Peeking into Liam's World

Sledding yesterday

2010-01-03T20:42:00.004-07:00

I took Liam sledding yesterday since it was pretty warm outside. We went down together the first few times, then he said he'd be strong enough to lug the sled back up the hill if he went on his own. He was laughing his head off as he went down the hill... each and every time. It was the cutest thing to watch!

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Christmas Morning

2009-12-29T13:35:00.004-07:00

I'll have to post video later of our guy cleaning out his stocking from Santa. He got a lot of goodies from everyone else too! I especially love the jammies, robe and scarf that Grandma Dixie made for Liam. She also made him pillow cases for every occasion! We were so tickled with the variety! Currently it's Spiderman on his pillow.

See below photos of the glee Christmas morning. He got the dinosaur and Darth Vader that he asked for... and let's not forget Santa getting him Bakugan. He also got his first set of Lincoln Logs. A boy's selection of toys. He couldn't be more pleased.

P.S. Liam was excited to get Candy Land for Christmas this year. Last night we played before bedtime. He won the first round and I won the second round. He was pretty upset about my win. Talking calmly about sportsmanship and taking turns winning didn't change his tone. We'll work on it for the next round.

Christmas Eve

2009-12-24T22:31:00.001-07:00

We had a wonderful day off of work and school today. Liam and I went to visit some friends, did some grocery shopping and then played and cleaned house. I thoroughly enjoyed Liam's well-behaved manner. Anticipation of Christmas and downtime really makes a difference in demeanor for us.

This evening we went to a new hibachi grill restaurant and were so impressed with our meals (and the entertainment). We drove up to Temple Square after that and were glad we wore warm coats and mittens. It was a beautiful crisp night as we walked around to see all the lights and look upon the life-size Nativity. Liam loved seeing the Angel Moroni on top of the temple. We were sure to get a photo of Liam and Moroni together.

On the horse-drawn carriage ride around the square, as we were passing a glorious view of the temple, Liam told the driver and the other passengers (who we split the fare with) that his mom and dad got married there! It was so cute to hear that from him. They looked at us and asked if we really did get married there and we smiled and nodded.

I think this Christmas Eve venture should be a family tradition from now on. It was an amazing way to celebrate this season of our Savior's birth.

I forgot to mention that in the middle of the carriage ride, I managed to drop my mitten whilst taking photos. The gal sitting across from me saw it happen so we knew where to go find it after the ride. Anyway, Ian was kind enough to drive us back to the mitten and I picked it up out of the road. When we were on our way again, Liam said, "Mom, I love you because you found your mitten." I was quick to give Daddy the credit since he drove us to get it back. He said, "Yeah, Dad is a good finder, but he doesn't find everything." We got a good laugh. Then Liam gave himself credit on how good of a finder he is too.

Prior to getting home, Liam mentioned his excitement to get the cookies set out for Santa. He rushed into the house and did his work. My job was the pour the milk in a snowman mug. He went to bed very easily, you know, because Santa is getting so close to Utah... we had to hurry.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T17:07:00.003-07:00

We hope all our family and friends have a very happy holiday weekend! Liam is so excited for tomorrow to come. He's been a joy today.

Last weekend we attempted making a little gingerbread house out of graham crackers. Liam had a ball as you can see!

Your in for a treat

2009-12-21T23:32:00.005-07:00

So I was helping Liam do some of his homework last night. One assignment was associated with the Letter M. He was asked to draw a picture of his mom. After giving him direction, I was sitting at the table going through the newspaper as he was focusing on his drawing.

I saw he had finished my big head and my hair that actually looked like horns (which is quite telling these days). So I asked about my missing arms and then about my missing legs. He finished the hearty arms and sparse phalanges then I reminded him about my legs again. He said, "OH MOM! I almost forgot your ribs!"

Well, that was surprising indeed that he forgot such an important part of my body! So in my ignorance I said, "Oh, then you better give me some ribs then."

As you can imagine, laughter expelled from me as he drew two small circles for my "ribs." I got Ian's attention to come take a look and we both laughed about those ribs for awhile. Liam had no idea what was so funny as he continued his artwork of his monstrous mother.

I relayed this story to his teacher today and she didn't laugh at all. Curious. Just a smile. I'm suspicious that boobs are refered to as ribs at his school. I don't know... I'm just baffled by the new reference and the lack of laughter by his teacher.

Cousin Sierra Came to Visit

2009-12-06T23:00:00.011-07:00

My sister, Heidi, and Liam's cute cousin, Sierra, decided to make the trip down to Utah last Friday. Here is what the weekend consisted of:

4 year old jokes
much laughter
repetition of those lame jokes
lots of playing indoors
disagreements on indoor activities
mothers reprimanding 4 year olds
going to Target
4 year old jokes
picking out a Christmas tree
getting "cousin photos" done
pouting
putting up Christmas decorations
4 year old jokes
playing in the snow
eating snow
throwing snow
refusing to come indoors

And the photos - check out the personality in this mighty duo:

I love this photo!
Sierra finally gets her snowball revenge.
What a sport!

Doing Christmas Things

2009-11-29T16:40:00.006-07:00

Liam had a pretty good day yesterday. He helped us put up the Christmas lights and also got to visit with Santa.

Liam modeling his Rudolf hat that Grandma Dixie made him.

Helping Dad put up the lights.

Before we left to see Santa, Liam insisted on drawing him a picture. "Look Mom! I made Santa's beard and glasses!" I think the hat on top is pretty funny. Santa was tickled pink to receive such a gift!

Waiting anxiously for his turn.

Santa complimenting the interpretation of his reindeer friend, Rudolf.
(And while tugging the hat, he created Dopey ears on poor Liam.)

Dopey and Santa.
Liam was a bit nervous. Can you see the fist in the sweater?

Liam helped me pay for a train ride after visiting with Santa.
He had such a fun time!

Here is last year's visit - click here.

One of those random good days

2009-11-23T19:48:00.003-07:00

We all were morning people today. Then my work day went pretty well. Then I picked up Liam and his teachers were raving about his awesomeness today. Then we got home and we all ate a good dinner. We. all. ate. Liam ate not only his dinner, but asked for a banana and an orange too. He didn't ask for a treat.

Then we read his new High Five book we got in the mail today while we were still at the table. Then we danced to loud music and went spinning in the office chair together. Then he agreed to take a "quick shower" and got ready for bed so easily.

Did aliens abduct my Liam and replace him with a long lost agreeable twin? I think I am going to keep this one. I really really like him a lot!

School Photos

2009-11-21T18:35:00.005-07:00

Thursday we got a treat! Liam's school photos were waiting for me to pick up! They are so cute! The school did three poses and a class photo! I was very impressed with the smiles! He obviously does well with an audience! Now we just need to frame the class shot so he can show us who he is talking about when he comes home with the latest gossip.

Home Sick

2009-11-12T15:28:00.002-07:00

Liam is home sick from school today with a fever. I have had the pleasure of spending the day with him.

He's in the other room working on building a block tower with his dice shaped erasers. He is singing my favorite Primary song too. "God gave us fam-a-lies, to help us become what he wants us to be..."

SO SWEET!

Blocks

2009-11-07T21:33:00.006-07:00

Today Liam was home bound for most of the day. We got a lot of chores done and Liam even earned his keep between playing. I think he played with about every toy he owns today. Around lunch time he was building towers with his blocks. After a few tumbles of a few lonely towers, he constructed a more detailed piece of architecture. It reminded me of a temple. I said, "Hey that looks so great! It actually looks a like a temple. So where is your Angel Moroni?"

He grabbed the best prop he could find to top his masterpiece!

School Photos

2009-11-05T21:45:00.002-07:00

I picked Liam up from preschool today and his teachers raved at how great of a day he had! I was happy to hear such a good report on the day he was getting his photos done with his classmates.

On the way to the car he was telling all about the picture taking experience. As I put him in his car seat he said, "I am a bigger kid and all the bigger kids were standin' up, then all the smaller ones were sittin' on chairs and the really smaller ones were sittin' on the rug."

I burst out laughing when he said that last line about the really smaller ones!!! SO FUNNY!

Air Craft Carrier

2009-11-03T21:07:00.000-07:00

Liam got a surprise birthday present from Uncle Blake and he loves it! What could be better than your own Navy Air Craft Carrier just like the one your uncle cruises around on? 6 jets, launching strip that actually launches the planes, and sound effects! So cool! Thank you, Uncle Blake!

Halloween Fun

2009-11-01T08:23:00.000-07:00

Liam right before we left to go to the trunk or treat at the church.

Liam getting the goods at trunk or treat.

Later that night we went to my friend Kate's party. Liam went trick or treating with her hubby, Brandon and his dad, Ed. He had way too much fun with everyone's undivided attention that night. Liam had fallen asleep on the way there and again on the way home. I was glad I took his pajamas with us.

Pouty but still so Handsome!

2009-11-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Ian went with me to pick out our photo package on Saturday. We both decided we loved this picture and opted to get it as one of the two free digital negatives. We picked out all the stuff we won in the package and then Ian spent some extra on me. I get four 11x14 prints for our wall at home! I am so excited! There were so many photos to choose from, getting those extra prints is just so priceless to me. Yay for a sweet husband!

4 Years Old

2009-10-26T21:59:00.004-06:00

Dear Son,

It's so surreal to me that you are four years old! You've turned into a charming little man so quickly. I've seen tiny glimpses of this grown up you, but it's for real now. You seem more adult by the day lately. You've grown much and continue to amaze us with your charisma and talents. I hope I can make up for the past few months of not writing you a letter with this entry. There is a lot to report.

First, funny pronunciation. For quite some time now (a lot more than four months ago), we started noticing your silent "g" on the words that end in "g". Here is a sample sentence with a few of your versions of these words (in bold): "I eat all my food and it tastes good on my ton because it makes me stron and my legs are lon and dane it, I can't hane on." Daddy and I can't help but repeat your word versions of the silent "g" because it's just so funny! Repeatin funny sayins is just the way we do it around here.

The other thing you've done for a long time, but I haven't mentioned is your overuse of the word "even". Here are a few popular phrases you use: "I didn't even do that." Or, "Are you even going to do that." Or, "I don't even want to do that." Daddy and I have found ourselves adding the word "even" to the middle of our sentences now and then lately too. We are baffled as to where this came from. Did we teach you this unnecessary adverb use or have you used it so much that it's rubbed off on us? We may never know.

We may think your English is pretty funny at times, but overall you have some clear and mature things to tell us. We love getting a report of your day when you get home from preschool. You don't tend to leave any details out. We thoroughly enjoy your pure honesty about your life experiences. You speak from your heart and tell it like it is. Sometimes you throw in a fib for us to weed out of your story, but you recover with a "just kidding" after you get an odd stare from us because we understand your routine attempts to get a rise out of your audience. We love your good humor and teasing ways. You can't resist a little jest now and then.

And what would a darling little man be with just humor? He'd be enough, but you've got more to offer than a good laugh. You've got love in your heart, true concern, charity and trust for others. If someone is sad, you ask why and try to find a time in your life when you felt just as sad to share empathy. If you have an extra treat or toy, you share it or tell me to give it to a favorite person of yours. When I administer your allergy or cold medicine, you completely take my word that it will make you feel better even though it tastes so bad.

You remember what your friends enjoy. Being one of your closest friends, I notice this a lot about you. You know my favorite colors are green and yellow. Any time you see those colors you get very excited, tell me to look and then tell me they are my favorite. You also notice my colors when you have candies such as Skittles. The other day I asked you to share a red Skittle with me. You said that red wasn't my favorite color and I reassured you I did want the red one. You couldn't find a red one and gave me a yellow one instead. Later in the day you came back to the same tiny package of Skittles, found a red and got so excited! You said, "Mom! I found a red one for you!" Your thoughtfulness makes my heart swell, Liam.

This morning you were on your way out the door with your dad to go to school. I stopped you for a kiss, to put a hat on your head and then sent you on your way. Before I shut the door, you turned around and said, "Mom... I'll miss you." I said I'd miss you too and to have a great day. Then you said, "Mom, try not to miss me." You are wonderful to reassure me like that... because you know I have days where I pick you up from school and tell you how much I've missed you. Again, you are so thoughtful - a quality that a lot of folks lose as they grow older. I hope you never lose it.

Thank you for being such a good kid, Liam. You have your monster moments, but you recover and redeem yourself 100 fold. I don't know how many mothers can say that about their sons, but it's true about you. You recognize the good, the bad and the in between. You know what is right and what is grey matter. Heavenly Father is proud of you, your grandparents are proud of you and your dad and I are proud of you. We (still) couldn't have asked for a better son.

Happy Birthday, Liam! Keep up the good work and we'll try to keep up the pace too.

Love you always,

Mom

The face of a 4 year old

2009-10-25T14:02:00.002-06:00

Pumpkin Carving with Daddy

2009-10-24T22:39:00.004-06:00

The week before Liam's birthday, he kept on asking Daddy if they could carve a pumpkin. So finally the night before his big day we stopped at the grocery store to get a smaller pumpkin to carve. He tried to convince us to carve the two big ones we have on the porch, but I wanted to keep those nice and bake them later.

Liam picked out the scary design and tried his hand at carving, but he mainly let Daddy do all the work.

Laughing to myself

2009-10-22T13:26:00.006-06:00

I usually have some kind of treat or snack in the car when I pick up Liam after work. Yesterday I had two Starburst candies to give him. I soon realized how great those wrappers are. He spent a good minute just unwrapping the candy. Watching his little shaky hands work that candy over was so hilarious!

Starburst makes you work for it. A very respectable candy.

He can be a crack up

2009-10-22T09:40:00.002-06:00

So on Tuesday when I took Liam to the clinic, I thought I'd stop by work and see if anyone was still there -- so I could introduce Liam. Two gals were there so I parked the car and helped Liam out of his seat. He picked up his balloon chicken (made out of a plastic glove) and said he needed to take it in to show my friends. I said no and expected a fight from him.

Instead he said, "Well... I guess I could always tell them about it!"

I couldn't help but laugh! What a great kid!

A good day with an almost 4 year old

2009-10-20T20:48:00.010-06:00

I took the day off today to take Liam to get his photos done with Evelyn at Freckles Photography. Uncle Blake had a big hand in helping Liam win her photography contest last month and I was so excited to get this session done with such a talented gal.

Liam wasn't doing well with obedience during our time outside and in the studio. Evelyn had her own bribe riding along with mine. Her's was candy and mine was a hayride at the pumpkin patch. I am sure she captured some great moments, but that Liam was on a mission to test us this morning. Gotta love the handsome head strong type.

After photos, we went to Bajio for lunch. Liam was so well behaved while I was in line and while we ate at our table. He got into the car with no fights and then on our way to the hayride place, he mentioned how sorry he was about not listening during the photo session. I really appreciated hearing that from him. A kick off to a sweet day with my guy.

We shared the hayride with a preschool group. The crisp air was wonderful. We also liked the bumps of the back country fields we were riding through. Liam and I walked up and down the rows of pumpkins and finally found a great oval one. We lugged it back onto the trailer and took a breezy ride back to the barn to pay for our half an hour of fun. I wish I hadn't forgotten my camera this morning. It would have been nice to get a photo of us on the hayride with our cool pumpkin.

On the way home, I about fell asleep at the wheel. I decided Liam better pick a movie out and we'd watch it in my bed as soon as we got home. I started the movie on my computer and then instantly conked out for an hour. It felt so nice.

After the movie and nap time, we went out in the front yard to play in the leaves. Liam was so darling in the yellow foilage. His main concern was getting completely buried so he could hide. He also made a great leaf angel just like he would do in the snow.

At about this time, Liam relayed that he had a "headache in my ear"... I gave him something for the pain and then listened to him whine with his pain while I made dinner. After we ate, he felt better, but I took him to the clinic to get him checked out. No infection, yet. We just have to watch and wait. Hopefully nothing comes of it. His dang nose just won't stop and he's sniffing like a maniac. Too much sniffing leads to sinus or ear problems. Nose blowing is just not his favorite thing.

Anyway, while we were at the clinic I found out that he weighs 42 lbs. I pick up that boy on a regular basis. It amazes me how my muscles have grown as he has grown - from baby to 4 year old.

I forgot to say on the way to the doctor, we listened to some of Liam's kid CDs. I was singing along and giving him silly looks. His goofy looks, in reply, made me laugh. On the way home from the doctor, we were jamming to one of my mix CDs. Liam liked all my songs or so he told me. His car seat dance moves proved he was having a good time!

Before going home, we stopped in to say hi to Joslyn and wish Kara a happy birthday. While the kids played, we chatted -- it was a nice ending to a great day.

I had Kara snap a photo of me and my boy so I could freeze this one-on-one day in time.

Liam over a year ago

2009-10-18T16:28:00.004-06:00

I was going through old photos this morning and found these darling videos of Liam painting. I know I never posted them because I didn't find anything super special about them back then. Today I appreciate them so much more! His darling 2 year old baby voice and the way he pronounces purple... just. so. cute.

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And check this photo out! Liam holding my hand when we were walking home from Rose's house. Look at that face!!! (March 2008)

Prepping for Halloween

2009-10-11T16:31:00.005-06:00

So Liam was home sick with a flu bug on Thursday so it was a sad and boring day. I talked to Ian in the afternoon and he said we should have gotten a package from FedEx. I checked the porch and sure enough there was a big box waiting for Liam.

I called Liam to go look on the porch. He opened the door and said, "Is this for me?" I told him it was and he dragged the big box in and shut the door.

He started opening it up and pulled out a great costume that his Grandma Dixie and Aunt Kari made for him. He is going to be something really scary! I can't wait to get him in the studio on the 20th to take some great shots. I'll give you a teaser for now.

The next day I was home sick with pink eye and we got out his costume from last year. I think he'll for sure be wearing this get-up to school. It will probably work better when it comes time to use the facilities on his own. The Batman costume still fits! Yay!

Long Haired Handsome

2009-10-09T14:32:00.001-06:00

I love this photo. Look at those blue eyes!

Hee Haw Farms

2009-10-07T13:56:00.006-06:00

I took Liam to Hee Haw Farms on Saturday evening. Well, not before we hit Walgreens to buy a pencil sharpener and on our way out, Liam spotted a “batman mask” that he absolutely HAD TO HAVE!

So with his new mask on, we went to the “hay place.” His favorite thing last year was the hay jumping. This year he tried that for one minute flat (not as impressed) and then was off to the big slide. He went on that massive slide about 50 times before we left at dusk. He was so adorable grabbing his burlap sack and running up the dirt hill to the slide. He’d wiggle his way into the bag, slide down and then drape the bag over his shoulder as he ran off for another round. He cracked me up with his constant circle. He surely got his exercise in that day.

Corn pit - "Bury me, Mom!"

Look at that dirty child! And wouldn't you know it, there was some major mud left behind after his bath. Boys.