Christmas Collage

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was so fun and a traditional Kirkman celebration. Gary made these amazing clocks for our family. We sang Christmas carols in the back of the wagon pulled by Grandpa Kirkman.

A Christmas Miracle

On Christmas Eve, my mom hosted a Christmas Eve brunch with my family and Summer's family. I had my best friend and her children and my kiddos all in one place for a couple hours.  It was wonderful and surreal. Our kids had so much fun together.  I am so thankful for lives moments like this. 

Pampering

My sweet, sweet, sweet boys pampered me with a pedicure. I am constantly humbled by their love and the sweetness to me. They are so thoughtful and willing to take care of their mama. And their pedicure turned out pretty impressive.

Polar Express Play and a Christmas Visit from Gram

Canyon was an Elf in his 1st grade play The Polar Express.  Gram came up to see the play and visit before Christmas.  Canyon was adorable and we all loved watching him.

Gingerbread Houses

Blessings For Boden's arrival

My Mama gathered women from my childhood and hosted a baby blessing for Boden's arrival. It was the first Blessing Way I have had. It was a treat. It was lovely having the women who I watched as a girl share their wisdom and strength as I prepare to bring this sweet little spirit into my home. I am so grateful for my upbringing, my wonderful mother and the people who continue to support and love me. 

Andventure Day: Cutting Our Christmas Tree

This is the first real tree our family has had since Gary and I were married.

It was an adventure that produced a tree full of character, size, and beauty. 

Our boys certainly loved the whole experience.

Stay tuned for pictures of the decorated tree.

Snow Day

Boden's Baby Shower Weekend

My dear neighbor Laura and my sweet friend Sara threw me a fabulous baby shower for little Boden. It was wonderful, complete with a photo booth and delicious food.  I'll scan the photo booth photos someday to the blog... My mom and Skye stayed and played for the weekend and helped me organize for the little man coming our way.  I can hardly wait! 

Halloween 2013

This Halloween was soo fun. I helped with our church party and we all dressed up. Canyon a pirate, Trek a wolf, Gary a nurse and me a forester (get it). We started out the festivities wit our church party and had a blast with carnival games and a chili cook-off. The next day was Halloween and Canyon dressed up for school. We went trick-or-treating that evening (our kids first year doing this) and the boys made out like bandits. Trek's candy was gone it about 4 days. Canyon sorted his into categories placed them in separate baggies and hid them in our nieces room for safe keeping.  He'll most likely have Halloween Candy for the next year. (Two completely different boys... wondering what #3 will be like.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visits From Gram

An October visit form Gram included a picnic, shopping, a soccer game, and pumpkin carving: We love visits from Gram.

 

Grandparents Day in First Grade

Grandma and Grandpa Kirkman came up a few weeks ago for Grandparents Day at Canyon's school. He was thrilled to have them and kept them there completing every project offered. The exhausted Grandparents and the elated 1st grader cut out a little early to enjoy a lunch with the whole family.

 

 

 

Just so I don't forget

After going to the bathroom, Trek kindly came out and said:
"Mama, I can learn you how to pee standing up. It's easy. Just lean over, but not too far so you don't fall in."

While eating dinner (that I cooked-that wasn't that great-which consisted of undercooked rice and over cooked vegetables and not very flavorful chicken) Canyon leaned over to me and said: "Mom, I have a secret to tell you, Dad is a better cook." After the words came out of his mouth and he realized that maybe that was a secret he should've told Gary not me his eyes got real big and didn't know what to say.  We all shared a good laugh.

Belly Kisses

Canyon Looses his 1st TOOTH!

After weeks of babying his very loose tooth Canyon finally lost his first tooth. He was wrestling with Trek on the living room floor. He got up and I noticed he had blood stained lips. I checked out his mouth and saw that his tooth was even looser, hanging on by even less thread after a wrestle session with Trek. After pointing out that it wouldn't be hard at all to pull out his loose tooth he agreed.  He wanted to do it himself, in private.  He closed the door to my room where he used our mirror to do the deed. He emerged a few seconds later with a proud face of accomplishment and bloody tooth in his had.  His smith spread from ear to ear.  He spent the rest of the day calling family to tell them the good news and talking about the tooth fairy.  That night we put his tooth in his tooth fairy pillow and hung it on his bed. He woke up to 1$ and blue fairy dust. 
(He keeps hoping Trek will knock out another tooth during a wrestle session-which they have often.)

 

Tank's Birthday

Canyon and Trek have these sweet little round stuffed animals. They have birthdays. Canyon's stuffed Gorilla, Tank's birthday was October 11th.  We celebrated with an Orange Crush cake. Canyon planned the whole party, picked out candles, invited Trek's round stuffed fish, Bubbles and we had a sweet pre-dinner celebration.

 

School Carnival

Face painting from Canyon's school carnival:

 

October Trip to Albuquerque

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hawaiian Vacation: The Last Day

I left my camera back at the house a few of the days (on accident) and I'm probably forgetting to split up a couple of days of activities, but our 9 day trip was wonderful. ON our last day we drove around the island stopping by and orchid shop learning the correct etiquette of and orchid placement. We stopped by Volcano National Park where the boys got to see the smoke from the active volcano, where we learned the stories of Pele the fire goddess (Trek fell in love with her) and walked through a lava tube. We did more swimming with turtles and colorful fish. We finally made our way to a sweet little beach to eat dinner and watch the sunset with the turtles. Our entire trip was magic. We are all so grateful for the beaches, the ocean life, they yummy food and wonderful family that made it possible for us to enjoy ourselves so much. Aloha!