An Arizona Getaway

In late March Jeff and I got a text from my cousin Thatcher inviting us to come to Arizona for the Cubs-Diamondbacks series ... it was an offer Jeff couldn't refuse. So a couple of weeks later we found ourselves on an airplane headed south. 

It was a fun, quick little getaway ... I LOVE things like this! We hiked, got pedicures, went to the temple, shopped and caught a couple of baseball games with my cousin and his finance. 

I don't even like baseball, but we had a great time so we might just have to make this tradition!

Turning Six Cardinals Style

Landon is six. SIX! Every year I say the same thing ... I can't believe how old he's getting! Landon is such a great kid. He's smart (reading far above his grade, picks up things quickly, etc.), funny, dedicated and so stinking cute. We are so lucky to have him in our family. 

Watching kids grow up is hard (why can't they stay little?!) but also so much fun. Most Fridays I volunteer in his class. I love watching what he does in class and seeing him interact with his friends. I have also been subbing in Primary lately and I love watching him from behind the piano. He tries so hard to be reverent and raises his hand for everything from giving answers to volunteering. He loves to be a helper and he's often doing his "big brother" role of picking up more than his share of the toys, taking charge, and being a great example to Liam (I love watching them together). 

Landon is just a good kid at heart. And as he gets older we get to see glimpses of the man he will become. I love that we can already share jokes and find the same things funny. And I love how compassionate he is. And Jeff LOVES that he is so into football right now! It's hilarious to see how dedicated he is - he can't wait to play, wears his jersey constantly, plays it on Madden any chance he's allowed, and is constantly challenging everyone to a game of football.  

Turning six is a big deal - and we love birthdays! I took treats to his class along with grandma and James, then we went out to lunch. When Jeff got home we opened presents and had pizza. And watched Star Wars (one of his birthday presents). He was so excited ... and clapped at the end. So cute!!

For his birthday party we decided we needed to have a football training camp. His favorite team is the Cardinals ... so we had a "Football Training Camp" party. It was so fun, and hilarious to watch the kiddos do "warm ups," play games and have pizza and root beer. Our "Mr. Social" had a pretty long guest list, but its great to see him have good friends and see them play together so well. 

We love you Landon! Thank you for being part of our family! (And Go Cardinals!!)

Day to Day Anecdotes

I often remember to post the "big" events that happen in our lives, and forget about the little, cute things that happen from day to day that make having little people around so much fun. So here are a few little anecdotes that have happened in the day-to-day lately.

Our nephew Josh just got his mission call (to Australia!) a few days ago. Before he opened it I asked the boys where they thought he would go:

Landon: Washington, DC (this is where Landon was "called" on a mission at a Primary activity a couple of years ago, and he is still certain this is where he will serve! So sweet!)

Liam: The North Pole (he gave this serious thought, and I love his innocence in believing wholeheartedly that this is an actual mission!) 

This week Landon is "Captain of the Ship" for his Kindergarten class. I love that his teacher (Mrs. Rigby) coordinated it with his birthday week. He could hardly contain his excitement! And filling out the answers, coloring the poster and choosing the pictures for it were an event. It was so fun to do together! 

Then, just today I told the boys that uncle James just asked a girl to the Prom. They wanted to know what Prom is. I explained that it is a fun dance they take a date to, and get all dressed up and dance and hang out with their friends. 

Landon (having heard the dress up and dance part) acted like this wasn't the coolest idea ever. I assured him that they would both attend their proms and that I am sure they will have a lot of fun with their friends. 

Then, Liam piped up from the back and said "I going to take my girlfriend Emery and I'm going to dress up like SPIDER-MAN! I will wear my mask, and then take it off to dance, then I'll put it back on!" 

Landon and I just burst out laughing! How could we not? So. Cute.

These two keep me on my toes, and provide the best comic relief!

The Month of Birthdays ... our first celebration!

March is quite the month around the Terry house ... three of our four birthdays are within a two week span PLUS my dad's birthday as well! It's a month-long party around here. 

Saturday we got to celebrate Jeff's birthday! I'll withhold his age to protect the innocent (but he was born in 1980 *cough, cough*). 

We were able to attend a baptism of a dear friend's little girl first, and then we headed off to celebrate. We went to Boondocks and had Costa Vida for lunch. Then sent Jeff off to golf with friends. Then I whisked him away to dinner at Tsunami with different friends (who share the SAME birthday!) and home for cake and ice cream with the kiddos. 

I love celebrating the people I love! Jeff is an incredible husband, and father and we are so lucky to have him in our lives. He's the best partner in this crazy journey I could ask for ... he just gets me, he loves us unconditionally and gives so much of himself. Happy birthday babe!

Celiacs Disease and Osteopenia

A long time ago (senior year in high school) in a faraway place (also known as Colorado) I was diagnosed with Celiac's Disease. For those not familiar with it, basically it means I can't eat products with gluten in them - wheat, barley, whey ...etc. Which, doesn't sound like much until you realize everything they are in!

To make a long story short, every doctor I ever met said that if I wasn't symptomatic then I didn't need to worry about it and I should just keep living my life like normal. I liked that answer so I went with it. Fast forward to 6 months or so ago. I was clearly becoming symptomatic. I was a bit in denial so I went the doctor and we still ran a LOT of tests to see if it could be anything else. No such luck. BUT we did discover that my gluten test came back so high it was un-quantifiable. Super exciting :)!

In other words, Celiacs caught up with me. My GI doctor was upset that no other doctor thought to tell me the damage it was doing to my system ... and recommended a bone scan (and a lot of continual blood work ... good thing I don't mind needles!). It turns out when your body doesn't absorb nutrients you can end up with Osteopenia. Which, basically means my bones are less dense than they should be. Thankfully it isn't Osteoperosis (yet) but something I need to work on to keep away from that. Lots of vitamins and exercise (especially lifting weights!) in my future!

I don't say all this to be negative, at all, actually the process has been a really good one, and I'm grateful to know where we need to go from here!

Jeff, as always, has been incredibly supportive and jumped on board to help our family transition certain things to being gluten free for all of us (pasta, pancake mix), get my vitamins filled (lots of those!), and champion my eating changes. The kids have already started asking what is gluten free and are becoming more and more aware of what mommy can and can't eat. And I have so many family members and friends here to offer advice, buy me gluten free treats, one went GF with me for the first month, and in general be incredibly accommodating with restaurants we go out to with them, what they serve when we come over, etc.

The change actually hasn't been as hard as I anticipated (in part because of the wonderful people in my life), and overall I feel so much better it's worth the extra expense and effort. Truthfully, there can be so many worse things that could be happening I'm really grateful. There can be more difficult "side effects" of Celiacs, but so far, I'm not dealing with those.

And in general, life can be so, so much harder than just not eating gluten, taking vitamins and working out, so I have spent quite a bit of time reflecting on how much I have to be thankful for. Sometimes it takes looking at these things and realizing that blessings are all around us and this is no more than a blip on the radar of life!

THREE!!

Liam is officially three! It's funny - I want him to stay little, but even I have been referring to him as being three for a little while and had to correct myself! He's always been eager to be big, and this past year he grew up SO MUCH! 

He decided to potty train himself back in May, speaks to you like a tiny adult, jokes and teases like the class clown I think he's destined to be and is convinced he's Spider-Man. If you asked him a few days ago how old he was turning he promptly responded five. Because when you have a five year old brother you play with all the time, what else would you be doing other than turning the same age? They fight like brothers do, but this year have learned how much they love to play together and spend hours doing things just the two of them. 

Liam is the funniest kid - he'll joke around with Jeff about the sports teams we like and tease that he likes a team we don't just to get a laugh (like the "stinky U's"), and he loves to play - everything is a game. He's strong willed and very independent, but the sweetest snuggler who loves everyone (his mamma especially!). He's social and a good little friend and always tries to include people. 

This year he has done gymnastics, soccer and swimming. He's loved all of them. Currently he's taking swim lessons but he can't wait until soccer starts this spring, and he's finally old enough to be on a team instead of the little class he took. He's also very excited to be starting pre-school in the fall - he's more than ready! 

We always said the kids can start having friend parties when they are four, when party guests are a little older (and potty trained), but when Liam looked at us and said that he was having a Spider-Man party and rattled off his guest list, we couldn't say anything but okay. 

The kids played "pin the spider on Spider-Man," used balloons (the kind with the big rubber bands) to "beat up the bad guys" and had a silly-string "web war." Then of course there was cake and ice cream (check out what aunt Ale made!) and presents. Then the kids watched Liam's new PAW Patrol movie while they waited to get picked up. 

  

 Later that day we took Liam to lunch and to the Train Show at Thanksgiving Point (it's tradition). After a much needed nap, we went to the Fairbank's house to cheer on the Cardinals. Such a fun day! 

Since today (his actual birthday) is a Sunday we're just playing with his toys as a family, which is a nice low-key way to end the weekend. And mom insisted we take some pictures - I love having a record of what he looked like (and what our whole family looked like!) each year. 

We love you little-bitty!! You are our favorite Spider-Man! Happy Birthday!

Christmas 2015

I can't even describe how much I love Christmas - it really is the best time of year. Especially with kids - it's just so magical. This year was no exception. From sitting on Santa's lap, to making cookies and opening presents it's wonderful to share that as a family.

We started the season off with a visit to the Big Guy.
Both of them asked for a car they could drive
and PAW Patrol toys.

The magic of the Christmas Tree - one of my favorite things!

Our annual trip to see the lights together just
the two of us - one of my favorite traditions!

For the record - this is our 11th time going!

Making cookies!

Landon's Christmas program and class party were so much fun!
 Kindergarten is the best!

Mom and dad took a break and went to the Las Vegas
Bowl ... where sadly the Cougars lost, but it was fun!

Love it when we have a white Christmas!

And they never tire of playing in the snow!!

Last year we started a new tradition of doing a service project on Christmas Eve. This year we did "Blessing Bags" for the homeless. The boys got really into it and helped pick everything and put them together. We hope they learn that Christmas isn't just about the toys. 

Christmas Eve tradition: Service Project
This year we did "Blessing Bags" for the homeless.

I love that they took it seriously. They helped pick
everything, and assemble them.

Cookies for Santa!

Letters to Santa!

All of us in front of the tree!

Christmas Eve jammies at Grandma's house.

Everyone was thrilled with their presents - the boys have had fun with PAW Patrol toys, Magformers, the Millennium Falcon, some new games and books, BB8 (from Star Wars) and their new Dune Buggy!

They got their car! (And the PAW Patrol toys.
I love it when Santa gets it just right!)

We finally made it to Temple Square as a family a few
days after Christmas. Love this silly clan of mine!

It's over for another year, which makes me sad, but I'm grateful for the wonderful memories, for the Savior's birth, and for the family I got to spend the holiday with. On to a fabulous 2016!