MY PLAYLIST

Last night we had a "movie night" at our house. We had popcorn & sour candy - we watched Mr. Magoriums Wonder Emporium. It was an...interesting show, but kept us entertained...seemed a little too close to our family's current events. Anyway, long story short, it had a Cat Stevens song in it that I love (Don't Be Shy)...reminds me of college days with Lenes and Jennifer "Fur" and puts a smile on my face - I love Cat Stevens! So, here you go..in fact, here are a few of my favorites!

10 MONTHS FOR TYLER!!

I can't believe Tyler is already 10 months old! It seems just like yesterday that he was born, but at the same time, I can't remember our family life without him! My friend, Jana, has a little baby girl that she posts about every month...things Lily can do now and things she likes/dislikes. I think that's so cute, so I thought I'd try that for Tyler's 10 month (I guess you've got to start somewhere?!?)

Tyler:
- likes fruit snacks, Ritz crackers, licorice, popcorn...he's getting into "real" food
- likes "looking" at books... mostly seeing how bendable they are
- has a contagious smile
- has 7 teeth
- is anxious to be big enough to play with McKenna and Harrison - he's already following right behind them
- has mastered clapping his hands together
- weighs about 17 lbs (from last Dr visit)
- has been pulling himself up on furniture for a few months, so we're watching for some steps to happen soon
- has various nicknames: T-Bone, Mr. T, Sugar, Tyler Pyler, Spongebob, Ty-Ty, Bubby
- is crawling all around the house..he started crawling just before Thanksgiving and I called him the pegleg crawler (1 leg bent, other leg straight out the side)

- loves to cuddle with his blankie, on your shoulder, right before going to bed - and he's a wonderful sleeper - YAY!
- is learning to wave bye,bye
- gives bid open mouthed kisses
- is starting to say "dada" and "mama"
- is the vaccuum patrol - he's already too good at finding every tiny wrapper that's on the floor!!

He is just a GREAT baby and we love him so much!! I haven't had any 9 month pics taken, so here are some from when he was 6 months old - (o.k...7 months)

NOTHING BUT....TROUBLE?!?

Just when you think you're kids are being - too quiet - and they must be up to something....you go upstairs to find this:




My sweet little McKenna had gone outside and used her plastic snowshovel to do the WHOLE walkway and driveway!! How sweet!

MORTALITY CHECK

Since Monday, I have found myself being a little bit more patient with my children; I haven't worried so much about making sure they're in bed right at 8:30p - I've been o.k. with playing just a little bit longer. I have taken a bit more time putting them to bed - somewhat wondering, "would I rush if I knew this was the last time I got to put them to bed?!" I haven't minded getting up with them at night when they've been scared; For the kids, I've tried to help them realize how much they really do depend on each other, how much they play together and how much they really love each other. And I hope they understand how much I depend on them and love them too! I am appreciateing their uniqueness more and noticing cute new qualities about each child!


Kids Perspective on things: On a littler ligher note, McKenna was sad the other night because of Josh's passing. I was talking with her trying to explain that Josh died because he had some germs in his body that his body couldn't fight off (I called them little doctors). She said, "why couldn't the little doctors just do the wuxi finger hold on those germs and kill them?!?" - Kung Fu Panda reference - if only it were so easy...


Josh's obituary was in today's paper, and if you'd like, you can read it here. My sister, Mindy, did an amazing job writing it - beautiful!

JOSH

Countless tears have been shed by me and my family, since last night, when we received the shocking and very unexpected news that our dear nephew, cousin and friend passed away. Josh was the cute little boy to Mindy and Steve and twin brother to Michael - he was to be 4 years old in March. He was a cute, rambunctious, energetic little boy! And we all love him dearly!

At this point, we are unsure what exactly caused this but will know soon. I feel so much sorrow for my sister and her family right now...I know Josh is with family and our Father in Heaven now and is feeling so much love there - but we will miss him here! Please keep Mindy, Steve and Michael in your prayers that they might have peace and comfort at this time. Here's a recent picture of their cute family (Josh is sitting on Steve's lap)

AFV, HERE WE COME

The other night we decided to try a new kind of baby food for Tyler. I had decided it was time to move up to "3rd foods"; Chicken & Stars was the choice I made and the following video shows exactly how much Tyler loved it...



I must admit that TYler did a WAY better job at eating the food than I would! I would've given up on the FIRST gag reflex...Adam is thinking we should send it into America's Funniest Home Videos...think we'd win the $10,000.00?!?


I must give thanks to Elena for helping me get through my first video download (whew) - THANK YOU!

TRIPLE HHH

Well, once again, I am "late" at posting what's been happening here - December is always a busy month for everyone, but not only do I have the "H"olidays to tend to, but also birthdays for my "H"usband and for "H"arrison (thus the triple H - get it?!)

I didn't even post on Adam's birthday, but want to now, so he knows I love him!! We are both now in our 30's - how THAT happened I'll never figure out! We didn't do too much for his special day - went to lunch, and took the kids to see a movie that night..if only life would stop on such days...Here are a few wishes I have/had for him on his birthday:

1. I wish him happiness everyday - and hopefully most of it from me and the kids!


2. I wish him health for many, many more years. He is the one who gets our family DOING things (i.e. bike rides, swimming, vacations) and I think he'll go crazy if he ever HAS to sit still for too long!



3. I wish him to know how much I love him!! He is my support system, "my man" and I can't imagine how I could be happy without him in my life! He makes me smile and laugh everyday and helps me to live a little bit more than I would if he weren't in my life! - Happy Birthday, Adam






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We had the holidays in the middle and had a great time with our families! We are so lucky to have them both so close - I'm sure we take it for granted!!

I decided to start a new tradition this year - I was at Bed, Bath & Beyond and found a "design your own plate" kit and thought it would be fun for the kids to color and use it for Santa's treats (only $4.99) and the kids loved it!! I plan on continuing that one next year - McKenna took pride in drawing the Christmas tree, and the multi-colored "lights" around the edge. We tried to quickly teach Harrison to draw a candy cane or something Christmasie before it was his turn - he's not into drawing yet, but he decided to go with a "Christmas shark" (do you see it?!?) I think it turned out pretty cute! We also continued our annual gingerbread house and Christmas Eve pj's...




Christmas morning finally arrived and we had a great morning together! Santa came early this year for Adam and I - about nine months early with the arrival of Tyler - a complete JOY to have in our family:


We tried to keep things a little simpler this year for Christmas - why go spend a whole bunch of money and have them end up playing with the $5 gift the most?!? Santa brought McKenna a baby alive that wets her diaper. McKenna and Harrison think it's so funny to watch the baby pee in the sink, because that baby SPRAYS!! She also got a neat jewelry box with accessories that she can color (see the pics below - pretty cute huh?!?) she is such a perfectionist when it comes to coloring...the crayons and colored pencils HAVE to be sharp or she won't use them anymore. In her stocking she found her first set of fake nails and couldn't wait to put them on - and then take them off 5 minutes later.

Santa brought Harrison a Batman racetrack, which he thought was great - everything he opened that morning he stated, "AAWWESSOOOME!" He also received Martian Matter - the martians have quickly populated throughout our house and to a few of the neighbors as well! I would have to say Harrison is more into "dress-up" than McKenna at this point, so he also got a new superhero costume - "AAWWESSOOMEE!"

Hopefully Tyler won't have a complex when he gets older because of his first Christmas..he just didn't get as much as the others. Santa brought him a penguin punch bag, a Horton stuffed animal, and some baby food in the stocking - he was just as happy as the other two!



After the morning, we went to my parents for Christmas dinner and opening cousin presents there. McKenna and Harrison received WARM quilts for their beds from grandpa/grandma Bean - they are sleeping much warmer now - along with another little gift! Tyler received a ball popper toy and he giggles everytime it's on! Grandpa/grandma Cromwell made them all their gifts this year: Tyler received a great little merry-go-round toy, McKenna got a number game, and Harrison got a couple puzzles with pics of our family and of grandma and grandpa. The cousin gifts were great as well - make-up for Kenna, Batman for Harrison, stuffed animal for Tyler!! We are so blessed to have all that we do: family, friends, a warm home, food to eat, and endless toys to clutter the hallways! It was a great Christmas!

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The day after Christmas, we loaded up in the car and drove to Utah for the annual Liljenquist Christmas Party. It is held at a different place almost every year, and we always have fun. This year the party was at a family fun center. It truly WAS FUN!! The food, drinks, arcad tokens, roller skate rentals were all covered , so how could it NOT be fun!?! The kids played in ball pits, climbed through indoor tunnels, and climbed, jumped through a ton of HUGE bounce houses...they were even big enough for the adults!! McKenna and Harrison tried out roller blading for the first time - we had a great time and hope we get to go back next Christmas party!

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Just 5 days after Christmas is Harrison's birthday! He turned 4 years old!! He is an AAWWEESSSOOMMME kid! He cracks us up on a daily basis! Right now, he is really into superheroes, Star Wars, and dinosaurs. For his birthday, we went to Blast Off and celebrated with some of his cousins. We took him to dinner and let him choose where...he chose the "chips and salsa store". The employees put a huge sombrero on his head and then sang to him...he loved that!

Since it was his 4th birthday, here are 4 of the many reasons why I love Harrison:


1. Harrison always compliments me - he'll look at me and say, "mom, I think you look pretty!" even when I'm in my pj's and cleaning up breakfast....he's also quick with the manners - if I do not say thank you to his compliment, he'll always remind me that I need to say it!

2. Harrison is always willing to share his toys, food, etc with everyone around. He is a very giving little boy and is always bringing Adam or me a drink, to share.

3. Harrison is my story-telling child. He is always telling a story, dream or "something that happened to him one time". He knows he shouldn't fib, so after he's made up a story and I've called him on it, he'll always say, "I know, it was just a DREAM I had..." he is a great story/dream teller!

4. Harrison has the BEST laugh and can crack the hardest of faces with his contagious laugh!! No matter how mad I am at something, Harrison can laugh and I forget why I was even angry - every family needs a child like that...Harrison is ours!

MY PLAYLIST

Well, no new real post here yet, I have only a moment and none of my pics seem to be uploading (ugh)...but, check out my music for the blog - I love music and so I've decided to add songs according to: my mood, something that's happened recently, movies I've seen and an occasional "guest" choosing the music - enjoy!

I'm currently working on my posts from the holidays and birthdays. I know the new songs are a bit hip-hoppy, but remind my of "my boys" Adam and Harrison...the Usher song is a rarity because both Adam and I like this song and laugh at each other everytime we hear it (we can't help but do the sprinkler and head bob moves). The Beyonce song reminds me of Harrison because there's a part that goes, "you just don't know 'bout me..." and Harrison used to sing, "you just don't know BATMAN.." so, hopefully you're in the mood to groove!