Christmas in Pictures - part 1

I figured pictures were much easier than giving a day-to-day run down on things. To sum it up, our Christmas couldn't be better. It almost makes me want to move back home to be closer to my family. Maybe I can convince them all to move to ME instead. Yeah. That sounds like a better plan.

 Christmas morning! Merry 1st Chistmas!

food, father, Oaklen and papa and baby Sawyer

Dad and Oak, Oak, Oak and Dad. First time sledding.

Oakie and his "little" cousin Sawyer.

Stay tuned for part 2!

Polar Express

I'm going to be copying a lot of pictures from my sister's post because I apparently took zero pictures this particular night. Foolish me.
One of the new traditions we Mortenson family have started is a Polar Express party night for the kiddos. For days, they earn "money" by doing chores and other good things. Then they get to spend that "money" on goodies and treats on Polar Express night.

Then they got their train ticket:

Then they lined up to get their ticket punched by the train conductor and head on down to watch Polar Express (hot chocolate included, of course).

things to come:

We're a little late with Merry Christmas-ing you all, but I have lots of pictures and posts in store. I'm just trying to soak up every last minute I have with my entire family together, and computer time is taking a back seat. They are actually playing a round of our beloved Skip-Bo right now and you know I'm not about to miss out on that kind of oppurtunity. I'll leave you with our Christmas e-card to tie you over until I have time to show you the evidence of the great times we're having here.

Merry Christmas!

from Santa

Santa left a video message for Oaklen! What a special little guy.

You can view it here.

we caught it

Nothing new to report here. Oaklen and I have been sick, sick with some cold-like virus and have lost our voices, and the ability to breathe through our nose at night. We're on day SEVEN and I feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. PLUS, Straton is now starting to lose his voice. Here's to hoping that good health is just around the corner.

Thankfully Oaklen has been a trooper this last week and other than the awful sounds he makes when coughing and breathing, you wouldn't even know he's sick. He laughs and smiles a ton and sleeps a lot more throughout the day. Unfortunately that doesn't mean I get a lot more free time because I try to sleep when he sleeps, too. So that means the house is starting to stink a little like diapers and feet. I know, I know. 

Not only is Oaklen sleeping 3/4 of the day away but he also falls asleep easily outside of his crib. Especially in my arms or laying on Daddy. This is what happened at Grandma Gerber's house the other night:

and when he fell asleep on his back (never happens):

and when I set him down to brush my teeth and two minutes later I turn around to this:

Maybe I'll get up tomorrow and clean the house spotless. Hmmm...maybe not.

Mila's Lullaby

I love finding and playing really pretty lullabies for Oak (even if he's not interested, Mom is) and I came across this one recently. It's one of the most beautiful lullabies I've ever heard. It totally makes me want to learn Finnish and sing for no other reason than the fact that I can sing in Finnish. You may remember a post I did about her here, but unfortunately, she's not doing her "daydream" pictures anymore, due to mean people.

Now I'm going to play it again and cuddle with my sick, sick boy. Hopefully I can get him back to this happy boy again very soon.

grubs

It may be possible that my child has the sweatiest feet ever. We discovered this unfortunate trait a few months ago when he literally had little sweat beads all over the bottoms of his feet. If I were to hold them up for a long period of time, it may also be possible that these little sweat beads would form into one big sweat bead, and drip off his foot. If he wears socks and shoes too long, his socks will actually be moist when I take them off.  Have I convinced you yet of just how sweaty they are? Because it blows my mind. We now have a Clammy T jr. on our hands.
Now that your all wondering where that brilliant name came from, I guess I should explain. Clammy T was a nickname bestowed to me by my so kind and thoughtful sister, Julie, because I myself have always had clammy hands, and in junior high I wore a matching gold necklace and bracelet. Clammy hands + Mr. T = Clammy T. Thanks, sis! ;)

This was Oaklen Clammy T jr. the other night trying to play with his piano, but having a terribly hard time standing, due to his grubby feet -