One Little Word

Last week while at some lunch with a few friends I was reminded of the One Little Word Project. You pick a word to focus on for the year instead of a New Year's resolution and for me it is much more do-able. Although I've only done it one lonely year (2008) it made an impact on me and I believe I'm a better person because of it.

I've contemplating their selections and ideas were running through my head but nothing struck me as "this is it!" until I came across these pictures I took while in California. Now do you see that love, the joy, and happiness in my children's faces? This is something I want to cherish forever.

 CHERISH. I want to cherish each day I am given. Cherish my children. Cherish my husband. Cherish my dear friends who are always there for me. Cherish all that is good around me so this year my one little word is cherish.

 Life seems to have the fast forward speed I do not ever get use to. It seems each day is a blur but each day I want to hold dear to my heart because I cherish the moments I have with those around me.

 I want to cherish the moments and not rush it away with hopes of a quieter house and less messes. I want to cherish these boys and the love that fills our home.

 Cherishing Shane is an easy thing to do. He has a heart of gold. He has compassion and love that most 7 year olds do not obtain until a much greater age. He is charming and full of life. He protects those who need protection and love to his family.

 My Trevor is so easy to cherish too. I cherish this 5 year old full of life. He loves school and learning. He is my boy who does not demand attention but when it's given he is full of love and joy. I cherish how he continues to keep my on my toes with his wit and zest for life.

 Cherishing my baby is pretty much the easiest thing for me to do. However, he is in the get into everything-draw on the walls-smear yogurt in his hair-stage, and this I need to cherish. I cherish his little personality as he is growing. This little guys adores attention and loves people. He is my little charmer that will do anything for a laugh. He is a perfect mix of Shane and Trevor. I want to cherish his snuggles in the morning and chasing him around the kitchen as I cook dinner at night. I want to cherish this stage of life forever.

Although life is hard, life is good. I'm excited for a new year and the journey ahead with those I love and will cherish forever.

The Night Before Christmas

We have not traveled for Christmas since Trevor's first Christmas 5 years ago. It's hard getting ready for Christmas and vacation. Really only hard on this Mommy, but it was a task I was willing to do in exchange for the beach and the hopes of warmer weather.

As always, we love the spoiling that goes on at Grandma and Grandpa Young's house. On Christmas Eve Lynette and I decided we didn't want to cook so we opted for Andrea's for the best clam chowder and fish around. We walked around the Harbor and the boys talked Grandpa into ice cream and then hot chocolate. We came home to play with Grandpa's train. Each of my boys have loved this train as we visit at Christmas time. I'm sure Landon's mouth is stuffed with some sort of candy since it is Christmas Eve after all!

 Trevor could not wait to make cookies for Santa. I added a Santa Tracker app on my phone and Trevor loved seeing where Santa was and how many more hours until he came to our house.

 Landon "helped" with the cookies by eating a pear!

 If we are at Grandma and Grandpa Young's house on Christmas Eve the kids all sit around the piano and sing Christmas songs as Grandma plays the piano. Trevor loved singing all the words to each song and kept requesting more and more songs.

 We aren't sure how it happened but someone their jammies fell off the sleigh and made it to Grandma and Grandpa's doorstep.

Once the cookies were baked we hurried and decorated them because the boys were EXCITED to get to bed!  

 Shane decided each boy should sleep with a parent so Shane slept with Damon and Trevor slept with me. I loved it! The excitement of Christmas with them and being there was so fun! I guess Shane woke up at 1:57 a.m. wanting to see if Santa came.

 These little moments just melt my heart. Landon loved sitting and listening to Grandma play the piano. He does "help" a little too.

 Cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. Trevor had to count out 9 carrots so each reindeer got one!You'd think the long note was from Shane but nope, Trevor was so excited to write to Santa all by himself.

 Sorry Santa but Trevor got thirsty! I had to refill his cup twice because Trevor and Shane kept stealing his milk!

Now the waiting begins. These little boys were beyond excited for Santa to come.

Christmas Cheer

I never thought for a moment that Landon would not like Santa. We had our ward Christmas party on Friday and when Santa came into the room Landon looked toward him with curiosity. His older brothers climbed onto his lap with confidence listing off their wants and wishes this Christmas. When we added Landon to his lap for the group pictures instead of joy, tears came to his face and he covered his face so Santa would disappear!

 Most moms would pluck their baby off of the scary man with a beard's lap but I'm not most moms. I love the classic picture of a child screaming on Santa's lap so I asked the brothers to leave so Landon could "enjoy" Santa on his own. I love it!

 My three boys, too sweet! Love each of them so much.

 Shane got pretty serious on Santa's lap and added some things he has never said he wanted. Later he told me he was nervous and didn't know what to ask for!

Shane's Christmas Wishes 2011:

- PS3
-Killing video game AKA Call of Duty
-Scooter
-mini gumball machine (this was on Trevor's list at first but has now made it's way to Shane's)

 Mr. T had an entire list of things for Santa and he kept going and going!

Trevor's Christmas Wishes 2011:

- Dog (he won't be getting his but now says just a toy dog)
-DSI games
-Scooter
-Dinosaur

 Me and my sweet little baby. I don't want too much for Christmas because all my wishes have already come true; a beautiful family complete with my little MoooMooo. I wouldn't mind a new camera, but I'm not sure if I've been good enough for that!

 My biggest baby of all, Damon. Seriously, he HAS to get his picture with Santa every year. He waits and waits for all the kids to sit on Santa's lap and then finally gets his turn. This year he even convinced some of his favorite ladies (I was last) to join him in pictures too but I will save those pictures for myself! I'm not sure what he asked for but I'm pretty sure he has earned COAL!

Merry Christmas!

Following in his footsteps...

Alright, I'm going through some pictures and come across this. I don't remember the day but it got me laughing! Is this what he sees his father do while I'm at school?

I think we have another officer in the making but now I just need to work on his uniform!

Mastering this Love Business

 Being the third born Little L is extremely lucky that I've already mastered this love business. I mean look at that face, what is not to love? It's funny what little babies do to my heart. Sometimes I wonder how I can love someone who has been in my life for such a short period of time but then he flashes his sweet smile and my heart fills up even larger.

 While this sweet little guy was growing in my tummy I had a reoccurring dream about him and my sweet Granny. Each time in my dream she would tell me to drink orange juice.  Sounds funny, I know, but she always told us this for our vitamin C so I listened and never got sick while pregnant. In my dreams she would also tell me how special this new baby is. She would tell me to protect him and he would bring love into our home. I already knew my Granny was an amazing woman, but now I see how right she was, even in my dreams. Little L is special beyond measure. His brothers continue to adore him and smoother him with love daily. His Daddy and I can't seem to get enough of his kisses and attention and usually end up trying to out do each other trying to persuade him to come to us!

 With 3 boys in tow I am always asked if I'm going to try one more time for a girl. My answer is always the same, Landon was my try for a girl and it didn't work. Besides, when you master love and babies I'm pretty sure you need to stop when you hit perfection so here we are done. Landon will forever be my Little L because he is the love who completed our family.

Happy Halloween!

I promise we had a good Halloween and Landon did enjoy it, but he did not enjoy his owl hat. I tried for weeks putting it on his head with cheers and clapping but nothing helped. He went to Trunk or Treat and Trick or Treating without his hat.

 This mean mama thinks it's incredibly darling to see his grumpy little face in the owl costume. The drama of a one year old with hands to the face and all!

 Happy baby without his hat on.

 Sadly, this was my first year that the boys did not match. I decided it was time for Shane to finally get a costume he'd love and nothing themed to match his baby brother. I wanted them to be characters from Harry Potter and Landon could have been the owl but the big boys were not game. Instead we had a ninja and a vampire.

 Trevor was the cutest little vampire I've ever seen! I tried to get him to say "I vant to suck your blooood!" but he
thought I was crazy!

 

 He loved being spooky and scary but I'm thinking he just looks darling!

 He wanted to be a vampire so he could suck people's blood. Scary, I know!

 Trevor loved having a Halloween parade at school and lunch with his friends at his class party. He is still my sweet tooth boy because when asked what his favorite part of Halloween was he responds with "getting lots, and lots, and lots, and lots, and lots of candy!

 The joy in this boys face to finally have the best costume ever, a ninja!! He did crafts in class on Halloween along with a party and parade too. His favorite part about Halloween is the candy too.

Our Halloween traditions were still in full force this year. We had families over for a little Halloween party, Trunk or Treating a Church, Booing various families leaving goodies on their porch, school fun, and trick or treating. Oh and they even Trick or Treated at Dumont! By the time the real Halloween rolled around they were tired and already had enough candy for a lifetime so they didn't last but a few streets trick or treating!

peek-a-boo

This little guy has begun the get into everything-know what I want-screaming at a high pitch-crazy-on the go stage. Little L goes from one place to another trying to find destruction. He isn't remotely as bad as the brother before him but I don't think anyone could live up to Trevor's crazy baby business. I pray his poor wife does not have to go through what I did when he has children! Although Landon is calm he is still a Young and determined to get what he wants which consists of pretty much everything he shouldn't be getting into!

 He loves opening the pantry and finding the various treasures awaiting him in there. On this day he found a coke box which provided him entertainment. I love how babies find joy in the smallest things! He played and crawled around the kitchen as I cooked dinner. Although this was just a few weeks ago so much has changed. He is now a pro at walking with only a few falls as he goes and the weather is finally starting to cool off. Well, cool off to me means under 100!

Little L is the best baby. He loves playing peek-a-boo and giggles when he hides himself with something like this box.