Merry Christmas!!!

I just wanted to post a few pics of Kyson's first Christmas on here, especially to share with my family who we were supposed to see today! I am still sad, but happy we can still come down in 5 days. Hopefully the weather will work out this time.

Over the last few days I was reminiscing over my Christmas childhood memories and remembering when my dad took us to Fairchild airforce base to see Santa fly in and we got to sit on his lap and I just remember Mrs. Clause too- her glasses and outfit. It was so much fun. I also remember one Christmas all 4 of us kids decided to sleep in one big bed in anticipation of Christmas morning. We didn't get much sleep that Christmas eve because we were talking and laughing all night. I remember going to family gatherings, especially on my mom's side of the family, where there were literally 40-50 relatives for the potluck dinner. The smell/taste of black olives always brings me back to those holiday dinners! I remember how good the food was, how full I got, and how much fun I had playing games and watching Christmas movies!

I hope everyone can enjoy their Christmas where ever they are and truly remember all the important things of Christmas- family, Christ, giving, love, and of course, good memories!

Making the most of the holidays...

So although we couldn't fly out, I miraculously got the phone to ring through to an actual agent after about 45 attempts and waiting on hold for 30+ minutes. We changed it to the soonest possible time to make it to AZ- which is Dec 30th. We will be staying for 8 days, and I am still looking forward to going- even more so now that the thought of not going at all was what we thought might end up happening. I am still super bummed because I won't get to see my sisters Renee and Rachel. But I will get to see my parents, my brother, my sister-in-law Ashley and my adorable nephew and niece! I am getting so excited to see them and wish I was there now.

I did a little more Christmas shopping today and found some great deals. Ken loves Banana Republic and it was an extra 20% off everything (even sale items)- so I got a few things for him.

We have been watching lots of Christmas movies... that's always been a family tradition for the Jaten's- esp with my brother. So far... How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Christmas Vacation, The Santa Clause 2, Surviving Christmas, and Home Alone. Since I won't see my family until after Christmas, we'll have to watch more then!

We are going to try to see if the giant snowman is still up in Anchorage- it's something like 20' high- but the man who builds it every year is facing jail time for building it as it is a public nuisance to neighbors.... if it is still up, I will be sure to put a pic on here. Here is a pic from last year that I found on google of "Snowzilla."
Click here for story about Snowzilla.

Sad day for us

So we were scheduled to fly to Phoenix today to go visit my family for Christmas and we got our bags all packed (which was NOT an easy feat (especially with the baby). We had Ken's sister agree to cat-sit, took Ken's truck to his parents for them to start it everyday, etc etc. Then we get online to check the status of our flight and attempt to check in- only it said our flight was restricted to web-check in. Seeing that our flight was delayed by at least 2 hours already, we decided to head to the airport only 30 minutes prior to our original departure time. We arrive to long lines (of course, it is the holidays afterall) and even see the news camera there (that can't be a good sign). We did find the first class line as we luckily were flying first class and it was much shorter than the regular line (which is one big bonus that comes along with the bigger bill). There was one woman ahead of us, already being helped, but for some reason it took her 20+ minutes, or so it felt. When she was finally done we proceed to the counter to check in. The counter person cannot seem to locate our information. I tell her that we were supposed to check in an hour ago and our original flight is supposed to leave right now (as it had taken that long). She takes our ID and then asks for our confirmation code. I tell her. She then says your new flight time is 3:20 to arrive in Seattle at 7:35, but your connecting flight leaves Seattle at 6:35. She then pauses. I say, so what are we supposed to do. She says nothing for another minute (or so it feels), then responds with "we are told not to send anyone else to Seattle, as they are cancelling most flights out of Seattle." She went on to say, "all of the hotels are full, and because it's weather related, we could not provide you with a hotel. The next available flight to Phoenix is Dec 29th." In other words, we would be stranded in the Seatac airport for 7 days. That didn't really appeal to me (spending Christmas with our 4 month old and thousands of other dirty, scary-angry stranded people), aside from the fact that she really would not allow us to check in. She then said, you can stand in that line over there or call the 800 number to change your reservation. The line "over there" she pointed to didn't appeal to us either, as that was the featured line of the local news station. We came home and saw the news report of the other sad people that are stranded here in Alaska for the holidays. Darn the snowfall in Seattle!!!

BUMMER! So I called my parents and siblings to tell them the news... we wouldn't be able to make it to AZ for Christmas. Then I just wanted to cry- I was SO sad! We were so excited to get out of Alaska, sit in some sun, and spend the holidays with family! As I know they too were dissapointed. But, we will still try to come visit soon. My mothers birthday is in mid Feb, and we have a nephew due soon, so maybe we can make plans to visit around that time.

The other bummer is that we already had Christmas and opened all of our presents with Ken's family on Saturday... but I'm sure we will still try to think of something fun to do together for Christmas. Maybe sledding, snowshoeing, games, a movie, eating more good food or???

Anyway... Wishing all of you Happy Holidays! I hope you can enjoy time with your family! (I know there are many stranded in Seattle and other airports)... so enjoy that time... you don't know how lucky you are!!!

Christmas events and other ramblings...

We have been busy the past few weeks with work Christmas parties, decorating, baking cookies, visiting Santa and just relaxing (well me and the baby atleast)... not so much Ken as he has been really getting his businesses rolling the past few weeks. It has been really nice. We will be heading to Arizona for 10 days next Monday and are getting excited to be with family and sit in some heat. Today it was especially cold (getting down to 10 below tonight)...goodie! It hasn't been this cold all week- in fact earlier this week it felt warm at mid 30's- so I can't wait to feel like mid to high 60's is going to feel like! Kyson is getting bigger, stronger, and laughing more and more everyday. He is also rolling over when he's on his tummy. He is outgrowing clothes fast- and already fits in some of his 6-9 month clothes and he is just shy of being 4 months old. Sleep is getting better, although it never has been bad with him... thanks to co-sleeping! That is the key to sleep as a new mom. All in all no complaints. I am giving a talk tomorow in church, so I should get on that soon- it's almost done, but I am famous for procrastinating. Just ask my old college roomie Aimes- remember how much guitar I would play, and our little drum fests that our other roomates loved?! Anyway, I'm rambling on and on... so here are a few pics of what we've been up to.

3 1/2 months and trying to walk!!!

Wow... that's all I have to say about this!

Family pics from t-day

We took a ton of family photos so here are a few for my family out of Alaska to see! I can't wait to see you guys in three weeks... and to enjoy some Arizona heat!

This pic cracks me up!

Baby drool... the teeth are gonna be comingThe end!

Turkey Day...

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Watch this to help celebrate....

Turkey in the Straw - animated Flash ecard by Jacquie Lawson

Kyson sitting by himself!

So Kyson has been surpassing our expectations with how strong he is. I think a lot of it comes from his previous only-sleeping-on-tummy (he is outgrown this thank goodness) as that helped to strengthen his neck and abs! He is already sitting up all by himself (although this is in the crease of the couch- so that helps some!) He is trying to stand up already too. I think he will be an early walker- which is sure to keep both mom and dad in good shape keeping up with him... something to look forward to! :o)

Yeah, he's smiling for the camera!

Gratitude...

With thanksgiving time coming next week, it's a good time of year to stop and think about what we are most grateful for. I could list more than this... but these are some of the things I am most grateful for...

my husband
our baby Kyson
owning a home (well, condo)
our family (parents, siblings, niece and nephew)
our friends
the gospel!... (our Savior, prayer, the scriptures, the prophet, missionaries etc)
our incredibly flexible jobs (we can both work whenever we want/don't want)
living in such a beautiful state of Alaska
our freedom
our health
motivation
energy
sleep
food
relaxation
vacations
hiking
photography
sleeping in
the internet
miracles
sunshine
a heater in the winter of Alaska!
down coats
soft socks
hot chocolate
good clean movies
nature
music
the ability to see, hear, taste, feel, touch
being a nurse
Christmas time!

And the list goes on...

Take time to give thanks for all that we are so blessed with. One my favorite quotes "we often lose sight of what we do have when we focus on what we don't."

Growing too fast...

So Kyson will be 3 months old this week already! He is growing way too fast- and I know it's only going to get worse! I was talking with a co-worker the other day about how we can both now relate (or at least understand why it's so hard) to the mom's who cry when they drop their kids off to kindergarten, or the moms sending their children on missions or off to college. I really don't want to think that far ahead- but everyone tells me that it goes by so fast. I just want to freeze time already. Too bad we can't invent a way to do that (other than photographing pieces of time)... so thus why I take so many pics and post them for you (family and friends)! He is so much fun!

Here's his first talking on the phone pic (at 2 weeks old)... ....to his first laptop the dell mini He's even looking to sign on with a baseball team soon...

What are we going to do???

Photo Tagged by Ashley

My 4th pic of my 4th file was in the delivery room (prior to delivery). That smile on my face represents how comfy I was... I HIGHLY recommend the "epidural juice!" I tag Skye, Kara, and Aimee.

Daddy teaching baby...

So Ken decided since Kyson is following objects and people so well to teach him how to steer a remote control dodge viper. It was super cute- as Kyson was really watching the car move!

Here is a few cute pics of a hat grandma Nhep made for him... so cute and fun!
And here's just one of mom and baby posing for a pic!

halloween laughs...

And lastly, my favorite... Cutie Pie...

Halloween Time...

It's almost Halloween time and with this being Kyson's first- we have had fun finding him some outfits. We have a little bear costume too that I will be sure to take a picture of (probably on Halloween)... but here are a few cute onesies to celebrate! I think he is making the perfect faces to go along with the outfits too. Maybe we can find a little green hat for this first pic :o)

More pics a comin'

So I cannot seem to take enough pictures of Kyson lately... even though I can't see his changes as well as others who aren't around him everyday can- I do see that he is definitely growing! He is almost 13 pounds already and only 8 weeks old! He is no longer grunting- which I have missed- because we enjoyed calling him our little "sumo," as he would grunt like he was working out or something- it was very cute! He is trying to talk much more, is already scooting, holding his head up, and still loves sleeping on his tummy. He has even rolled over twice (yes, at less than 8 weeks) from his back just so he could sleep on his tummy. It's a little scary esp with SIDS more common with kids on their tummy's but we are careful to keep blankets away from his face so that helps. Lastly, he is smiling so much and today I think he was trying to laugh- but then it kind of turned into a cry... it was still super cute.

I am planning to head back to work this week. It may end up being 3 days/week right off the bat- 1 day at the VA in day surgery, and 2 days a week at Avante (a naturopathic medical clinic). We will see how well Kyson (and mom) can handle being apart. It won't be more than 22 hours in those 3 days though- so that is good! Both jobs are super flexible with me- so that is really helpful!

Here are a few more cute shots lately... playing, bath time, and diaper time! I am LOVING mommyhood!!! Can you tell? I think the bath shot you can see more Jaten resemblance...anyone else see that?

My favorite thing in the whole world!

My little Ky....