Our Christmas 2009

Christmas was really fun this year with the kids. We had a countdown on our computer that Jantzen would check every morning so he could see how many days were left until Santa came. He was so much more excited this year than he has been in the past. It was also cute to hear Jaron remind him on a daily basis what Christmas is all about.

Here is a picture of our Christmas tree with the presents Santa left for the kids. It was taken with my old camera, so it's not that clear. Josh got me a new camera and gave it to me when the kids were coming downstairs...I love it! Santa brought Jaron a Tony Hawk skateboard Wii game (a real board without the wheels), Jantzen got a Buzz Lightyear jet pack and wrist laser, and Jaedyn got a stroller/walker for when she starts to become mobile.


We didn't have to get up early because everyone slept in, it was nice. Jaron was the first one to wake up. He was waiting so patiently, but I know he wanted to wake everyone up so he could see what presents he got. The rest of us got up around nine, that's what happens when you stay up really late.

Here is this years traditional picture in pj's before we open presents. This was the only one where Jaedyn was smiling, but I think Jantzen was tired of getting his picture taken. They were so cute and excited to see what they got.


Santa left some fun things in the kids' stockings. Jaron got some more Star Wars action figures, Jantzen got a new Lego Boba Fett (he got one last year and he lost it so he asked for another one this year) and some cars, and Jaedyn got some rattles and chew toys. I don't know exactly what she was thinking, but I think by the look on her face that she was excited.

It was fun seeing how excited the kids got when they were opening their presents. Josh helped Jaedyn open her presents and I think she liked the paper more, which is how the first Christmas has been for all of my kids.






Jantzen gave Jaedyn her first baby doll. When I asked him what he wanted to get her, he said, "A cute baby doll". It's really soft and has a rattle inside. Jaron gave her a glow worm with a face that lights up when the music is playing. I think she loves them both. We got her a Bumbo and a tray that goes with it so she can sit and play with her toys.




The kids all got a lot of fun toys this year. Jaron mostly got Wii games and Lego's, Jantzen got a lot of Buzz Lightyear and Star Wars things, and Jaedyn got a lot of pink/purple things. It was fun buying girl stuff this year.




This is Jantzen's new Buzz Lightyear stuffed toy that came with his Buzz Lightyear blanket. It has velcro hands so Jantzen decided to give him a "kitty-back" ride through the house (that's how he says "piggy-back" ride). He also had to pose for me with his new Buzz Lightyear jet pack and laser. He wore these all day and kept hitting the wings on everything. We had to keep reminding him to walk sideways so he wouldn't break or dent anything.



Both Jaron and Jantzen got one of these Wolverine claws. Jaron likes to play with both. He ran around the house all day pretending he was Wolverine. I just love his facial expression in this picture, he's so into character. My boys have the best imaginations. It's so entertaining to watch them play.


After we were done opening presents, Josh made crepes for breakfast. They were really yummy, Jaron had three. We then let the kids play a little longer before we got ready for the day. We took the kids to see "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Sqeakquel" for our annual Christmas day movie. It was a cute movie and the boys laughed a ton. Jaedyn slept for part of the time and watched part of the movie, she was really good.

After the movie we came back home so the kids could play with their toys. I took some more pictures of Jaedyn in her Bumbo wearing her Christmas shirt before she spit up all over it. I tried to get some smiles out of her, but as soon as I took her picture she stopped. She still looks so cute though.



While the kids played with their toys, and Jaedyn was napping, Josh and I played Lego Rockband for about three hours. We made our own characters, mine is named Twylee and Josh named his Lumber Jac. The boys didn't want to play with us, but we had fun, just the two of us.

I think Christmas turned out good this year. The kids were happy with what they got and have been enjoying their new toys. I'm looking forward to next year when Jaedyn is a little older and will know more of what's going on. I'm grateful for the Christmas season and for all it represents and for the opportunity I have to share it with my family. We have been very blessed this year and we are grateful for all that we have.

Christmas Eve 2009

Christmas Eve this year was a busy, but fun day/night. I spent the whole day baking and cooking by myself, Josh had to work until 7pm that night. I thought I might have a heart attack being that domestic, but I survived. I made homemade rolls, sugar cookies, and chocolate dipped pretzels, then I cooked a turkey, a ham, and mashed potatoes. Josh usually does the potatoes, but I did make him clean the turkey and bag it before he left for work...I hate touching raw meat! I'm surprised I didn't burn something or totally mess things up. Dinner turned out good, but I think I need more practice on the rolls before I get them just right.

After dinner we let the boys frost sugar cookies for Santa. They did an awesome job and had a lot of fun doing it. We got some frosting tubes that they could use to draw on the cookies that they thought was cool. We told them to only frost three cookies for Santa, one from each of them, but they were having so much fun with it so they did more than that. I tried to tell them that Santa is trying to lose some weight, but they didn't care. Jantzen has too much fun with the sprinkles. After three layers of three different kinds I had to tell him that was enough. I think Santa got that cookie.






After decorating cookies, we watched a Christmas movie and then opened a present. Jaron has caught on this year that it will always be pj's. Jaron got some new Star Wars Clone Wars pj's, Jantzen got green Buzz Lightyear, and Jaedyn got a cute girly pair with flowers. She was very intrigued by what was going on. I think she liked them, they are very soft. The boys were excited about theirs too.



I always have to get a picture of the kids in their pj's in front of the Christmas tree...they look so cute this year. I just love the faces that Jantzen gives, trying to be serious. And, of course, Jaron has to get his own cuddle time/picture time with Jaedyn. He's already wrapped around her little finger.



Before we put the kids to bed we read a Christmas story and reminded the kids about the true meaning of Christmas. Then they put out the cookies and Diet Coke for Santa and went to bed. It was a fun night with our little family, and I know Santa really liked the cookies.

Christmas Card 2009

Here is the Goddard family Christmas card(s) this year. In the past I've always made them by hand, but decided to try digital this year. I made two different versions, one being my blog header, but next year I will only make one. I hope you all enjoyed getting a card from us this Christmas season.

I want to wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR! I also want to thank everyone for their friendships, it means a lot to me and my family, we love you all!

The Coke Bear

A few weeks ago we went to the Coke Store on the strip to try and find a Christmas stocking for Jaedyn (our tree is Coke, so our stockings are too). We only go to the strip once a year, and it's only to the Coke Store to find Christmas decorations, other than that we don't like going there.

While we were there we saw the Coca Cola Bear taking pictures with people. They used to just have a statue of the bear that you could sit on to take pictures, but have since gotten rid of that and have a new one that moves around. We decided to get a picture of us with him, but Jaedyn was asleep and we weren't going to wake her up so she didn't make it in the picture. Jantzen wasn't in it because he was deathly afraid of the bear. He was close to crying any time we got close to it and when I mentioned him being in a picture with it. So, there you have it, it's just a picture of me, Josh, and Jaron. Maybe next time we can get the whole family together in a picture.

There was a picture of the bear biting Josh's head that their photographer took, these were with my camera, but they wanted an arm and a leg for it so we didn't get it. It was cute though.

Jaedyn's Now 4 Months Old

Our little princess is four months old today. I can't believe she's that old already, time goes by way too fast. She's finally growing bigger and she's slowly getting her cute chubby cheeks that Josh and I just want to squeeze all the time because she's so cute.

Here are a few things about Jaedyn now that she's four months old....

*She now weighs 13 lbs. and is 25 in. tall

*She loves to smile

* She talks a lot

* She will occasionally laugh, it's so cute

* She's barely growing out of her 0-3 mo. clothes

* She'd rather suck on her fingers than her binky

* She recognizes her name, all three of them...Jaedyn, Jaedy Bug, & princess

* She loves her daddy and her brothers more every day...it shows in her face

* She just can't get over her reflux, her clothes are wet by the end of the day, even with a bib

* She hates tummy time

* She is getting better every day at sitting up

* She doesn't want to lay down very much, just sit up

* She loves her face covered while she sleeps

* She loves the lights on the Christmas tree

* She sleeps all night until about 6 or 7 in the morning

* She loves it when I sing to her

* She's still such a good baby

I took these pictures of the kids today before we left for church. I thought they all looked so cute dressed for Christmas. Jaedyn looked adorable in her Christmas dress and hair flower. We can never have a picture of the kids without the boys giving Jaedyn a kiss on her head. They are so cute and sweet with her, I love it.



We all just love our Jaedy Bug so much. She's such a wonderful addition to our family and we can't imagine our lives without her. We can't wait to see how she changes as she gets older. Jantzen just want to know what color her eyes are going to be and what her voice will sound like, too funny that that's what he thinks about.

Jantzen's Preschool Christmas Party

Last Thursday Jantzen had his Christmas party at preschool. Jaron has been off track from school since Thanksgiving and has been bored while Jantzen's at school so he went to help out for the party. Since I wasn't there I sent my camera with Jaron, the pictures he took turned out pretty good, except I had about five pictures each of the same thing. Thank goodness for digital cameras.

The kids got to decorate rice crispy treats and Jantzen's turned out very interesting. Jaron helped him out a bit, because that's what Jaron does...he's a big helper and such a good kid.





This is what Jantzen's rice crispy treat ended up looking like. He has a layer of frosting, that he told me was paint that he painted on it, a layer of m & m's, marshmallows, Twizzlers bites, and gummy worms....mmmmmmmm yummy! He was so proud of it when it was done, and you better believe he ate the whole thing that night. I'm surprised he didn't get a tummy ache from it, I would have.


Here is a picture of Jantzen with his friend Jacob. After they decorated their treats they played outside and got to open a present from Ms. Tanya. Jaron didn't get a picture of Jantzen's gift, but it was a gun that shoots flying discs. He thought it was pretty cool and played with it all night.


Jaron said they had a fun time and he enjoyed playing with all the kids and helping out. It was nice that he helped out, that way I could do a little bit of Christmas shopping without kids. It's also nice that my boys can share fun times like these together.

The Proper Way to Eat Cereal

This is the proper way to eat cereal, according to Jantzen...

First, get your favorite kind of cereal in your favorite bowl, Jantzen's is now his Buzz Lightyear one he got in Utah, and start eating. Make sure your face is completely over the bowl so you don't lose any of your cereal from your mouth with each bite. Also, hold onto the bowl so your face doesn't accidentally knock it over as you devour your cereal.

Second, look up every once in a while so we know you're breathing okay and so we can see your cute little face covered in milk.

Third, use a paper towel to wipe off the dripping milk from your face and chin so that you don't drip all over the counter, the floor, or yourself.




I think it's so funny how Jantzen eats his cereal, this is just a recent thing for him. He didn't do it this time, but he usually has a straw to suck up his milk with. It's a lot less messy when he does it that way than when he uses his spoon to drink it up. I'm glad he doesn't make a huge mess when he eats cereal...now other things, that's a different story.

Funny Conversation...

The other day, Josh and I had another funny conversation with our little Jantzen, which is all my fault. Before I tell it, let me give a little bit of a background on how it came about... Jantzen loves to take his showers in mine and Josh's bathroom and one time when he was already in and wet he had to go to the bathroom. I created a monster by telling him to just go in the shower and it will wash down, then he can wash his feet again. At first he was very hesitant to do this, but he quickly got over it, as most boys would. I don't always see him do this while in the shower, but I know he does it now.

So, now here comes what he told Josh and I a couple days ago. He came up to us and said, when he needs to go to the bathroom, then he's going to do it in our shower. We told him that he needs to go in the toilet, but he protested and claimed that he needs to do it in the shower, and not in his, but ours. Josh told him, "If there's no toilets available, that means all three have to be in use, then you can use the shower". Jantzen then said, "but I like to go in the shower cuz it has holes in the bottom for it to go down". We kept telling him that that's what toilets are for, but he was very insistent that he use the shower. He did also tell me that if him, Jaron, and dad are all using the bathrooms, that I could use the shower...funny, but not going to happen.


Josh and I had a hard time not laughing at him because he was so serious during this whole conversation. I guess it's okay if he does this while already in the shower, I mean, he does scrub the shower while he's in there, so what can it hurt, right? He's such a character and we love him tons! He can always make us laugh, even on the really bad days.

Jaedyn's Blessing Pics

I'm finally getting around to posting these beautiful blessing pictures of Jaedyn.

I was lucky enough to have two awesome photographers take pictures of Jaedyn in her blessing dress (I really wanted her to get to wear her dress more than once). The first six were taken by my sister in law, Amber. These were taken on the actual day Jaedyn was blessed, right before. Jaedyn was super tires so I'm glad we got her to cooperate. She looked so beautiful...like a princess!







The last five were taken by my friend, and Jaedyn's personal photographer, Shadoe. Again, Jaedyn was tired, but Shadoe was able to capture some really good smiles from her. I probably sounded like a complete idiot the way I was talking to her, trying to get her to smile. You gotta do what you gotta do to get a good smile I guess. The pictures turned out so good and she still looked so beautiful in her dress. And, have I mentioned how much I LOVE her dress?






I absolutely love all the pictures. There are too many to choose from. Thank you Amber and Shadoe for the wonderful pictures you have taken of Jaedyn. We will treasure them always. You guys are the best!