Space for an Easel

I've been working on cleaning up my craft room and organizing it yet again. I have bought some shelving with some of my Christmas money and have a few more ideas up my sleeve. I was very overwhelmed with my room and trying to get it under control. For Christmas though Jared's parents bought Benjamin an easel. I wanted it for him so that way he could craft with me in my craft room.

With the determination in mind to make room for Benjamin I got to it and quickly got my room under control. I must say it looks much nicer. I can't wait to hang up my shelves. We will be remodeling my sewing desk and I need to finish the stenciling still.

Jared set-up the easel for Benjamin. Benjamin loved watching and trying to be a part of things but I eventually had to distract him in the other room. Once we got it set-up we got out some crayons and showed Benjamin how it works.

A Proper Table

We had our good friends over the Lyons. We hadn't hung out in a bit so we decided to do a dinner together before Christmas. We had a nice ham dinner.

I had just gotten new dishes from my grandparents and could not wait to try them out. I texted Heather to make sure they were okay with a super fancy set-up. My mom stopped by to visit and helped me decide which dishes to use.

I got out my etiquette book to help me set-up a proper table. I had so much fun!

I can't wait to use more of my dishes!

Christmas Day

Christmas Day! We all woke up a little later than I thought we would. Once we were up Jared made sure we did our scripture studies and family prayer before we opened any presents. It's probably a good thing because I am sure it would have been forgotten once we got things going.

Watching Benjamin open his gifts was such much fun. He had seen the toys when we bought them yet he was still excited. I'm sure he had forgotten about them. We got him a 4X4 truck that runs on it's own, a pack of Ferrari hot wheels, and Santa brought him a Dump Truck with boulders. After Benjamin had fun ripping the paper off he had a blast playing with each toy.

After the presents were opened we had some breakfast and quickly moved onto getting ready for church. At the last minute we decided to go to church at Jared's parents ward as it seemed like a nice Christmas gift we could give them.

After church we hung out at the grandparents house. Grandma made herself and I some hot chocolate with marshmallows and whipping cream. Benjamin got in on the whipping cream action and Grandpa was laughing pretty good about it and advised a camera was needed.

Indeed.

Jacki and her family showed up a little bit later with our newest nephew Tyson. I cannot get over how small he is. We had fun opening up presents. I think we would all agree the money in a puzzle were pretty awesome. Jared opened his first and later hid Terence's keys in my puzzle.

We had a Mexican fiesta of burritos, chicken enchiladas, guacamole, pico de gallo, chips, beans and rice. I ate to my hearts content. Very full!

For the rest of the afternoon/evening we hung out and played games.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was a busy day! We started the afternoon off going to my favorite cousin Theresa's home to celebrate. Theresa spoiled Benjamin as she always does. She got him a toy. Benjamin had no problems opening the toy once I started it for him. Ripping paper is a pass time hobby for him...it comes in many forms...toilet paper, tissues, post it's etc.

It was a singing monkey. It has shapes on it's belly that you press and it tells you the color and shape on one setting and plays songs on the second setting. It is now a great car toy for Benjamin. He loves to play with it.

After Benjamin was no longer fun and it was time for a nap we headed over to Jared's parents house for their traditional extended family Christmas Eve party. Unfortunately I do not have any pictures from that. They had the children act out the birth of Jesus Christ which was fun. I didn't get to see any of it as I was playing the piano down an octave because my keyboard has a broken key. Benjamin was a little angel along with his cousin Brooks.

We had a busy but good Christmas Eve.

Air Time

I love this little boy!

Benjamin loves to be thrown up high in the air. It gets a little tiring for me quickly. But Jared is better at it anyways. Benjamin gets so excited and becomes all smiles.

Afterwards though he becomes all frowns when it stops.

Pancakes for a Pillow

Benjamin has started getting into a phase of not wanting to go down for naps. It means he goes to bed a little earlier which I don't mind too much. But the problem is that he can be kind of a grouch until he does go to bed.

On December 20th we had one of those napless days. We all sat down for dinner which was breakfast...pancakes. Benjamin ate one and then started on a second one when he started to doze off to sleep.

It was pretty funny to watch him fall asleep almost in his pancakes.

I held him while finishing my food and Jared got things ready to put Benjamin to bed.

Martinelli's

I was downstairs on the 19th of December when I heard a noise upstairs like a crash and then a cry. I ran upstairs quickly to see what had happened to Benjamin. He comes walking around the corner holding onto a Martinelli's bottle.

I laughed as he tried to drink from the bottle. I grabbed my camera and followed him around as he played with the bottle.