Alaska Christmas Vacation: Sledding

This year we were able to spend Christmas with the Mauger side of our family and we loved it! Usually when people go on vacation or go to stay with relatives, they enjoy the visit but towards the end they are ready to go home. I was in Alaska (with the kids) for a total of three weeks, and not once did I feel that way! I loved spending so much time with our extended family! We did so many fun things while we were there, one of which being sledding. There was SOOOO much snow! The temperature varied from –8 to 20 degrees, but that didn’t stop us! We bundled up and had fun! Here are some pictures!

James LOVED eating the snow!! Every time we stepped outside he would immediately bend down and try to grab a handful of snow to eat.

I wish I would have gotten this sledding trip on tape because every time he went down he just laughed the entire time! His giggle was so endearing and he kept wanting to go down again and again!

Kristin helped James build a little snowman… and of course once the snowman was complete he went in for a bite!

As he went in for the bite he ended up taking a big sniff of snow right into his nose. That completely scared him… thus this picture below

To Workout or to not… that is the question

 

My entire last trimester that I was pregnant, I continuously committed to myself that once I had Brooklyn that I would start working out again.

 

…

And now the time has come and it is so hard to find the desire! I want to be one of those girls that loves to run, those girls that look so cute running with their jogger strollers, those girls that complete marathons (or even 10k for that matter!) while still being a mom… but the desire to get up and do it just isn’t there. Overall I am happy with how I look, but I would like to tone up and get stronger.

Today I worked out for the first time thanks to a Wii fitness program, and usually after a workout I feel glad that I worked out and more committed to continue, but not this time. Instead I just felt, “Are you sure you want to do this tomorrow Stephanie?”

So here is the point of this post: I NEED ADVICE! How does one overcome the stumbling blocks that come when starting a workout regime?

BEWARE: Bugs in the Juice!!

 

I typically only give James milk, water or chocolate milk to drink, but the other day I was drinking some orange juice and James asked for some so I gave him some. After he took a sip, he turned to me with a perplexed look and said, "Bugs juice". I didn't know what he meant so I just said, "What James?". He then stated, "Bugs in juice". I repeated what he said to make sure I was understanding correctly, and after he replied "Yes", I had to take a moment to think about what he was saying.... and then I got it!

"Oh no James, it is just pulp" and then I had to explain what pulp is.... oh the funny things kids say :) (I love lots of pulp in my O.J.)

Sunday Snapshot

 

I love my little family!

Happy Halloween!!

 

Halloween was so much fun this year because I was able to experience it with a wonderful two year old- it is so fascinating to see holidays come alive for James… it definitely gives a new perspective on everything! This year we were able to go to our ward’s Trunk or Treat ward party the Saturday before and James loved it! On Halloween night we decided to stay inside since he had gotten so much candy from the weekend and instead we made it a family night with pumpkin carving! Here are some pictures capturing the festivities!

James was “NAAACHHHHOOOOO”- Nacho Libre for Halloween this year. He loved telling people who he was and most people were able to immediately identify who he was (even though one man insisted that he was superman).

Brooklyn was a ballerina

As you can tell with James’ face below, he did not like the texture of the pumpkin goop and pumpkin seeds- I totally thought he would love it but it was the opposite- he wanted Matt to clean it out (he did like using the spoon to get it out though)

Below- James’ classic “Say cheese” smile:

Cutting the pumpkin face out:

A HUGE thank you

 

Before Brooklyn was born, I was COMPLETELY stressed about the first few weeks of her being here- how would I be able to be a competent mom for 2 children?! Would I be too tired to play with James? What would I do if James and Brooklyn woke up at the same time? How was I supposed to give both of them my undivided attention and if I couldn’t would one of them feel unloved?

I had a lot of worries about adjusting the first few weeks because when James was born it took me a while to get into the groove of things. I am so immensely grateful for both Matt’s parents and my parents who took the time (and money) out of their lives and came to help me for the first few weeks- it was so reassuring to have all of the help- giving James love and attention, helping me out with Brooklyn, cooking and cleaning, and just lending a friendly ear. I can’t explain how HUGE of a gift that was to me- during those couple weeks I was able to build up the confidence about being a mom of two- I really do think if I didn’t have them it would have been very overwhelming for me and I would have had a lot of tears shed.

So what I am trying to say is THANK YOU!

(I didn’t have any pictures of my dad while he was here, but here are the other grandparents)

Our happy little family!

 

So I wanted to show some pictures of our family… but I wanted to give a warning even though most viewers could care less- these pictures were taken within the first week of Brooklyn being born so I still have a pretty large tummy. I don’t look nearly that large, but I still have about 5 (6 to be exact) before I get down to my pre-pregnancy weight. I am sure you (whoever is reading this) doesn’t care, but I do :)