Parties for Hosting, Marshmallows for Toasting...

We had a lovely Christmas season this year. One that, at first, felt oddly mellow.  But then it always picks up and gets crazy as usual.  I think as long as we're traveling at the holidays it'll feel that way.

Jasper and Daddy help set up the tree, sort of.  I have these idealistic dreams every year that we'll all listen to Kenny G Christmas and decorate the tree while sipping hot cocoa, and I think this year I may have finally realized, that probably just ain't happening.  Jake is busy working always and Jasper is a toddler and the idea of it being a family event would probably require all the participants to be as invested in decorating for Christmas as I am, which, of course, they're not, because how could they be.  So, whatever.  I think Jake got in on the tail end of it, which is better than most years.  We did manage to get it all up and get this cute picture and it looked beautiful.

The day after it was all up, Jake said he opened up his laptop bag at work and got a chuckle when a bunch of glitter came out.  He is very good to thank me for dressing up the place as I do.

Another little print out.  I love these things.

Jake was working, earning some extra Christmas cash for us, (and bless him for it), so Jasper and I hit up the ward party by ourselves.  Jake's one request was that I get a picture of Jasper with Santa.  The only problem: Santa didn't show up til the end of the fun-filled and lengthy program at 9 PM.

This kid goes to bed at 7 PM.  Hard to be "nice" two hours after bedtime. 

Well, I guess we're officially parents: got the picture of the crying kid on Santa's lap.  Ha!

This year for Christmas I got to do some things I've always wanted to but find it hard to get around to doing during the holidays.  One, I gave away some "neighbor" gifts.  I found these adorable Christmas tins at Dollar Tree and baked a bazillion cookies to put inside them.  Gingersnaps, double chocolate peppermint, and red velvet cookies.  

I'd say a success.  :)

I also hosted a little gingerbread decorating party which was low-key and really fun.  I provided the graham crackers and frosting (homemade--lucked out on a really good recipe), and everyone who came brought a topping.  

Stacy & Amelia Stevens

(From top left clockwise): Capri & Duke Spencer (mom Alli, not pictured), Lee Huddleston (mom Anna not pictured), Johanna Taggart, Amelia Stevens, Naomi Crowe (mom Anna not pictured)

We had a really good time and came up with some pretty cute houses.

I think we may have to make it an annual event.  And then Jasper may actually get a chance to join in.  (He slept through the whole thing!)

Jasper's First Disneyland Trip!

Oh my goodness, this was SUCH a treat!  Something you dream about doing for your kids for years!  We took little Jasper to Disneyland!!!

                                           

Thanks to our very generous friends, The Hoppes, we were escorted into Disneyland free of charge, because Ben works for Disney and has some serious hook-ups.  It was a Saturday at Christmas time (December 8th) so it was WAY busy, but we had a wonderful time.  

                                          

We spent the first part of the day at California Adventure and Jasper loved this Toy Story ride.  

We ate at the Grand Hotel in California Adventure where the place was so beautifully decorated for Christmas.  Hi Hoppes!  Hi Champions!

We got to poke around the new Cars Land in California Adventure.  Very cute!  Since lines were long and I was attending to the toddler most of the day, we only rode a few rides: Toy Story, Ariel's adventure, Soarin' over California, and the rest was mostly soaking in the atmosphere.  What a gift from our sweet friends, huh?  I still can't believe how nice they were to do that.  Means so much to us.

Around dinner time, we finally got to Disneyland.  I mean, what is not to love about this place?

My favorite ride at Christmas time, not to ride, but to look at.  :)

We got to see the World of Color, which Jasper loved.  He kept pointing to the water when it would light up.  So cute.  And he'd turn his face away when the fire came on.  One of the best stories from the whole day was when we got him three scoops of ice cream after dinner at Hagen Daas (that we all shared.)  We were eating it on a bench outside in Downtown Disney and after it was all gobbled up, we told him, "it's all gone," at which time he promptly hopped down off my lap, bee-lined it back to the ice cream shop, and started banging on the counter.  We were laughing so hard!  ("All gone?!  Nonsense, I know how to fix this!")  I've said it before, but it remains true that you never have to guess how Jasper feels about things at any given time.  You'd never believe a child could be so expressive without the use of words.     

But perhaps my very favorite thing about the whole day is the souvenir we got him.  I wanted something to commemorate his first trip to Disneyland.  I wasn't sure what to get him, and ultimately decided on this Mickey.  It is perfect.  Jasper's never really been one for stuffed animals, but I presented this to him like it was really something special, which it was, and he immediately hugged it and held on tight.  He loves it so much.  When I give it to him, he hugs it over his shoulder and pats it like a baby.  It is absolutely priceless.

Success.

And those two are best buds.  Mickey watches shows with him, takes road trips.

But mostly, they are bedtime buddies.  I think I have also said this before, or someone said it to me: that a world of wrong is undone when a child is sleeping.  And honestly, what could be sweeter than a baby  boy and his Mickey? 

Sweet dreams!

I'm happy to tell you, Jasper, the fun with Disney has just begun . . .

California Thanksgiving

This year marked our first Thanksgiving spent in California.  Actually, our first Thanksgiving ever without one or both of our families.  Although we missed them, it was fun to host, fun to actually make food for it, and fun to spend it with friends.

Here was the spread for the evening.  We acquired this table (after much deliberation) through Craigslist 2 days before Thanksgiving, not a day too soon.  I absolutely love it.  I think it's beautiful and it was EXACTLY what I was looking for, but I love how practical it is.  And I love that our son no longer climbs to the top of our former bar-height chairs and falls off of them, as he was prone to doing, like, daily.  And I also love that he has--not once, knock on wood--tipped any of the chairs over and broken them, like he did on a semi-monthly basis with the last set.  Yes, our former table served us well for several years, and now it is serving someone else well, and such is the circle of our apartment-furniture life.  

Anyway, I had such a ball decorating.  I think hosting dinners may have to become a regular thing in our house.  It's just too much fun to set the table up fancy!

And we had a kiddie table, too.  So fun.

Now on to the people--the most important part!

Here was our group:  The Stevens, The Dartons, the Crowes, and Ryan's drummer friend, Elmo, who was a last minute addition.

Aren't they DAHLING.  I don't know if every kid is like this, but Jasper lights up when he sees things "just his size."  He loved sitting in his little chair at his little table, like a grown-up does.  :)

We had such a good time. The food was delicious.  It was pot-luck style, so not too much work for any one person, but everything everyone brought was fantastic.  And we had these awesome conversation starters I printed from online that were so cute and everyone seemed to enjoy them.

We had such fun having everyone over, celebrating such a special day with them.  And then the next day half of us simultaneously got sick with the stomach flu, but Thanksgiving itself was lovely. :)  

Thankful Heart

You know, those who know me best know that this year hasn't been the easiest for our little family, or for this little mama in particular.  And those who know me best also know that I speak my mind about things pretty heartily, so to some of you I've probably broadcast that message loud and clear.  But tonight, I feel my heart is full of things for which I'm grateful, and as hard as certain things have been, and as much as I feel justified in complaining in certain areas, I thought on this eve of Thanksgiving, God deserved to hear me mention in writing how grateful I am for my beautiful life and for all He has blessed me with, which is so very much.

I am so grateful for my family, the one I came from, the one I married into, and the one I am making.  I am so grateful for loving parents who are still involved in my life and call, come to visit, offer love, help, and support in ways I cannot possibly fully express my gratitude for.  They are my guardian angels.  They are literally the answer to many of my prayers, and I don't know what I would do without them.  I'm quickly approaching my thirties, and as I'm starting to raise children of my own, I know like never before just what a sacrifice it was for them, and the enormous blessing it is for me now to have parents who are devoted to loving me and bringing happiness and comfort any way they can--still, after all these years.  

I am so grateful to have not one, but TWO sets of wonderful grandparents for my lucky son.  I am so grateful to Jacob's parents--to his father, whose birthday is today, for loving Jacob's mother so well and showing his four boys the purest example of loyalty, patience, temperance, service, and love in living his life as he has.  He and his sweet wife have raised some pretty amazing kids, and I'm so grateful not only to be married to one, but for the wonderful aunts, uncles, cousins, and brothers and sisters-in-law that Jasper and I also have as a result of their hard work.  

I am so grateful to have a home and delicious, healthy food to eat.  I have never in my life spent a night cold or hungry.  I have always had a warm bed to sleep in, food on my table, and clothes on my back.  I currently have a fridge full of yummy food that we will share with friends around a big table tomorrow and we'll have enough for everyone and to spare and that is huge.  I have a closet full of clothes that fit me and make me feel beautiful when I wear them, and I have the same for my husband and my son.  My husband has so many shirts that I feel it is a burden to iron them!  My son has enough pajamas that I can choose between the "cool" ones and the "warm" ones for him to wear to bed!  I cannot say the smallest part of how grateful I am that I can offer food, clothes, toys, books, a bed, and a room for our son. Through our own means, through the loving help of family and friends, and through the help of the Lord, we are so, so blessed in these things.

I am so enormously and eternally thankful for my husband and my son.  I am so thankful for the blessings of the temple, for my understanding and belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am so thankful for the opportunity and promise of an eternal family, and the love that we have the opportunity to share in this life and hereafter.  I am so thankful to have known Jacob for so much of my life, for the friend and model of patience and love he has been to me as long as I've known him.  He is long-suffering, especially with me as I continually prove to know how to test him.  He is hard-working to a fault.  He is a believer, a dreamer, a lover and a fighter in the best possible way.  He is an incredible husband, a wonderful example and playmate and caretaker to our son.  He is a joy to be around, he is one of the most caring and selfless people I know, and he doesn't like anyone to know about it.  He is my true love and life is what it is to me because he is in it.  I will love him and be thankful to him forever for giving me the greatest gift in both of our lives, our son.  If my blessings were to begin and end with that child, it would be enough to fill many, many lifetimes.  It is the greatest honor of my life to be his mother, and to share the privilege of raising him with my sweet husband.  He brings more joy and purpose and fulfillment to my life than his tiny, innocent lion heart can possibly understand, and that is what I love so much.  I feel God's love when I look at him, when I hug him, when I read him a bed time story.  I have had a lifetime of joy in the 17 months exactly that he has been in my life and I thank the Lord from the depths of my heart for every precious moment we have him, because they are all precious.  Even the tough ones.  Precious, precious gifts.   

I am thankful for the many, many friends, teachers, and leaders I have and have had in the course of my life, and for all they have done to uplift me, encourage me, and make me better.  I am so grateful for the power of prayer and that I can pray for anything, big or small, and know that God is there and He is listening.  I am grateful for the answered prayer I had today in finding Jasper's missing Sunday shoes (hidden by the little rascal in the fireplace!) and I hope the missing gray sweatshirt of his I've been praying to find also shows up soon. 

I am thankful to be thankful, because it's so much better than the alternative, and tonight I have felt a peaceful closeness to the spirit.  I am thankful, in this moment, to feel LOVE. 

Happy, happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Halloween!

Check me out--rounding out October the day after it ends. Go me!

This is Jasper on any given day.  He is the energizer bunny in a pinball machine.  He DOES NOT STOP.

And he loves his golf clubs.  Adorable.

My little man in his dapper Sunday suit.  It's hard to get a picture of him on Sundays because Jake is gone and I'm left to my own devices to get us both ready, then operate the camera, and try to get a perpetually-in-motion toddler to hold still long enough to capture him.  This one's not bad.  Oh how I love to dress up my little man.

My friend Stacy (who's also 9 months pregnant and a total trooper) hosted a little Halloween party for the kiddies last week and it was a ball. A fun excuse to get the toddlers dressed up in their costumes again.  

Anna and Naomi Crowe.

Jasper and Amelia Stevens, being buddies.

Then that night we went to Halloween Pajama Storytime at the Burbank Library.  Anna helped us sew these adorable pajamas so they could match for the event.  So cute, right?

Stacy and Amelia Stevens.

He was a little tired and wound up, but it was still a good time!

And it was packed.  Over 300 people came.  I LOVE this library.

And just to cram in more fun Halloween events, we went to another Pumpkin patch.  This one was really close by, in Encino, and free.  And it was fabulous.

Jasper and Lucy Anderson.  

Jasper in the bounce house.  It's really hard to capture just how much he LOVED this bounce house.  I've been saying lately (only slightly jokingly) that Jasper needs a pinball machine where he can be the pinball.  We lucked out at the pumpkin patch and caught the bounce house for a few minutes and oh my goodness--he was in total heaven!  I have hardly seen him squeal with such delight.  I was a little nervous it might be too rough for him--nope!  It was perfect!  Now if only we could grow one of these in our courtyard...

There were so many cute things for the kids to play on here.  Really, such a fun morning and did I mention it was FREE?

And on to the big event...TRUNK OR TREAT

I loved this Mickey Mouse costume from Babies R Us so much that when they ran out of Jasper's size early and my mom offered to pick one up in Mesa and send it to me, I took her up on it (well, the second time she offered.)  I am SO GLAD we got that costume.  I loved every second he was wearing it.  I spotted it a few months ago, so I made this skirt for my costume and just added the ears and the gloves.  (I already had the material, so I just went for it.)  

And then, since Anna had helped me make Jasper's pajama pants, she really encouraged me to make Jake's Mickey pants when I lamented I couldn't find anything.  So, fearfully I went to JoAnn's, bought the material and thread and pattern--by myself--and made them the day before the event.  And just LOOK!  They fit!  If I say so myself, I think Jake looks pretty dang sharp!  Anna just happened to acquire that awesome bow tie the day before and give it to us.  And I found that blazer at a thrift store the day of for $2.  I literally paid for it in coins. Not bad!

And here we all are: Mickey, Minnie, and mini-Mickey.  I already think this will be our best family costume ever. Jake is such a sport, isn't he?  Major, major husband points here.  Major.

This is how Studio City does Trunk or Treat.  Or I should say, it's how Christina Anderson does it.  She has such a gift, and she does it for the fun of it.  I LOVE the parties she helps throw.

The Heders.

The Denkes.

My Mickeys.

Jamie and Oskar Ackerman

Drew, Sarah, (and baby) Champion

The Dartons

The Minnies (baby Fiona Hoppe)

The McKays.

So this was what Jasper wore for Halloween day.  We wore it to story time and I thought he looked so cute.

P.S.  He climbs on everything.  Literally everything.  And he almost never falls.  And he hurts himself even less.  He's like a cross between a monkey and a pint-size Spiderman.

How bout that awesome jacket we made, huh?  

I love.

Jasper's new trick: showing you his belly button.  He'll check throughout the day to make sure it's still there.  And he'll also check on you to make sure yours is still there.  

Jasper at the Burbank Downtown Trick or Treat.  This was a huge hit.  The time was 4-7 PM, which left us enough time to have dinner at Panera and get to bed at a reasonable time.  It was really fun to go to a community event and see all the other kids in costume.  And all the other kids loved seeing Mickey Mouse.  

This is one of those images that will be frozen in my memory forever.  My little boy as Mickey Mouse. Priceless.

What a fun day.  Seriously.  Best Halloween ever.  I liked it before, but having kids just makes holidays SO much cooler.  He was so cute to take the candy and put it in his bucket and wave to all the vendors.

And finally, today we went to the Hunnington Gardens.  They have a free day every first Thursday of the month and Johanna Darton offered us tickets.  We went with a nice, big group and had a ball.

Doesn't this look like something out of Alice in Wonderland?  He loved running back and forth inside this little tunnel.  Just his size.  

So, Jasper's now 16 months and we're just starting to see tooth #9, a lower bicuspid, as Jake corrects me.  Jake has nicknamed Jasper "the king of gab." He jabbers all day long "bi-dom, bi-dom, bi-dom, bi-jom, bi-jom, bi-jom." He mimics what we say, but I'm still not hearing anything really consistent yet.  He points to things and "talks" about them.  He climbs onto the toilet and gets into the medicine cabinet, he climbs on the chair and gets onto the desk.  He jumps from the couch to the ottoman and back and gives us all heart attacks.  He likes to hide things (namely balls) under the couch and see if he can get them again.  He still loves the broom and tries to sweep whenever I get it out.  He's just learned to fold his arms for the prayer and he jabbers along with me during the prayer as I say it.  We've also made it through two weeks of church now in the pew as opposed to the hard seats in the back, so I call that progress, too!  And he's starting to do actions along with certain songs, like "Itsy Bitsy spider."  So darling.  We sure love our little man.