So Grown Up!

Russton had a couple firsts this week.

#1 First: He got his first haircut on Sunday the 28th. I know, I know, no one can even see his hair most of the time. But, it was really starting to look like a mullet in the back when he wore shirts with a collar. Anyway, it was getting shaggy looking. So I braved the job myself. It didn't turn out too bad if I can toot my own horn! :) This is a before shot, you can see his hair over his ears. And this is a shot of the first cut. If you want to see the after pictures, there aren't any. His hair is way too blond to show up well in a photograph now. You'll just have to come visit us to check out his new style. #2 First: Feeding Independence. He used to let me feed him some and then he'd pick up some pieces of food himself. For the first time ever he refused to let me help him. He was VERY insistent about being independent. It is really kind of cute:

He seems so grown up to me. Especially lately as he is almost a year old. I can't believe how much he has changed in such a short time! Gosh, I love that little guy!

Christmas fun!

We had a really fun Christmas. This is us reading the Christmas story and playing each part with hand puppets. Thanks for the puppets Heather!


Russton kept kissing the baby Jesus puppet. It was SO cute!!










We decided to celebrate Christmas with just the three of us the Sunday morning before Christmas. Russton was so cute about all the presents. He especially liked pulling the bows off each gift before opening it.

Here's a clip:


Russton also got an adorable monkey toy. He had been eye-ing the monkey in the store during our Christmas shopping adventures. I decided I had better get it for him. And boy, was it worth it!! Check out the moment he opened this gift.

We were lucky enough to visit both of our extended families on Christmas day. I went to my mom's house early to finish up a Christmas gift I was sewing for Russton. Jesse was working, and we were expecting him late Christmas Eve. But then he surprised us by showing up in the afternoon! It was like a Christmas miracle! ;) Okay, not really, but I was still pretty happy.
Russton got some fun toys from his grandparents on my side. This is a wooden dinosaur pull-toy that my dad made for Russton.
My mom made me a winter themed quilt. Jesse got a tool box (but I didn't take a picture)
We always eat like kings when my family celebrates Christmas. This year was no different! Thanks mom for the tasty breakfast!!

After breakfast we headed out in the crazy, crazy snow storm for Malad. It was snowing so hard! We had to travel at 40mph or slower the whole way. But we made it safely. Thank goodness Jesse put new tires on the car!

Being with our Malad family was lots of fun too. Russton got a train push toy that lights up and sings. He can really walk around with that thing now, it's pretty cute.
We all got some really comfy jammies too! Thanks Grandma Carol!

Justin's family got a Wii for Christmas, so everyone enjoyed some action-packed video game playing. Later, many of us went outside to enjoy the new snow. Jesse made a sledding track in the backyard. Russton got to try sledding for the first time.



Yeah... I wouldn't really say that he... enjoyed it. More like he just endured it. Maybe next year he'll have more fun. :)

All in all we had a really great Christmas!! We're going to miss being around our family.

Pumpkin Blow

Sorry for the delay. we had this cool experience right after Halloween. Thanks to the Hylton's for inviting us to the pumpkin blow. that they have every year. it was awesome. Here is a little explosion.

Don't you think it's about time for an update?!?

Well I sure think it is! Let me see what random pics and videos I can dig up that will give some idea of what we have been up to for the past month or so.

We had a great Halloween! Russton went as Superman. That shouldn't be a surprise to any of you who know Jesse at all! Just a little peek at his super-human powers!


Here's a couple more home videos that show Russton & his daddy having fun :)


And a couple showing that Russton is growing to be more like his daddy every day!



I guess that is kind of a random update. Anyway, we are all doing really really well. We can't wait to see all of our family for the upcoming holiday!