Merry Christmas 2011

Christmas is my FAVOURITE time of year! I love everything about christmas. I love the smells, I love the family gatherings, I love the traditions, the baking, the shopping, the spirit of it all. I just love it.

This year was a little bittersweet. I didn't have my parents here or any family except Auntie Tare. It was nice to atleast have her here. So this year was a little more relaxing and less running around back and forth which was kinda nice. On Christmas Eve day Cody and I took Grayden on a movie date while Auntie Tare watched Daxtin. I think it was the first time Cody and i ever did that since Daxtin was born, so it was so nice for Grayden to get some time with just us. We Saw the movie Arthur and it was the perfect way to get into the christmas spirit. SUCH a good show! After the movie we had naps and then went to deliver some presents for a single family in need. We spent the rest of the night playing games and eating good food with Cody's family. We went home early to get ourselves in bed for Santa. Oh and to sprinkle reindeer food on the lawn and leave cookies and almond milk for Santa.

This is the fun part. Taking out all the presents from santa for the kids and laying them all under the tree. This year was so much fun with Grayden and I can imagine its only going to get funner and funner! He was sooo excited for Santa! Went to bed like an angel! the next morning Gray woke up in my room and I was quickly changing and getting ready to go downstairs, and Grayden quetly says to me, "mommy, santa came?!" LoL It was so cute!

So we woke up Dax and went down stairs to see all the presents! Gray was so happy and excited to see everything! It was so much fun to see the looks on there faces! Like I said, I LOVE CHRISTMAS :)

23 months....REALLY??!!

Is it really that time already? Are we really celebrating Daxtins 2nd birthday in less than a month! Why does time have to go soooo fast! It's such a crazy time of year I almost forgot to post! Christmas is in a couple days and we are sooo excited! This year is extra fun because Gray really knows whats going on and seeing his excitement just increases mine so much more!

Well I don't want to do a big update on Dax because I want to save that for his big 2 YEAR UPDATE!

Gray is starting speech therapy January 9. Im so excited for him but Im NOT looking forward to having someone in my home 3 days a week while Im trying to run a house and a dayhome! Thats going to suck but Im excited for Gray. He is also starting Preschool January 9th 3 days a week. He's going to have so much fun!

Gingerbread

Christmas festivities have began! We made gingerbread houses tonight and the boys had so much fun! I let Daddy be in conrtol for the first time. Usually Im all in there making sure its done right lol but I just let him take over and this is how it turned out....hahaha

The Flu...

This week hasn't been so great for the beecher family :( Gray got sick on Wednesday night. He was up 3 time in the night getting sick. Thank goodness I didn't have kids the next day and that it was the weekend. Dax caught the same thing a few days later and again, had 3 episodes in the night and was much better the next day! It is the worst thing in the world to see your little babies get sick :( I am so exhausted and so glad that this was just a 24 hour thing!! (sigh)

Speech Therapy ...

I took Gray to get a speech assesment because he has been struggling with his speech since he was 12 months old. He was never the type to imitate or mimik anything you would ask him to. He would just sit there and look at you and do his own thing. Months would go by before he would finally say the word on his own terms.

So off we went to our appointment and you had some hearing tests done and she went though some words with you to see what you could say or not say and scored you accordingly. its funny how every child learns at there own pace, at there own level. Gray is definitely behind on his speech for his age. He has actually qualified for a government program called Puff. Where he will start having speech aids come to our home and help him with his speech. Im not really fond of the idea having 2-3 different people visiting 3-4 times a week but I guess we'll make it work. Im excited for Gray to start this and to really help him communicate better :)

Happy halloween 2011

Halloween was SO much fun this year! We started the night off by trick or treating at Grandma and Grandpas house first. We have sorta made that a tradition since Graydens first halloween. After we headed to the mall. It was the first day of snow so it was a bit chilly. Well most stores at the mall were out of candy so after about 30 mins we decided to do a few homes in the country before going back to Grandmas and Grandpas. WELL ..... a few homes turned into about 15 or more! We hit the jack pot out there! Almost every single house was giving out gigantic chocolate bars! Our first house was handing out a big chocolate bar, one can of pop, and a bag a chips!!! Even though he won't be eating most of that candy, it was seriously SO MUCH FUN to see what the next house was giving! Grayden was sooooo excited and just having so much fun, and I felt like a little kid again! Gray was being so sweet and loving because he felt so special LoL every time I took him out of the car he would say "mom your pretty" :)

Oh and another way cute comment Grayden made tonight on our way to Grandmas house.
He said, "mom, dad, look the moon"
Daddy said, " Yah Gray it's almost half a moon"
Grayden, "No dad, banana"

LoL

Well that was our night :) Dax had fun running around the mall but he definitely wasn't into trick or treating. He just sat in the car while Gray and I ran up to the houses :) He was sure a good sport though :)

You hear me!

Gray said the cutest thing last night that broke my heart. We've been having such a hard time lately putting him to bed without having to lay with him for 20 minutes. We do our usual bedtime routine together as a family Read a book, prayer, cuddles etc. But to leave the room lately with him awake is very rare. Daddy tried to lay with him last night but Gray wasn't having it. Hes fine when Im not home at night but if he knows I'm there thats all he wants. So Cody got kicked out. Gray just said "no, go a way" He was calling for mommy crying "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy"....then all of a sudden he started crying out "mommy, you hear me?! " AWe what a way you break my heart Gray! Well as soon as I heard that I went in to cuddle my boy and he was out it 5 minutes! Way to keep strong MOM!! LoL

Love love Love my boys!

Mickey here we come!

The count down has begun and I haven't been this excited for a long time! Last time we went to Disneyland Grayden was almost 2 and I was pregnant with Dax. It was just Cody, Grandma Beecher, and I. This time Grayden will be almost 4 so it will be so much more funner for him and for us, and I wont be preggers so I can actually enjoy some rides :) PLUS both Nana and Papa and Grandma and Grandpa are coming with us. Grayden is SOOO excited to go to "mickey mouses house" and for the airplane ride. Every day for prayer Grayden says " Please bless mickey mouse house, thanks airplane ride" ........ What a guy :)
19 more days to go ......

Nursery Time !

I never thought the day would come for Dax. Church has been so un enjoyable lately but now that Daxtin is in nursery the last couple hours of church is such a nice break (and a much needed one after sacrament lol) You do pretty good on your own :) Grayden is doing really well and enjoys being in nursery now so that is exciting! Can't believe both my babes are in nursery and by the end of the year my big boy will be a sunbeam :)

Swimming Lessons

We registered Grayden in swimming lessons for the first time this year :) He is the best "sea turtle" ever ;) he just loves it and its some really good bonding time for just Grayden and his Dad. I lucked out HUGE his very first day. I have kids until 6 during the day and his lessons start at 530 so I was pretty bummed that I wouldn't get to see him. I loaded cody up with the camera and camcorder but Sarah and Dean didn't show that day and Carson got picked up early. I was so excited to come and get my pics his very first day! :)

Gray LOVES the water but he's also a little afraid of it :) He used to LOVE LOVE LOVE water slides and would go on the scariest ones and now he wont even go down the baby ones. When we went to cultus lake we took him down water rapids and the tube flipped. He was pretty scared and it obviously left a mark because ever since he refuses to go on any of the water slides. He's afraid to let go of you in the water so Im really glad he's in these lessons and hopefully take away some of the fear he has towards water :)

My friend....

(about 10 years ago)

It is almost 2 am in the morning and I cannot for the life of me get any sleep! My mind is racing with many thoughts and worrying about my friend. Today is my birthday which is a little bitter sweet this year. One year ago today my best friend lost her dad in a tragic plane crash. (on my birthday) I will never forget the morning of the 25th. Cody woke me up to tell me the news that he had heard on Facebook. I ran out of bed and rushed to the computer. I immediately picked up the phone to call my friend without a thought or question in my mind as to what I was going to even say to her..... I just wanted to hear her voice, to hear she was ok (even though I knew she wouldn't be) I had no words ..... I remember calling my parents right away and began to sob and tell them how much I loved them and pleaded with them to MOVE BACK HOME!

In the span of 2 1/2 years my friend has lost her daughter and her father and she's only 25. She has been through so much I cant even begin to imagine. Her father was such an amazing man and an amazing father. I unfortunately only have a few memories of Chuck. The occasional birthday party, taking us to the hitman games, and the time he stormed in on us at "gospel" camp when we took a bunch of makeup from my brother that was STOLEN. ooops LoL
I wish I knew him in a more personal way but I want to thank him for raising such a beautiful daughter both inside and out, someone who has been my friend for the past 13 years and someone who I look up to and admire. I know his beauty shines through her.

I know one of the worst things for her going through all of this is thinking people look at her differently. I want her to know that when I look at her I see a woman with incredible inner strength, a woman of endless faith in God, and an Inspiration to all.
I know trials will come and go in my life. I tend to live in fear over that sometimes, but in those moments when the fear gets the best of me I remember my friend. I remember everything she has gone through and how she has handled it with such grace and an un wavering faith in God and his plan for us. It doesn't matter what trials I will face, I know I can get through anything. She is such an inspiration to me and I hope I can learn from her example, that when I am faced with trials, I can pick myself up and have and even stronger testimony of faith just as she does.
I know her Dad is looking down on her and feeling so proud!
I came across this poem tonight and wanted to share it with her and her family

A LETTER FROM HEAVEN

To my dearest family,
Some things I would like to say,
But first of all, to let you know
That I arrived ok.

I’m writing this from Heaven
Where I dwell with God above,
here there’s no more tears or sadness
There is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy
Just because I’m out of sight.
Remember that I’m with you
Every morning, noon, and night.

That day that I had to leave you
When my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me
And He said, I welcome you.

It’s good to have you back again
You were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest; family
They’ll be here later on.

I need you here so badly
As part of my big plan.
There’s so much that we have to do
To help our mortal man.

Then God gave me a list of things
He wished for me to do.
And foremost on that list of mine
Is to watch and care for you.

And I will be beside you
Every day and week and year.
And when you’re sad,
I’m standing there to wipe away the tears.

And when you lie in bed at night
The days chore put to flight
God and I are closest to you
In the middle of the night.

” When you think of my life on earth
And all those loving years,
Because you’re only human
They’re bound to bring you tears

But do not be afraid to cry
It does relieve the pain.
Remember, there would be no flowers
Unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you
Of all that God has planned,
But if I were to tell you,
You would not understand.

And to my many friends trust,
God knows what is best.
I’m still not very far away from you
I’m just beyond the crest.

And now I am contented that my life,
It was worthwhile.
Knowing as I passed along the way
I made someone smile.

When you’re walking down the street
And you’ve got me on your mind,
I’m walking in your footsteps
Only half a step behind.

And when you feel that gentle breeze
Or the wind upon your face,
That’s me giving you a great big hug
Or just a soft embrace.

And when it’s time for you to go
From that body to be free,
Remember, you’re not going,
You are coming here to me.

And I will always love you
from that land way up above.
I’ll be in touch again soon,

P.S. GOD SENDS HIS LOVE!

Please pray for my friend and her family this weekend.
I love you Tiffany :)

Gray is 3 1/2

You are getting so big my sweet little man! 6 more months and we'll be celebrating your FOURTH birthday! Seriously where does the time go? In the last 6 months you have been doing a lot of growing. You weigh a ton and and are....

You are still in love with your dinosaurs and choo choo trains. You also really LOVE to play with dolls and barbies LoL....Your father hates that but he's learned to zip his mouth and let you do your thing. I say as long as your under the age of 5 its okay.....anything beyond that would be questionable :)

The last few months you have started to become really fearful and your imagination gets the best of you sometimes. It's funny how all of a sudden you seem to think there are monsters everywhere and ghosts and spiders will come and eat you??!! Seriously where do you come up with this stuff? Of course it is only spoken of at bed time but I can tell wether your just making excuses not to go to bed and when you are REALLY actually scared! We get out our magic water sprayer and spray the closet and window that keep anything from coming in to scare him. (Got that idea from a book) It works like a charm most nights and he LOVES being able to actually spray something in the house. We used to have one of those door locks inside your bedroom door to prevent you from coming in our room at night. Daddy would hear you awake and just come into the room and put you back vs you coming into our bed and FREAKING because you almost made it but have to go back. That idea didn't last very long. I was NOT comfortable knowing if you needed to get out you couldn't so off went the door lock and INN went Gray to our bed at 2am :) Every night you sneak into our bed but we figure it won't last forever and I know one day I will miss it so for now....what the hey!

Your speech has improved tremendously but I have you scheduled to get some speech therapy within the next 6 months. You have some difficulty pronouncing some of your letters just like your dad did at your age.

We have a very exciting next few months ahead! We are going to DISNEYLAND with both of your grandparents! I cannot wait and neither can you.......you always ask about it and talk about it. During prayer you always bless mickey mouses house and the airplanes :) so sweet! You love to say prayer and insist on being the only one that says it. Short and sweet :)

Happy 3 1/2 years my boy!!
Mommy loves you to bits
xoxo

Sweet Grayden

For the longest time (since you figured how to open doors) your dad and I put a door knob lock on your door so you wouldn't come out of your room in the middle of the night. Well a few weeks went by and I started to feel really un-easy about that. What if for whatever reason you started choking and were trying to get out for help but couldn't?! I was thinking of a lot of "what if's" so I made daddy take it off. WELL.....ever since you have been sneaking into our bed and cuddling in with mommy! Dax usually beats you to it by 1am, so there we are. All four of us squished in one bed :) (thank goodness we purchased that king)

Most mornings I wake up and daddy's usually no where to be found. He escapes into the spare room to get a more comfortable nights sleep. One particular morning you were on the edge of the bed, mommy was in the middle, and Dax was on the other side of me. You asked if I could cuddle you so I had my arms wrapped around you and you had your hands tucked under your cheek. Dax was whimpering beside me for some reason and with your eyes still closed you whispered to me in the most sweetest voice ever "mommy, baby Dax needs you" Ughhh you melted my heart instantly!!! I thought to my self, what an incredibly sweet and caring little boy I have! It was so sweet that you were willing to give up your morning snuggles because you felt baby needed me more :) GAAAHH I LOVED IT.....so sweet!

Love you to bits Gray :)

Summertime :)

This summer has been pretty low key so far! Besides Vancouver we have pretty much stuck around home. Every other weekend we try to either go to Calaway Park or the Zoo. Gray can go on most of the rides at calaway now that he is almost 40" tall. I LOVE it there. Just this last time we waited the long line and took him on the log ride :) He thought it was a little scary but he had a lot of fun!! Its so nice to get the kids out of the house and go do something fun!!!

Dax is 18 months

Daxtin you are my little ray of sun shine :) You are such a happy little guy! You are very smart and you are such a chatter box. You can say many words, even little sentences. The other day you were on the edge of the bed and wanted down so you said to me "mommy down" You can say pretty much any simple word! Oh and you can now say thankyou all on your own. Very smart boy you are.

AT 18 months old you weigh ALMOST 24 Lbs and 31 1/2" tall. You are in the 25th percentile for both your weight and height.
You love to Push anything and everything with wheels!! Your favorite toy to push would have to be a doll stroller.
Your favourite thing to do is be OUTSIDE. You always say "mommy OUTSIDE, OUTSIDE, OUTSIDE!"! When we try to bring you in it's world war 3!!!
Your eyes have turned completely brown and your hair is starting to go blonde.
You are so much easier than your brother at this age!! (no offence Grayden) You go down for your naps so easy. I remember with Grayden we had to rock him and then we would quietly lay him down and he would immediately wake up and we were back to square one! Ugh I don't miss that. With you I just nurse you, lay you down and leave the room. You cry out "mommy" for half a second and you put yourself to sleep as soon as I close the door behind me. You wake up happy as ever as well. We don't even know your awake until we check in on you and you are just sitting or laying quietly in your room amusing your self or we hear you talking to yourself on the monitor :) Makes me so happy!!

You are very picky with your vegetables!! You still nurse a lot and you LOVE your fruits! I just put a green drink in your sippy cup or make it into a popsicle to ensure your at least getting veggies in somehow. You started using a spoon a couple months ago. Meal time is such a mess and I dread it everytime...blah
We did a lot this month! We did your first big road trip........12hours to Vancouver!! You absolutely LOVED the beach, the ocean, the birds, everything and anything having to do with outside you love.

You also cut 5 teeth this month. Almost all your mollers and an eye tooth! In other words, mommy had had no sleep :) You still love trains and buzz but you have found a new love in Cars. You LOVE cars!!

Well baby boy I can't believe we are half way to your "terrible" twos! CAN'T WAIT :) Happy 18 months!!
LOVE YOU MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY
XOXO
mommy

Vancouver 2011

If it wasn't for the ridiculous housing prices, or the crazy taxes you pay in that city. I would live there in a heartbeat! It is gorgeous and there is always something to do. I look forward to taking my boys here every year! This time was extra special because for the first time in 3 years we got to all come as a family. The last couple of years daddy has stayed behind. It was also the first year we drove down. That was the longest car ride we have ever been on together and I am still shocked at how well the kids did for a 12 hour car ride!

We left the morning of June 30th @ 3am in the morning. We figured it would be a good idea because the kids would sleep most of the way there. Well it didnt work out that way at all. As soon as we drove out of Luxstone you both were wide awake and it stayed that way for the next 2 hours. Considering the time and lack of sleep you both hardly complained at all. We stopped only 2 or 3 times on the way there. It was like clock work every 3 hours Dax would start to get fussy so we made a short pit stop. The boys slept only 2-3 hours the whole way there.

Finally around 4pm we arrived in White Rock. It was so much fun to stay with Nana and Papa for the week. We spent a few days at the beach which was heaven for my boys (including Cody) That would have to be my favourite place in the world! I love the beach there! Yah its not paradise or tropical by any means but I love how far the tide goes out and having all that space for the kids to run, play, chase birds, get dirty whatever they want. Its so relaxing and fun! The beach days were the best days.

We spent a couple days in the states shopping and we also spent a full day in cultus lake. That was a really fun day too!
Grayden loves water slides and the very first one he wanted to go on was the sky screamer! The life guard said they haven't seen someone so small wanting to go on it. I WAS EVEN SCARED TO GO ON but I did because I couldn't have my THREE year old go on but not his momma! Anyway It was really fun and not only did we go once but Gray wanted to do it again immediately after!

We decided to take him on "water rapids" its a really fun tube ride. Gray and his dad were sharing a tube and they flipped when the got to the bottom. They both went under and Gray was really upset! Well.......he didn't go on a waterslide again that day :( That scared him pretty bad!

It was such a fun week and I wish we could spend more time with my parents! Its so hard not having them around all the time.
The drive home was a breeze as well. I was so proud of my boys and how well they did. We made 3 or 4 stops on the way home and again, only 2-3 hours of naps for the boys! It was so nice to be home when we finally arrived! Its always good to be home. It was a really fun trip and I look forward to it next year :)