Christmas 2009

We missed our family a lot this year over the Christmas holiday. Not that we don't miss them every year, but I guess having just been there to visit made it harder to be away for some reason??

But we still had a wonderful Christmas and Santa came bringing gifts of all kinds.

Christmas eve we had a nice dinner at home. It was not your traditional meal, unless you are from the middle east. And even then I'm sure we put our American flair to it.

During dinner we told Liam that Santa was coming tonight and that if he wasn't asleep when he got to Pennsylvania that he'd pass our house. We told him after dinner we'd get in our new jammies, (courtesy of Nana and Bompa.) read the story of when Jesus was born, then say our prayers and go to bed.

As soon as Liam was finished he asked if he could get on his jammies. We said sure! Which he did. (all by himself! He's getting so big.) Nate and I finished cleaning up the kitchen and ten minutes later realized that Liam had fallen asleep on the couch. Just to be sure he wouldn't miss Santa!

We were "those" parents and before the kids could go out to see what Santa had brought them, they had to listen to the story of Jesus' birth. (Not as mean as the year my dad took a shower and got fully dressed before we could go down.)

This was actually fun since I'd made some felt puppets to go along with the story. Both kids were happy to help.

Then is was go time:

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

There is nothing better than running from your room on Christmas morning to see if Santa made it to your house while you were sleeping, and then you find that gift, the one you've been asking for for months. In this case it was a Light "Saver!" All Liam wanted was a blue Light saber and Santa totally came through. You can tell he was super excited. That was UNTIL he decided to look into the barrel of the saber while pressing down the trigger button.

OH YES HE DID! And he had a little cut above his eye to prove it.

All I could think about was, "you'll shoot your eye out, you'll shoot your eye out!"

Needless to say it lost it's luster real quick after that. But once we convinced him that as long as he opened it away from his face, that he'd be OK, did that glow return.

Owen also got everything he wanted and more. He is obsessed with the movie Cars and Lightening McQueen. "KA-CHOW" a phrase we hear multiple times a day.

Nana totally delivered on the traditional Christmas eve jammies. Owen's couldn't have said it better, and Liam couldn't figure out how Nana knew he had always wanted a robe. I told him Nana's and moms know EVERYTHING!

Which he seemed content with.

And Nate was lucky enough to get some hand me down board prep books from some friends. Just what everyone wants for Christmas, right?

All I wanted for Christmas was for the boys to keep their Christmas church outfits clean until we got to church and to get ONE good picture of them together all dressed up and looking so dapper.

This was the best one of them together! (Not kidding!)
But I did get a couple of Owen that were keepers and one of Liam! BOYS!!!

Even though we missed our families a little bit more than normal, it was a great Christmas enjoyed by us all!

Back to PA where we got some snow that we could actually play in!

Is there anything sweeter than than a baby in snow bibs??? Nope I didn't think so.

Boys at work:

And ended with some oh so rosy cheeks.

Cousin time

The favorite activity of choice while in Utah for Liam is to spend as much time with his cousins as possible!!!
I think he got a large dose this trip.

There were Cousin jumping wars:


Cousin lets run through Temple square as fast as you can to see the lights without getting frostbite. Seriously FREEZING COLD THAT NIGHT!!!

Cousin Ice cream sundaes:
This would be Owen's favorite activity. (And Reese's too! All the drips from Owen somehow landed on her face. LOL!)




















Nannie always has the best treats when we come. And fun decorations. These were my favorite!


And a new favorite:
Cousin SLEEPOVERS!!!
Liam and Tess got to have a sleepover at Papa's house, they were so cute cuddled up next to each other. One of the days these two were hanging out in the pantry/toy closet and I heard Tess say, "Liam kiss me." Liam: "No I don't think so." Tess: "Liam, JUST DO IT!" Liam: "Fine." Sigh.
I was totally loving it!














But one of my favorite things to do while in Utah is to see my pseudo little sister Erin. This is (was) my sister Ali's best friend. She became part of the family during high school and I still feel like she is a part of it. She reminds me of Ali. Isn't she cute!

Really it was a blast to be out there. I stayed a little longer than Nate and got to see some other friends, family and eat at a few more of my favorite places. It makes me miss being home, and only furthers Liam's love of Utah.

A little Vaca to Utah

We try to get out to Utah any time Nate has vacation. 1-to see family 2-to appease Liam 3-To watch in person the "Holy war" BYU vs Utah Football. Nate hasn't been to a game in 4 years, so this was his moment, and thanks to a very generous Dad/FIL who gave us his tickets and watched our boys. (Thanks DAD!!!) And to the rest of the Poulson clan who watched them after the game. This wish came to fruition!!!
And oh what a glorious game it was. A little too close for my comfort, but it kept it exciting up until the last play of the game! Overtime. Ute's score a field goal. BYU down by 6, Cougars have the ball. Hall looks left, throws into pressure to George. TOUCHDOWN COUGARS!! We win by three points. One of my shining moments! And yes 31 year old Nate and his brother stormed the field afterward. So totally worth the 12 hour flight to get to Utah!!!

Snowed in...

Since I'll be stuck inside today, due to snowmageddon II, I figured now is a great time to catch up on my blog. Like I said last time, we lost our hard drive and all our pictures, so I will be starting with the pictures that were left on my camera, to now.


To start, let go back to Thanksgiving:
Liam had a school program where the kids sang songs and dressed up as indians. As you can tell, Liam was the ONLY child that didn't want his face to be colored. SO Liam.



And the proud Mama! What parent doesn't love a singing program? Especially one where your childs name is Silver Wolf. (Do you think they named him that because of his hair?)



A little taste of you missed out on! The next American Idol I tell ya!

These are more random pics of the boys being boys. Owen has figured out how to put on his own shoes. Very two year old like, wants to do it by himself, but puts them on the wrong feet! Doesn't bother him though.



Liam on the other hand went through an obsession stage with his swim vest. He put it on first thing in the morning and only took it off when forced. One night he begged to sleep in it. (I choose my battles carefully, so I said yes to this request.)