Birthdays!!

We completely forgot to post for Aaron & Elina's Birthdays. Last year I started writing 10 things I love about the birthday child. So, here goes:
Aaron (11/25/2008):
1. When he saw his birthday cake, instead of "diving in", he excitedly exclaimed, "Oh....little tiny candies!". He proceeded to pick the sprinkles off, one by one.
2. When he is "soft" around Emmett and pats his head & kisses his cheek
3. That he repeats what we say in the form of a question. ie. Daddy: Come get a cookie. Aaron: Come get a cookie?
4. That he plays sooo good with Elina (most of the time :)
5. When he comes up to me and says, "Mommy, can I give you a hug?"
6. His (manly) rosy red cheeks!
7. When he insists he's right. For instance:
Aaron: (pointing to his knee) "I found a knuckle!"
Mommy: "That's your knee".
Aaron: "NO, it's a KNUCKLE!"
8. His fascination with Nemo. He started calling me "Marlin", the blocks turned into fish and he wanted to name the baby, "baby bruwer Nemo"
9. How he loves to be thrown in the air, fwipped (flipped), swung & walk on the ceiling...oh, & dragon back rides (Horsey rides were too tame for our wild children :)
10. His soft expression and lulling eyes.Emmett (12/17/2010):
1. He is so gentle and calm.
2. When he falls asleep while I'm holding him. There's nothing more sweet then holding a sleeping new born.
3. His deep "silver-water" eyes.
4. When he sleeps for longer than 2 hours at night! :)
5. When you can tell he knows so much more than we do because he's that much closer to the veil.
6. Being a Daddy to a brand new baby full of wonder.
7. When he just starts to hint at a smile.
8. His perfect little baby hands & feet!
9. That he is completely content to just sit and look at the world around him.
10. The peace and excitement he brings to our home.

Elina (1/12/2007):
1. That she'll forgo the dolls to play "Toothless" (the Dragon) for hours.
2. She'll stand up for Aaron after I've scolded him. I'll usually get a 10 min. lecture on how I made a bad choice and instead of yelling, I need to speak quietly and ask him nicely, and I need to repent, etc. etc. :)
3. Her vivid imagination. I love to listen to the creative stories she can tell.
4. When Bryce is "helping" her eat, she'll say something like: "be a kitty-airplane!" Huh?
5. Her deep fascination with books...especially her new "Brite /Standn' Tall" Books
6. Her funny logic. ie. Once she mentioned that my eyes are getting puffy and that if they get too puffy, she'll have to get a new mom. Another time while saying the prayer she said, "please bless everyone we know...except Jenna"
7. When she gets our names mixed up. ie. Mommy...uh...no I mean Daddy!
8. Her zeal for learning. I'm amazed at how much she picks up from my conversations and she's constantly asking questions!
9. That she'll hide from Daddy in the exact same spot every time he comes home! (under her bed)
10. How sweet & cuddly she can be. Sometimes, out of the blue, she'll surprise us with a big hug and kiss and say, "I love you"!

Blessing Day

Thanks to our good friends the Wiley's, Emmett's Blessing Day was saved. On Thur. night, I realized that we had absolutely nothing to bless Emmett in. Aaron had worn the outfit Bryce was blessed in, but Grandma Caine didn't even think to bring it down, and I didn't even think of reminding her. Luckily, I remembered that the Wiley's had recently blessed their little boy and they, very graciously, let us borrow their tux. At only two weeks old, this is the closest we could get to a smile, but he sure is a handsome boy!!

As Bryce took Emmett up to be blessed, Aaron, with great concern, cried out, "they're taking Emmett!!" After hiding a few smiles, we were able to calm him down in time to hear the blessing! Great Grandpa Robinson said Emmett was the best behaved baby he's ever stood in a circle for. (He didn't even need the binky) Grandpa Caine said he peaked during the blessing and Emmett was looking up at Bryce, eyes wide open, as if he was understanding everything Bryce said.
As I sat and listened to the words of the powerful blessing, I was reminded of how strong these children are and will need to be. As he was blessed to have a strong testimony, to be married in the temple, etc. I thought of my role as a mother in helping those promises be fulfilled. I was struck with the importance of teaching the gospel by example & word. They are going to need every ounce of spiritual strength they can obtain!

Happy Holidays & Happy Baby

Hooray, the Holidays are upon us. The greatest gift this year came on Dec. 17th. Our little "Emmett Alan" made his first appearance into our family. I was determined to get some Christmas caroling in before he was born, so that night found me having contractions while singing at the nursing home. It was worth it. I love singing at the nursing home...such a sweet spirit there.

Elina & Aaron love their new brother. In fact, as soon as Aaron saw him, he said, "There's my baby!...Hi baby!" He can't get enough of him & wants to know where he is at all times! Elina told the nurse that we got a new baby brother and if Aaron tries to hurt him, she'll protect him! Yay for big sisters :)

This was our first celebration with our own little family. We tried to keep Christmas simple with only a few gifts w/ the focus on the gift of the Savior. I did get it together enough to make us matching pajama pants! (Bryce's are a little short & wide, (probably could fit santa clause) but fit enough to at least take a picture :) We had a beautiful morning complete with a nativity play. Elina being the angel/star. Me as Mary. Aaron doubling as Joseph & a Shepherd. Bryce as a Shepherd & the Donkey (Aaron got to ride all the way to Bethlehem) The kids loved dressing up and playing the parts. I think we'll have to make it a permanent tradition. Later in the week, we enjoyed spending time with both sides of our extended families and had a beautiful season!