Sledding Day

In mid-January, Jonathan's parents came up to Provo for a wedding. While they were visiting, we decided to go sledding one day. We have had an incredibly mild winter. The past week has seen highs in the 50s and 60s, which is crazy for February. We haven't had much snow at all this winter, which makes me a little nervous for summer because if we don't get more snow pack, then we are going to be have a big drought this summer. But, we had snow on the ground when they came to visit, so we took advantage of it. 

It had been a number of days since it had snowed, so the snow was packed and a little slick...which is great for a sled ride. We got all suited up- snow pants, jackets, snow boots if you had them. We got Peter in all his gear, glad we finally had a chance to use it and we were off. We went to a park that is shaped like a bowl, which steep hills all around. There was one side of the bowl that is mostly in the shade and still had enough snow for sledding. 

Peter had an interesting reaction to sledding. Every time he went down, we would ask if he wanted to do it again, and every time he said no and acted scared. But, when he was going down the hill on the sled he had a huge smile on his face, every single time. So, mixed emotions there, but I think overall he liked it. We had fun. We took a couple of runs down the hill and then Jonathan pulled Peter and I around on the sled.  

First run- Grandpa Nelson and Peter (with newly acquired raccoon hat) 

Starting the ascent back up- Jim and Peter riding, Jonathan working for his keep

Part way up- There goes Grandpa!

Peter's foot caught the strap and Jonathan pulled him up while he lay on the sled.

Jonathan and Peter's turn

Small break from sledding to play with snow
Glinnea, Robin, Peter and Jim

 Jonathan and I went down, and Jonathan went up as far up the hill as I would let him. It was hard to get up to where he was because with every step up, I'd slide back. It was really slick. We sped down the hill, started turning as we got closer to the bottom, and I went off the edge and slide the last part on my bum. Thank goodness for snow pants! I was a little cold, but not wet.

Jonathan and Robin heading down

At the bottom, with only one of us half on the sled. 

 After a few runs down, Peter was done with sledding and I didn't want to make him continue if he didn't want to. Let's end our first sledding experience on a happy note. So, instead, Peter and I sat on the sled and Jonathan pulled us around the perimeter of the park. It's a pretty big field, so we got a good ride, and Jonathan got some great exercise.

Peter getting pulled- he didn't last long like this.

Jonathan pulling Peter and Robin

Sled dog- Jonathan- with his cargo- Robin and Peter.
We started by the fence in the background.

Grandpa Nelson and Peter, looking for planes

Peter in his arctic gear, exploring the hill.

Hero shot- the sun bouncing off the snow onto our hero.

 After we were done sledding and getting pulled around, we headed back to the cars. It was there, Peter learned about the joy of snowballs. He got good at throwing them onto the ground and watching them smash. He tried to throw one at his dad, but his aim isn't always the best. He had a blast playing with the snow.

That face...full of mischief 

It was a great day in the snow. It wasn't too cold and everyone was dressed well enough to stay warm. Afterwards, we went to Aunt Jean's house for dinner- which, like always, means tons of delicious food and stuffing yourself way more than you mean to and then finding out there is dessert and somehow finding room for that tasty apple cobbler. It was fun, we had a good time with family, Peter had a good snow day, and we went home injury free, which is always a good sledding day.

Peter and Liesl

A few weeks back, I got a call from my friend Logan asking if we could watch his little girl, Liesl, the next day. I said, "Of course!" When I told Jonathan we were watching the baby, his response was, "You are so excited aren't you?" Yes, I was. I was excited for a couple of reasons. First, their baby was just under 4 months old, and my child is 2, thus this baby is smaller and super cute still. Peter wasn't always cute to me as an infant because he didn't ever sleep great at night, and I was always exhausted. So, to get to play with a small baby when energized and not so tired is much more enjoyable. Second, their baby is an adorable little girl. Now, don't get me wrong, I am super happy to have a boy as my first child. And I would be thrilled to have a family of boys. But it was really nice to have another girl in the house for a couple of hours. 

Peter admiring the small one.

We had talked with Peter about Liesl coming over so he knew to expect the little baby coming over. I wasn't sure what his reaction was going to be, but it was the best reaction ever. He was thrilled. When they knocked on the door, he looked at me and I said, "The baby is here!" And he danced around saying, "Baby, baby, baby, baby" then raced to the door.

Peter and Liesl...he loves her.

When Logan and Aubri dropped Liesl off, Aubri informed me that she had dressed Liesl super girly that day so I could have the ultimate girl experience. And sure enough, that baby was adorable. She had pink pants, a fuzzy vest and a flower headband. Peter just sat and watched her for a little bit. He talked about her binky and her hands and face. He was really careful when he touched her, which was great. Also, he didn't care at all that his mom was holding another baby...also fantastic response.

Fast friends

Peter, Robin, and Liesl. the most normal Peter smile so far

The kids played together...and by played together I mean I held Liesl and made sure Peter didn't touch her eyes or squish her. Then she fell asleep for a while, woke up and drank a bottle, and then slept a bit longer. When she woke up the second time, I put her down for some wiggle time and Peter laid down next to her. It was fun to see them together because it made Peter look HUGE! It was a good reminder how much he has grown up and how many new things he can do that he couldn't always do.

Wiggle time for the littles

We had a lot of fun with Liesl that day. Peter loved having a baby around and I got some good baby cuddles in (again, 2 year old cuddles and small baby cuddles are super different, both are great, just different). Jonathan even had a fun time having her around. She was a great baby- happy and smiley. We'd watch her again any time.

Christmas with the Gleaves- Extra Pictures

Here are some of the last of the pictures from Christmas break. They didn't really fit anywhere else, so they get a post of their own. Here's to the photos!

Grandpa Gleaves reading with Peter

Little chair for a little boy- Peter and Grandpa

Peter teaching his cousins to make a "squish face"

Amelia making a great squish face- they learned fast

Amelia, Jonathan and Peter

Cheese hoarder

Happy New Year!

Every year for New Year's Eve, my family gets pizza/sub sandwiches/takeout and lots of other junk food and a couple of movies and we'd eat and watch until we either fell asleep or until the ball drops. This year, my younger brothers were at a stake church activity, and my youngest sister was at a friend's place. So, it was a quieter year. Andrew and Natalie came over with their girls for a little bit, but they went home to get them to sleep and we put Peter to sleep. We watched Earth to Echo- great movie about these kids who find an alien and then help him out. It was a good one. Then, we watched the most recent Planet of the Apes movie. I didn't love it, but I think Jonathan liked it. We paused the movie to watch the ball drop and celebrate a bit. It was a fun evening.

Peter talking with his Nelson grandparents.
Glasses boy.

Balloon Fight! I'm not sure who won.

We had a lot of fun with everyone we got to see. Peter had lots of people to play with, and it was fun seeing him interact with everyone and get to know his relatives. He asks for people now that we are back home, mostly the cousins, grandma and grandpa and Lucy- the dog. He got over his fear of touching dogs while we were in North Carolina, which was another great thing. He grew to love "Ooo-de" Peter speak for Lucy. He learned everyone's' names really well and had fun. He didn't sleep as good while we were traveling, but that is to be expected. We had fun with the Gleaves family and it was a great trip.

Peter Panda Turns Two

While we were in North Carolina, we threw a birthday party for Peter. It was a few days before his actual birthday, but close enough to justify a party. His great aunt Deborah (my Dad's half sister) has a birthday close to Peter's so we threw them a joint party. Deborah made chicken cordon bleu for dinner, and Peter chose dessert...which means I chose dessert because he doesn't really know what that means yet. The gang came over for dinner, presents and dessert.

Dinner was good and everyone ate all they could. It was fun to have everyone over one last time before we headed back to Utah. We'd told Peter that it was his birthday, and he connects candles with birthday and will sing you the song, but his understanding wasn't much more than that...until we brought out the presents. He definitely understands presents. He's really good at waiting until you tell him he can open one, which is nice...learning patience young...at least with gift opening.

Best focusing face ever.

Book baby and his little feet

 He got some great gifts. Deborah gave him the most adorable little high top sneakers. They are still a bit too big, but he'll fit into them soon. My parents gave him lots of good travel gifts. He got a "Very Hungry Caterpillar" backpack with crayons, a small coloring/sticker pad, a book and little stuffed animals. He also got a cute outfit.

Deborah, Vivian, Peter and Robin

 Vivian likes his stuffed animals and Peter (after a minute or two) did a good job switching off with her so they could both hold one of them at a time. They did a great job of trading the animals.

It was a fun little party. It was great having a party with lots of family around. Peter was a happy little guy and had fun opening his presents. 

Peter reading his alphabet book, he likes finding letters he knows

Borrowed headband from a cousin...
If we ever have a girl, she will be adorable.

Peter with his excellent new backpack

New shoes and backpack...he's a cute one.

After presents were opened, it was time for dessert. When my mom asked what I had in mind for dessert, I had no idea. As I thought about it, I decided that cupcakes were the best idea, they are small and cute for kids. I wanted to decorate them somehow, and because Peter loves animals so much, I thought it would be fantastic to make the cupcakes into animal faces. I toyed with the idea of doing a jungle theme with lots of different animals, but that takes lots of things and quite frankly was more work than I wanted to do. Then, I came across a panda cupcake and I was sold. It was perfect. The tutorial we used did mini-cupcakes, so we followed suite and they were excellent. Click here for the tutorial. They were super easy to make and turned out adorable. The tutorial says to use sprinkles for the mouth...I tried that for a couple and nope, those sprinkles were tricky and small, so instead we just used a tube of black frosting from the store...way easier. They turned out most adorable. 

Pandas!

Panda close-up.

When Peter first saw the panda cupcakes, he flipped (in the happiest, most excited way possible). He didn't identify them as pandas...he called them dogs, but still, he knew it was an animal, so it works for me. He was super excited though. He pointed and needed someone to pick him up to see them. He loved them, which made my day.

Peter Panda with his panda

Not sure what to do about these flames in front of my face...

Starting a little bit of blowing...he figured out what to do eventually.

He ate just a bite and was done....good thing we made small cupcakes.

Vivian loved them!

Gleaves tradition birthday poster

Finding balloons

I'm two!

Happy Birthday little buddy. You are a smart little boy who loves to be with people and explore. You are loved very much by your mom and dad. We are so grateful for you and the happiness you have brought into our lives. Everyone who knows you loves you. You are a happy cuddly boy and we are glad we've had you for two years. I love coloring and dancing with you. Your dad loves wrestling and reading books with you. Keep growing up. Keep learning and remember you are a son of God. Make good choices and love everyone. We love you kiddo!