Cal's Big Boy Bed. Playing. New Years Eve.

After my family left, I was inspired to get Christmas cleaned up quick and get the bedrooms back in working order.  After we got it all spic and span, I decided to take a few photos of Cal's room first.  With his room, sadly, there's just not much going on.  We haven't even hung any pictures yet, b/c his room is the one I'm still unsure about.  Up until now, he's been in his crib and we weren't sure where we'd permanently put the bed... and we might change things up again soon.  So, alas, here's what it is for now.  

It still kills me to see him old enough to be in a real bed!  He loves being able to say that he'd like to sleep in his "Big Boy Bed!!" each night.  And, I also like the fact that I can get him to shape up by telling him he'll need sleep in his crib if he doesn't stay in his room.  :)  It's nice to have power. 

That huge lion pillow-pet thing? He loves when we put it on top of him.  Makes me a little un-easy, but he loves it and scoots it over when he really gets tired.  

One day, I'll have his room really decorated, until then, here's where he spends his nap times and bed times:

I love the high ceilings in these rooms!

He loves, especially, that little doggy on the far left.  I had forgotten his little snuggly thing on a trip to Boston when he was 9 months old, so we got him this as a replacement.  He sucks on one of the corners EVERY SINGLE NIGHT.  It's a little disgusting, to say the least, so I try to throw it in the wash every few days.  So funny that he has clung on to that doggy night after night.

We moved the kitchen in here for him, in case he wants to do Quiet Time instead of  nap somedays.  He really loves playing with it.  And beautiful big box with frames in the corner?  One day they'll be hung.  For now, they continue to sit!

*Almost* two year old, big boy, Calvin.

He's always loved squeezing stuffed animals.  He gives them huge hugs whenever he's excited.  Such a peanut!

::: Just hanging out on a random afternoon with the dress ups.  I thought these were funny, b/c Calvin LOVES wearing the high heeled princess shoes.  Here he is sporting them.  The joys of having an older sister.  Honestly, it's amazing how well he gets around in those shoes!

Work it, Cal!

they are (overall) pretty sweet with each other.

::: New Years Eve.  This was a funny night.  At one point in time, we THOUGHT about having some people over.  But in the end, we were tired and didn't feel like it.  STORY OF OUR LIVES.  So, we opted to go to the mall instead.  I had some Christmas credit to spend and we thought we'd go out to eat.
So, we browsed around for a bit (shopping at the mall isn't as magical as it used to be when I was a teenager. weird.), and then decided to go fancy and head to the Cheesecake Factory.  Hey, it was, after all, the new year.  :)  We got some delicious food in their billion page menu (have you ever seen how long that thing is??) and enjoyed the meal.  Calvin especially.  For some reason I took two pictures of him eating.  Is it weird that I love watching my kids eat?  They really are great eaters, for the most part.

We had told Tillie we could go to look around at the Disney Store after we ate... so it was a REAL bummer when we came out of the restaurant only to discover that the mall had closed up early.  Like at 7:00 or something.  BOO!  Tillie was heartbroken and kept sobbing, "But you told me after we eat we could go!"  So sad.  We had had no idea.

We made it up to her by letting her eat some ice cream when we got home.  All was well after that announcement.

Anyway, there you have it.  Cal's Big Boy Bedroom (for now), High Heel skillzz, and New Years Eve.  HAPPY 2012!

january gaps 2012

Ahhh, January.  Such a nice month, in my opinion.  Time finally slows down a bit so you can get the holiday decorations put away, re-organize, and get back into a routine.  Also, it's fun to have new toys/things to play with Christmas just happening. 

Our family received some awesome games from their Aunty Melody in Utah.  CandyLand is Tillie's new favorite and she loved every time we let her pull it out to play.  Here she is, bursting with happiness (sorry for the blurriness, Til).

::: Speaking of bursting... here are some bursting cheeks.  Aaron put the FatBooth app on his new phone and Tillie has really been enjoying it.  Gotta love these faces.

looking good, husband.

::: Again, trying out the new toys!  The kiddos got trikes from Santa this year.  The whole concept of pedaling is a little tricky for them both, but we'll get it!

::: I had to renew my passport since it was going to expire soon.  So, we opted to just do the photo portion at home so I could print the photos on my printer.  I was posin' it up, and Tillie hopped into a few of the shots.  Very nice of us both.  hA!

::: Happy 7th Anniversary to us!  Let's see... we were both wiped out (First Trimester and super tired for me) so I think gave each other high fives while I sat in the recliner and he sat on the couch.  How's that for romance?  :)  Right after that, I told him that we were lame and we should at least take a picture of ourselves... so here we are... taking a picture of ourselves.  

::: It always is funny to me how zoned into movies the kids will get.  Here they are one afternoon watching some movie.  Probably Iron Giant.

::: Ms. Matilda is quite the block builder.  I'm always really impressed with the delights she creates.  This night was no exception.  I think she is so darn creative!

::: I finally decided to take down the Christmas cards we'd received from family and friends.  This is one of my favorite traditions each year, and I love how nice people are to include us on their mailing lists!  I filled up our pantry door with them and loved having all these familiar and happy faces surrounding us.  I had to take a picture of it all before I pulled them down.

::: Have you ever heard of the magazine, Seeing the Everyday ? I know I've talked about it before, b/c Becca did an internship there this past summer.  Anyway, in the back they do an biographical sketch on someone of note submitted by readers.  They chose to publish a sketch written by my very own mother about my sweet, sweet Grandpa, Elmer Heber Johnson.  She sent a few photographs as well, and they turned this one of her (as a baby) in his arms into a drawing.
It was lovely and such a happy thing to read.  I loved my grandpa dearly and he passed away when I was eight years old, but I have so many happy memories with him.  Such a neat thing to have so many people learn about what a great man he was!

::: One night, we went to the pet store before heading to the grocery store.  We never have any real reason to go to any pet store (b/c we are proud NON-pet owners), but the kids had a BALL.  I see more trips there to visit in their future.

And yes, Tillie did have her boots on the wrong feet.  Super comfortable, I'm sure.

::: After I had dropped off Aaron's parents at the airport, I decided to hit up Ikea with the kiddos and look at a few things.  I'd been wrestling with the idea of bunk bed and wanted to check them out.  The kids were fans of the idea (duh!) but I wasn't (and am still not) emotionally ready for such a thing in our lives.

Since we were there around lunch time, we made an event of it (much to Tillie's delight!).  Note to self, don't get the Buffalo Turkey Wrap... way too spicy and gross (in my humble opinion).  I should have got what Cal did... chicken strips.

If there is food, Calvin will be happy.

::: I love how much Tillie enjoys reading.  This scene occurs pretty regularly, but I decided to capture it on my camera this night.  I love the book on her face.  Too funny.

I also appreciated the fact that she was also so careful with her bandaged finger.  She kills me.

::: Ms. Matilda loves to cuddle up to us.  I had pulled out my fuzzy robe one morning, and Tillie loved how soft it was.  So, we took some photos making darling (and some not-so-darling) faces.  

she's my little buddy and I love her so much.

::: The Utah Jazz came to town to play the Dallas Mavs.  You know Aaron wanted to go.  And, hey, I'm always up for a night on the town.  It was a fun night and BONUS! The Oak Ridge Boys even sang the National Anthem.  BOO YAH!  Loved them growing up, thanks to my dear mother.  

::: Have I mentioned how much Tillie loves the camera these days?  Oh, in case I didn't, here is proof.

::: New hat trick.  They love this game.

::: Matilda was asked to give the theme of the month in Primary at church.  She did great.  I just had to sneak a few photos of those cute girlies in the front sitting on the big chairs.  Too cute.

::: Hiding out in their castle tent one afternoon.  I thought they were actually sleeping b/c it was so quiet.  I should have known.  :)  Tillie loves to read to her Calvin.

And those are the random gaps from January 2012!!