trucks, tools, and tractors, oh my!

Our little bug turned THREE last Saturday. I still can't believe it. It was only fitting to throw him a "truck party" since he worhips anything with an engine. Particularly rescue vehicles lately - firetrucks, police cars, helicopters, ambulances.. they fascinate him. He knew his truck party was coming, and asked me every morning the preceding week if it was here yet :)

I was particularly proud of his birthday cake. His face lit up with excitement when I showed it to him. The trick was getting him to leave it alone until the party started!

His favorite activity is just some good ole fashioned playtime with friends, so we turned on his favorite DVD (Truck Tunes), pulled out his train set and his bin of cars and trucks, and let the boys go wild. I had plans for another favorite pastime of his, play doh, but once the boys were playing with their vehicles - there was no distracting them.

He was overwhelmed by all his fun presents, and didn't know which ones to play with! He cleaned up quite nicely: a web-shooting spiderman glove, silly string, a slinky, a sticky hand, a nerf gun, Cat in the Hat book and stuffed animal, ParaNorman DVD, Lightning McQueen dishes, a chainsaw with googles, a Tonka rescue "copter", and a trampoline!! Talk about a lucky boy!!

I love this picture!

We had a fun game of "Pin the Stop Sign on the Construction Site". There is actually a designated spot it was supposed to go on, but one of the boys covered it.

And then Emmett got to blow out his special cupcake. He just kept spinning in a circle looking at everyone singing to him with the biggest grin on his face. He was beyond happy. It was the cutest thing.

But perhaps the best part of the party, was watching Emmett sneak up and pelt Jared and my Dad with his Silly String :)

The party was a success and Emmett had a blast (which of course was the ultimate goal). Now I just have to come to terms with the fact my baby is another year older.

Sure do love this guy

mele kalikimaka

It seems Christmas just keeps getting better and better each year. Part of it is that Emmett's getting older and makes everything more fun, and part if it that the list of things I have to be grateful for just keep growing and growing.

This post is going to be mostly pictures, so get ready for an overload!

We kicked off Christmas a week early with the Ericksons up in Idaho. The granchildren had so much fun baking sugar cookies with Grandma, and having their very own decorating stations. Unfortunately I think I consumed most of them (as usual). Emmett got his fun pegboard from Grandma and lots of Play-doh toys from his cousin Julia.

After returning to Utah, we did our annual tradition of going to see the Christmas lights at Temple Square (isn't it everybodys?)  I love seeing how majestic the grounds look, there's such a special spirit felt there. It was FREEZING, so it's a good thing we all had the scarves and headbands Grandma Whittaker knitted us!

Jared and I also took Emmett to see the Festival of Lights, which we told him was the "North Pole". He loved it!

Finally it was Christmas Sunday, so we dressed in our holiday best! (Jared did too, but someone had to take the photo)

We went and spent the night up at my parents on Christmas Eve with the rest of my family. As you can see I had lots of fun playing with the Christmas lights.

We played Christmas themed "minute to win it" games, which luckily weren't documented on my camera (they got pretty crazy!). We watched lots of Christmas shows, set out our cookies for Santa, and went to bed dreaming of sugar plums... 

Santa brought Emmett a bike and he was so excited!

(Almost as exited as when he saw his Captain American fan in his stocking)

And THEN he opened Gramby's present (a Mater power wheels!!) and all other presents were forgotten...haha. Rufio was a little bent up he only got one gift, so he sat and sulked most the morning.

As you can see I undergo an outfit change, thanks to my stylish new pajamas (which I'm in at this exact moment). I know, time to get dressed right?

Thanks to all our family for making our holiday so special and memorable! We love you all!!

the most precious gift

Of all the gifts I received this Christmas, there is one that stands out the most. It's the one that has the most meaning, and the one I'm sure I will cherish for years to come. This one came from Santa, and is something I've been wanting for a long time :)

Everytime I look at it, it brings tears to my eyes. Something inside me is stirred up - because I'd seen this image countless times in my head before I ever laid eyes on this painting.

During the many sleepless nights, as I prayed with all my might before falling asleep, this is the answer I would receive. Emmett was in the best hands possible. His every step, movement, and breath was being watched over. And someday soon, he would be the miraculous perfect, healthy boy I dreamed of.

When the pokes, procedures, and frights were too much to bear - again this image flashed into my mind. "I am with him", I heard.

What makes this painting even more special, is the inscription in the corner. It is a symbol to me that this picture is and always will be for Emmett. As he gets older, it will be a reminder to him of where he   came from, how many obstacles he overcame, and how it was all possible.

I'd love to someday have a giant version of this painting, but this one (as it says) belongs to Emmett.

It touched my heart to read the special note the artist had included with the picture:
"My paintings in many ways record what is most important to me: my feelings and experiences with family and friends along with the spiritual aspects of my life. My hope is that in these images you will find something familar, something which will resonate and remind you of what is most important in your own life."

Indeed it has. I am so grateful for my life's countless blessings. And humbled by the realization that the Lord is truly next to each of us every moment, guiding us by the hand.