Chistmas Time

It's New Year's Eve day and I'm trying to muster up the energy to write a Christmas post.  Tag caught something nasty over the last week and none of us has had a good night's sleep for the last 3 nights.  Last Sunday, Joann took him to visit the nursery at our church and he either caught his sickness there, or at our Spence family Christmas party later that night, as 10 kids under the age of 7 were all staying at the house for 48 hours.  I plan on hitting their parents straight in the face with a snowball if I can find out who the disease-spreading culprit is!

At the Spence Christmas party I was too busy being Tag's wingman to think about asking if anyone's kid was sick, and now I am regretting it.  You would think it sounds fun to be in a house with so many little ones, given the spirit of Christmas and all, but in this case I was extremely frustrated because I spent the entire time protecting Tag, who can barely walk, from being run over by his 9 older boy cousins, who were running like wild animals around the house.  Of course I wanted Tag to be around his cousins and to interact, but if I wasn't close by he was simply a speed bump to the older boys.

This desire for my son's safety found me often the only parent downstairs with all the kids while all the other Spence adults enjoyed themselves upstairs, seemingly oblivious to their own children's activities.  I hope my in-laws are appreciative of the hundreds of dollars of damage I saved them by being the only guard on duty during much of the 2 days!  By the end, I was ready for some peace and quiet.

Tag, playing hide-and-seek with his cousins.

We spent Christmas Eve at my Dad's house in Draper so that he and Babs could enjoy some Tag time.  Joann and I chuckled as it didn't feel much like Christmas over there, since there wasn't an ornament in sight.  Gotta love empty nesters. Grandpa gave Tag some fun gifts and we played some good games of Hearts, a Brinton family favorite.

Joann and I attended several white elephant parties during the season and we had some good laughs.  There were pictures taken, but I haven't seen them yet. Speaking of pictures, there were a few on my camera that were pretty fun.

Tag's older brother, Michael Roberts, who is a 9th grader.

Tag checking out the goods.

Joann teaching Tag the reaction he is supposed to have, even when it's a shirt.

Tag's favorite find.  A bendy straw. Can you blame him?

Teaching Tag the fine art of present opening.

The anticipation of the 2010 Spence gift exchange.

More anticipation...

Great shot of Tag's size compared to his cousins.

Aunt Liz with baby Anson, the newest Spence grandson.

Rare moment of Tag holding the light saber without a cousin ripping it from his grasp.

Teaching the young bucks a thing or two about poker.

Bad Timing

I always hated my birthday being on January 5th, so close to the holidays, but mine is a picnic compared to my sister Darcie's birthday, which falls on December 23rd (today).  She always got presents that were her birthday/Christmas present.  Well, today I want Tag to know how much I love my sister.

Darcie and her three daughters, Adele, Tennie & Ceci

Darcie and I have always been close even though we have never lived close to each other.  She now is the CEO of a home full of three beautiful girls and let me tell you, it is a well run organization!  I jotted down a few reasons I love Darcie on this, her 40th birthday:

1. She's finally joined me in the Over 40 Club.  It's only downhill from here, baby!
2. The amazing way she recovered from all the relentless teasing heaped upon her by her two older brothers in her youth.
3. Her sense of humor.  She always thought I was funny (which may mean she has a terrible sense of humor in reality, but I choose to think otherwise).
4. Her ability to organize and lead.  I've seen this skill grow and improve over time and it's gotten so refined, that anyone standing close better get out of the way!
5. Her character.  She has principles and she strives to live them each day.  It always makes me proud to call her my sister.
6. Her maternal skills.  Her daughters are amazing, creative, loving, and unique.  This is in large part from their mother.  (yeah, yeah, Geoff, too.  But this is Darcie's day!)
7. Her genuine interest in my life and happenings.  Whenever we talk, I just know Darcie is present and listening.  She also gives good, insightful feedback and encouragement.
8. Her ability to roll with the punches.  Life is hard.  It's a test of our resolve and faith in trials.  Darcie approaches these with bravado and a smile.
9. Her faith in God.  There's not a question in anyone's mind who meets Darcie, that she is a daughter of God with a noble kinship to the Almighty.

I love you, Doo!

Happy Birthday Tagman!

Joann and I have been a little melancholy today as we consider the first birthday of Charles Taggart Brinton.  I must admit that a year ago when I first met Tag, after more than 20 hours of difficult labor, and two weeks in the newborn intensive care unit, I wasn't sure if he would live a month, let alone the crazy adventures of this first year.

A part of me only sees the Tag of today and the potential of tomorrow.  He has quickly moved from his first steps only a few weeks ago to taking confident walks of 8 or so steps from chair to chair today on his birthday.  I can already tell this new found mobility is going to require a significant increase in defense from Joann and I!

As I reflect back over the last year, in early posts on this blog, I am filled with gratitude and shock at the events we've been through with this little boy. I mean, how did he survive the birth? How is it that he's the only newborn ever to have a Triton tumor?  (the next youngest ever recorded was 9 years old).. How were we lucky enough to have health insurance to cover the expense? How did I get so lucky to have a son with such a positive attitude and happy demeanor?

I still feel such a sense of gratitude for the professionals at Primary Children's Hospital.  That is an amazing group of people up there.

A lot of parents have big parties for their 1 year old and I always thought this was silly, since the baby has no clue what is even going on.  So, after Joann and I attended a nice church service with Grandma,

Jo and Tag heading to church with Grandma

I took Tag on a walk to find some horse's (Tag's favorite animal) and we hit the jackpot!  Tag got to pet a 13 year old pony. He stuck his fingers up the pony's nose in his typical curious way, and the pony snorted and made Tag jump in my arms.  It was classic.

Then, I convinced Joann to make a cake and allow Tag to dive in with his hands and eat to his heart's content.  Here's a happy little video of a happy little boy on his 1st birthday:

click here ----> Tag's First Birthday

Tag and his older brother, Jordan celebrate #1

 Happy Birthday, little buddy!