Two.Two years

 2.2 Years

We went to Oregon for 8 days over Thanksgiving. We were suppose to stay with Grandma for the first half, but they ended up with COVID, so we stayed with Aunt Janecce and Uncle Dusty for the whole time. You loved the idea of Jessie and would get so excited to talk about her, but you two are still young to play with each other. We got there Saturday night, just in time for dinner and the BYU game. Sunday, we went to church with them and watch the kids in their primary program. We went to Champoeg State park for a nice nature walk that ended up being five miles. Annie and Joe's family came over for a birthday celebration that night. On Monday, I took you with the older girls to paint ceramics and eat sushi. You liked the rice part. We took you to Annie's that night with you got to play video games (well you watched) and watch a movie while we went out to eat as adults. Tuesday, Hailey came over to Janecce's and babysat you while Dad and I went to the temple and Janecce had her workout session. Tuesday night, Josh's family joined the group and the party began. Wednesday, we went to the high school and played dodgeball and soccer. I just wanted to be the center of attention and would run for person to person asking them to hold you. Josh was a favorite for the day. You cousins had a movie night. Thursday, we went to the park and played while the boys played football. We went to the movies that afternoon and saw Encanto (which you liked!). We pushed Thanksgiving dinner back to Friday so Grandma and Papa could join us (just finished their 10 days). Beforehand, we went to the church and played floor hockey and chair soccer. You and the little girls tried playing at the beginning, but ended up playing family in the nursery room. Dinner was great and it was so good to have everyone. Saturday, we met Grandma, Papa, Josh's, and Annie's family to go to a Christmas tree farm and get a tree. It was fun to have Papa's old truck for you all to ride in the back of. Uncle Joe brought donuts and we were finished before the rain started. We did get to spend that night at Grandma's, which was good because you girls got to do crafts and help decorate her tree. We left the next morning. It was a great vacation.

• We have had a lot of fun with all the different Christmas tradition. Dad and Sam came home from the store with a gingerbread house kit. We each got to decorate one of the walls. We have four different advent day calendars going, so we have you all rotate which ones you pick. We have a Harry Potter Lego one, the tree with a piece of chocolate in each slot, the hanging of the nativity piece and then the activity board. Some of the activities that we have done are write a letter to Ben on his mission, have a Christmas dance party, open a present with a new Christmas book, and of course leave your shoes out for the elves. Connor, our elf that comes each year, even left a letter for you all. For red ribbon dinner, instead of individually gifts, we opened just one for the whole family. It was exploding kittens, a game that the big kids all feel in loved with over Thanksgiving at Dusty and Janecce's. 
• We went to Utah before Christmas this year. We made it just in time to watch the Nut Cracker ballet with the girl cousins. Saturday, you spent the day at Grandma's being watched while the older girls went off to watch The Nutcracker and the boys went off to watch BYU basketball. You love all her toys and Grandpa's jellybeans. On Sunday, we got to meet up with all the family for the big party. This year, you had Calvin for the gift exchange. I helped you pick out little bath toys for him. Bonnie had you and gave you a stuff doggy. Grandma and Papa of course gave you a baby pack-n-play. It was a great trip overall.
• Funny comments: When we sit down for dinner, you have started giving it the thumb rating system and saying, "I like it!" Your thumb is never up all the way, but you tend to wiggle side to side in the middle.
• You are starting to warm up to the idea of Santa. We saw "Santa" at Millie's dance concert and you gave him the stink eye. But when we read a book or see his picture, then you like him. But you definitely remember presents from your birthday, so you are excited about that. So much that we are having to keep all the presents in our room because you will ripe them open if I am not looking.