Katie,
Lincoln and Porter were in town for a few weeks and were leaving just before
Christmas. We decided we should get them
a family Christmas present and give it to them before they left. Lincoln
celebrated his 3rd Birthday here in Boise and in Utah. He received
lots and lots of trucks to play with. He also got a book and some other fun
toys. Sue and I decided to get their family something we thought they really
need and would enjoy. We bought them a Canon digital video camera. Our only
stipulation was that they have to send us videos every now and again. Sue
wrapped the present up real nice and set it under the tree. A couple days
before they were to leave we asked Lincoln if he wanted to help his Mom unwrap
their Christmas present. Lincoln was all excited. Katie and Lincoln sat at the
table and unwrapped the present together. When they wrapping paper was off,
they had a plain box with lettering on it. They needed a knife to cut open the
box to see what was in it. When the box was opened, Katie pulled out a new
video camera, then a battery pack and instructions. The last thing out was a
camera bag with some accessories. Katie looked pretty happy with the gift and
began inspecting the camera. Lincoln looked a little solemn. Sue said to
Lincoln, “Hey Lincoln, isn’t that a cool gift? You can take video of everyone
now.” With a sad look on his face Lincoln stared at the box and whispered
quietly. “I wanted a truck”.
Lincoln took
to my IPAD rather quickly and learned how to get on the internet and find
videos to watch. He watched truck video, Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh and
several new ones I wasn’t familiar with.
Many were educational videos. There was a talking train, some guy named
TuTitu, and I couple other I can’t remember. One was in Spanish. I would watch some of the
videos with him and help him find certain sites. I remember well the song “Lots
and Lots of Trucks”. In fact, there are times I can’t get it out of my head and
it drives me batty. We had to be careful with Link and budget his IPAD time,
otherwise he could spend hours watching videos. He did pretty well and always
turned it off and did other activities when asked. One evening, Lincoln was worn out and kind of
grumpy. Katie tried to cheer him up but he wasn’t biting. Katie then tried the
baby approach and talking to him like a baby said, “Does the baby need a diaper
change?”
Lincoln
sharply said, “No”.
Katie tried
again, “Should we try a binky?”
Lincoln’s
reply. “No.”
Lincoln
again. “No”. He was getting tired of this game.
I then tried
my hand by saying, “Shall we try IPAD?”
Lincoln was
silent for a long time. No one else said anything.
Lincoln then
looked at his Mom and softly said “Let’s try IPAD”.
15 Things
Katie, Lincoln and Porter did while in Idaho for 4 weeks:
Helped with
Lindsey’s Wedding Open House and saw lots of old friends
Went to Utah
with Lindsey and Nate for 4 days and saw old friends
Thanksgiving
at home with the Oakes family
Two trips to
Idaho City for the weekends to visit with Tyler’s parent and family
Katie went
to the Boise Temple Rededication with Lindsey and Nate while Sue and Steve
babysat the boys
Attended 2
of Heaton’s basketball games of which Boise won both
Visited the Doctor
and Lincoln got a shot
Visited the
Orthodontist after Katie broke her permanent retainer
Went to the
Veteran’s Cemetery and saw Grandma Joyce’s grave and Lincoln watched a backhoe
dig and move dirt
Went to the
Train Depot and saw Big Mike and the fish ponds
Went to the
MK Nature Center and saw the fish and a Sturgeon
Katie and
Sue went to the Discovery Center and the Bodies Revealed display while Steve
babysat.
Katie
enjoyed a night out with friends and no kids. Sue and Steve enjoyed a night in
with 2 grandkids
They went
through a cardboard box tunnel multiple times. Katie included.
They put up
and decorated Oma and Opa’s Christmas tree. Lincoln said it was beautiful
