Ready, Set, Hike

Ben starts little league next week, which made me realize I never posted anything about his flag football team.  It was a Saturday only kinda thing again.  They practiced half the time and scrimmaged another team the other half.  Ben's coaches were awesome.  A husband and wife duo, ex NBA and WNBA players.  Yes they were tall.  See the photo below.  And that tall kid who towered over the rest, yes you guessed it that's their kid.  There was also another little guy on Ben's team who was amazing.  As in we should have gotten his autograph because it will probably be worth something some day.  Ben did well.  He loved trying to get the flags, and managed to snag a few.  He ran it in for a couple of touchdowns, but even when he didn't he thought he did all the same.  Running out of bounds was a bit of a problem, but not one that he didn't share with everyone.  

His favorite part were the after game snacks of course.  It was a good time.  I'm really looking forward to little league.  It will be his first real sports team with a mid week practice and games on Saturday and it runs all the way till June so he should make a lot of progress.  They get to choose between coach pitch and a tee and Ben is really good at hitting off a pitcher so that should be a lot of fun for him.  I miss watching sports.  It was one of my favorite things growing up (and playing sports) and some of my most cherished memories of James (I was the adoring girlfriend cheering in the stands for him in High School).  Now I'm looking forward to many years and seasons to come cheering on our boys together.  

New Years in Tahoe

We spent another wonderful New Years in Tahoe.  It's my most favorite time of the year.  Nothing like a cabin trip to bring about pure calmness and relaxation.  The trip was even more mellow for me because I had some amazing helpers.  My boys were in seventh heaven hanging out with the big boys, who seriously sledded down the hill with them dozens upon dozens of times.  Another bonus this year was that our cabin owners got to join us for the first time this trip.  The boys had fun playing with their cousin, who falls right between them in age.  We didn't have much snow this year but it was the perfect combo.  No worrisome driving conditions, beautiful sunshine, and fake snow at the resort for sledding.  I look forward to many, many years ringing in the New Years with family in this gorgeous place.  Now for the photo overload.  

  

Christmas 2013

Christmas was very busy once again for us.  Probably the last year that its going to be this crazy, so we just rolled with it.  We visited three houses and attempted a family movie at the end of it all, but Jackson and I only lasted about twenty minutes.  I was wiped out but had a wonderful time celebrating with lots of family, and most especially watching my boys experience the magic of Christmas.  Jackson was so fun to watch this year and was a champ at opening his presents.  He even enjoyed throwing the wrapping paper into the garbage bag, which was a bonus for me.  We had a bit of a shoe theme in our house as you'll see below.  If you know James at all, then that is no surprise to you.  Christmas already feels like forever ago, so hopefully you won't be too bugged by this big photo recap and hopefully I won't fall behind on blogging again.  

Twas the Night Before Christmas

This year we got a wonderful early Christmas present.  We found out we were expecting baby no. 3 a few weeks before the big day.  It took a little longer than it has the first do go arounds, but we are so blessed in that things work pretty well and pretty easily for us in that department.  I knew it before I knew it, because I had been an emotional wreck for a while before taking the big pee test.  I had felt good otherwise until that point but that's when it struck.  The first trimester.

We definitely didn't get around to all the Christmas traditions this year what with my condition.  Not making gingerbread houses is my biggest regret, but Ben didn't even realize it till well after Christmas, so nothing to fret over too much.  One tradition I don't really enjoy is sugar cookies.  I do enjoy baking with my mom and sister when we have done that, but baking by myself isn't really enjoyable for me.  I especially don't like to do sugar cookies.  So thankfully my mother-in-law made some and let me go home with a big chunk of her dough.  All I had to do was roll out and cut out.  So not a moment too soon, the boys helped me decorate our little trees and deliver them to the neighbors, which luckily I only have four (we live on a small court), just before heading off to our traditional dinner and temple night with the Greenes.

After Jackson let us know it was time to go /\ /\  we went home to open up our eve presents, jammies for all and a few festive accessories for our stuffed friends.  Then it was milk and cookies out for Santa, a little snuggly iPad time, and then to bed.  Christmas Eve was definitely the calm before the storm that is Christmas around here. 

Pixar Studios

Towards the end of summer the boys and I got to go visit Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville.  My mother-in-law had a cake delivery there for their first video game Disney Infiniti.  Basically we felt like VIPs since Pixar is a closed campus and doesn't allow tours.  We explored the super cool campus (these employees are spoiled) and Ben got to play the game under the direction of those who helped make it.  Pretty awesome day!  Can't wait to go back for a movie premier.