Gravity Slashers, baby!

Last Saturday we ventured to the Energy Solutions Arena (NOT the Delta Center, kids) to see the moto-cross extravaganza known cleverly as the Gravity Slashers tour. If my dr knew how much anxiety (& thus subsequent rise in blood pressure) watching said event caused me I'm certain she would have advised against it. It's like a train wreck for me. I stare mesmerized as these (kids) men fly through the air kicking their heels, standing on their seats midair, back-flipping & who knows what other crazy stunts, just praying that this is not the day I will witness someone's neck break as they miss their seat & smash to the ground from 20 (50? 60? 100? I really have no idea) feet in the air. It's insane. And it's not so much watching these strangers perform such crazy feats as it is the gleam I see in my son's eye as he watches it. Yes, my son, who does already own a dirt bike, has no fear, & is his father's son. Sigh. Big sigh. May the fates look mercifully upon me as my son grows up....

Pretty sure this is his look of "man, I'm totally gonna do that someday!"

Clasping his hands in anticipation of a stellar land.

(If he was anything like me he would be clasping his hands in prayer of a safe land involving no broken extremities.)

It's Cold.

Winter this year has been hard on me. I think mainly because it has been hard on my active, curious, busy Mr P. Days get longer & longer the more we're cooped up. We've tried really hard to get out of the house often for our sanity, & many a trip to the Treehouse, the aquarium the gym etc. etc. have really saved the day. However even in the dead of winter you gotta get out there!! There's much to be said about fresh (though possibly inversion-tainted) air & a little sun.

Pet Names.

Yesterday at breakfast Mr P was calling his dad by his first name, to which Ty replied "Hey- it's daddy to you, Mr!" Then grandma asked Mr P what his mommy's name was. After a rather lengthy gaze at me he answered "It's Honey."

Hey-- If the shoe fits......

94 Looks Good on Ya.

HAPPY 94th BIRTHDAY to our favorite Grandpa Stick!!!

We LOVE you!!!!

A Ride on a 'Train'.

We didn't make it down to see the lights at Temple Square before Christmas & the night we chose the weekend after Christmas was the coldest night on record in SLC. (Not a verified fact, but I'm pretty sure.) When we did make the trip it was well worth it. We rode FrontRunner down with some friends, had a bite at the

Gateway & rode Trax over to Temple Square. Our time there totaled a maximum of 20 minutes before we loaded up the

babies & praised the warmth of mass transit.

Merry Christmas 2009.

Christmas is a ridiculously spectacular time for me-- always has been, but it seems the older I get the more I realize how much so. My parents have been incredible with this holiday my entire life. I remember being young & being expected to choose 1 present to take to show grandparents & just pouring over the decision for what seemed like hours until it was time to load up & head out. We were not completely overwhelmed with gifts- they were plentiful, yes, but the incredible thing was that every gift was perfect- exactly what I'd been dreaming of virtually all year! My parents' thoughtfulness has always been above & beyond.

And now, as I'm in the shoes of a parent myself, I realize what a task that must have been with 5 kids!

The other notable thing about the way I was raised was knowing Christmas wasn't about Santa. The focus of Christmas is Christ, & through service, family time & generosity my parents ingrained that in me. The more years that pass, the more I recognize just how much my parents not only believe this, but live this in every facet of their lives. This year especially so, as we spent the month before Christmas saying goodbye to my sweet grandma & yet, their service did not fall along the wayside. How grateful I am for their examples as I begin the journey with my own child...

The holidays have become even more magical the last couple of years, watching my offspring as his eyes light up at the sight of lights, the story of Baby Jesus, & the opening of gifts. I keep hearing that every year gets even more fun, & frankly, I'm soo excited! I don't know how it can get any more fun but I'm excited to see it!

So, nearly a month past, I wish you all the happiest of holidays & the warmth & love of Christmas with you all year long. As always, it was over too soon.

Christmas Eve.

I don't know what kind of hat

this is, or for what size of child,

but MrP got it for Christmas &

I think the bangs set it off

quite nicely, eh??

Using dad's hair as reigns: always a pleasant idea.

Al

Pretty sisters.

KISS!!

Let the happiness commence!

Christmas Eve was spent at the in-laws, as per tradition & was a splendid time. We made the announcement to Ty's family about our expanding family, however not quite as planned. Mr P wore his shirt for dang near an hour before it was even realized what it said. We ended pointing it out to Ty's mom who read it as 'I'm gonna be a big monster.' Sigh. Oh well-- it was still worth it to see Ty's dad get a little emotional. Nothing shakes that tough guy like a grand baby!