Christmas {2014}

As we have done for the past few years, we had Christmas a few days early with our own little family and the drove down to Utah to be able to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with both the Mechams and Warnicks.

We drove down on the 22nd of December, so we could take advantage of working extra hours at our jobs. We then were able to make a stop on the way down in Layton at my uncles house for a family get-together. Unfortunately, we were not able to stay for all of it, but we were able to visit and enjoy the dinner. We missed out on the Nativity reenactment as well as some sing-alongs to Christmas songs. But we still had a great time and it was nice to break up the drive.

On Christmas Eve were were able to Skype with my missionary brother, Austin (who is serving in the Philippines). It was nice to be able to talk with him and see him and I even got a little emotional because of it - probably pregnancy hormones as well.

Austin was only supposed to get a half hour, but his companion was waiting to speak to his family at some internet cafe or something. So he figured he would continue to talk with us until his companion was done. We ended up talking for about an hour and a half! Austin has grown so much already from his mission and I love to see how his is maturing! I miss him and his humor, but he is serving the Lord and doing what he is supposed to.

Christmas morning began promptly at six in the morning at the Mecham household! They have always done it this early, which means we had to be up and ready to open presents at such an early time! I honestly don't mind sleeping in on Christmas but that has not been the case the last three Christmases.

Boston got tons of toys and probably too much stuff, as always! But his grandparents love him and LOVE to spoil him! He is the only grandson after all!

Christmas morning can be a little frantic, as we are trying to fit in all the presents at the Mecham's and then get oven in time for my family (who usually starts around 7:30-8:00). It usually works out pretty good, but this year it didn't snow at all until Christmas Eve night and just snowed and snowed. We almost didn't make it up my parent's hill because there was so much snow.

Some of the favorite things we got this year were a popcorn machine, emergency food kit, and a booster seat for Boston. It was a good day and we love the spirit of Christmas and the happiness it brings, but mostly being able to spend it with family!

It's a Girl

I was so surprised to hear that Baby Mecham #2 is girl! I was expecting to have another boy for some reason but the technician said she was 90-95% sure that it was a girl. At the anatomy scan everything seemed to be good, but baby girl was making it hard to tell if she was a girl, she was shy but we finally think we got a good view! Now to start thinking on baby girl names!

Temple Square

While we were down on break for Thanksgiving in Utah we were able to spend one of the evenings with my family in Salt Lake City at Temple Square. It had been a few years since I had been there and would be Boston's first time! 

The weather was perfect! It felt like a warm fall day and as you can see, Blake is wearing shorts! I loved that the weather wasn't to cold, it made enjoying seeing the lights so much better!

Boston has got into a stage where he wants to be held all the time, even though he can walk perfectly fine. It might be the start of some separation anxiety, but it made it hard for us because we did not bring the stroller. And lugging him around sure was a good workout for the arms.

It really is magical seeing all the lights turn on and seeing just how many there are! It sure lights up Temple Square and you can't be anything but happy when you are there! Especially with family!

Thanksgiving {2014}

Thanksgiving this year was with the Mecham side. As the Mecham family has grown and more grandchildren are being born, Blake's parent's have decided to start to host Thanksgiving dinner on their own instead of having us all congregate at Blake's grandpa's house like he did when he was younger. 

The holidays bring in a cool breeze and the warmth of family and I love it! I have married into a great family who is so loving and kind-hearted. They have welcomed me into it with loving arms and so whenever we visit it is fun to catch up with everyone who we haven't seen in a while and usually spend that time around food! Hey, we are Mechams and food is always apart of get-togethers!

Boston was finally old enough to sit at the table with us, and so we let him! Even though he is still learning how to use the utensils, and makes a mess EVERY TIME he still did pretty good. But he was to distracted by the toys in the other room to want to sit down and eat.

We spent the entire day at the Mecham's, which included prep, dinner, and of course the nap! We love getting to spend time with family and wish we could live closer to see them more often, but are happy that we aren't too far away!

We're Expecting Again!

We are so excited to have a sibling for Boston! I am almost 19 weeks along so we will be finding out soon whether Boston will be getting a brother or a sister. As for me I have been feeling pretty good and just a little exhausted from working and school, but I am almost done and actually due two weeks after graduation! Let's hope I can graduate before baby comes!

Halloween {2014}

This year Halloween was more fun than last year. Boston is older this time around and can actually walk around in a costume. We were going to go around trick-or-treating but Blake was at work and then it got too dark, fortunately the school had a little Halloween event just for kids. There were a few  games that Boston could play and win candy, although he didn't quite understand how it worked. But we did snap a picture of Blake and Boston in a Halloween cut out!

We carved pumpkins and made caramel apples for FHE the Monday before Halloween. I picked out the design for the pumpkin and Blake carved it! Boston helped take out the seeds of the pumpkins but really just sat and enjoyed the caramel apples, and a few pieces of candy!

The Zoo

We have not gone out and done things as a family very much so when we heard that the Idaho Falls Zoo was having a free admission day, we took advantage of it and had some fun looking around the zoo. It was a pretty cloudy day and even sprinkled some, but I think that helped control the crowds as the amount of people was manageable. Boston seemed to like the zoo and point at some animals, but I don't think he really knew what was going on. But we did get to hear the lions roar which was cool!

We wanted to get a picture of Boston on the tiger but it would not go for it one bit, he was terrified of the tiger, and this was the best picture we could get. We may have to come back next year when he is older to see if he will like it better.

Boston's First Birthday

I can not believe it, my little boy is a one year old, a toddler. Wow, did those 12 months just fly by! I can't believe how big he has gotten and how quickly he has grown. I made him a birthday stats "chalkboard". It was just black foam core and a white paint pen where I tried to creatively write some things about him that I didn't want to forget. For example his height and weight, favorite food, things he likes, etc. (as you can see in the picture). I also wanted him to have a shirt to wear for his birthday so I cut out fabric and actually had my mom sew on the number one as I was prepping for his birthday the night before, I turned out to be one of those moms who wants everything perfect for parties even though he is not going to remember the day, I just wanted everything to look nice!

With my design skills I spent some time designing what his party would like look. His favorite food is bananas so I thought I would go with a monkey theme. And sock monkeys are just so cute so that is what I went with. I designed the cupcake toppers and even a label to put around the water bottles so everything would look nice and not tacky. I did splurge a little and got some apothecary jars but justified it in being that I would end up using them for decor around the house as well as future parties. I used them for a little candy buffet in colors of red and brown inspired by the sock monkey.

I also wanted to have a nice lunch to go along with all of that candy so I put together some chicken wraps and just cut them up. There was also chips and a fruit and vegetable tray to complement the wraps. I thought it was an all around good meal, and I could finally use some food display items that we had received from our wedding.

 

I made a little smash cake for Boston to enjoy as everyone else had banana cupcakes. He sure went to town on that little cake and ate a pretty good portion of it, I was surprised how he just kept going and going. That kid sure is a bottomless pit!

Once we had finished with dessert we opened up presents. Boston was so lucky to have both his grandparents as well as all his aunts and uncles except one come up for his birthday. He sure was spoiled with some of the presents he got. From a monkey costume to some books and even mega blocks! Some toys I know he will enjoy in the future playing with.

We got him a truck he could play with in the rocks outside, since he loves to play outside, as well as a little magna doodle he could play with a church. Overall it was a fun day with family but very tiring as well. I enjoyed the time we had with family but was so glad to just be able to rest once it was over.