.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Holiday shenanigans part two

My window to finish the Christmas recap is closing rapidly since school starts on Tuesday, so here is a ridiculously photo-filled post!

We got back into town from Elko on Monday evening and spent Tuesday at the pediatrician's office getting our sick little boys checked out - love the double co-pay. (On the other hand, our insurance recently began covering regular well-being checks 100%, so I probably shouldn't complain about the co-pay on sick visits!) They had both been feeling a bit out of sorts on our trip, and sure enough they both had double ear infections. We dropped in on my mom since we were in town and Clyde and Will and I stayed there and goofed off while Chuck did some solo Christmas shopping.
It was game day for Boise State (obviously don't want to dwell on it - I'll just say darn you, TCU!) so the boys were decked out appropriately. Will's doing some last-minute weight lifting to prepare to watch the game. Apple will probably want to use this picture in their ad campaigns to promote the iPod shuffle - it would obviously appeal to their target audiences!(My mom received it as a gift from my aunt and uncle, who thoughtfully preloaded it with two books for her to listen to.) The next night we went back to my mom's for a nice Christmas Eve dinner; Will mostly feasted upon my necklace. We figured the boys would fall asleep on the way home, so we got them changed into their pajamas there and attempted a cute brotherly picture . . . This being our best result. I know they look the same size, but I promise Clyde is six pounds heavier and a few inches taller.
Merry Christmas morning! Here's the tree . . . and our stockings! The highlights were the race car track and the movie CARS for Clyde and a rocking horse and steering wheel/driving toy for Will.
Clyde had a tendency to press his button down all the way, causing his car to accelerate too quickly and crash off the side - good thing Daddy was there to put him back on track :)
Me and my sweet little boys
Will being a slightly better driver than Clyde :)
Clyde trying out the rocking horse, he loved how it whinnied and swished its tail when he pressed the ear.
Will's turn on the rocking horse
Will was a little partied out after we opened stockings!
But he woke right up when Grandma and Uncle Cody came over mid-morning to help us open gifts. The real highlight of the day came when Elder Braden called, though. We were able to talk to him for a little over an hour, and it was wonderful. He and I laughed and laughed and he told me how much he loved the shirt I sent him. Christmas was his six-month mark - I'm amazed at the experiences he's had and the service he's given in that time!

After a late brunch we put Clyde down for a nap and left him home with Grandma while Cody, Chuck, Will, and I met with my Dad's extended family for the annual dinner. It was fun to see the aunts, uncles and cousins who were able to make it.
There's always basketball afterwards, and Will was very intent on getting in on the pickup game with Grandpa.
Finally, I just have to say how impressed I was with my sweet husband's gift-giving this year. Chuck gave me so many thoughtful gifts - every time I happily opened one, he'd nudge me and say, "See? I listen!" So, one of the things I always point out on Bronco game days are the somewhat tacky BSU flags that people attach on their cars. I consider them a sign of true loyalty and have always wanted them, but Chuck would prefer not to draw that much attention to himself. As we drove to the stadium for the game we went to in November, I kept saying "Oh, there's a true BSU fan" or "Oh, you can tell they're going to the game. No one knows that we're going to the game" and so on. So sure enough, along with my awesome new Boise State sweatshirt, Chuck also got me two BSU flags for our car. I'm so excited to try them out this fall :)

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Peer pressure works.

Don't worry, part two of the holiday recap is coming, but in the meantime,
the blogging world just got both better-looking and funnier . . .
(You're welcome)

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Holiday shenanigans part one

I obviously haven't been in any rush to post about our holiday merriment, and there are three reasons for this:
1. I'm still on holiday from school. Unlike the many poor schleps who have been back in school for a week now, my new semester doesn't start until January 20th. See, it's not too late to post about Christmas if you're still on Christmas break!
2. A week ago I read the Goose Girl by Shannon Hale and my life changed. Two days later I read the Princess Academy by Shannon Hale. Yesterday I read the Goose Girl again. Blogging is much less romantic than reading.
3. There are SO MANY pictures. And I have the most ridiculous time trying to post them in any kind of correct order. Which is why there will be multiple posts.
Alas, my birthday is fast approaching and if I'm going to forge a "happy birthday to my wife without whom I could not live" post from Chuck, it should probably come after the Christmas recap. So here we are.
Christmas break began with a weekend trip to Elko to visit Chuck's family. I took my last final on Thursday night and we headed out on Friday morning. It was a slow and snowy drive (so I'm told, I slept most of the way) but we arrived safe and sound and had a very fun weekend shopping, sledding, eating, napping, being spoiled, and the like. Oh, and playing Mexican Train Dominoes- I was dreadful (sorry to my patient teammate, Aleesha) but it was so fun! The highlight was being able to be there as Chuck's younger brother Lee and his beautiful wife Aleesha had their cute-as-all-get-out daughter Cambria Nicole blessed. She looked so darling in her little white dress and Grandpa Izatt gave her a really sweet blessing.
We stopped in a little town along the way so that Will could eat, and Clyde took the opportunity to throw his first snowball. Deprived child, I know - that's why I was the target.
Will snuggled right up to Pops and donned his first article of camo clothing.
Pops delighted all the wee grandchildren (and adult children as well!) by setting up the train around the Christmas tree. It was deluxe - multiple tracks, two trains, and plenty of kids to derail it! Clyde was obviously mesmerized.
As was Will.
Oh, did I forget to mention that Santa came? 'Cuz he did. Clyde was content to stay on Daddy's lap, but Gus-Gus, er, Will didn't mind being passed around (excuse his double chin, it's a poor angle).
Grandma Izatt helped the kiddos make gingerbread men, notice Clyde eating the M & M buttons off of his.
The four of us got to enjoy our own mini-Christmas as we opened gifts from the rest of the (very generous) family. We got all sorts of fun things that we're excited to use - thanks everyone!
The six participants in the Izatt Extended Family Baby Boom of '08: Melissa and Lily (January), Jana and Will (March), and Aleesha and Bri (July). Cute babies, cute moms!

It was so fun to see everyone and we're grateful it was a safe trip to and from!

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Just in case I don't get around to mailing out cards

Will and I just wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas! We are so thankful for the birth, life, and Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ and we're grateful for this chance to celebrate Him. May your holiday season be joyous and safe! Oh, and Chuck and Clyde wanted to get in on the season's greetings action, but they were too busy arguing over who the 'man of the house' is . . .
(Seriously, that's what they're doing. When asked, "Who's the man of the house?" Clyde points to himself and says "I want to!" and Chuck points to himself and says "I want to!" and so it goes . . .)

Thursday, December 18, 2008

The closest to the North Pole I'll probably ever get

Chuck and I ventured to the mall on Tuesday afternoon, little boys in tow, to do some Christmas shopping and happened upon a virtually wait-free line to see Santa Claus! And better yet, instead of using their photographer we were able to take pictures (albeit only two) with our own camera for free! Although Clyde knows who Santa is (thanks to his new favorite movie, Elf) I still knew he wouldn't sit up there on his own, so I joined in on the fun. Will was very interested in the kindly old gent and got a good hold of his pinky

Aren't their little jackets too cute? My mom's friend Bonnie picked up one of them at a garage sale a while back and Clyde wore it last winter, then I found the other one last week at Savers. Ah, the fun of dressing children like twins without actually having to have two babies at once!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

The closest to Bethlehem I'll probably ever get

Sadly, our little family was a little slow delving into the Christmas spirit this year. This, of course, was not by choice - Chuck picked up a few extra shifts the first week of December and I've had a slew of projects, papers, and presentations for school. I did pull out the Christmas boxes the Sunday after Thanksgiving and put most of our decorations up, but we had to wait until this past Friday to get a tree. Chuck and Clyde picked it out together while I finished a paper and we decorated it Saturday morning. There's something about having the tree up and well-lit that makes life feel much more Christmas-y and I love it! Chuck took the weekend off and we were able to go to our ward's Christmas party at church. The activities committee did a great job re-creating Bethlehem and it was fun to don bathrobes (Chuck and Clyde), sheets (me) and pillowcases (all of us) to fit in with the scenery. The Elder's Quorum was in charge of one of the food-serving booths so Chuck got to magnify his calling as 1st Counselor and dole out grapes.Clyde happily stayed in his getup for most of the evening - until about thirty seconds before we went to take this picture (of course). Thanks again, Jared, for being our volunteer photographer!

An earlier shot of Clyde helping Daddy with the fruit

Troy, the Elder's Quorum President, and Chuck at their 'blacksmith' shop

Will is so close to crawling on his hands and knees!

After dinner there was a really nice program with an acted out reading from the second chapter of Luke. Hearing that account of Jesus Christ's birth never gets old, and obviously helped up the Christmas spirit around our house as well :)
It's been so nice to have Chuck home for a week, and after an all-day training followed by his regular shift tomorrow, we get him for another whole week - yay! We decided today that we should just win the lottery since it's so fun to both be stay-at-home parents (Alas, we don't play the lottery, and I think that's actually one of their slogans: You can't win if you don't play). We'll just have to be thankful for the semester almost being over and vacation days!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Turkey Day wrap up

We had a lovely Thanksgiving weekend. Sam and Terri graced us with their collective presence, which meant that Clyde and Will got lots of extra love! Clyde's favorite things were riding in Sam and Terri's car and Terri's magical, shiny purse with its ziploc bag full o' candy. Preferably blue candy :). Will's favorite thing was being picked up and cuddled each and every time he fussed - ah, the benefits of a two-to-one adult to child ratio! Thanksgiving Day we had a scrumptious dinner at our house with Sam and Terri, my mum and Cody, Leslie and Matt, and their kids Keyan and Jazlyn. We put two tables together in our living room, and I finally got to use my super cool Fiesta dishes that we received for our wedding (thanks Aunt Iris!). There was lots of yummy food and afterwards we played a host of different games. As an adaptation of the "five kernels of corn" deal, before dinner every plate had five Reese's Pieces on it, which could be eaten after the person shared five things they were grateful for. Since I've had a few handfuls out of the candy dish today, I should probably make a longer list of what I'm thankful for (warning, it's REALLY long):
* my husband, who is sweet and caring and takes amazing care of me - he actually made ME breakfast last week on HIS birthday * my Clyde Monster, who made me a mommy and prefers me to almost every other person alive (save Daddy, his 'best friend') and who kisses the owie on my elbow every time he sees it * my baby Will, who proved lightening can strike twice - in the form of darling baby boys, and who, despite having two little teeth now, hasn't bitten me once * my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ, who love me (and you!) unconditionally * my mum, who supports me and believes in me and who taught me how to be a mommy * my brother Cody, who teaches me about compassion and grace and about the Israel-Palestine conflict * my brother Sam, who provides wisdom and married Terri so I could have a sister to be on MY side (thanks Terri - I'm grateful for you too!) and who finally thinks I'm cool . . . right, Sammy? * my brother Quinn, who is sacrificing so much to provide service to his fellow man and to his God and who I miss every day * my dad, who gave me blue eyes and who gives me new perspectives and who treated the little boys and myself to a yummy lunch a couple weeks ago! * Chuck's family who gave me more super cool brothers and amazingly sweet sisters and who made me an aunt to five darling kids (so far!) and who we're excited to see in two and a half weeks! * our nice, roomy house to stretch out in and decorate for Christmas in! * Facebook/blogs/Internet in general to keep me sane and connected to the outside world * my favorite jeans, and the fact that I fit into them (yay for almost pre-pregnancy weight - doesn't that mean we're ready for another one?) * gas prices at $1.62 a gallon * school being almost done for the semester * Boise State being 12-0 * Clyde (and Will, for that matter) being binky-free for a couple months now mostly by their own accords (after I stressed and stressed about how we were going to get him off of it) * the acceptance we've felt in our ward and settling into our callings * the security of Chuck's job (there will always be juveniles with problems, unfortunately) and his willingness to work extra hours to keep me at home * ice cream * my blanket and my bed - hmm, I think I'll go be extra grateful for those right now!
Good night!