Cameron's bed "part 4"

The saga continues! Last night we went to Costco to purchase a twin mattress for Cameron. This was our last ditch effort to get this boy to sleep in bed. To our wonder and amazement, we came into his room to tuck him in and found him peacefully sleeping in his bed! I think it might be too good to be true but I'm hopeful. The mattress is still on the floor but I think we will keep it that way for a while before buying a bed frame to put it in. I don't want to rock the boat.....

Help from big sis...

When dad is in charge, their is always a way to make things easier. Instead of pushing Cam on his big wheel because he can't reach, Bella was put to work.

Mama got a new flip camera for Christmas, you will be seeing a lot more video :)

Toddler Bed "Part 3"

I don't know if this is Cam warming up to the bed or falling asleep in mid destruction of his room. At least he wrapped himself up in his blanket to keep warm (while falling asleep standing up?)

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning at the Leonardsons was chaos as usual. Bella of course woke up with full intention of opening all the presents in the house. Cameron on the other hand needed a little persuading, hence the cookie. Once the sugar kicked in, he was ready to go.



Logan actually slept through the whole thing but joined us later in the morning for the festivities. We had a very nice Christmas and enjoyed spending time together as a family.

Logan's acting debut

So, on Christmas Eve we attended service at our church as usual. As we walked into the building, we were frantically approached by one of the girls running the show. "Can I ask you a favor?" she said. They apparently were short a "baby Jesus" for one of the musical numbers and wanted to borrow Logan. I hesitated a little then reluctantly said yes. She was going to come and get him a few minutes before the musical number he was to "perform" in . Bella was with us for this service as it was to be very exciting and special. She didn't want to stay in the child care and miss everything. Half way through the performances, Staci came to get Logan who was currently asleep and in major need of a bottle. I at this point was convinced this was a really bad idea. Not only was he going to wake up hungry, but also in a very strange situation. As she took Logan, Bella in a very confused way asked "why are they taking baby Logan" and " are they going to give him back?"

We tried to enjoy the music, anticipating what was to come. After a while we heard a baby hysterically screaming backstage and again felt this was a really bad idea. Staci came back to us asking for bottle or binky or something, I handed her the bottle. The screaming child (my child) was now quiet and I felt a little more at ease. Suddenly, during the current song Mary and Joseph appeared on stage holding a very confused, very naked, baby Jesus (the reason he was crying was that they completely stripped him down and gave him to people he didn't know). We of course could see the inconspicuously wrapped bottle calming our little star. He was beautiful, spectacular and of course a natural. For Logan's very first Christmas he got to play the most important role imaginable. We are so proud of our little miracle.

(And of course with this being a last minute event, we have no pictures to share)

Logans a big boy! (not really)

We tried the bumbo seat tonight, what a big boy! I can't believe he can sit up in it already, he wobbled a bit but stayed up. Such a little man already...

Hating the toddler bed "Part Two"

Last night when going to check on Cam, we found him asleep on the floor in this very uncomfortable looking pose. Again, he is sleeping anywhere but in his bed...where will we find him next? Last time is was in his toy bin wrapped with his blanket.

This is the only time he still looks like a baby to me. My little angel...until he wakes up that is. Then it's back to chasing him off of furniture, down the street, in the mall, at the park....really, I spend most of my time just chasing him. Ah, the joys of a two year old boy :)

Preschool Christmas Program

Last night was Bella's first school Christmas program. It was so much fun to see all these 3,4 and 5 year old kids dressed up so nice and ready to sing for us all. (Some more ready than others) All the kids walked out on to the stage with the Chipmunks Christmas song playing in the background.
Bella was so excited to have her turn at the microphone, wishing everyone a very merry Christmas. The boy standing next to her happens to be the one she is going to marry, in case you were wondering. At four years old, we have to have these things in order all ready. Although he has two other girls he is going to marry as well, kind of confusing...

Once the program got too long, Bella practiced balancing the ball of her Santa hat on her face. She got quite good at it as the program went along.

Our Tree

This is our beautiful tree that the kids got to decorate themselves at 9:00pm at night on a Wednesday. Our family had been putting off the tree experience this year because of various reasons. Our weekends were too busy, Darin had been out of town, laziness...Our family tradition is to venture through the woods and cut a tree down the old fashioned way. My incredible husband insists on it. The thought of having a nice clean, pre-lit, perfect, dry, artificial tree would just be crazy! When we said our vows, I think this was a deal breaker.

Due to the major amount of rain, snow, and freezing temperatures, my husband "allowed" us to purchase a pre-cut tree from a lot down the street. Spending of course way too much for it (and in my opinion, the real reason we have to drag three children through the mud, saw down a tree and strap it to the top of our mini-van, it's cheaper) the tree happens to be the most beautiful we've ever had.

The kids really had a good time, and I had a fabulous time sitting in the nice warm car pointing out the window at the tree I wanted. Score one for mom!

The many faces of Logan

Never too old to swaddle

Bin bed

We have discovered that Cameron hates his toddler bed and will sleep anywhere but in it. When we came in to "tuck him in" we found him asleep in one of his toy bins. He of course woke up and wanted to play, especially when we broke out the camera to catch the moment. We have also found him sleeping on the floor, in various spots around his room.

His sister used to sleep in the closet.

Discovering hands

Logan has discovered his hands and spends most of his time trying to put them together and how to get them in his mouth.

When Dad is in charge....

Sometimes I get really overwhelmed with things to do (had to believe, I know) and Darin offers to keep the kids occupied so I can get stuff done. Usually it involves some sort of major art project or adventure outside. This happened to be at night so outside wasn't an option. He had the great idea to have the kids finger paint in the garage....you can probably guess the rest.

Darin's next big idea was to have them walk in the paint and use their feet to "express their artistic desires"while of course holding Logan on his body making it virtually impossible to grab a child covered in paint about to run into the living room...ARE YOU KIDDING! All I see is paint on my floors! Welcome to the world of three children, he'll get it eventually.