The Nitty Gritty

Christmas morning was the best! I was so excited to see Will's reaction to the present Santa Claus left him and his reaction definitely met my expectations. When he saw the Buzz Lightyear he was soooo happy. When we opened it he said "It's not gonna be lost!" since his old Buzz was stolen at the hospital. He kept saying, "I like my new Buzz!" Buzz Lightyear looking super cool in the package James, Percy, and Spencer the railway trains were in the stocking Santa left Van a car. He was shocked. Daddy made Van a book called "Van Goes Boom!" He also made one for William called "The Adventures of Iron Pimba" based on the super hero Will created from his imagination. Someday I'll have Isaac read the books and post the video on this blog so you can see them. William checking out his new Lincoln Logs set Grandpa Steve and Grandma Dana showing Will the cowboys and Indians to play with The Lincoln Logs. After all the presen...

This year we had a Christmas Eve brunch with Grandma Lisa and Papa John. We partook of waffles, eggs, fruit, and bacon. Deeelicious! Then we opened our gifts and shared our Christmas favorites (i.e. movie, treat, memory, present, etc.). Christmas Eve dinner was held at Susie's house with Grandpa Steve and Grandma Dana. It was packed and I'm always amazed and Mary's ability to feed 50 people! When we came home, the boys put on their new pjs and we read William's Spiderman book from Great Grandma and Grandpa Orme. Van devoured his breakfast Will got a Jessie doll from Grandma Lisa. Yodel lay hee hoo! Will is always saying "Deacon is my best friend." My boys make Christmas even better Van got a "baaaaaaah" aka ball. Van and Grandma. Cute! "I need another ball for this hand!" "No, Mom. We will not smile at the camera. We'd rather admire our new toys." Matching jammies! Will can't wait for Santa to bring ...

This year I got to plan the Garrett Family Christmas party. We held it at the Heritage Care Center in the event room. We like having it there because it is where my dad stayed during the last few weeks of his life. Plus, it's spacious so the family has plenty of room to eat and visit. The theme was "Love One Another" and each family member did a service project in lieu of a gift exchange. At the party, each sibling shared what they did for their service. Afterward, some of the grand kids shared a talent or two on the stage and then we cleaned up and went to the movie "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol." Good times! It was wonderful to see my sister Caroline and my brother Reid. I wish I could see them more often! All I remember William doing was devouring chips all night long. Van was all smiles when he escaped from the room and his mom had to chase him. We are such party animals! Actually, I took these while my mom was reading the piece "Yes, V...

Happy Father's Day to the best daddy in the whole world! Van loves his "Da-da". He loves it when Daddy cuddles him and lets him sleep on his chest. Will loves to play "ghost" and "pillow in the face" and looks forward to riding dad's back to bed each night. Happy Father's Day to Grandpa Steve! Aren't these cute picture of his Utah grandsons? Today on our way back from Orem William said at least five times "I want to go to Grandpa Steve's house." I said "Sorry Will! Grandpa lives in Louisiana and you have to ride an airplane to get there and it costs like a thousand dollars." He let out a sigh of despair and said "Dangit!" We couldn't agree more. Also, Happy Father's Day to my dad! I miss you more than ever today, but it's comforting to know you are in a better place swelling with pride admiring your children and grandchildren.

Check out those THUNDER THIGHS!! Believe it or not he just keeps getting fatter! My sister Kelly is gorgeous even after giving birth to her baby GIRL. Congratulations, Kelly! Will was into coloring in the fall, but has taken a huge interest in blocks this spring. Here he built Thomas going through the tunnel. Cute! Van was outgrowing everything so we bought him some new pjs- 12 mos size. Hopefully they will fit for a few months longer! Whenever we are in a checkout line or just somewhere that Van gets someone to look at him, he flashes this big smile and starts "talking." People are always commenting "What a happy baby!" I was unsuccessful in snapping a picture where they were both looking at the same time. Here they are at Grandma Garrett's on Easter Sunday. Van flinches just like Will! Ha ha! Yes, most of the eggs in that basket were put in there by Dad. I caught him sneaking Will another one! Good job, Team Bickmore! Will loved the egg ...

Of all the holidays, Halloween maintains to be Will's favorite. He was not into the hearts and sweets that Valentine's Day brings. In fact when I said "Let's make Valentines!" Will put out his hand and said "No! I don't want to make Valentines!" or when I would say "See all the hearts? It's for Valentine's Day!" He would respond with "I want spooky ghost." I volunteered to organize the Valentine's Party for the play group. We had three stations: decorating heart cookies, making a valentine, and playing a heart race game. When it was Will's turn to decorate the cookie, I started helping him spread frosting and he began to cry because he didn't want frosting. The kid with the mountain of frosting and sprinkles was giving Will a crazy look. It was so funny. When I told him he gets to eat the cookie, he did not want to. Remember when he didn't want his birthday cake? What a weirdo! When we made the valenti...

This year on Christmas Eve, we attended the Workman party. Grandma Mary sewed knight costumes for the grandsons. Will LOVED it! What a good idea for a gift. After the party, I was hoping to read the Christmas story in new Christmas pj's, but Will had a meltdown (look at Isaac's shoulder covered in snot and tears) and we managed to get him happy long enough to shoot some cute pictures. squeezing in for a family Christmas eve photo Probably the best part about Christmas this year is Van got to meet Grandpa Steve and Grandma Dana for the first time. We had a lot of fun playing games and visiting. It's always sad to see them go. I wish they'd move back or at least visit more often (hint hint). Happy Birthday Aunt Abbey! Abbey's birthday always gives the family another opportunity to get together again after Christmas. Hooray! Van & Grandpa. He always got Van to sleep holding the pacifier in his mouth and bouncing Van in his lap. Van & Grandma Dana....