Mount Vernon

On Friday we decided to drive down to Mount Vernon with the kids. It was going to be such a beautiful day that we couldn't resist (mid 50's in late December isn't too bad). It was all decorated for Christmas complete with a camel. The camel really liked Miriam and wanted to kiss her, Miriam kept telling Michael to scoot back. Miriam and Simon loved seeing all the animals. The line to actually take a tour of the house was over an hour wait so we passed (we have a year pass and figure we will go back when it isn't so busy) on the tour and decided to check out the other houses around it. Miriam kept reading the signs saying, "George Washington..." and made up things he did. Kind of funny how she picked up on the name so fast. Before we headed home we decided to let Miriam run around for a while. We took a bunch of pictures and even let Miriam take a picture of us. It looks great, if you don't mind a blurry picture! Getting out of the house as a family was great... we sure love having Michael home. (Yes, we know Simon is wearing pink mittens. We lost one of his mittens earlier this week and so pink is all we had. Michael took them off before I took a picture saying he didn't want the pink mittens in the picture. Little did he know I already took one earlier.)

In all the excitement I almost forgot...

... Michael is officially a CPA!!! Between Miriam's birthday and Christmas this great news almost slipped through the cracks. Michael even asked me if I was going to blog about it. Well, I got a little behind, but we got the news that Michael has finished all the requirements to become a CPA. We were hoping it would all come together by the end of the year and it did... just in time. Way to go Michael. We are so excited for you.

Christmas

We started out Christmas morning at home with the kids. Santa left a little something in our stockings, but took the rest of the loot to Michael's parents (we didn't get a tree this year). After breakfast we got ready for church.

After church we took some pictures in front of the Christmas tree...

After a few pictures Miriam couldn't stand it any longer and wanted to get the gift opening started. So away we went...

After all the presents were opened we decided we all made out pretty well. Thanks to everyone for the wonderful gifts. Our kids were definitely spoiled. We had a great Christmas dinner then headed home to talk to my family again. The excitement of the day sure made the kids tired. We enjoyed our very Merry Christmas... but next year I am starting Operation Slow Down Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Miriam and Michael making cookies for Santa.

  Simon and Vanessa playing.

Miriam and Michael working together to make a gingerbread house.

We had a nice, laid back Christmas Eve day. We enjoyed spending time together as a family. After nap-time we headed to Michael's parents for our Christmas Eve celebration. We made gingerbread houses, listened to Christmas music, and ate a delicious Christmas Eve dinner. We made it home at a decent hour to get ready for Santa to come. After the kids were in bed we talked to my family on  Skype and opened sibling gifts together. I really love Christmas Eve. I love spending time together anticipating Christmas day.

Four Years Already?

one of our first dates

taking engagement pictures in the snow

really cold wedding day

still laughing after four years... can't wait to laugh for many more

perfect day

Happy Anniversary Michael. You make me better. I love you!

Merry Christmas

Miriam's Birthday Celebration

We had a great day for Miriam's birthday. We wanted to make sure she felt really special for her birthday. Thursday night Michael and I put up a bunch of balloons all over so she would wake up and be excited that it was her birthday. It worked. She kept saying all day, "It's my birthday". (Simon loved the balloons too!)

We asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday and she chose going to the library. After we spent an hour or so at the library she wanted to go to the big park (because it is right next to the library, so who wouldn't be tempted). It was a chilly day, so Simon and I sat in the car while Michael took her to swing for a few minutes. It was enough to make her happy.

After nap-time we finished making ice cream and cheesecake cupcakes for her "party". Her favorite phrase of the day was "Let's get my party started". We put on her party dress after we were done baking. Then headed outside for a few minutes to take couple of pictures. She really thought she looked like something else in her special birthday dress. I am going to have to agree with her on this one.

Her birthday dinner was pasta (spaghetti). After dinner we got ready for her party. Grandma and Grandpa Bishop came over with Elizabeth (who by the way just got her wisdom teeth out and looks amazing) and Rebecca (who looked amazing too) to celebrate. We opened presents, which took a while because she kept wanting to play with the things she opened. Then we ate birthday dessert and played with her new things. As I was rocking her before bed she asked me when it will be her birthday again. I will take that as a sign that she had a good day.

Miriam: Two to Three

Here is Miriam's Yearly Birthday Slideshow.

It makes me happy and sad at the same time to see how much she has grown.

It may or may not be a bit lengthy this year :)

Miriam Turns Three

Happy Birthday Miriam! You are three years old today. Can this really be true? It seems like you were just turning two. You seemed so grown up last year, but I can't believe how much you have grown up this year. You are such an amazing little girl with quite the personality. I love you!

Miriam loves to learn. She knows all the letters in the alphabet. Miriam can count to thirteen and can recognize numbers one to twelve. She always wants to know what time it is. Miriam asks me everyday what day it is just because she wants to know if she can watch a show (because she can't on Sunday). She loves to sing primary songs and princess songs. Miriam loves to color and make crafts. She is really good at cleaning up and organizing things. Miriam loves to send text messages to Michael. She can start a new message, type it, and send it all by herself on my phone. She has started a new interest in typing on the computer and is figuring out how to navigate the mouse.

She has really taken to being potty trained and boy do Mom and Dad love this. She is such a big girl. The only drawback is her obsession with public restrooms. Every time we go somewhere she wants to go potty and check it out. She hasn't learned that you should actually avoid them at all costs.

Miriam loves to help me cook. She is always in the kitchen asking what she can to do help. She especially loves baking and cracking eggs all by herself. "I can do it", is definitely heard a lot around here. Miriam is our little sassy pants as we like to call her. We have to remind her who is in charge. Miriam can be stubborn, she has a need to do things her way and doesn't like things to be changed. She thrives on routine.

She loves to tell stories. She always starts with "once upon a time", then goes on telling you a story. Her imagination is really growing. Miriam can really make you laugh with the things she says and the silly way she acts. She is really caring about others and always worries about what other people need. She especially adores Simon and wants to help him be happy.

Here are some funny things Miriam has said over the past few weeks:

While I was in the shower one day I heard Miriam crying outside the bathroom door. I told her she could come in. When I peeked out to ask what was wrong she said, "I have an itch. I can't get it because of my skirt." She was wearing a denim skirt and couldn't get to her itch. You know she is really tired when an itch can cause so much drama.

Miriam: Mom let's make a craft

Mom: What do you want to make

Miriam: A ghost

Mom: Oh, do you want to be a ghost next year for Halloween?

Miriam: No, that would be too scary for me

Mom: Come brush your teeth Miriam

Miriam: I am not going to do it this time. You can. I am too tired

Miriam wanted to help lick envelopes for our Christmas cards. After her first one I asked her what it tasted like. She said meat.

Miriam: Mom please stop that. I am tired of it. Please stop that. I am tired of you being crazy.

Mmmm... I wonder where she heard this?

Once upon a time there was a woman. Her name was Ta. She only liked beans and rice. Now this is important because some people died. Jesus died and that is sad.

Simon's First Signs

Good news: over the past week Simon started waving and clapping. Bad news: Simon is cutting his first tooth. Enjoy the video of our good news :)

Graduation

Miriam graduated from nursery yesterday. Her teachers are so awesome and made each of the kids graduation hats. The last five minutes of nursery the parents came in and watched the kids receive their diplomas and a holiday treat. It was so adorable. Miriam is very excited to start Primary the week after Christmas.

 

Fall Family Pictures

Now that our Christmas cards are sent, I wanted to post the rest of our family pictures. Thanks again Eva McGann. We love how they turned out. Why is it so hard to pick just a few favorites to post? Oh well, here are a bunch of pictures...

FAMILY SHOTS

MIRIAM

SIMON

MICHAEL & VANESSA

MIRIAM & SIMON

Deck the Halls...

...or rather the Christmas tree. Last night we went over to Michael's parents to help decorate the Christmas tree. We are not getting our own tree this year so we thought Miriam would have fun decorating the tree. Miriam was really excited at first and kept asking what was next. She lost interest pretty quickly while the lights were being put on. Simon played happily on the floor for a good while.









Once the lights, ribbon and beads were finally on Miriam really got into hanging up the ornaments. When she is given a task to do she has amazing concentration for an (almost) three year old. She got so excited every time she hung an ornament on the tree by herself.









There are 12 days until Christmas and Michael and I are done wrapping. So after the tree was done we put some presents under the tree. Miriam and Simon had so much fun with Grandma and Grandpa. We are so excited for Christmas.