Mark's last year in his 20's!!

Well...this is it folks...Mark's last year in his 20's.  Needless to say it was the first birthday he has had where he thought "Hmmm...I don't know if I like this age."  But he was a good sport and didn't complain about getting older.
His birthday was on a Saturday this year so we got him all day long!  The night before I gave him a card with some options for breakfast and times he could sleep in till.  He checked the boxes he wanted and that was that.  After a nice morning of sleeping in, he woke up to french toast and bacon.  I like to space presents out during the day so he opened one the night before at midnight, at breakfast, at lunch and before dinner.  Once we were all ready for the day, we had cake and ice cream after lunch and then went to Seven Peaks ice skating.  It was a blast!  Obviously Fullback can't be on the ice but Shortstop and Mark had a great time.  It was Shortstop's first time so he was a little nervous but loved that he was "doing what they do in Frozen!"
After skating and naps, I gave Mark his last gift by surprising him with a date that night with a babysitter all set up.  He was stoked!  We don't go out on dates enough but now we think we have a great little YW babysitter so hopefully we go A LOT.  We went to sushi and Saving Mr. Banks.  Such a fantastic movie!!  You need to see it...seriously.

 Shortstop has decided he gets to decorate cakes for birthdays.  He did this all by himself!!  

 Creepy 29 year old picture...but I love that face!

 Ready to make a wish!

 He is so cute... sometimes I can't even stand it.

 Learning how to walk in skates

 Discussing and explaining the finer points of the zamboni

Mark, you are the most incredible person I have ever met and I am so grateful I get to celebrate each birthday with you.  29 looks good on you!  The boys and I love you so much!!

New Year's Eve

When we got home from Christmas, Mark still had a few days before he had to be to work...and we LOVED it.  We went to the movies, out to eat, shopping and just enjoyed being lazy.  New Year's Eve was pretty laid back but a LOT of fun.  We had a Mickey waffle bar for dinner, then we watched the ball drop (on youtube from last year) at 7 before bedtime and tooted horns, popped poppers, sprayed silly string and danced.  Then the boys went down and we went to our neighbors' house with two other couples in the ward that we are good friends with and visited and ate until almost 2 in the morning.  It is so nice to have that time with friends and we are so grateful for the great friends we have in this ward.

 Fullback was a bit nervous at his crazy family but his extra hugs were fine by me

And our little party gets a thumbs up review from Shortstop

Christmas in Seattle

This year we were able to fly up to Federal Way to visit Mark's family for Christmas.  It was so nice to be able to go to up there...it has been years since we have made the trip.  Before we went, we had a little family Christmas here to open things from my family and gifts that were too big to take on the plane.  It was fun to have a preview of Christmas morning...Shortstop loved all of it and had a great time.  The basketball hoop has been a big hit!

Sunday matching Christmas sweaters

Pjs from Grandma Morgan

Big hit with the boys!  They love playing each day!

We really tried to focus on the true meaning of Christmas throughout December and did a daily scripture reading/lds video to discuss the life and ministry of the Savior.  I loved that when people would ask what Christmas was about, Shortstop would say "the baby Jesus."  I want him to enjoy presents and Santa Claus and our elf on the shelf tradition but I want him to always know why we celebrate and what is really important.  We also did some fun activities like temple square lights, Thanksgiving point lights, seeing Frozen in theaters, and lots of other fun little things to count down to Christmas.
We flew up to Seattle on the 22nd and were there to the 28th which was perfect.  The boys did so well on both flights and I gotta give props to my hubby for the luggage, gifts and car seat maneuvering through both airports.  A big thanks to his sister Allis and my brother-in-law Matt for the rides to and from the airport.

Chilling in the airport sucking on the clasp- whatever works buddy!

Familiarizing himself with the airplane safety procedures.  We bought him a Cars backpack that he filled with books and snacks and he loved it.  Looked so cute walking through the airport and of course I never even took a picture!

While we were up there we had time to be lazy and watch movies, let the boys play with the cats and all of Nana's toys, visit with family and see Grandma and Grandpa Elkington, visit the city, Mark got in a round of urban golf with his high school buddies which is a tradition, I got an amazing facial in downtown Seattle, I went to the Nutcracker with my father-in-law and sisters-in-law (also a tradition) and of course Christmas Eve and Christmas morning festivities. Nana and Grandpa went all out to make the house comfortable and kid friendly for their only grandkids, which we so appreciated.  They put Peter Pan decals on the wall of the boys' bedroom, had monogrammed pillow cases made, bought a small table and chairs and an easle for coloring and even stocked up on kid friendly food!  Fullback took a minute or two to warm up to the house (especially the cats...not a fan for a while) and everyone but once he did, he was in heaven.  Shortstop felt right at home the moment he stepped inside and he acted like he owned the place...and no one argued with him about it.

 Bedtime stories with Nana and Aunt Allis

 Christmas Eve pjs from Nana

 Fullback spent most of Christmas morning in a high chair eating or taking a nap so he finished opening his presents later in the day...and everything was a hit!  I know they were spoiled but both boys did so well and were so excited and grateful for each thing they received.  

 Storytime with Great Grandma Elkington

 Ready for a night out to The Nutcracker

 Shortstop wanted to go but once he found out the boys got to go to an arcade and out to eat with Nana, he was just fine

 Spent the day in the city...love the gray colors up there!

Can't go into Seattle and not visit Pike's Place...one of my favorites

And the best part of coming home was reopening all the packed gifts and toys we all got.  It was like Christmas morning all over again and the boys loved it!