Christmas with the (Kranks)... I mean Powells

Does anyone remember what our Christmas was like last year?
Well, we haven't forgotten...

As the holiday season approaches, we have found ourselves having a discussion. About... what Christmas is about, what we want it to mean to our children, what traditions we want to make, etc.
We are so blessed to live near so much family, which we do enjoy. So many aren't able to see family members on such a regular basis.
We are also frequently overwhelmed by the many activities that we are expected to attend. We feel like Christmas has become something more like a check-list in the most recent years.
Gifts for all: CHECK
Christmas party for each family: CHECK
Christmas day complimentary stop-by: CHECK

We feel like it may be a good time to make a change. Let me just say- that though this may be an unpopular change, we really feel like it is the right move for our family at this point in time. It doesn't mean that things may not change again in the future as our little family grows and matures. We are not angry with anyone and we are not targeting any one person. I hope that everyone can be understanding about that.
Anyway...
What I am getting at is that we have decided to stay home this December 25th!

What this means:
1. We will do our best to attend all family Christmas soirees during the month of December so that we get at least one chance to holiday with all members of our families.
2. We plan to make our gift exchanges at these already planned meetings. Family members are welcome to hold-on to these gifts and open them on Christmas day or open them ahead of time, while we are present.
3. On Christmas day, we welcome family and friends to our home. Let us know if you want to stop-in and visit!

The point of this is to make Christmas more meaningful to our children. We have a very busy day-to-day schedule and have limited vacation time with each other. We would like to spend more time letting our children open and enjoy their gifts on Christmas morning. We would also like to spend more time enjoying the giving of gifts to others rather than just running from point A to point B to point C. We want to make sure that the true meaning of Christmas is not lost in the shuffle and travel. We feel like we have plenty of opportunity to see our family and friends during the month of December already and cutting out Christmas day travel doesn't limit that at all. Let me again say that WE LOVE OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS! This is not meant to hurt anyone.

Please let me know what you think of this change.

Clean Cut

Asher finally had his first official hair cut. What a handsome gentleman! No more fuzzy monster...for now anyway.

Here is a cute picture from a couple of weeks ago that I just threw-in for fun. Jordis loves to read to Asher!

Fun with Fall while it lasts

Somehow, most of the leaves in the neighborhood have found their way to our front patch of grass. Strange....

Trick or Treating, we are

Happy Halloween from the Powell family!!

We decided to go with the Star Wars theme this year, if you can't tell. We don't have much time left before we won't be able to coerce the kids into matching theme costumes anymore.

We had a ton of fun this Halloween! We ate our pumpkin-shaped pizza and headed out to trick-or-treat in the neighborhood. Jordis had been looking forward to trick-or-treating all month and has been carrying around her treat pail this whole time. She did really well this year. She refused to let anyone put treats in her pail-- SHE had to do it herself.

And now Presenting:

Jordis as Princess Leia

-although she claimed to be Snow White as well (we just let her think whatever she wanted!) The most important thing is that she had a blast wearing make-up, having her hair up in buns, and dancing around in her tutu.

Asher as Yoda

Have you ever seen a cuter Yoda? It was a good thing his costume was warm and we started out really early because he was ready to go home as soon as his little fingers started getting cold.

Me as R2D2

Tyler as a Jedi

Leahla as an Ewok

I think a pug had to have been the inspiration for the ewoks because her little face is just too perfect for this costume!

Month 008

The other day, we got to play outside in the leaves. Jordis and her neighbor friend kept piling the leaves on Asher. He loved it and would throw the leaves up in the air (after he first tried to get them into his mouth)!

Yes- another month has gone by! Asher is not crawling- yet. He does the backwards shove and the pivot. I say- take as long as you want, Asher!! He is really into dogs lately and just giggles at Leahla, who is so good and lets him pull her ears. He jibber-jabbers all the time. He still loves his thumb and will also take a binky. It is probably time for his first full haircut soon- so much hair! He has recently developed a throwing arm and hurls his toys, food, etc. I love that you can sit him down in the middle of a bunch of toys and he will play for quite a while (until he wants to be picked-up and then he will reach his arms up for you). We call him our little prairie dog-- because that is what he looks like whenever we go to wake him up from a nap. He immediately rolls over and props his head to look up and over the bumpers. He takes 2-3 naps during the day and sleeps from 6:30/7pm- 6:30am (only sometimes with a feeding around 2am). He was sick the past couple of weeks, which was awful. So glad the family is feeling better. We love our giggly Asher!

Rock Star

What is it about a baby in sunglasses that just makes you grin?

Jordisism

"My boobies aren't bigger yet.... Daddies boobies aren't bigger yet, too."

Udder Covers for free!

A friend shared this promo on their blog and I am so glad because I just ordered my own! Go to www.uddercovers.com and 'shop now'. When you check out, use the promo code '1free' to get $32 off! I got one of the gift sets that come with a nursing cover, 4 washable bread pads, and a bracelet that helps track what side you last nursed on..... all for under $14!!
I have another nursing cover (different brand) that is very similiar and I LOVE IT!

Embrace the New

It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power.
-Alan Cohen

Fall is here!

We decided to go on a quick trip up the canyon. Here are some of my favorite pictures!