snow much fun

hmmm...
more please

bye mom!

snow much fun

ooo! brr!

Uncle Jon took Parker outside to play in the snow afterschool on Monday.

Merry Christmas

This was the Christmas card we sent out this year. Brian had the idea, and I made it! :) We think it came out really cute.

In case you can't read the side it says "copyright 2009 no babies were harmed in the making of this christmas card" :D

pj bucket... take 2

Do you remember this post? :)

Since baby Jackson turned into baby Carter, I needed to 'redo' his pj bucket.... so here it is!

I really couldn't picture a Jackson in our family. I'm happy he's a Carter. ;)

how could i get mad?

We have a rule. Parker gets out 2 bins at a time. However, when Daddy gets home, it seems as though all the rules go right out the window. He dumped ALL the toys into a pile. Then he told me Carter did it!! HAHAHAHA right. How could I get mad when he stacked the bins so nicely?! HAHA. I love that kid. Brothers...

Parker looks a little confused. I even got a little video of Carter "pushing" Parker but then Parker starting going too fast....

Brotherly Love. This makes it allllllll worth it!! :)

Santa baby?

Parker is such a good helper. He loves to help sweep (he holds the dustpan and then throws the contents away) and puts the trays with the highchairs -- those are his 2 'chores'. He loves to help pick up his toys. He loves to get diapers, bottles, and help with Carter. He helps dad with his chores (fixing the toliet, etc ) He LOVES to help cook/bake and wants to "see!!" everything. And he has discovered the art of bubbles. He was helping daddy do the dishes! Check out these shots! :) He was making a beard like Santa! (this was before he had his cast off..... i'm a little behind ;) )

He also got a bath the first night he had his cast off. He LOVED IT!!! :) He was splashing (I didn't dare bring my camera up)and being silly. Ahh, I'm so glad to have that darn thing off.

good riddance

Monday we had an appointment with the Ortho Dr. :) Parker got his cast off!! :) :) Just in time for Christmas!
Parker rubbing his cast "byebye" ...he was saying bye too. :)

Parker showing me his "booboo" one last time!

All gone!! :)

He was doing a thumbs up and yes, he was eating a banana (that Dr takes FOREVERRRR)

as one door closes....

It is with very mixed emotions that I was released from my calling as 2nd counselor in the primary presidency. I love this church and I love the children of this church. I have grown so much in the [short] year I was in my presidency. I love the members of that presidency. Racheal and Cynthia are two people I can look up to and strive to be like. I will miss them dearly. I will miss the prayers given by the children, their excitment to learn the gospel, their sweet testimonies, the fun they allowed me to have, and most of all- accepting my flaws and loving me still.

I was HOPING I could get away with being "callingless" for a couple weeks. But, alas I was called to be a Sunday School teacher. I now get to work with the kids who just left primary and are testing the waters in Sunday School before their respective young men's/young women's program. I dipped my toes in today as I co-taught the lesson with my dear friend Daisy. I'm excited to start the new year in my new calling!

Brian, who never blogs, also recieved a new calling. He is now 1st counselor in the young men's presidency (He used to be 2nd counselor in ym's). :) He's excited to take on and grow in his calling!

latest tricks

Sorry no pictures/videos but I wanted to blog about how great the kids are doing!!

Carter can now wave hi/bye and loves babbling and saying "mama" "da" and smacking his lips. He also now gives kisses (meaning the whole mouth opened and leaning in, hahaa). He is such a delight.

Parker knows lots of letters (I have lost count!) & shapes and now he's recognizing numbers! :) I'm so proud of that little guy.

----

Snow. Snow. Snow.... pictures will come! :)

he's seen better days

Parker's not feeling too great. I'm pretty sure it's a nasty cold. He's really sleepy and has a little fever. He fell asleep standing up:

Then I moved him up on the couch... you can see the drool spot from where he was standing! :)

Feel better P <3

getting ready for christmas

Brian wanted me to post his santa collection so Grandma and Grandpa Hand could see it in Idaho! :) So, there ya go, this is the start of the collection!!

These are some ornaments that Parker got for his first christmas in 2007. I can't believe I didn't write who they were from!! Can anyone help me out?

My favorite decoration at Christmastime is the Nativity my grandpa made. Every year I set it up, it makes me happy inside. Love and miss you gramp!! <3

We started a new tradition in the Steffen House.... Every year, our kiddos are going to make our tree topper, here is Parker putting "santa!" on this year:

And.... finally here is our little charlie brown christmas tree. (it looks a little better in real life) We got this tree as a hand me down from my parents a couple years ago.... Hopefully next year we'll either have a larger fake one OR a replantable one! :) We'll have to wait and see.

We don't dare put presents under it yet... they would all be opened for sure.