Logan - January 2012

Whew!  What a difference a month makes, and it sure has been busy since your last letter.  Your dad was still in Texas when I wrote last time, but unfortunately your Great-grandma Veater passed away, and he was able to come home a few days early to make it to the funeral.  We went to St. George after school one day, but I didn't tell you and Tessa why.  We drove all the way out to the new airport in  St. George, and you had no idea what your mom was doing.  "Why are we driving out here, mom?  There isn't anything out here."  We got to the airport right in time and just had to wait a few minutes before the passengers on dad's plane started to make their way into the airport.  The look on your face when you saw your dad walking toward you was pretty funny.  We had a paper chain counting down to Christmas, but we were also using it to count down the days until dad got home, and you knew you still had 4 more chain pieces before dad was supposed to be home.  You were pretty surprised and happy to see him.

We went to Grandma Darylene's funeral the next day.  I wasn't sure how you and Tess would handle it, but we tried our best to explain how Grandma D. was already in heaven with Jesus and Heavenly Father and we were just going to say goodbye.  Grandma Lori reminded us how you and Tessa always took some of Grandma D.'s favorite mints to her when we would visit her in the nursing home, so you each took one to put in the casket with her.  I'm sure she appreciated you bringing her a treat one last time.  I'm so glad you have been able to know some of your great-grandparents.  I never did know any of mine, so I think it is a pretty cool thing even if you may not remember too much about Grandma D. as you get older.  She always commented on how handsome you were when you would visit.  I'm sure you reminded her a lot of your dad when he was little.

The day after the funeral was the Pollock Christmas party, and you were sure excited to get to hang out with your cousin Quade and then go to the party and see Santa.  I guess I should have written this on Tessa's letter, but I just remembered it now, and it is too funny not to share.  You and Quade were playing with Lincoln Logs at grandma's house when Tessa wandered over, said "excuse me," and tried to walk between you guys and the chair.  You two weren't very nice and told her you were building and she had to go around. She just turned and walked away, grabbed a toy bat from the corner, and came back and smashed you and Quade's house to pieces.  The look on your faces was so funny.  I think you two might figure out real quick that she isn't one to mess with!

Anyway, you were so excited when Santa got to the party and weren't afraid at all to get on his lap.  We still kind of tried to coach you into what you were going to ask for, but you had a few of your own ideas as well.  You asked for a Transformer construction set (a Transformer made out of Lego's), and a B.B. gun.

We hung out with my side of the family on Christmas Eve with everyone at our house, and then settled in to watch a movie for a bit before going to look at Christmas lights.  This is one of my favorite parts of Christmas right here...

Of course the next mornnig you and Tess slept in.  You NEVER sleep in!  Your dad and I were so excited we finally went and woke you up around 7:30.  You were pretty excited by all the stuff in your stocking and the other presents you opened.  You got a giant box of crayons, Chutes and Ladders, puzzles, long underwear (which you LOVE), and a Cars 2 track.  The "family" also go the Mario Kart game, but I'm pretty sure that you have claimed that for your own since you LOVE to play it.  You got a container of BBs in your stocking and kept asking us what they were.  We had to play dumb until dad noticed that Santa had left your BB gun and Tessa's baby nursery hidden in the corner under a blanket.

 Daddy also got a new gun, so we had to get a picture of the boys with their guns...

Later that day we went out and shot the guns.  You're not quite strong enough to cock yours on your own (which is fine by me...), but you did have a good time shooting it and having dad help you hold it and aim.

Three days later baby Tyson was born.  I don't have a picture of you holding him because I think the ones we have are all on dad's phone, but you do like him all right.  You especially like him when he has his "wide open eyes."  There were a few rough spots the first few days when people would come over to visit when you acted up a little bit, but it seems like for the most part you've decided he is okay and we can keep him.

After 2 weeks off of school I think everyone was ready for you to go back - but you most of all.  You really do love going there, and I think the structure plus the time with other kids and the break from us does you a world of good.  This makes me nervous for the summer!

I'm so glad you have settled into having a new brother.  It has made things a lot easier for me knowing that you don't resent him or hate me for the time I have to spend taking care of him.  I think my wish for us to settle in easier with Ty than we did with Tess has come true so far.  I just hope that you can continue to be a good sport and later on be a good example when all that little brother of yours wants to do is be like you, hang out with you, and use your stuff.  Cut him a break if you can buddy, because if you work it just right he'll grow up to be one of your best friends.  And the two of you be nice to Tess too.  If  the story about her smashing the Lincoln Log house doesn't convince you that she'll take matters into her own hands if you aren't nice, I'm sure you'll have dozens more by the time you are able to read this.

Love you bud,
Mom