8 is Great!

The other day I found Noah looking at his baby scrapbook and thought "Oh my little Noah baby...where have the last 8 years gone? When did that chubby little toddler turn into this tall young man?"

Last week we celebrated Noah's 8th birthday. Friday we had an Indiana Jones party with his friends and Sam rigged up a cool obstacle course in the basement while I planned a treasure hunt. I also used my cake-decorating "skills" (NOT!) and made an Indiana Jones cake. I have to admit, every birthday cake I have made since Curtis turned one has been pretty much a disaster. My skills are so non-existent that Sam usually takes over and makes the cake look presentable. But this year, I had an idea in my head and for once was actually able to execute it! It's far from professional but Noah loved it and thought it was so creative. And isn't that what its all about?

Here are a couple of pictures from the party:

Swinging across the pit of doom

The kingdom of the crystal skull with lego Indiana running away from the cake/cookie boulder

Noah with his good friend, Charlie.

On a personal note, Noah is such a wonderful kid. He is a joy to be around. It was tough getting him into this world but all 26 hours of labor were completely worth it. I would do it again if I had to! We are so grateful that Noah is part of our family.

8 things I love about Noah:

1. He strives to be obedient and help others choose the right.

2. He is a wonderful big brother and little brother.

3. He is a great helper.

4. He has the cutest freckles smattered across his face.

5. He is funny!

6. He is thoughtful and cares about other people.

7. He is excited to be baptized in a few weeks!

8. He is very creative and loves to express himself artistically.

Noah, I love you and am so grateful you are mine! I love you more than everything!

Love, Mom

Cute kids

Noah is becoming a pro at quick wit. His teacher relayed this exchange to me: While talking about Charles Lindbergh (?) in class, Noah's friend Charlie said "Hey, I built an airplane?" Without hesitation, Noah replied "So, I built the ark."

Lucy is becoming quite particular in her clothing options. Most days she wants to wear a skirt-totally fine, I love little girls in skirts and they are quick and easy to make! The problem is, like most women, the first outfit is not the best outfit. I will get her dressed and 15 minutes later she will walk out of her room wearing something else, usually a skirt that is inside out with a shirt that doesn't match at all. I've decided to just roll with it. So, next time you see Lucy and she looks like a ragamuffin, just remember, she is a budding fashionista and asserting her independence!

A decade

Do you remember what you were doing a decade ago? The thoughts and feelings you were having? Even who you spent the day with or what you ate? No? Well, I remember everything.

You see, at this time on February 1st, 2000, I was realizing that I was going to become a mother that very day. I was experiencing contractions, getting stronger and closer together and it finally hit me--Today I will meet the little soul that will make me a mom. And, at 5:17 pm we welcomed little Curtis Taft Preslar into our loving arms and family. I never imagined 10 years ago that I would someday actually have a 10 year old. Did anyone else feel that way? But, that's what happens after your baby is around for 10 years!

The last 10 years have been full of love, happiness, fun, frustration, anxiety, smiles and tears as we have navigated parenthood. It has been a challenge, but an even bigger blessing. Curtis is such a cute, goofy, sensitive, talented, sweet kid and I am so glad he is mine!

10 for 10 about Curtis:
1. He is a Lego building maniac.
2. He loves his brother and sister so much!
3. He still loves trains, just like his dad.
4. He loves Cub Scouts and will receive his Bear award this week!
5. He loves to read.
6. He is a great helper.
7. He loves his family-immediate and extended, and idolizes cousin Taylor
8. He loves animals and is so happy to have a cat. (much to my dismay)
9. He loves spending time with friends but will also play happily by himself for hours.
10. He is very loyal. He's got your back.

Happy Birthday, Big Boy! For now and forever, my baby you'll be. I love you, Curtis.

ps. don't freak about the cub scout background. This week is the Blue & Gold banquet where we will celebrate 75 years of Cub Scouts, Curtis will receive his Bear and move on to Webelos and Noah will be introduced as a new Wolf.  And since Sam and I are Bear leaders, it's kind of a big deal around here! So, in honor of that, the first FEMALE who can tell me what a Webelo is, will win a prize!

Holiday Updates

I'm not really in blogging mode but I was tired of having that last post up from over a month ago! So, I just went through my photos from the holidays and pulled out a few favorites.
We went ice skating with my family on Christmas Eve. Even little Lucy got in a pair of skates! She had a great time!

Noah didn't stop skating for a second. He is really getting the hang of it!

Curtis was happy that Santa remembered to bring Agent C a new collar for Christmas. He loves that cat.

My cousin Tina came home from serving 9 months in Afghanistan. We were all able to go to the airport on New Year's Eve and welcome her home. It was so exciting to see her reunited with her two children.

I'm so glad she is home safe and sound and so proud of her for serving our country!

I have a video to share but for some reason I can not get it to load on blogger...I'll try again later.

Bah Humbug...

I love Christmas. I love the reason that we celebrate. That billions of people come together on this one day to recognize/worship the birth of our Savior. I love giving thoughtful gifts. I love the excitement that Christmas Eve brings. I love seeing my children's faces light up with anticipation. I love Christmas jammies. I love the magic of Santa. I love bundling up in the cold. I love Christmas music. I love Christmas cookies. I love making Christmas cards and receiving Christmas cards. I love spending time with family and celebrating our love for each other. I love the smells of Christmas. I love the light displays. I love Christmas. Really, I do.

BUT...

This year, I just can not seem to find my Christmas mojo. Here it is the 11th of December and I have purchased one (ONE!) gift. I'm not sure what to even get for my kids! I don't get excited when I hear Christmas music on the radio. I just put together our Advent boxes this week and so far, we have only done one thing from the boxes. I ORDERED Christmas cards....unheard of! Sam and the boys are going to get a tree in a few minutes and I'm staying home with Lucy (who has been sick this week). I told Sam I didn't even care what the tree looks like.
What is wrong with me? Any suggestions to help me find the Christmas Spirit?

My Baby's 2!

On Thanksgiving Day, my baby girl turned two! Where did the last two years go? If anyone finds them, let me know! How quickly Lucy went from this tiny sweet bundle...

to this toddler with sass!

We love our little Lucy so much. She brings so much spunk and joy into our lives. She is affectionate and tough. She loves dolls and balls (and she's got an arm!). She loves kisses and fist bumps. She is super silly but can turn on the tears in a second. She is a girl who knows what she wants and how to get it! She's got several people wrapped around her tiniest finger. She is the light of our lives!

My sweet friend and photographer Heather met us at Gardner Village for a fun photo shoot the week before Lucy's birthday. Heather gave me over 100 images (she is fabulous!)so it was hard to choose but here are a few of my favorites!


Since Lucy and my mom share a birthday, I asked Mom to come get a few pics with Lucy. Here's my favorite of the Birthday Girls. Aren't they beautiful?
I love Lucy!

Primary Program

Yesterday was our Primary Program in Church. The theme was "Our Eternal Family". It was a very enjoyable meeting and the boys both did a great job. My mom asked Noah before what he his part was in the program. He promptly replied "Classified". He just was not willing to give any spoilers! Curtis was asked to talk on his baptism. He wrote his part himself. He said "I was really nervous because I was afraid my dad would mess up." He also said some really sweet things but I can't remember because I was laughing too hard at that sentence! Sam and I were asked to speak for a few minutes about how family prayer has strengthened our family. Lucy decided to join us and yanked the microphone towards her every few seconds and uttered a "yah yah yah" into it and then chuckled to herself. I was glad for her comic relief as I was able to get through my part without crying (a curse of mine, for certain). Lucy also decided to make a dash out of Sam's arms towards the stand during the closing prayer and (observed from my one eye while trying to show some semblance of reverence)did her best to elude the grabbing hands of the Primary presidency. She managed to get a little dance in next to the podium before the "amen". My thoughts of putting a child gate on the end of the pew have resurfaced.