2011 in Review–Partridge Edition

2011 has brought many changes and blessings.  With our recent travels and new baby we decided that this year a blog post review seemed a little more realistic then sending out cards.  If this is the first time to our blog, feel free to take a look around whenever you'd like.  Please leave a comment so we know who you are.  We truly hope that you have a wonderful Christmas filled with the love of Christ and family. There is no better way to think of the sweet baby Jesus’ birth then while I snuggle up next to our new sweet little addition to the family.  Such a perfect little being born in such humble conditions, descending below the least of men to save us all.  This Christmas is a new opportunity to be reminded of just how blessed we are and mindful of the Grace of God.  Merry Christmas to all and have a happy New Year.   

Here’s a little picture playback of what’s been happening with us this year:

Hyrum finished Joyschool and moved on to ‘real’ preschool this year.  He loves it and is currently learning to read his first two beginning reader books.   

We spent a good chunk of our spring/summer remodeling our kitchen from black to white and new countertops.  It was a time consuming learning experience for us and we were very happy with the results.  We also spent every day in our garden.  The boys loved the work and especially enjoyed the great rewards of their labors. 

           We spent some time in Hawaii with the Partridges.  It was such a fun experience to have with the whole family.  The boys loved playing with cousins, digging in the sand, eating ice cream, digging in the sand, swimming in the pool, digging in the sand, and riding the sugar cane train.  Dad had a blast scuba diving and swimming in the ocean.  Mom loved snorkeling and laying out in the sun. 
                              

We also had so much fun visiting our good friends the Snyders in Georgia.  We played, ate great food, got to see some of the amazing sites of the south, and even got to try out some real southern food.

We had a Rushton reunion in Utah.  It was great seeing the family (we did really miss Jeff, Jenn, and Lexi).   We spent time at a waterpark, playing outside, taking hikes, doing crafts, spending time on Temple Square, and just having fun.  We happened to attend church at the Joseph Smith Building with Elder Oaks and he was kind enough to chat with us and have a picture.    

Our greatest joy of the year was the coming of our newest little miracle. Owen joined our family on September 19th and has been such a pleasure to have as a part of our bunch.  He is the sweetest, most mellow baby we’ve ever had and we are so happy that he has blessed our family. The boys love him and give him kisses, hold him, ‘read’ to him, and play peek-a-boo. 

   Brett was hired by Adobe as the Team Lead over video analytics this year.  He really enjoys his new job and all of the opportunities that have opened up to him.  It’s a great company to work for and we’re excited to see where this company will take him.  They also have some great parties

We have our moments (and sometimes long episodes) of stress, chaos, clutter, crying, and tantrums, but looking back at the year we see happiness and a family attempting to do our best.  Just a few days ago we were holding hands walking on the temple grounds in Mesa, AZ looking at the beautiful Christmas lights and nativities.  Hyrum looked up at me and said, “We need to hold hands because we are a family and we love each other.”  It’s moments like that that wipe away every moment of sadness.  We thank our Father in Heaven for gifting us three beautiful boys and for the joy they are in our lives. 

                       

Adobe Christmas Party

No question about it I love playing dress up. . . some things just never change. Well, a few days before the big event I found out that the Adobe Christmas party was going to be 80s themed. After some crazy running around and searching I put together these awesome costumes. The party was amazing with everything 80’s: Delorean just outside the entrance, Mr. T lookalike bouncer, professional break dancers performing, live band, tons of games to play like Hungry Hungry Hippo, Candy Land, old arcade games, . . . basically is was awesome! We may not have won best dressed – bummer, but I definitely had the best hair.

Hyrum’s Christmas Program

Hyrum has been practicing with his class several learning songs and Christmas songs to perform at a special Christmas Program.  It was very cute to watch and he had a short speaking part that he nailed.  Singing the songs isn’t really his favorite thing, but we were pleasantly surprised to see him mouthing some of the words.  Right now in Pre-school he’s earned his second book that he can read all by himself and he can write his name without any help. I can’t believe how grown up he’s getting!

Cleaning House

The floors hadn't been cleaned in. . . well, a long time.  The boys weren't taking a nap.  I needed a moment of peace.  So, I taught the boys a new way to mop the floor.  It seemed like a good idea at the time.

 

It was a lot of fun for a good hour or so.  They took turns pulling each other around on the towel and spraying the Eco-green.  Then out of nowhere Hyrum came out from under the table and he laughingly said, “Look Mom.  I’m all bloody.”  At first I thought he was joking because he was laughing still, and then I saw blood all over his hand.  I asked him where he was hurt and he insisted it was from Noah.  I looked Noah over and couldn’t find anything so I went back to Hyrum and found blood dripping from his hair.  Once I told him that I needed to wash his hair in the sink he started getting upset.  Not so much because of the blood dripping, but because he hates getting his hair washed.  What a strange boy.  It was a pretty good cut on his noggin, but nothing worth stitches.  He never seemed to mind or notice the cut.  The only thing that seemed to effect him was getting his hair washed.

Thanksgiving In Albuquerue

We had a great time in Albuquerque for Thanksgiving this year. Here are a few of the highlights.

Of course we had some amazing food, but the biggest highlight was all of the time they spent with Grandma and Grandpa. Early (6am) on Thanksgiving morning Grandpa drove the boys down to see some hot air balloons going off. Hyrum took some awesome pictures with his camera of the balloons that I’ll have to add later. As soon as they got back Noah ran to me really sad and said, “The workers didn’t let us get on the balloons.” It was pretty cute. They loved it. . .someday maybe the ‘workers’ will let them ride on one too.

We had a movie night.

One of the biggest highlights was helping Grandpa put up all their luminaries for Christmas. They got to climb up the ladder and use the drill. It was like heaven. They also loved spending a lot of time in the backyard with a little shovel they both called ‘the digger’. They flung dirt everywhere and dug all kinds of holes. Hyrum loved to pull weeds out and be Grandpa’s helper.

Owen got a lot of attention and was the happiest baby in the world. He rarely ever fussed and mostly spent his time smiling and enjoying the world around him.

We caught a nasty bug on the last day their and sadly had a long car trip back home full of puke. Hyrum was such a trooper. He had a bucket in the back seat next to him for throwing up. He threw up more times than I can count. He never whined or cried. He would wipe his mouth off with a paper towel and sometimes ask for a new movie or some water to drink, but there was never a complaint. He really impressed us. Noah did pretty well behaviorally, but didn’t quite recognize his sick cue's. I’ve never seen so much vomit come out of such a little body before. It managed to soak all of his clothes, seat, and it seeped onto the floor. We did what we could to get things cleaned up on the road. We did get the car thoroughly shampooed right after getting back.

The Man

Hyrum has taken upon himself the role of second man of the house.  With Owens coming he seems to feel a greater responsibility to take care of things which is both wonderful and makes me so proud but also kinda scary at times.  A couple of days ago, without even asking or mentioning it to me, he made himself a peanut butter and jam sandwich because he was hungry.  He got everything out including a plate and just made it.  I noticed later that he must have put the jam on first because there was a good amount of jam in the peanut butter jar.  After making it he ripped off a piece and put it on a plate for Noah too. He's really been doing well with being the big brother.  I haven't been able to do as much with Hyrum and Noah as I used to so they spend more time playing together.  They still fight and have their moments of sibling rivalry, but overall I think gaining a brother has brought the two of them closer together.

Hyrum has really been loving his preschool.  He has learned the sound and name of the first ten letters that they require to earn his first preschool book.  He is so proud of it and we practice reading it every day.  We've been on a waiting list since July to get Hyrum in the Mon, Wed, Friday class and we just found out that he will be getting in after Christmas break! We're so excited to let him spend more time learning with his peers.  

Sunday was our Primary Program and Hyrum had a short speaking part.  He walked up to the podium and told the Primary leader that was there to help that he didn't need her help because he knew his part. Then he got right up into the microphone and confidently said, "The Lord created the earth. . . actually, the Lord created the earth for all of us.  Ok."  (His actual line: Jesus Christ created the earth for me.) Then with a big proud smile he went back to his seat.  I just love watching him get older, even though it scares me.  

He's really a great helper with baby Owen.  He sometimes insists on carrying him, so we had to set a strict rule of no holding Owen unless Mom and Dad are right there.  Well, sometimes he lives by the spirit of the law and it makes my life a little more chaotic.  Last week I put Owen in his crib and had the boys playing so I could take a shower.  When I got out I went to check on Owen and my heart skipped a beat when he wasn't in his crib.  I found his little self on the floor all wrapped up in his blanket with a binky in his mouth. I immediately asked Hyrum about it and he said that Owen was screaming so he helped him.  I liked to hear that my cute little preschooler wanted his 'Baby Bubbles' to be happy.  With that said:  AHHHHHHHH! I can only imagine how Hyrum, who's head doesn't even reach the top of the crib managed to carry him down to the ground! SO SCARY!!!!  Yes, we had a nice long talk about the rules again.  

Blessing Day

Today Brett gave Owen a name and a blessing in sacrament meeting at church!  Owen is such a special baby.  He has a sweet personality.  At six weeks old he loves snuggling, humming, and sucking on anything he can get in his mouth.  It’s so cute listening to his almost constant grunts and hums.  I love it!  We love Owen so much and are glad that he’s a part of the family.  We hope that Owen knows that he is loved. 

Grandma and Grandpa Partridge would be coming into town for the blessing on Saturday night, but we decided to meet up with Ryan and Jennifer in Provo for a little celebration dinner before their plane got in.  When we were led to our table we were completely surprised to see Grandpa and Grandmama Long sitting there!!!  We were so excited to have them and feel honored that they would make the trip especially Grandpa Edwin, who Owen Edwin Partridge is named after.  It’s been such a blessing to have so much family support with my Mom staying with us for 2 weeks and then to have so much family here for his blessing.