Christmas Day

On Christmas morning I was so anxious for Declan to wake up. I had to contain myself and lay awake watching the time pass just waiting. It is so fun to watch the excitement in his face this year. And with it being Delaney's first Christmas and all- it was exciting! When he finally did wake up at 7 I was ready- face washed, teeth brushed, contacts in! But before we could even see the presents we had to have a toast and drink a glass of orange juice- it's tradition. Then on to the presents. Santa brought Declan a big bucket of dinosaurs and Delaney her first baby doll. Declan also got a remote control car, a Tonka truck along with clothes and more toys! Delaney got a tutu (how could I resist), a cookie jar toy and the Fisher Price Sing Along stage which she seriously loves!! It was so fun to watch!

Later on in the day my Mom's side of the family came over for lunch and more presents. After that we went to Jason's parents house for more family time, presents and food!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is a big deal in my family. Growing up it was a bigger deal than Christmas Day actually was. We have always celebrated with my Dad's side of the family. The night always starts out with a big Mexican dinner. Tamales, beans, green chili, Mexican chicken casserole, the works! When we were kids we would all go to bed in the same room although nobody actually slept- how could we when sporadically my Aunt would laugh during the adults 21 game. Then Santa would come at midnight and we would all wake up and open presents together. Now since everyone has there own families and traditions to continue we have dinner together and a gift exchange and then everyone goes home. Jason, the kids and I spend the night at my parents house and Santa comes there. Declan was sure to leave a plate of cookies for Santa and an apple for the reindeer to share. And of course he and Delaney both had new jammies to sleep in.

Merry Christmas!

On Monday night we had our annual Kovach family Nativity story play. Every year Grandma Kovach pulls out the box of fabric and together we create the kids costumes- even down to the donkey and sheep! This year Kiara won the coveted spot of Mary. Declan was one of the wisemen and he loved bringing a gift to the baby Jesus. For Christmas this year Jason's parents asked that instead of a gift each child recite a scripture or sing a song for them. Declan made us proud when he recited his scripture in front of the whole family- Luke Chapter 2 verse 11, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Although it is a lot of work to put together it is a fun way to teach the kids.

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!

Ta-Da

Apparently Declan cannot smile normal and look at the camera at the same time. I realized the only reason that I don't have a lot of pictures of Declan lately is because he is impossible to get a picture of! The only time I can get a good picture is when he is with Delaney. Then he really turns on the charm! I did manage to capture this goofball moment earlier this week when he was walking like a penguin and bowing. There is never a dull moment around our house.

Girls Morning In

This last Saturday the Kovach sister-in-laws got together for our 2nd annual baking day. We started the tradition last year since my mother in law's daughters don't live close. Technically we didn't really bake anything....we made peppermint bark, buttermints and dipped pretzels. It's a fun way to spend some time together getting into the spirit of the season.

I am so excited to start baking some things on my own this week. Baking is one of my favorite things to do and Christmas is just the excuse that I need. I've already made fudge and today I am trying something new....candied citrus peels. We'll see how they end up!! Then this weekend my Mom and I are going to bake some of our family favorites together!

PS- It's official, I've been blogging for a year! (Almost to that 100th post too!)

Delaney's 1st Av's Game!

Delaney went to her first Av's game on Friday night. She was so good!! She didn't like the first time we got a goal and the crowd went wild but she quickly recovered! Sadly, I am the Av's bad luck charm and so they lost!!

Gingerbread Houses

For FHE the other night we built Gingerbread houses with Brandon and Ginette. It was more of a watch the mom's type activity...Declan was more interested in playing with Katie than he was in sticking the candy into the frosting. It was the beginning of a fun tradition!

Declan

I feel like everything has been about Delaney lately! I think I am over compensating for the whole "second child has no pictures of themselves alone thing". So anyway, here is what is going on with my little guy! Declan has been so good lately. He's so sweet with Delaney- he's actually just been so sweet in general. He has also been working on having good manners. Just the other day he was so concerned because he forgot to tell Santa thanks for the toy. He's still a Daddy's boy. His latest 3 year oldish thing is saying "what" all the time- that selective hearing just puts me over the edge sometimes! He has a few things that are a little OCD that I think he gets from me- one of them is having doors shut- for example- if he walks past the pantry door and it is not all the way shut he has to go back and shut it. He always wants to help clean and cook, he even says he can watch Delaney when I have to run upstairs and get something. He's been getting shy really easy too- he will look down at the ground and not smile or anything. He has quite the sense of humor- he says the punch line to the brown chicken brown cow joke really funny, "chicken with a brown cow". I am so anxious to see how exciting Christmas will be for him this year!!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

The tree is up! It was fun to put all the decorations on with Declan this year, he was actually able to help! I thought Delaney would be more interested in the lights than she was but she really didn't notice!

I thought it was so funny when Declan came around the corner with "Christmas socks" (aka stockings) on! I also have to comment on the picture with me and the milkshake ornament- it is mine. My sister and I may have gone back and forth for about 10 years on who made it but just so you know Jess- it's hanging on my tree this year!! Wahahahaha!!

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa,

For Christmas I want some dinosaurs please. And I think my baby Delaney wants a baby doll. Love you Santa! Merry Christmas!

Declan

Last weekend we went to the Christmas party that my mom's work put on for all the kids and grand kids. There was face painting, a magician, a puppet show, balloon animals, good food, a sundae bar and best of all, SANTA! Declan shocked me when he actually sat on Santa's lap without bawling! I think he may have only done it because Delaney was so brave and wasn't crying! He loves the toy that Santa gave him and he even asked Santa for dinosaurs, "like at Granny's house"!!

I Am Thankful For...

My beautiful kids who make me truly happy and proud.

My husband who loves me best. He is an amazing man who will do anything to support our family and to make me happy. (This picture was taken at Jason's Mom's after a whipped cream pie in the face moment that Declan didn't so much appreciate!)

My parents who always listen to me and also- you know- love me unconditionally. Jason's parents- who I didn't take any pictures of- for being there for us and for the example that they set.

My sister. I knew I missed her (she's away at school) but I had kind of forgotten just how much I missed her until she showed up unexpectedly last Sunday at my Mom's just in time for Thanksgiving dinner with my Grandparents.

All of my blessings. All of my family and friends. My life and health. My freedom. The gospel. I think the more I think about what I am grateful for the more things I can come up with.

We had three separate Thanksgiving dinners this year. One with my Dad's side of the family, one with Jason's family and one in Grand Junction the day after Thanksgiving with my Mom's side of the family. It's funny that each family has their "traditional" dinner. For my Dad's side they have a cold sweet potato with marshmallow casserole. With Jason's side of the family we don't have mashed potatoes and gravy we have Sour Cream Potato casserole. And with my Granny every Thanksgiving morning she makes homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Also, she makes every one's favorites- there are usually two different types of several things so that everyone is pleased! And I can't leave out my Mom's made from scratch pies. I definitely have the most memories of this kind of Thanksgiving.

Anyway, I am so grateful for all of our wonderful family and the opportunity that I had to see them all this past week!! Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

Has it already been 6 months?

I just can't believe how fast the time has gone by!! Can't they just stay babies for a little longer!! We weren't supposed to have her 6 month until next week but Little Miss came down with croup so we had to go into the doctor the day before Thanksgiving. Lucky for her they held off on the shots for a few days! Delaney weighs 16lbs. 7oz. (53%) and is 27" long (85%)!! She is sitting up independently and rocking up onto her knees. No doubt crawling is just around the corner! She also loves her little piggies!! She likes them bare- if she has socks on she will try to pull them off and she plays with her little toes whenever possible! She started eating baby food and I think she kind of prefers carrots and peas! She just adores Declan and will smile at anything that he does. Declan has really started to adore her too. Lately when she starts to fuss he says, "I think she just needs me." So cute!! She is still quite the mama's girl but I can't say that I mind too much!!