Creating Olaf's 2nd Counsin Once Removed

Feeding Olaf's Second Cousin Once Removed some Poptarts

Little C and Ruckus molded this little guy

Then stuck him in the microwave

And watched him melt to his death.

WORDS

When I was little and people spoke of missionaries going to the MTC (mission training center)

I mistook it for them journeying to the

empty sea;

envisioning a dirty, vast, empty canal like pit, going on for miles, filled with desks and hard working missionaries.

What a romantically devastating environment.

I was extremely disheartened when I found out the truth.

Lou had a similar discovery this week.

He asked me what it means when someone calls you a light saber?

I explained to him what a light saber was, which of course he already knew, and then we moved on to trying to figure out why someone would call him that.

He finally worded his question differently.

Mom, they said to me - 

Thank you, you are a light saber.

What does that mean?

Lights went on.

Lou, you're not a light saber.

You're a life saver.

You did something to help them that they appreciated. :)

Tricky words.

Ruckus arrived in my room yesterday while I was nursing the baby.

He was curious about the process and asked if the milk came out of my belly button.

Feeling like this was a great teaching moment - to explain one of the purposes of the female body - how amazing it is that a Mama can nourish her baby - and to possibly explain the purpose of breasts without a sexual connotation being associated - I educated him on the lactation process.

Ruckus was such a good student. He was being serious, asking questions, and I felt like he really understood. He looked up at me and said,

I have got to tell Lou.

Good, I thought. Tell Lou. How wonderful to share this information and not be silly about it.

... but I made one mistake my friends. My verbiage was off.

All of a sudden I hear Ruckus yell,

"Lou, guess what? 

MOM SAID 

BOOBIES!"

Laughter erupted.

Christmas 2013.... Yes I'm Blogging About that in March.

Before Christmas

Nativity FHE with the Andrus Family
Photo by Candice Andrus

Ruckus aka Joseph chatting with "Mary"

Little C as the donkey.
What a good sport. Truly.

And Lo the Angel came.

Lou (on R) with cousin T.
Enter in the Wise men.

Moo the adorable shepherd.
Well,  kind of an aggressive shepherd at times with his crook.

The Baby played Baby Jesus.
Look how everyone flocks.
Overwhelming joy.
I love the symbolism.

Lou singing in his Christmas program. He's wearing the light blue shirt, he's the tallest boy with the tallest hair.
He did great! Always so proud of our Lou boy. 

The Beloved narrating the ward Christmas party.
Lou and Ruckus are the little sheep right in the middle.
Little C is a shepherd on the top row, right side.

Our tradition on Christmas Eve is to wake up early and purchase a Christmas tree.
This year our tradition didn't work out so well.
There were no trees to be had.
The Boys convinced Jed to cut one down from our backyard.
Maybe she always wanted to be a Christmas tree and we made her dream come true.
I choose to believe this...
and for some reason that the tree is also a girl.

Christmas Day

Matching Jammies.
Hurrah.
Little C loves matching pajamas.
No, that's a lie.
But I really, really do.

Our normally happy baby was not thrilled to be awake this early.
But really, how cool is that?
We forgive you sweetheart.
Thank you for being such a good sleeper.
Look at the love abounding from Moo even though his sisters ornery.

I LOVE  this picture.
Oh, my cute Little C.

Lou and Ruckus with their new Leap Pads.

Moo conquering a ball.

Ruckus modeling his new helmet and sunglasses.

Uncle Jordon and Aunt Amy came over to visit.
We love these people.
They spoiled the kids with the Turbo movie and bottled coke for me.
Christmas makes me happy.

Utah

Ruckus swinging
Grandma shot these cute photos for us.
Jed's sister Ruth and her family watched all of our older kids, took them sledding , giving The Beloved and I the day and night off.
Thank you!!!!

Lou sledding
He loves adventure and going fast.

Moo bonding with Little Grandpa.

He's teaching Grandpa about my smart phone. :)

The Beloved with Little C, Lou, and Ruckus at temple square.

Merry way-late Christmas!