The Best Christmas EVER!!!

Before Christmas was here, Alex assured me,

" This is going to be the best Christmas EVER!"
The Truth is, he was right.

This was the first year that both Alex & Tyson knew exactly what
they wanted for Christmas.
Alex has been making his Santa list for months.
His list included: Cheetahs, Big Tea Set, Helicopter, and a Shark Book.
While Tyson has not yet developed the language skills to articulate a list,
he managed to communicate what he wanted most.Every time we went to a store that sold Barbie cars he was quick to locate them and do a silent display of interest or a "sit in". He would park himself in front of the item for a VERY LONG time...until I finally had to carry him out of the store.

When Matthew or I were on the computer,
he would come up to us and say, "Ba-be Ca." Needless to say, we have spent a great deal of time looking at Barbie Cars.

In preparation for Christmas, we blew and racked tons of leaves .

Matthew began this great project Thursday Evening after work.The boys loved "helping," by jumping in the piles & By making Leaf Angels.

Thursday Night was also the Extended Shumway Family Caroling Party.
Since the boys were tired, and it's too hard for them to go to events of that magnitude, I represented to Foote Fam.
Rekah, my brother Dave's daughter came over for a sleep over.

We had lots of fun! And the boys were so happy
to discover our guest when they woke -up.
Christmas Eve. We are blessed to live pretty close to both Sides of your family so we got to spend a nice chunk of time with Footes and Shums.In Matthew's family, the Footes have a tradition of setting up & organizing the lighting of luminaries for their entire street. This is a picture of Ty playing Ring around the rosy in the front yard with his cousins. After a delicious Mexican food and a cousin gift exchange,
we headed to Gma & Papa Shumways for the Nativity Scene & Program.
Here's some photos from the program.

Here's the You Tube Link to the nativity After the Nativity, there was a Shumway Cousin's exchanged gifts & Santa Claus called to talk to all the children.
Finally, we headed home to let the boys open their Christmas Puppy PJs.

Christmas Morning
Alex & Ty were asleep by 10:00 While Santa and his elves were busy in the Back yard assembling the Boy's largest gift.
Alex was so excited that we woke up at 2:30 saying Momma, It's time to open presents. Once I got him conviced that it was still the middle of the night we were all asleep until 6:30 am.


One of Alex's favorite gifts was a Ocean play set. Tyson, as you can see thought it also made a great swimming pool. They fed Ken to the sharks too.I think Ty wanted to be one of the Sharks
because he to was taking a bite out of Ken's head.
Christmas Linner
(you know that meal that encompasses both Lunch and Dinner)
Matthew is quite skilled at making a moist and delicious Turkey. We decided to invite both sides of our family to come over for Turkey, Ham, Scalloped & Mashed potatoes and what ever else people wanted to bring.
It was a lovely feast! And the kids had fun breaking in the Trampoline. I wish I had more photos of this fun event but, I was too busy to take them.
These kids don't look very happy because Alex was making them mad.
(He was pitting and getting all worked up)Night Time

That is about it accept our absolute FAVORITE Gift is Charlie Brown. We adore his. He is a great addition to out family.
We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas too!

Cousins

One of the biggest blessings of life is family.
They will help in a crisis, listen to you complain. And above all, they will always love you, even when you don't necessarily deserve it.

There is also a special group of family members that are extra priceless. Built in friends you can call for play dates and countless hours of fun. (Tessa, Mark's oldest daughter w/ Ty)

My Children are blessed to have 27 Cousins! 23 of which live less then 10 miles away.
Here are a few snap shots that inspired this post.

Ty, Griffin & Lincoln at Burger King

Lincoln, Alex & Ty on the train ride at the zoo

Westin, Michael, Griffin & Lincoln

Scarlett & Tyson

Top 10 Things I am Thankful for

The top 10 things I am greatful for. But the way, I know that greatful is actually spelled G-R-A-T-F-U-L. But, I don't care. Because, I Think it is Great and should be spelled as such.

1
Fall Decorations. Love them. (They aren't usually all on my counter)

2

Water! Love it, last year It would have been Diet Coke but,
I have rediscovered my true love

3
A Stocked Party via Coupons!!! Love Coupons

4

Alex's People. Pictured here are Cody & Patricia who have become a part of our extended family. Every day "RiT-a", As Alex calls her, picks him up from schools and takes him to his therapies and droped him of safely at home. Always with a smile on his face.
He has been blessed with amazing teachers, speech, OT and Hab. providers. His people are a blessing to me because I don't have to run around like a chicken with my head cut off anymore.

Okay, so I still do, sometimes, just not nearly as often.5
Crafts with Tyson are so fun. I love how he is impressed with the projects we do. This idea came from my sister Wendy. He loves this Turkey. It goes to bed with him every night.
6
My "Cute room" Thanks to garage selling and a little more time on my hands I finally have a nice quite place to sit. This is my favorite spot in my whole house.

7
Garage Sales. Here's my latest find this fancy stroller 10 bucks ;o)8
Supportive Family. Tons of them are not pictured as I have a huge group of Siblings, In-laws, Aunts, Uncles Gma's and even an adopted Ganny Janny. 9
Matthew, a Man that I am still Silly in Love with.
We have both changed a lot in the past 7 years.
But, he still continues to bless my life every day.

10

The Temple! Love this picture too, a fabulous gift from my Mom for my Birthday this year.
(If you look closely you will notice the image in 3 of my 10 items.)

I took this idea from the inspiring Nie Nie. But, first, a confession. When I first saw her blog, before her accident, I was like, so what. She's cute and talented just like hundreds of other moms.
But, I was wrong. After listening to her post-accident accounts and feeling the spirit of her messages, I have discovered what makes her exceptional.
Her unfailing love for living, God, and family. These attributes have been proven and have strengthened through her experiences. While others may have been destroyed, she contines to thrive. What an amazing example she is !

The reality is, we all have had, or will have our "accidents" in life.
Like it or not, who we really are and will become, is greatly determined by how we choose to handle our part.
Lisa, another amazing woman, reminded me of this very concept. She reciently shared her friends words on her blog,

"When I knew this was our trial, (or accident)
I wanted to make sure I did it well."

I hope that when all is said and done I will be able to run home with open arms to an all knowing and loving Heavenly father and say all in all, I did it well.
Thank you for the blessing each of you have been and continue you to be in my life. There are so many things to count when we really take the time to be GREAT-FUL for all that we have been blesses with.

Loving life

First, I must apologize. I have seriously neglected the responsibility of maintaining this blog.
However, I am happy to say that the fact is, I have been super busy loving and living my life.
With that said, this IS WHAT YOU HAVE MISSED...

We survived a long & Hot Summer.

The boys are back in School. And they are LOVING it!photo from
http://www2.raritanval.edu/planetarium/

Alex had a fabulous 6th Birthday at Bounce U

Tyson had a fun Peter Piper/ Sponge Bob style 4th Birthday party on Saturday, September 26th ( return to see photos on a future post)

Halloween was our BEST EVER!
There photos were taken at my parent's ward's Halloween Block Party.
Special thanks to the Daws for sharing all of these photos.Our FamilyMy beautiful Sister Wendy in here GI Jane CostumeHalf of Matthew, My Dad "Papa", Jake & Jodell
Alex the Devil & Tyson the Angel

And finally, Yesterday, "WalkTober 31st, as my Dad named it, we completed our 1st Autism Speaks Walk with 23 of the most wonderful and supportive family members you could find!

Here's the group Beautiful Wendy with Tyson & JakeAlex, Bekah, Ty, Wendy & Michael w/ Jeffry the Toys R US giraffeAunt Lucy, Jarad & Ian Sweet Westin, Michael, Griffin & LincolnTy & Alex Loving their Aunt DAlex walking with his cousinsLincoln catch a ride from his Dad Brian
Happy Feet love it!

Most of us rode the light Rail to this event. As I waited to get on the train, my eyes teared up. Looking at so many members of my family wearing t-shirts that I had designed.
Shirts that were carefully ironed on by my sweet mother and dear friend Jamie. Finishing at 11 pm the night before.

When my Mom noted the little tears, I told her, this is a dream come true. To feel that kind of love and support from our family was so special.
Autism has been a huge challenge for our family. Walking together chanting Just 4 Feet... JUST 4 FEET.... warmed my heart, as I realized the blessings that have been poured upon us.
From amazing teachers, therapists, respite,& hab workers to family members who have held our crying children when Matthew and I have had nothing left to give.
Thank you for being there and helping us not only get through the walk, but also get through ever single day.
Love you all!
Sarah Foote