December Dump

In December we received LOADS of snow. After warming up into the 30's, the snow on the back deck railing decided to create its own holiday flair. . .

Ho-Ho-Ho

Sam was asked to be Santa this year in the school's 2nd grade production of Sombrero for Santa. He did an amazing job memorizing his 60+ lines and singing his small solos. The big man in the red suit would have been real proud (Eric and I were beaming).

After his rehearsal, he came home and asked for a pillow.

Steph: Why?

Sam: Because I look silly. I'm a skinny Santa.

Hyrum's Thanksgiving Celebration

Last year he was an Indian. . .but this year my little man was a Pilgram at his Preschool Thanksgiving Celebration.

Turkey "Trots"

This weekend gives new meaning to Turkey Trots. . .

This was our first Thanksgiving in our own home since moving to Alaska. The past two years I have really, really enjoyed gathering at a friends house. The good company and great food were always so enjoyable. . . but with Eric's Celiacs Diagnosis, the aroma of homemade rolls and stuffing and pie became torturous.

This year we invited our fellow Gluten Free Friends over for the celebration along with our Alaska Family (The Cochrans). All morning I was giddy. The rolls (I admit that they were glutenous. . .but the Holts were bringing a delicious GF variety) were rising, the ham was in the oven, the sweet potatoes looked divine. . . The boys spent the morning sledding sot he house was quiet as I cooked and set up. Ahh, it was going to be a great day.

And it was. The food was delicious. The company spectacular. The kids played and played and played with their friends. Yes, it was noisy and crazy, but to me it was everything the holidays should be. There was a great spirit of fun and family.

Shortly after dinner, Eric excused himself. I wondered if he had eaten something with gluten. About an hour later, Hyrum lost his dinner on the kitchen floor. By that evening we had every large bowl we could find in the house. Adults and kids alike, everyone was whimpering and hovering. It wasn't until 3 a.m. that the things started to slow down.

Tanner summed it up the best the next morning when he said, "I don't think we should have Thanksgiving next year."

While we appear recovered, the thought of food still makes most of us cringe.


The following is an excerpt to our Thanksgiving Day guests who were dished out more than expected: Please read the following rules to Thanksgiving at the Bacons. Your appearance on Thursday indicates you have read and agree to adhere to the following: 1. The Homemade Thanksgivings hats MUST be worn for the annual Thanksgiving Picture. Short of an emergency craniotomy, there is no exception to this rule. 2. No Whining. (this is mainly directed at individuals 12 and under, whose last names starts with a B., and who have done little to prepare or pay for the food) 3. While sledding, football, and steal the flag are not mandatory, they are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED. Please bring appropriate cold weather clothing. 4. If you think this is a dress up, QUIET, fine china, dab the corners of your mouth event--please seek other Thanksgiving Dinner Invitations. 5. Unbuttoning your jeans to make room for pie is not only acceptable, but encouraged within the obvious guidlines of Modest is Hottest.

Birhtday Boys

Christian and Tanner turned 10 this month. Here are my top 10 favorite things about these two:
1. I love that they are best friends. Really. Truly. They share the most amazing friendship. I often wish that all my kids had the opportunity to be a twin with their best friends.
2. They are super easy going.
3. They are ultra responsible. As the oldests, I put a lot of responsibility on both of them and they have always risen to the occasion. Tanner in particular is amazing with Talmage. They will both jump in and help me with extra odd chores around the house. I can give them assignments and know that they will follow through. Just this week I was asking the kids to do something and a friend replied, "Will they really do that? My kids would never be that responsible." I'm lucky.
4. They will eat almost anything whether they like it or not. What a blessing to any Mother who has worked hard to get dinner on the table.
5. They are goofy. The love to laugh and tell jokes.
6. They love to go to school. They love choir. They love playing football at recess. They love P.E. They love teasing their teachers. I worry a lot that my boys are too goofy, or too lazy at school. . . but these two in particular get a lot of kudos for manners and kindness from teachers and staff.
7. They love to read. I love that they love to read. They'll find a serious like Deltora Quest, Rumor of Dragons, Ranger's Apprentice, or Harry Potter and devour it.
8. They want to be good. They read their scriptures. Tanner constantly reminds me that we need to pray before we eat. They are great little thinkers and make wise observations.
9. They are in control. Perhaps this is part of their easy going nature. . . but they don't melt down, they don't get irrational, they worked up over the little things. When things aren't "fair" they'll talk to me about it and even when the ruling isn't their favor, they can deal with his maturely. It is a great skill that I appreciate.
10. They LOVE to play sports. They LOVE, LOVE, LOVE football. They are really good. Their eye-hand coordination is amazing and their speed is pretty impressive. I think because they are competitive they easily push each other to be better and are constantly stretching and growing as little athletes. We went and played basketball as a family last weekend and I was amazed to see their progress.

Wow. I love these two little boys.

Talmage

I finally captured a few smiles from my boy.

Little T.

Baby Shower

Friends loaded us up with Diapers Galore!! I haven't bought a single diaper since and I would suspect we have SEVERAL months left.

Halloween Hoarders

The boys LOVED Halloween. I, like ever self respecting mom, have cautioned my children that if I find one wrapper all the candy is gone. Not one wrapper has been spotted. I wished they valued their clothes and shoes as much as their candy.

Ticklish Talmage

August/September

Talmage

Mt. Baldy

Grandma's Visit

Talmage

Talmage @ one month

His favorite spot

He Did It!

It was a real coming-of-age moment for Sam. He Did It!!! Yup, he actually did it! For the first time, Sam courageously took the first step and then the next and the next and the next all the way to the Finish line at the Birchwood Jamboree Race. No tears. No hysteria. No Sad pictures to post. Hooray. Hooray. Hooray.

Adjusting

I really worried how this little one would adjust to the change. I was worried that his happy little world would come crashing down upon him . . . but luckily he hasn't seemed phased by becoming a big brother. When people ask I happily reply, "He could take or leave the new baby. . . and to be honest that is exactly where we want him."

One Week Old

A few things I forgot about:

How much LOVE you can have for someone so little
How much it HURTS to get up every three hours at night
How much HAPPINESS there is in just sitting and holding
How much there is TO DO in sitting and holding
How much I TREASURE this privileged

Smoothered

Best Find of 2009

This was the best find of 2009.
Matanuska Glacier.
Privately owned which means that it is "tromp-able" and grounds for discovery.

Uncle Scott

My brother Scott came to Alaska and watched our kids for a VERY LONG week while Eric and I were off EFYing in Idaho. He was a trooper and endeared himself Eternally to our children by simply bringing a Nintendo Game. Warner keeps asking, "Where did Uncle 'Cotty go?"