Dickens a Christmas Carol

Wow, the Dickens' family was extremely spoiled this Christmas! I have to say that this Christmas was one of the most enjoyable Christmas I have had to this date, it was made especially fun by my 18 month of son Carson. The real secret about Santa that grownups do not tell kids is that it is way more fun to be Santa or Mrs Claus than it is to get stuff from them. I think Robert and I had a little fun this year shopping for Carson, and making sure to wrap each present individually so he had to open them up one by one. He also received the following in his stocking: bubbles, bath tints, alphabet magnet letters, a candy cane filled with Reese's pieces, and finally a pin impressions, he loved all of them and he would have been content with just these items, but of course it doesn't stop there. Additionally Santa brought Carson a bucket full of legos, he has yet to figure out that you put them together, but the thinks it is mighty fun to take them apart when Mommy or Daddy makes something out of them. From Mom and Dad, Carson received a Mickey Mouse tee-shirt, snow pants, 4 wooden puzzles, "James" from Thomas and Friends, a couple of Thomas movies, and the movie the Lorax, and two Golden books "Rudolph and Pocky the Puppy." Specially made by Mom he also received 16 file folder games that he can use to learn anything from colors, numbers, shapes, animals, alphabet and more, these took a lot of time months in fact, but it was a lot of fun putting them together.  From Grandma and Grandpa Dickens he got some money to be used at a later date for something needed or wanted. From Grandma and Grandpa Payne he received a much needed Church outfit, and a few other items of clothing. 

From Aunt Rachel he received a set of pj's and a candy cane filled with Candy. From Gr Grandma and Grandpa O he received to adorable trucks (mind you will not put these down, had to pry them from him to get him to take a nap on Christmas day), additionally he got a new outfit as well as a jacket from them. Finally from Gr. Grandma and Grandpa Payne, he received another Mickey outfit (will use in the future), some candy and a little puppy. As you can see Carson had plenty to play with over the course of the day and days to come that is for sure. It was so much fun to watch him want go from being timid in opening his presents, like he was scared because we had told him many times to not touch the presents to running to the tree to grab another present to open, loved the excitement on his little face. 
To round out our Christmas we received some extra cash that we will put towards new tile in our house come next spring (can't wait),  the movie "Dark Knight Rises", a wonderful note from my amazing husband, so stocking socks, a dinner gift-card  and I am sure I have left out some items we all received, but it was spoiling for sure. I am sure this is just the beginning of the fun to be had at the Dickens' home on Christmas and I say bring it on I can't wait. On Christmas we had the wonderful opportunity to have Grandma and Grandpa Dickens over to watch Carson open his Christmas presents and enjoy a wonderfully prepared meal put on by both families collectively. All in all we had a wonderful Christmas, and of course having a white Christmas was a bonus for sure. It would have all been completely perfect if Carson and Robert had not ended up sick Christmas night, it made for a long night, of washing and bathing, but they look to be on the mend. I am so blessed to have a wonderful family and friends who care about me and my little family and will bless us in times of need and times of plenty. I know that Christmas is a time for family and a time we need to reflect on the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and all that he has done for us and all that he continues to do for each and every one of us, may we all have the "Christmas Spirit" all year long to help bless all those around us in many ways. We didn't get many pictures as we were having too much fun enjoying the moment, but here are a few! 








Our Beautiful Christmas Tree after Santa came and delivered additional presents. It was great to see the presents under the tree finally, with an 18 month old they did not get put under until he was fast asleep in his crib on Christmas Eve. 

 As you can tell Carson also was a great helping in keeping the wrapping paper off the floor once the presents were unwrapped. 

Carson found some Tootsie rolls in a present and had to have one of course before he opened up another present, see his chipmunk cheeks?

Carson as of late has loved putting together puzzles, and might I had he is pretty good at them!

Loves his monster truck, and it even will roll over things and try to climb up things like Carson's toes, hehe!

Carson loves to read as you know in a few posts, Christmas was no exception.

As many of you know Carson loves cars, trucks, and his latest love trains, these are the news one he got for Christmas. 

And finally this is how Daddy likes to dress Carson, j/k he couldn't figure out how to get his new outfit on.

Carson and Snow

Last week we had a pretty good snow storm once again, and of course Carson had to go out in it. We played outside for about an hour before Mom was done, Carson could have gone on for hours. 

Update on Baby # 2

Today we had a follow up ultrasound appointment to make sure a blood clot had resolved itself, and thankfully it had and everything up to this point looks perfectly normal. I had the ultrasound tech attempt to find gender specific parts today, however, she could not find anything that would define the baby as a boy or a girl, so we will have to wait probably 7 more weeks, I don't like waiting. At this point she says she would say girl, but that doesn't mean the baby is for sure a girl, but only time will tell if the tech's first guess is correct. In the meantime, enjoy looking at a few pics of our new baby!

I'm big like Daddy

Frequently I find Carson and Robert watching movies on the computer, so I had Robert take a picture of Carson sitting in the computer chair. He looks so tiny in the big computer chair.

Cunningham Christmas Party

Today we braved the snowing weather and made it to Christmas Parties, first we went to our ward Christmas party and then to a family Christmas Party. I brought the camera to both, but only ended up taking pictures of the Cunningham party. Both events where a lot of fun, with lots of mingling, it is always great to catch up with each other.

 Attempting Christmas Tongue Twisters

For the most part we played games and visited, which is always a fun thing to do.

 Lisa and Mama playing capture the chocolate, Lisa won this game.

 Carson did manage to get a little bit of relaxing in, but most of the time he was going, going, going. 

Riverwoods

We always seem to choose cold nights to do our Christmas light views, but hey it was still pretty neat. I recently saw some pictures of a friend's family's outing to the Riverwood mall in Provo, and thought it looked like it was made up nice, so we took the night and went to look at their festive decorations, needless to say were were not disappointed.  My favorite lights where the blue trees, with dripping lights, pretty neat.

Next of course we had to visit Santa, and once again Carson walked right up to Santa and sat on his lap and talked to Santa, hope he knows what Carson wants for Christmas now!

"How long do I have to wait for Santa?"

 "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, wait I already have those, hehehe!"

Santa's Living Room at the North Pole.

We ended up letting Carson get out of the stroller and just roam around the streets within the mall, and he had a blast, only got a few good pics though.  He also enjoyed the water fountains that included fire, Mom loved them too, nice and warm!

On our way back to our car, Carson decided he needed to go visit Santa Clause again, so we let him. Funny story for the second time with Santa, in the earlier visit Santa had given Carson a candy cane which Robert stuffed in coat arm at which time Carson grabbed the candy cane. Upon returning to Santa the second time we wondered where the candy cane had gone, we soon found that out. I rolled up his coat arm so he could grab his second candy cane and lo and behold the first candy cane was still clenched in his hand, we got a good chuckle out of that one. 

Santa I remember what I wanted besides my two front teeth, I want a Choo Choo Train, Love Carson!

We are going to have to make this a family tradition, the lights were done well and it was a nice place to take a toddler where he could roam freely for the most part. 

Jesus Loves the Little Children

Words can not express how grateful I am today to be able to hold my child in my arms, and watch him sleep peacefully, I didn't want to let go. I think of those parents today, that will not get that opportunity again in this life and it breaks my heart. I can't imagine how it would feel to lose Carson so suddenly as those in CT lost their children today. My prayers and heartache go out to them, only our Heavenly Father and our Savior really know their pain and sorrows today. I hope that they can find peace through our Savior Jesus Christ and feel of the love he has for them as well as their children that he is holding in his arms today. Mommy and Daddy love you Carson! We would do anything necessary including sacrificing our lives to keep you safe, you mean everything to me! Our Heavenly Father opened up his arms to a lot of little angels today, I imagine it was a wonderful bear hug!

Play Date

Yesterday a bunch of friends along with the kiddos decided to make a play date with Santa, so we went to the Provo Towne Center Mall to meet Santa and have a good time. Many of the children were afraid to meet or even sit on Santa's lap, but not Carson. Those who know Carson would not be surprised,  that he is not a shy boy. Carson walked right up to Santa with arms stretched up for Santa to pick him up, which of course he did. Carson even gave Santa a high five and pounded Santa's knuckle  so cute. I was able to capture a few pictures with the camera without having to purchase packages, so even better. Enjoy Carson's first pictures with Santa.  After adventures with Santa we head over to the kids play area to run some much needed energy off. Many of the moms were able to get cute posed pictures, but I only got action photos as Carson does not hold still for one second, he was the most active by far of all the children his age.

What do I want for Christmas?

Carson loved this slide

Oh the Joys of little ones

Ethan and Carson

Payton and Carson

One Tired Boy

On Saturday 8th we braved the cold snowing weather and shopped around the new outlet malls in Lehi. It was pretty cold and windy, and I would have chosen another day if I had realized what the weather was going to be like, but it was still a fun experience and we purchased a few things for Carson and us for Christmas. Additionally apparently we wore Carson right out with this shopping trip, as we were leaving we gave him a couple of pretzels to eat as we figured he was probably hungry, but that was not the least of his worries at the time. No longer then I would say 2 min, I looked back and saw one very sleepy boy, and these pictures show what I saw, one very tired boy.

12 Weeks

Today marks a day that is comforting to me when it comes to being pregnant. Today is the day that I can stop taking progesterone and let the placenta take over producing it for the baby for the remainder of the pregnancy. In my case I am so deeply grateful for modern medicine, without it I cannot say 100% I would have my amazing son Carson or this little one! I decided I should maybe take pictures of this pregnancy as I don't have many with Carson and I kind of regret that choice, but hey can only improve. I did however, find a picture of me at 10 weeks with Carson so I took a 10 week photo of this pregnancy, and boy can you tell a difference. I am quite a bit skinnier with this pregnancy, in fact I found out that I am starting this pregnancy 24 pounds lighter than with Carson, wonderful as I only gained 28 with Carson. You can see where I am hoping to go by the end of this pregnancy. Needles to say I am still super excited to be this far along, way past my risky and tense moments, so here is to a wonderful rest of my pregnancy and in the future welcoming a new son or daughter into our family. 

10 Weeks Pregnant with Carson

10 Weeks Pregnant with Baby # 2