Monday night, December 6th, we headed out for Family Home Evening in search of the perfect tree. There is a tree lot down the street, and the trees are grown just across the water from Seattle. Talk about fresh Christmas Trees. Jameson was so excited to find the perfect one.

Ella was not so sure about this.

Jameson and Kevin thought we needed the tallest tree there, and were checking to see how tall it was, exactly.

The guy running the tree lot was very helpful. He strapped our tree on top the car for us and everything. We started talking with him, and we found out he was on leave from the navy. He is retiring in February after 20 years of service. We asked how he got in the Christmas tree business, and he told us he married the farmer’s daughter. How fun is that? We got our tree home, and it fit perfect in our house. Jameson couldn’t wait to help me decorate it.

If you’ve talked to Jameson recently, you may notice, everyone has a new name. We are all characters in his favorite movie. It’s very consistent, and he will frequently ask, “Where’s Slinky going?” Correct response, “To work.” When there’s crying, you may hear, “What happened to Mr./Mrs. Potatohead?” And, for any other question you will hear, “Hey Rex!” Have you figured out the names? Here’s a translation…

Jameson is of course Buzz Lightyear

Kevin= Slinky dog

Brittany= Rex

Ella= Mr. or Mrs. Potatohead (he changes between the two)

Taylie (one of his best friends)= Jessi

Kylie (his other best friend and betrothed)= Woody

Lilah (their baby sister)- Bullseye

I frequently hear the question, “Hey Rex, Woody and Jessi coming over today?” Yesterday, when they came over, Jameson was at the door before they were out of the car. He opened the door and yelled as loud as he could, “Woody, Jessi, it’s me! Buzz Lightyear.” He was so excited to see his friends. And they respond to their names and call him by his. So if you’re here and start to get really confused, now you know the translation.

Kevin was playing a game with his friends online the other night. Jameson heard Scott’s voice and says, “Ahh, I hear Uncle Scott.” So Kevin calls him over and lets him talk into the mic.

Kevin says, “Say hi to Uncle Scott.”

Jameson, “Hi Uncle Scott.”

Kevin, “Say, ‘Uncle Scott, you suck.”

Jameson repeats, “Uncle Scott, you suck.”

Kevin laughs, I give him a dirty look and just shake my head.

The next night at dinner, Jameson turns to Kevin and out of no where says, “Daddy, you suck.” Since Kevin had to turn his head so Jameson wouldn’t see him laugh, I have to get after Jameson and tell him we don’t say that. All the while I’m giving Kevin that “told you so” look. Once Kevin could control himself, he explained he was wrong too and that we should say those words.

Pretty funny, but oh so wrong.

Jameson saw my camera on the table. It’s his favorite. He picked it up and told me:

J: “Mom, it’s your camera!”

Me: “Yes it is.”

J: “It’s just like Diego’s”

Me: “Kind of.”

J: “Hey Dad! Make a silly face.”

The results:

Saturday, we headed over to North Bend to catch the Santa Train. It happened to be freezing that day, literally. There was frost covering the car, lawn, and all the houses outside. We bundled up, and got in the car for our 30 minute drive to North Bend. We got there early, which was good, because parking was a mess. We ended up parking in a dentist parking lot close by (remember for next year). At 11:00 am we boarded the the train. Jameson held his ticket so tight, and made sure the conductor saw his ticket.

You see, the night before, Kevin had to work late. Jameson asked if he could stay awake until his daddy got home. Sure. Why not? So we turned on “The Polar Express” movie. He payed close attention to the train, the whistle, how to stop the train, and that you always need your ticket. He also noted that when you take the train, it goes to the North Pole to visit Santa. I only told him 2 nights in advance we would be going on the train. Since time is not a concept that he understands yet, I didn’t want him asking every day. It couldn’t have worked out better to watch the movie, and then ride the train.

So we boarded the train, and found some seats. The kids could hardly sit down, they were so excited. Jameson kept his eye out for the “Cun-duck-door” as he pronounces it. He tried so hard to be clear, but it is a very big word. He held his ticket for the full 3 miles, 20 minute ride.

Ella, fell asleep on the way to the train, but did not get a full nap in. She didn’t know quite what to think about things.

Our conductor on the way there was Mr. Bells. He had bells attached to his hat, and some to shake. He started us off with a song of the only appropriate, “Jingle Bells” and then after the song, went on to the next car. Jameson wasn’t so sure about him. He did not have the same “conductor uniform” as the guy in the movie did.

Ella did play close attention to the singing, though. I can’t wait to see what talents she has.

Once we arrived, we headed for the refreshment cars. There was a kitchen car that served hot chocolate and cookies. The made the cookies with an old stove that looked like it came with the original car it was in. The cookies were a little hard, but still delicious. I asked the kids for picture before we entered, and Jameson decided to be silly. The girls appreciated it. Me? Not so much.

It was smart to get our snacks before, so we could eat them while we waited in line. It wasn’t smart, though, because we were then the last one’s in line. I had Ella in her carrier, and she kept going after my hot chocolate, which was more like “luke warm” chocolate. She really does try to eat everything. So after going for my cup a few times with her mouth wide open and her tongue sticking out, I gave her a taste.

She can’t resist chocolate, and neither can her mom.

After waiting for a long time, the kids got to go in and meet Santa. He had his own room, and they would let one group in at a time, so you had your own personal time with Santa. He was an awesome Santa Clause. I wasn’t sure how Jameson would respond. He’s never been to “see” Santa. His first Christmas, he was only 1 month old, and I was not going to wait in a huge line for that. The next year, we never got around to it. Last year, I tried. We were at a mall that is not busy at all, and the Santa had no one around him. Jameson would go look at him, but not talk to him. We went to see him a few times, and the closest Jameson got was standing next to him. I’m glad I never pushed it, because this year Jameson went and sat on his lap by himself. Santa asked his name and how old he was. Jameson responded with correct answers. (Pretty good since he just had a birthday and that can be confusing.) Then he asked the ever important question, “What do you want for Christmas, Jameson?” A quick response came with, “Toy Story 3.” Santa looked at me, and I gave him “the nod” of ok. He said he would work on it. He then asked him if he was a good big brother, and they chatted for a minute. Ella just stared the entire time.

By Toy Story 3, Jameson means the action figures he doesn’t have. He has the movie, and got more than enough related toys for his birthday, but he still has a few to make his set complete. On our shopping adventure on Black Friday, I got a set that includes who he needs, plus some other individuals. He should be happy.

If you look at Jameson’s hands in this picture, he’s trying to tell Santa how old he is. He start out by holding up 2 fingers but then changes to 3.  I think Ella was wondering if she could pull his beard.

The kids were given a toy as they left. This year it was a train car. The last 2 years, kids received the engine, and the caboose. Those were for sale in the gift shop, but we’ll see what happens next year. We got out, and boarded our train to head back. Ella was glad she was free of being strapped to me.

And just so you know I was there, here I am giving direction to do something, while Kevin is trying to take a picture of our cute Ella.

I can’t wait to do this with the kids next year. I don’t know if I want to go when it’s dark, and everything is lit up, or in the day again, so the kids can see everything. Either way, it was way better than waiting in line at the mall and paying a ton of money for a picture with Santa.

We got out our Christmas decorations this weekend. I’m excited, because this is the first year Jameson is excited. It’s a lot more fun, seeing his excitement. We were given a nativity set by our friends, the first Christmas Jameson was born. She told me it was so that Jameson would have a set he could touch and play with. It’s made of clay, but still is not durable. I’ve tried to make him be careful and not touch it, be he loves it so much. So we now have a few pieces that need repair, but he doesn’t touch my ceramic set. I pulled out all the pieces and told him to put them on the shelf. This is the scene that was created…

I’m not sure why the donkey and cow are ousted from the rest the animals. I do like that everyone is surrounding baby Jesus and Mary is closest to her baby. In future scenes, the cow and donkey do join the ranks, but the shepherd has to stay out of the circle.

Three years old has already proven it’s going to be an interesting year for Jameson. We keep treats on top of the fridge (out of reach for Jameson) for when he decides to go potty on the toilet. This means, we still have  a full bag of chocolates up there.  Jameson decided he deserved a treat, I’m not sure what for. I found this sight, and I’m not sure how I feel.

On one hand, I’m very impressed with him. On the other, he’s in big trouble for getting into something he shouldn’t. But how can I be mad at him with this face?

How is it that the 9 months leading up to a birth take an incredibly long time, but the 9 months after fly by? Ella has hit the 9 month mark.

We absolutely adore this girl. Every night Kevin walks in from work, and says, “Why is she so cute? How’d we get so lucky with suck cute kids?” I have to agree, except I will add that they have pretty cool parents. Want to see more of her cuteness? Or how her belly hangs over her pants?

In the last month, this girl has developed so many skills. She now surfs along the couch, and other furniture. Pulls herself up to everything, including using your pants to pull herself up while you’re cooking. She loves to climb. She is a difficult child to hold, because she will “climb” your body. She has gotten really fast at crawling, and tries to get to wherever Jameson is. She is starting to feed herself, and eat soft solid foods. Ella loves to sing along in church, and gets so excited when the organ starts. Jameson loves his sister now, and shows it. Yesterday, he stole 2 oreos from the cupboard. Ella was playing in his room. I went in to find her, called her name, and when she turned around I got a surprise. There was oreo everywhere! When I asked Jameson if he shared his cookies, he proudly responded, “Yes! I share with baby sister!” Lately, I have been finding numerous different kinds of food that she’s eating, that Jameson “shared” with her. Today, she found stairs, and didn’t hesitate to climb them. I also caught her just before she fell backward. Good thing our house has no stairs.

She is starting to talk. Nothing that sounds like words, but she is putting together sounds. “Ba ba ba, or da da da” are common around here. Every morning she wakes up and shakes her crib so it squeaks and you know she’s awake. As soon as you go in, she grabs hold of you and won’t let go till she is out of the crib. If Jameson is up, he will jump in her crib and entertain her for a few minutes before I get in there. She wears size 12 month clothing now, and will have her check up on the 15th. So I’ll have her stats, then. She is also starting to let go, which means she is standing!

I got this quick snap before she fell. She can only stand for a few seconds, but it’s a start. She just wants to walk and keep up with Jameson.

And, a photo can never be taken without Jameson. He had to jump in the pictures, and showed us his “silly faces.”

So there is a wrap up of where our little girl is at. She is moving out of the infant stage and into the toddler stage. I don’t know if I’m ready for that.

We have added a new addition to our home. I have always thought that every home should have a piano, and my own home is no exception. Well, it’s always been a thought in the back of my mind. Saturday, I received an email from a lady in our ward saying they had dibbs on a free piano, and weren’t needing it anymore. So we scooped it up. Sunday, the missionaries were coming over for dinner, so when they got here, we put them to use. They helped unload the piano and bring it in the house. It needs to be refinished, and updated a little bit, but it works. The only piano music I have is a hymn book. I’ve only had about a year of lessons in my life, which I plan to change. So I can’t play very well, but Jameson thinks he’s a rockstar. When he sits at the piano, he has to have the book open. Then he plays and sings. Here he is singing “Old McDonald” while he plays from his book.

Do you like how he exits the room? He pretty much “walks” like this every where around the house. It gets really annoying, because it’s so loud. Since our home has a crawl space, he pretty much “thuds” everywhere he’s going.

Also, back to the missionaries. Have you ever had missionaries leave a Thank You note? We did. How awesome is that? So if anyone needs a good young man to date in about a year, look up the Bergstrom’s in Cedar City, Utah. Also, if anyone knows them, tell his mom she has an awesome missionary in the field right now.

Jameson is really big into giving hugs and kisses right now (I think I’ve mentioned this.) We had to explain you only give missionaries hand shakes after he demanded hugs and kisses. Always keeping us on our toes.