{Gingerbread Train}

Isaac told me that he really wanted to make a gingerbread house this year. I kept trying to avoid the subject because I knew that I would get stuck doing it with Isaac observing and telling me where to put stuff. SO, I surprised even myself when I walked into Harmons for garlic, noticed this gingerbread train kit and bought it. I'm a sucker. I wouldn't have done it if it wasn't for the fact that it's a train! My little Isaac is obsessed with trains. I can't even tell you how thrilled he was when he saw it and knew that we would be putting it together. Needless to say, I ended up putting it together while Isaac told me where to put stuff. He wanted it to look EXACTLY like the picture on the box. No pressure, right? I think it turned out pretty great, if I do say so myself.

Isaac wanted to take the train to bed with him and was devastated when I told him he couldn't. Silly boy!

{Programs and Parties}

On December 11th we had a very busy day. Isaac had his Preschool Christmas program that morning at 10:15am. It was so cute! We were sitting up in the balcony and the lighting wasn't great, so all of my pictures of the performance turned out pretty dark. It was great, though, and Isaac said his part very well.

Later that afternoon I took the boys downtown to the FBI office for their children's Christmas party. Juan had invited us and we were happy to find out that my Cherolyn and the girls were there, too. Isaac had fun eating jello and brownies, sitting on Santa's lap and making a cute little train out of candy. Both boys got some cars and cute little toys from Santa, although Eli was terrified of him.

Next was our ward Christmas party a few hours after the FBI party. They had a great meal and Santa came to visit AGAIN! Isaac was beyond thrilled. David came home in the middle of the party and since he wasn't planning to go, he picked up Eli from me so Isaac and I had a little quality time together. It was a VERY busy, yet fun day.

Isaac at the preschool program.

Isaac on Santa's lap at the ward party.

Santa entering the party--the kids went wild!

Isaac's car from Santa

Eli and his truck

Isaac and Santa at the FBI party.

Here are the cookies that Isaac decorated

And the little train he made from snickers, peanut butter cups, gum drops and m&m's.

Isaac stuffing jello in his mouth

{Biggest Fan}

I thought this was too cute to not share. While watching the BYU vs Utah game the boys and I put the tree up. I kept yelling and cheering during the game and it would surprise Eli, but the second I smiled or cheered he would get the happiest little look on his face and he would clap for me (yep, he's wearing an adorable BYU shirt). He was obsessed with this little step-stool the whole day. He kept climbing on it just to sit and be proud of himself, then he would get down. What a silly guy.

{Happy Belated Thanksgiving}

We had a nice time on Thanksgiving. We went to Grandma Names' house first and ate a delicious meal! I have to admit that I look forward to Jerilyn's cooking every year for the holidays--she's a great cook, and there is something about the Names Thanksgiving dinner recipes. Mmmmm. Anyway, we ate and visited and lost track of time...as usual. We had to rush home to put Eli down for a short nap while I cut up vegetables for my food assignment to take to the Jefferies dinner.

The Jefferies dinner was held at my aunt Sherrie and her boyfriend Mike's home in Highland. It is a gorgeous home--not kid proof at all, but beautiful! The food was great! Eli loved playing with his little cousin, Beau, who is only 6 months younger than him. He had fun going up and down and up and down the stairs, and he loved his first taste of candied yams. Isaac had a blast playing with his cousins and watching Ice Age in one of the spare rooms. It was a great day.

Eli 'helping' Beau. He was rocking him in the carseat and then he would stick his head really close to Beau's and smile. Beau was just fascinated with Eli.

Grandma Rondi with Beau and Eli. SOOOOOO cute!

Isaac and Grandpa Brad

Grandma Rondi and Isaac.

{Pumpkins}

This year we carved only two pumpkins. We haven't been able to convince Isaac to carve his own. He thinks it disgusting and doesn't want to touch or smell the inside of the pumpkin. Well, even if he won't do his own he still dictates to us what he wants the pumpkins to look like. The ginormous pumpkin in the picture was grown by David's dad in his garden. It was pretty awesome. It was perfect for having David carve Alvin's face from Alvin and the Chipmunks. I didn't have very good lighting for the first picture. The other pumpkin was Eli's, but Isaac wanted me to carve it to look like the face on the plastic pumpkin we have our Halloween candy in to give to the trick-or-treaters.

{I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home...}

I think one of the cutest things Eli does is demand that David hold him immediately after walking in the door from work each day. Eli just stands there and squeals until David picks him up and holds him for a while. Sometimes that isn't enough, and Eli follows him around the house until he can get just a little more daddy-time. On the day I took these pictures David had already held Eli for a bit and was trying to eat his dinner. I guess Eli thought that David needed a little help. Aren't his tiny legs the cutest? I love this boy!

{Finally, Halloween}

I know, I know...I'm getting behind on my posts, again. UGH! On October 30th Isaac's preschool had a little costume parade. It was fun to see all of the cute kids marching around, totally confused. Isaac decided he wanted to be a Knight this year because Eli was a dragon. Cute, huh? Next year he said he wants to be a Daddy Truck Driver, aka a UPS Driver. Hopefully we will be able to find a costume for him, or maybe we will just have one made. Anyway, Isaac loved Halloween this year!