on this blog I found on pinterest.
Wes helped to make it, and kept asking to eat it.  I told him he could try it, but it wouldn't taste good.  I don't think he ever tried it, but the Kool Aid did make it smell really yummy.

I love how funny she is sleeping with her arms in the air.