Snow!

We got hit with a lot of snow this week and, for better or for worse (worse for Roy after he slipped...holding Sam), we ventured out in it a few times. In the middle of the storm, Abby insisted we get all suited up to make snow angels. She's been waiting for the snow to come so she could make a snow angel and once the snow completely covered the grass, we were out laying in it and waving our arms. Of course, ten minutes later you couldn't even see the indents we made, but we checked off that important item on the checklist.

Roy working from home on his snow day.

To his credit, he really did do work and took breaks playing with the kids.

Abby was also willing to help shovel the sidewalk and clean off the car. Roy very gladly took the help. The passenger side was immaculate!

We also enjoyed sledding with friends Clara, Sarah, and Gavin.

The girls warming up to the idea of sledding.

Round one down the big hill with Dad.

After scouting it out with Abby, Roy decided the big hill was okay for Sam too.

Sam has gotten really brave with trying new things, even if they might be a little dangerous. His new favorite toy is Abby's scooter. Or the dishwasher. It's a pretty close call which he enjoys more.

We're excited to celebrate your first birthday this week, Buddy! It's hard to imagine our lives without your mischievous smile, slobbery loving kisses, and quick laugh. We love you, Sam!

Three

Abby turned 3 a few weeks ago and it's like the floodgates of 3 opened up on us. We have entered the stage of "Why?". That is probably the most-said word that comes up in our house these days. And not just by Abby. :) In an effort to maintain a good mother-daughter relationship where Abby feels like she can ask me questions, I dutifully answered each WHY. The conversations began to spiral out of control. Now I limit myself to only answering a few WHYs for each subject and then try to turn it back on her by saying, "Why do you think..." Sometimes that works better than others.

"Can I use this?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because you asked."

"Why?"

"Because you wanted to use it."

"Oh. Why?"

"I have no idea. You tell me."

"No, you tell me why. I asked you."

"Who gave this to me?"

(Insert appropriate name)

"Why?"

"Because they love you so much."

"Why do they say I love you?"

"Because you're so nice, and cute, and great."

"Why?"

"Because you're my daughter."

"Oh. Why did you say because you're my daughter?"

"Because you are."

"Okay." (pause) "Why?"

Now Abby wants to be incredibly independent with going to the bathroom. Unfortunately, Sam wants to accompany her too and they both end up in tears because Sam's plans of playing in the toilet bowl were foiled and Abby is blocking him from both the toilet paper AND the flusher and Abby is so distracted she hasn't even gone potty yet and she wants Sam out but she doesn't want me to come in to get him. I have been assigned hallway duty and "don't come in, Mom!" rings out after each "Samuel David! Stop it!" On the plus side of this bathroom independence is the fact that Abby has decided she will no longer wear a diaper to bed. So in the last two weeks, she's done great and has only had a few accidents at night which overall is pretty impressive.

We have also entered the world of having opinions about clothing and hairstyle. Dresses and skirts are the optimal choice of clothing and hair choice changes each day. I don't know where she got the idea of being fancy since I'm in jeans and a sweater with a ponytail every day, but Abby "needs" a skirt/dress and a specific hairstyle. She cracks me up. We need to go shopping for this new wardrobe because we are quickly running out of skirts and warm tights!

Welcome to 3, Abby and family. It's a whole different world from 2.

Hilarious!

For our Family Home Evening activity, we played golf down our hallway. Sam was laughing so hard while he was hitting the ball with Roy that we started recording it. And of course Abby wanted her turn to record it. The next 4 seconds are what you would see from Abby's perspective behind the camera.

All Grown Up

Sam is getting more and more adventurous with walking. He still takes tentative half-inch steps most of the time, but every once in a while, he thinks that he's ready to run. The rug burn he has on his forehead from last night's attempt is proof that he's not quite ready for running. We're proud of his progress in walking!

Modern Medicine Miracle

Sam had a very minor surgery this morning and we're grateful to report that everything went fine. He woke up from the anesthesia quite angry, but nothing that a little mama magic couldn't fix. Sam had a cyst on his right eyebrow line that was growing and our doctor just wanted it taken care of before it got too big. If you look at some of his pictures, you can tell it's there. Right now he's sporting a Spiderman bandaid above his eye and looking quite handsome. We look forward to someday teasing him about the pictures below and the fact that he had a plastic surgeon operate on him at 11 months old.

We're incredibly grateful for a talented doctor and his team who took good care of our boy. It's amazing to think about how much our bodies have going on all the time and how much they do right. I'm grateful, too, for the advances of medicine that allow procedures like Sam's to not be a big deal. We have lots of family and friends whose babies have dealt with medical issues and have been blessed by excellent medical care. As we sat in the waiting room for Sam this morning, I better understood those feelings of concern, feeling anxious, and nervousness and complete relief when the operating physician walks in smiling. We truly are blessed!

Christmas and a Whole Lot More

We went to Santa Rosa, CA for Christmas this year and had such a great time! It was fun to have all the siblings together (for about 36 hours) and all the grandbabies together for several days.

The kids all had a great time together. There are 4 granddaughters from ages 2-1/2 to 6 and 3 grandsons all under a year. It was worth the entire trip to just see the kids playing together and so happy. My kids are really missing their cousins now.

The big motivator for this trip was my brother Neil getting married to Dani. I'm so glad he's found someone who appreciates his trumpet-playing and jazz obsession. They are cute together. Thanks for giving us extra reasons to go home at Christmas! As we have learned in recent years, the Freebairn family never does anything on it's own. My little brother says that we're a Costco family--we do things in bulk. In a 1-1/2 week period, we had my brother's wedding, my sister's graduation, my other brother's mission send-off, a cousin's wedding, family pictures, a double birthday party, and all the Christmas activities we had the energy for. It was fantastic! Thanks for hosting the masses, Mom and Dad. We love you!

We made gingerbread cookies before leaving town. There is a cookie under the pile of candy. Abby loved decorating that particular cookie.

Sam decided Beethoven was okay. Abby learned she was okay too.

Yummy veggie straws!

Sam and Tyson. Cute boys!

Abby adored the attention from her cousins.

All the Freebairn cousins in their wedding apparel.

Abby and Holly eating their birthday cake.

Holly, Alli, Abby, and Brynne.

The Stoddard and Zwahlen kids in their Christmas pjs.

Mor Mor hugs!

Far Far hugs!

Elder Steven Freebairn with Grandma and Mor Mor.

While Roy went to get the car from long-term parking at 2 am, Abby and Sam entertained themselves and the one or two onlookers in baggage claim with races in the stroller.

Two days after getting home, we celebrated Abby's 3rd birthday with cake...

...and balloons taped to the coffee table. They make great punching bags!

Our recent family picture!

Happy Birthday, Abby!

December 30 (tomorrow) is Abby's 3rd birthday and we are all very excited for the big day. Abby can't wait to be bigger and her birthday, to her, symbolizes all that it means to get bigger. Our girl has gotten so much more adventurous, loving, talkative, fun-loving, funny, and imaginative. She has become an incredible big sister and friend to Sam. Abby asks the best questions (today's best was, "What was baby Jesus for Halloween?") and wants to know why things are they way they are. We naturally think she is the best, brightest, and most beautiful. Happy birthday to our big 3-year-old! We love you, Abby!

Pictures courtesy of the talented Annmarie who did a family photoshoot for us. Thanks again!