Happy New Years!

Happy New year from our family. 2011 was a great year for us and here are some of our highlights...
* My younger sister Nicole got married.
* Joined the Y as a family and got a very part time job there working in the nursery with the boys.
* Developed close friendships with neighbors that bless us daily. Really invested in a community which we've always shied away from.
* Found an awesome church to worship in and be fed spiritually. We also found the courage to consistently put both boys in the nursery and Sunday school there which is a HUGE deal for us. I have a hard time letting other people watch my kids.
* Had a full week at the beach with my family.
* Had countless family trips to parks, scooter sessions, basketball courts, pool dates. Continued to really enjoy each other in our small family and find the joy in the simple things.

I am blessed. WE are blessed. I have seen the Lord's hand in our lives this year and I'm excited to see what He has in store for us this upcoming year. I always have a fear of the unknown, a fear of  hurt and pain from unknown circumstances, but if I look at how the Lord has led me up to this point, I see that He more then deserves my trust. Jesus lead on.


      We only sent out Christmas cards this year to family so here's ours for everyone else. I don't know how to turn it, Ha!
Have a Happy New Year!

Special Presents

I can easily say that this year was the best Christmas we've ever had. Not because we got a lot of presents, but because of the sweet family time and gifts that we received that have such special meaning to us. I wanted to highlight a few to remember...

My Parents gave the boys a Red Rider wooden wagon for Christmas exactly like the one my grandparents from England gave me and my siblings when we were young. I LOVE that they continued this tradition and it is so practical and useful to us. The boys love it.

Of course al the men in our house had to assemble it together.

Then we pulled the boys in it to walk to get subs for lunch. They loved it and Fin fell asleep in the wagon on the way home which was hilarious to us.

I can't remember if I've mentioned this on here or not but for months now Fin has "worked" at a place called the Tractor Beaver Hump. It's a place he's made up that sounds eerily similar to John Deere where Pat works. Every day he tells us VERY detailed stories about his boss, his employees, what he did on the forklift, and other funny tidbits. Apparently the place is made out of marshmallows for one. Also, one day they all got off work eary so they coud race zebras and darn it if they didn't all tie in their races over and over again :o) Sadly, we lost Fin's boss this week when he was out in the woods and fell into a baby cheetah pit and died. This is just a few of the MANY stories we've heard about the Tractor Beaver Hump. It cracks us up so much.

SO Christmas morning my mom had everyone open a present at the same time and she had gotten someone to design and MAKE t-shirts with a Tractor Beaver Hump logo. I laughed until I cried.

What an awesome, awesome gift. We were all suprised and Fin was beyond thrilled. Of course we had to take a picture of all of us wearing our t-shirts.

Do you notice anyone extra in that picture?? Anyone at all?

That brings me to the gift I'm most thankful for...

Here's a hint...

That's right, CAITLIN CAME HOME FROM HONDURAS FOR CHRISTMAS! Sarah flew her home as a suprise and we were all shocked. I saw her outside the restaurant for brunch and jumped out of Pat's moving truck screaming, "Cait's home!!". I'm pretty sure the boys thought I had lost it.
It was beyond great seeing her and we were all so grateful to be together for Christmas. I needed my Cait fix to make it until the end of April when she comes home for good. She is such a sweet blessing in my life.

So really, a wagon, a TBH t-shirt, and a long lost sister. Can anyone beat that Christmas?? Praise be to God.

Christmas morning

We had such a sweet Christmas morning with just our little family. I knew the boys would be wiped out from the day before so we wanted it to be as low key and pajammied as possible. Yes that's a word.

Our day started out when Fin burst into our room at 6:20 clutching his new stuffed spider man and saying Santa left it for him. Let me preface this all by saying...I am NOT a morning person. I am especially not a moning person when between the hours of 11pm and 6am, Cole got up 4 times for no reason. I was dead. But I mustered up energy, put on a happy face and Pat and I trooped out there to open present with Fin.

Fin LOVED the whole thing. 3 is such a fun age b/c they are enthralled and appreciative. It's a great combo.

Note: Pictures are grainy and dim b/c I would rather die then turn on the overhead bright light. Again: Not a morning person.

Fin and I opening our stockings.

It worked out well that after Fin finished presents, Cole woke up. He had no idea what was going on but kept toddling around with a big smile on his face which was so cute.

He wasn't too sure about the texture of wrapping paper to begin with.

He LOVED his little wooden toy car ramp with wooden cars. I kinda love it too.

Pat opening a shirt I gave him that says, "Rock, Paper, Scissors...choose your weapon". It's so appropriate for us because that it how we solve any major disaggrement. I'm not kidding. It works for us.

Pat cooked an awesome breakfast after presents. I tried to hire him as permanent chef but he said he wasn't applying. Ungrateful.

The aftermath. While everyone was busy playing, I stnuck into my bed and pulled the covers over my head until Pat found me. He ratted me out to the boys and soon everyone was jumping on me. Sometimes I fantasize about getting a hotel room for the day and just sleeping all day long. But you know what? When my kids are grown and I can sleep all I want...I'm going to be pretty sad and missing this all.

I am blessed.

Christmas.Eve.2011

It's time. I'm forcing myself out of my sugar coma long enough to remember Christmas events before I forget them. We had SUCH a great Christmas this year and I would be sorry that it was gone but I just feel very content. Very blessed. Very loved. And very much needing my kids to get back on a schedule :o) Santa was screwing with our bedtimes and naps a leeeeettle too much for my liking.

Christmas Eve we had a brunch with my family, visited two different family friends after naps and then ended up my inlaws at night to celebrate. We were party animals.

A sweet moment of the night is when I peeked out on the deck and Fin and Emma were slow dancing with each other to the radio. Unprompted. It was SO sweet I had to capture it.

A moment I did not capture was when I was looking for Cole and found him out on the deck by himself bobbing up and down, booty dancing to ABBA's 'Dancing Queen'. A proud moment for any mom of a boy :o) Pat was none to please with that little anectdote.

Relaxing before dinner. Have I mentioned my MIL is a caterer as well? Her dinners are to die for. Some marry for money. I marry for food.

Denise was like Super Santa this year. She spoiled everyone with gifts.

Larry Bird Dog is getting old. Yes that is his full name. When he's in trouble, he's Lawrence of course.

Cole feasting away. Doesn't he look like Macaulay (sp?) Culkin with this expression?

After we rolled ourselves home, the boys and I got dressed in our new Christmas jammies. Yes, mom my still gives me my new jammies every Christmas Eve like we've done every year since I've been born. Thank goodness b/c my life was uncomplete before I receieved pink pajama bottoms with Santa faces on them. My mom knows me well.

Aren't these ceramic nesting measuring cups that Denise gave me SO pretty? I love them.

Someone's a little too excited about setting up Santa's milk and cookies and carrots for reindeer. He cracked us up this morning b/c Fin turned to me during breakfast and said, "Mom, sometimes it's hard making decisions. Like whether or not to give someone a carrot.". I mean...what?? Seriously where does this come from?

Santa's loot set out for the morning. Will post Christmas pics tomorrow. Spoiler alert: Spiderman was a huge hit!

Waiting.

Today was the day of anticipation. It was like just a regular day but with a hint of what's to come. Christmas is SO much more fun when you have children. Fin is beyond excited and keeps asking how many more sleeps until Santa. Cole...well Cole is content pulling ornaments off of the tree when I'm not looking and rolling a fully wrapped present that rhymes with "tall" around the house.

Tomorrow we have three get togethers. While I'm sure it will be exhausting and a little chaotic..I.can't.wait. How blessed are we to have three different sets of people we love, to hang out and celebrate with?

If we can get through brunch with my family tomorrow without Cole flinging pancakes in the restaurant, then things might just be perfect.

Until then we are just waiting...

Waiting for Santa.

Waiting to unwrap new Christmas jammies tomorrow night before bed.

Do you think Cole has been naughty or nice?

OOO I'm in it.

So Cole has discovered he loves food. But only if it's his idea to love food. And only if the temperature in the house is perfect, and his highchair is comfortable, and I'm not looking at him the wrong way, and he can hold a utensil in his hand at all times. Seriously he is SO finicky. Sometimes I can put him in the highchair and he eats everything with a smile. Other (a lot) of the times, I put him in and he pushes all the food off the tray and refuses to open his mouth. It.is.so.frustrating.

Yesterday I was feeding him yogurt when he decided that he wanted to feed himself.

And then he got mad at the yogurt all of a sudden and breakfast was instantly over.

For a child that was the EASIEST baby ever and had no opinions, he most certainly has opinions now.
Today he was hitting the keyboard on my laptop and laughing. I told him "No No" sternly and he stopped, looked at me dead in the eye, and leaned forward and started tapping the keyboard with the top of his head ever so gently.
Heaven help me, he has the stubborness of Pat and I combined. And they said it wasn't possible...

One on One dates

Pat and I have started a new thing where once a week we try and split up and each take one boy for some special one on one time. We don't do anything much out of the normal, it can mean me snagging Fin when I'm doing a trip to Walmart for toilet paper, or Pat taking Cole to get his car washed. We're just trying to be intentional on spending special time with the boys and they have been eating it up. It's so funny to see how each just mellows out some and eats up getting the undivided attention of a parent without the competition of a brother.

Tonight I was going out to dinner with my siblings and decided last minute to take Fin with me. He was SO excited when I asked if he wanted to go on a date. He immediately said, "I have to dress sharp!" and he ran off to put on a hat, his sweater, a colored noodle necklace and some cologne from Pat :o) Love my little dapper dan.

Tackle hug.

Poor Pat did not fair as well with his date with Cole tonight. Poor baby was missing his mama and it was a little too close to bedtime for him. Pat said he tried to soothe him by singing the lullaby I sing to Cole every night but as soon as he started singing Cole stuck out his lip and burst into tears. Could have been slightly insulting to Pat :o)

Fin comforted Pat when we got home with a stare down blinking contest and a funny face contest.

I hope as the boys grow older they will realize how treasured they are to us. I've been loving getting to love on them and focus on their individual personalities.

Friday Night Fun

Doesn't everyone do this on a Friday night?

My GPS

Most people have a tiny little box that sits on their dashboard and politely warns then when it's time to turn. I have Fin.
Lately he has taken to strapping on his "wobble gobbles" when we're in the car and shouting directions from the back seat. Like I'll be driving in silence and all of a sudden hear him scream, "LEFT! TAKE A LEFT!" from the backseat. This shatters ones' nerves as you can imagine. And then when you don't turn left, even though he has no idea which way left is, he'll scream, "No turn around! Take a right". And so on and so forth.
Really, it's very endearing. It doesn't cause me to sweat at all...

We don't get out much

Tuesday night we had the John Deere Christmas party at Tylers Taproom. It was actually a lot of fun and Pat and I both doubled our weight through the gift of a free meal :o) Aunt Sarah babysat and she took a picture of the two of us dressed up and let's just say the picture speaks for itself...

I feel like this picture belongs on that hilarious website "Akward Family Photos". I look like a goob b/c I was hysterical laughing at Sage and Pat looks like a kid that rides the special bus. He said he was trying to make a goofy face and I'm pretty sure he surpassed his goal :o) Thank goodness we found each other b/c I don't know anyone else that would take us!

When we came home we found this waiting for us...

Sweet Aunt Sarah had sneakily loaded the boys up while we were gone and drove them to the dollar tree to help Fin pick out presents for me, Pat and Cole. How sweet is that?? Then she got Fin icecream on the way home WITH Christmas sprinkles which is like giving a three year old a trip to Disney World. I was so touched that she took the time to do that and wrap them with Fin. We don't take her giving spirit for granted!

I leave you with this photo.

Have you had your daily dose of cute today?

The Unreasonable Reasonings of a Pre-nap three year old

Sunday as I was putting Fin down for his nap:
Me: Ok Fin, go to sleep now. And when you wake up we can go see SANTA!!
Fin: Ok mom, but how many inches do I have to sleep?
Me: Do you mean minutes or hours? You need to sleep 2 hours before you can see Santa. (Aiming high :o)
Fin: NO mom, not hours, iiiiiinnnnncccchhhhheeeeessss. How many inches do I have to sleep? (He says it to me slowly like I'm the one that doesn't understand).
Me (Just giving in so I can go take my Sunday nap. Seriously my pillow was screaming for me): ummm five inches. You need to sleep five inches before we can go see Santa.
Fin, his eyes welling up with tears: FIVE INCHES?!?! That's a long time!

Somedays there is no winning, especially with an over tired three year old. I don't know why I left that convo feeling like I was the crazy one though :o)

Dear Santa: I want the last hour of my life back.

We ventured out tonight to see Santa. Fully expecting the worst  in terms of a wait, I packed my purse with raisins, goldfish, drinks, and crayons. There were also parts to a nebulizer, a baby burp cloth, a nasal aspirator, and an US magazine in there as well, but that's just for everyday use :o)

The line was pretty long when we got there so Pat walked around with Cole while Fin and I waited it out. This is Fin wilting.

He was actually fine and I would allow him to run to a store, touch one thing and run back which he loved. We waited about 45 minutes and then it was our turn. I did not have high hopes of Cole sitting on Santa's lap but he actually tolerated him. Semi.

He kind of sat on Santa's lap and moaned a little bit. Fin, meanwhile started talking his ear off. He has had his list memorized for weeks but when Santa asked him what he wanted he replied with, "Rudolph the Red nose reindeer and your sleigh". Come again?

This is him pointing to Santa's sleigh that he wants. Notice Cole still moaning.

Sorry the pics are so grainy. I was not about to pay $30 for 2 pics so I stood behind the fence and snapped away with my iphone. Savvy.

We were starving after the wait so we headed to the food court. I turned around to see Pat had dressed Fin in this hat.

Yes that is Animal from the Muppets on his head. Yes Fin was in heaven.

Cross it off our list as another great memory made. Now I'm about to make some serious memories with a pan full of fresh peppermint christmas cookies. Giddyup.

Cole's first haircut

The time had come. Well, I didn't believe the time had come, but Pat was pretty sure it had so off we went to Great Clips. For Cole's first haircut. For another heart laceration in parenthood. I mean how could I be ok with cutting my baby's beautiful blonde hair and curls??

Armed with a bag of colored marshmallows and Elmo videos on my iphone we all loaded up and headed to Great Clips. We got there 20 minutes before they closed and let me tell you, they were none to pleased. A huge black lady took our info and was the appointed hair cutter and she was in a TERRIBLE mood. She was such a downer that Pat declared to me, "I'm about to have some words with her" b/c she was doing everything she could to poop on our baby's-first-haircut parade. I'm glad he didn't say something though b/c I'm pretty sure she would have gotten her revenge through the scissors.

Cole did well until halfway through when I think he thought his hands fell off b/c they were underneath the cape he was wearing. He looked down once, didn't see them, and burst into tears. Luckily he still sat really still and let her cut; he just cried pitifully through the rest of the hair cut.

At the end of the cut, I grabbed a clump of hair off the floor and shoved it at Pat telling him to "stuff it in his wallet and don't ask questions". Like a good husband he did, but not without giving me the "you are totally weird" look. I need that baby hair to cry over when he goes to college. That's reasonable, right?

Here's the big boy after the massacre, *ahem*, haircut. The lady actually did a great job. He just looks so old now!

So now he looks like a man-baby instead of just a baby. Sigh, guess it's time for another.
HA! Pat, just kidding. You can breathe again.