Signing

Since Lila isn't talking, we've been doing lots of signing around here. Sometimes, we'll quiz Lila and ask her to show us.....whatever sign. She knows a lot of different signs. Tonight, I overheard Haden say, "Lila, show me your fight!" Lila, without hesitating, swung her arm around just like she was wielding a sword. They don't teach that on Baby Signing Time!

Merry Christmas!

I love Christmas with kids!! I love making sure that it is a perfect day for each one! This year was no exception. Haden was thrilled with his drums, spiderman toys, and other loot and didn't even comment about the lack of jackhammers, chainsaws, or 4 wheelers.

Regan loved her guitar (just like Taylor Swift), collection of clothes, accessories, and American Girl doll stuff.

Lila's reaction was the absolute best, though. She went Christmas shopping with me when I bought this silly doll for her. She held her through the entire shopping trip and squawked in the car when I wouldn't hand her over. Her face completely lit up and her mouth was the perfect look of surprise when she ripped the wrapping paper back. I loved it!

On a side note, Haden thought we should put out salad instead of cookies for Santa because it was "much healthier". This became all the more amusing when we read one of the books Haden got for Christmas entitled, "I'm a Grumpy Santa Claus". The story was about what an awful day Santa was having, but it was all made better by the plate of cookies someone left. Haden looked a little sheepish!

And in case you missed it, our 2011 Christmas letter...

Merry Christmas!

We’ve had a wonderful year and hope you have too!

Our kids are growing up so quickly! Regan is six going on sixteen! She is excelling in 1^st grade and loves to read and write stories. She loves all things fashion and is quite the trendsetter. Seldom is Regan found without some piece of jewelry to accessorize her carefully planned outfit. She swapped ballet lessons for swimming and music lessons and is doing well at each one. Friends are still a very important part of her life. Regan is a fabulous older sister and takes very good care of her siblings.

Haden is four, and is loving being in preschool. His imagination is outrageous. He is the best firefighter ever. Our house constantly has some fire going that he and his “crew” need to put out. It’s a good thing the hose to my vacuum doubles as a fire hose! Apparently there are also many “bad guys” that Haden fights and chases away so the girls in the family won’t be scared. Such a gentleman! His antics always keep us well entertained. Regan is one of his best friends and they play very well together.

Lila is nearly 18 months. She is a very opinionated, strong willed, little girl! She loves helping me with anything in the kitchen, playing in the sandbox, and keeping up with her siblings. Even without talking, she never has a problem communicating what she wants. When she doesn’t get her way, she throws whatever she’s holding. Her arm is phenomenal. She once launched a chewed up grape across the dinner table and right into Haden’s nose. It was hard not to laugh! She is very generous with her hugs and kisses and loves playing with her siblings. We all adore little Lila!

Clint no longer serves as scoutmaster for our church. I think he sometimes longs to swap his long Sunday meetings for campouts and bike rides! He still manages to find time for running and biking. He’s a wonderful dad and husband!

I stay busy keeping up with the kids. Volunteering in Regan’s classroom has made me miss having my own class full of students. Maybe I will again, someday. In the meantime, I am lucky enough to work with the 14 and 15 year old girls at church. They are such neat girls. Clint introduced me to road biking this summer. It has been a fun change. I didn’t think I would like going so fast on a bike!

We have all been very blessed this year. We are grateful for our Savior and love celebrating His birth and teaching our kids about Him. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Love,

Clint, Rachael, Regan, Haden, & Lila Waldron

Christmas Break

The kids' school let out an entire week before Christmas. I loved it! We had so much fun together! We spent a day at Hammond's candy factory. The kids got to watch old fashioned candy canes being made by hand and helped themselves to the bowl of free broken lollipops.

Lila just does whatever she wants. At least she's in the picture!

We met some friends at Monkey Bizness. It's the best indoor playground! This slide is a huge attraction that the two big kids love going down. Quite frankly, it scares me. I've always been a chicken, though. The kids were completely worn out by the time we made it home. Regan even complained of sore muscles the next day! I can't even guess how many times she climbed up that slide.

We did lots and lots of holiday baking. All three kids like to help make and sample anything sweet! (Regan insists on wearing sundresses year round.)

We made lots of toffee this year. Haden was in charge of slicing all the butter into smaller pieces so it would melt faster. He insisted on using his very own cutting board. He gets after me when he catches me using it without asking. He loves this vest and apparently neither of noticed it was on inside out!

We went tubing again with more friends. We got a perfect snowfall and then a beautiful day! It was almost too warm for jackets! (Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE Colorado?)

Clint and Haden built the perfect run. I don't think Haden went down the hill once. He preferred to dig in the snow with his shovel. At least he was happy!

Regan and Kate only have matching coats by coincidence. But they were quite pleased when they discovered it!

Lila and Lexi had a wonderful time eating snow. I'm pretty sure it was Haden who taught them to do that.

We went to several Christmas parties. We got to meet the Grinch at our Ward Christmas party. Haden LOVES that book. I can't count the number of times that I have had to read it to him. But, he wasn't quite sure what to think of meeting the Grinch. None of the kids did!

I don't think Lila ate anything but the Cheetos for dinner that night.
It was a fun party! The kids loved running around and playing with their friends.

It was a wonderful break. I love hanging out with my kids, even if we stay home and do absolutely nothing!

Bass Pro Shop

Clint had heard that Bass Pro Shop puts on quite a good show during Christmas. This year they had pictures with Santa, a carousel, target shooting, electric trains, and race cars. Apparently, you have to get passes to see Santa and they go fast. Luckily, we had a connection who was gracious enough to snag a pass for us so we wouldn't have to wait several hours just to see Santa.

Lila didn't really care for Santa. She was in a bad mood because she missed her nap. Haden loves Santa, so the missed nap was worth it for him.

Lila did cheer up on the carousel!

Clearly we need to work on shooting technique with Regan. She didn't hit much, but had fun trying!

The kids had to test drive every 4 wheeler we passed.

This one was Haden's favorite, also the most expensive.

The kids also love playing on the gators.

My kids all love popcorn and begged for some. Haden is very good at ordering whatever it is he wants and paying for it. (I bribe him with churros from Costco if he's well behaved and patient while I'm shopping, but he has to order them by himself. He does great, but the ornery old guys who inevitably get in line behind him and try to cut ahead of him could use some manners!)

It was a fun day, and we even got out of there without buying anything but popcorn!

Happy Birthday Haden!

My little guy turned 4! He proudly tells people that he is "plain old 4, not 3 1/2 or 4 1/2, just plain old 4!" He requested a firefighter themed birthday party this year. We colored pictures of Fireman Sam until everyone got there, and then we started the obstacle course.

The kids had to dress up as a firefighter,

walk (or crawl) across the bench,

slide down the slide,

climb over the ladder,
drive the "firetruck" to the burning house,

(Sometimes Lila thought they were going too slow.)

and rescue the stuffed bear.

They did their best to pop the balloons we used for the "smoke" in the burning house, but they just didn't weigh enough!

We had a pinata. Even Lila got in on the action. She was rather dangerous!

We sang "Happy Birthday", and each kid got their own firetruck cake,

and their own firetruck. The house was awfully noisy with that many firetrucks blaring their sirens!

After opening presents and an impromptu wrestling match (which always seems to happen if Clint is around when Haden and his friends get together!),

we watched Fireman Sam until parents came. I loved that even though they had the entire couch, they still sat so close to each other! Haden loved his party. It's convenient that all his little friends also love firefighters!

Haden's actual birthday was the following day, Sunday. Since Clint is in meetings all morning and we don't get home from church until 4:30, we didn't really do much except open and assemble his present. Haden even helped!

I love my sweet little boy!