Goodbye 2009!

2009 was certainly a great year! Lots happened but the best thing by far was the birth of our second son Evan. We hope you all have had a wonderful 2009 and that you were all blessed with great things within the past year. We also hope that your 2010 is even better than 2009! We are going to make the next year even better than last year for sure!

Happy New Year Everyone!!!! Be safe and have fun welcoming 2010!!!

Almost There!

Evan is so close to sitting all by himself! It will not be long now and he will have that skill mastered! I think right now all he is doing in concentrating on crawling that the entire sitting thing is taking the back burner. He will get there in his own time. One skill at a time!!! It is so odd to see him crawl before he can sit independently. Hunter sat alone at 6 months and did not crawl until 8 1/2 months. Not our little E-Man! He is just shy of 7 months and has crawling just about down and is close to sitting too. This just proves that kids are different and will do things their own way!

The Henry Ford

We recently took Hunter to the Henry Ford Museum for a special day with just us while MeeMaw watched Evan. Hunter really seemed to enjoy having us all to himself. We liked it a lot too. It allowed us to focus on just him for a change and his love of trains, cars and planes. He was in heaven with all the real cars around him! His eyes about bugged out of his head when he saw the actual big trains! He was so excited he was pulling me by my hand in order to get there faster! He was thrilled that he got to go and sit on the train too! It was a great day with some great memories to hold on to forever! He was such a good boy with zero meltdowns. This just added to the relaxed mood we were all in. Hunter took turns riding on Daddy's shoulders and sitting in Mommy's arms throughout our 2 hour visit. He kept asking all sorts of questions and waited to hear our answers. He was so interested in everything around him! I cannot wait to take him to the village at Henry Ford later in the year once it warms up. I think he will really enjoy that a lot too!

Give Me Wine!!!

Our little Evan loves things that are cold. This is a result of teething at least I think it is. Well, one evening at Nana's house Evan was chilling on her lap while Hunter was going nuts over decorating his cookies and he spotted Nana's wine glass. That was all it took! His lips made contact and he was a happy little camper! Pretty cute if you ask me!

Sugar Cookies

Hunter was introduced to decorating sugar cookies by his Nana Kay and he is a little cookie decorating addict now!!! He can't get enough icing and sprinkles and is constantly asking to make cookies! If he keeps it up he is going to turn into a sugar cookie and my kitchen will be covered in sprinkles forever! While he was decorating his cookies we made sure that each boy was wearing their special Christmas shirts from their Aunt Erin and Uncle Marius. They looked super cute!

Goodbye Toddler Bed!

Hunter recently moved into a new bed and loves it! He is no longer in a toddler bed but is now in a regular twin bed and is so much happier!!! He looks so tiny in such a big bed! He sleeps great and loves to get in and out of his bed all on his own. Such a big boy now!

Thanks Uncle Adam!!!

Check me out!!! My Uncle Adam gave me this cool shirt back in Sioux City when I first met him. It fits great and I look awesome!!! Thanks Uncle Adam!!!

Perfect Christmas!

Today was just perfect!!! Hunter had a blast tearing open all his presents and kept asking for more. It was really a sight to see! It really made Christmas just perfect! We took so many pictures and I will post some just as soon as I get a chance. Evan even had a great time too! He was in awe watching his brother run around like a crazy person! Evan also loved playing with all the wrapping paper! Next year should be even more fun since Hunter will be almost 4 and Evan will be over a year old.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Christmas Eve

This year was the first year ever that I missed a Christmas Eve celebration at my Zumma's house. Christian was able to take Hunter and they had fun but Evan and I had to hang out at home. Unfortunately, Evan has Strep Throat and he just started antibiotics yesterday. Bummer. However, Evan and I had a great time together today, just the two of us! We were talking up a storm with each other, laughing and giggling too! We also practiced sitting on our own and got a little bit closer to crawling too. So, the day was not a wash, it was just different from every other year. Next year we hope to be able to go to Zumma's - pending any illness. This evening has been fun too! Christian and I are getting presents ready to go and waiting for Santa to drop off more. I cannot wait to see Hunter's face in the morning. He is beyond excited and is so eager to get new matchbox cars tomorrow. If he only knew what else was waiting for him under that tree and in his stocking. I think it would blow his little mind! Come on Christmas morning, hurry up and get here!!!

First Snow!

We had our first snow, if you can call it that, the other night/day. Hunter was so excited that he could barely contain himself! He had to go outside first thing to play in the snow. Of course, he dragged his Daddy with him. They were outside playing for over and hour and had so much fun! They both came in pretty much soaked and super happy! Perhaps this winter will prove to be more fun than previous winters. We shall see.

Sweet Baby Boys

We were able to visit with Erin and her family and I got some great shots of the boys all together! Ryan loved being around a baby! Evan and Ryan loved being around one another and they chatted up a storm! Simply priceless. Ryan was also handing out hugs left and right. I can't believe how big he has gotten and my goodness, he looks just like his Mommy. I can't wait for the boys all to be together again.

Hunter and His Nana

How sweet! Hunter absolutely adores his Nana Kay! Nana watched the boys for us on Friday so that we could get a much needed night out alone. Once we stopped home to help put the boys to bed Hunter insisted on having his Nana read him his bedtime story. Mommy or Daddy would not do, no way, not with Nana around! So, I was able to sneak a couple of pics of Nana reading with Hunter. Precious! Once the boys were both in bed we headed back out for the rest of the evening. It was a perfect night!

Jumperoo Addict!

Evan LOVES his Jumperoo! Seriously, this boy will jump and bounce forever in it. He giggles and smiles the entire time! Hunter was a big fan of it when he was Evan's size too. Two thumbs up for the Jumperoo!

Trouble is Coming!!!

It won't be long! As you can see from the picture Evan is getting really close to crawling! He gets up on all fours and rocks back and forth and then moves one arm forward followed by a knee and then falls. I can't believe how fast he is changing! Hunter did not crawl until 8 months and Evan is just over 6 months. Yikes! Trouble is certainly coming my way. Time to bring the baby gates back out. Look out pets, Evan is about to become mobile! This is going to be exciting!

My Handsome Men!!!

Here are just a few pics of my handsome men! I love them all so much! They really do make my life complete!

Bye Bye Carseat!!!

Hello booster!!!! Hunter has graduated into a booster seat and was able to bid farewell to his carseat! He really is a big boy now!! Congrats to my little man! He is growing up right before my very eyes. Now, the next trick will be to get him to like riding in my truck again since Daddy gave him a taste of his car today. Hunter is convinced that Daddy's car goes super fast and he likes it much more than my truck. Hmmmmm.....

8 Years Ago....

Eight years ago today I met the love of my life, my best friend, my husband. In other words, I met Christian eight years ago today! Wow, we have been married for just over 4 of those 8 years and we now have two handsome little boys! These past 8 years have been wonderful! I am looking forward to spending the rest of my life with Christian. He is simply amazing!

I love you Christian!!! We Are Us!!!

Trimmed and Ready for Presents!

We finally got our Christmas tree decorated a couple days ago!!! Hunter had a great time helping put the lights and ornaments on the tree. He is so excited that Santa has a spot to put his presents now. I am so excited to see his reaction on Christmas morning!!! He is really looking forward to it this year and so am I!!! Come on Christmas!!!

Wow, Santa!

Wow, Santa works fast! Perhaps I am getting too excited too quickly but Hunter decided to eat some ham and gerber wagon wheels! This is a good sign. I just hope it continues. 3 days is a long time for a little one to go without eating and then not drinking for almost 2 days. Strep throat sucks big time! Now we just need to get him to finish the awful antibiotics and we should be good to go!

Dear Santa

Dear Santa ~
All I want for Christmas this year is a healthy family, primarily my kids. I would love for Hunter to start eating and drinking again. I would love for Evan to be able to not cough and sound so pitiful. I would love for my husband and I to be able to actually sleep in the same bed for the entire night. I would also love for us not to be so overwhelmed. If you can make these things happen that would make my Christmas perfect! Thanks!

Tis the Season

For being sick. Hunter had the flu last week and is refusing to eat practically everything and is now refusing to drink. Not sure what is up with that. Frustrating. Now Evan is hacking up a storm and sneezing lots. So sad. As Christian said, all he wants for Christmas is a healthy family for a month straight. Heck, I would settle for just a couple of weeks. I hate the cold and flu season!

Snuggle Time!

Last night I caught Evan snuggling with his Daddy after Hunter went to bed. It was such a cute picture opportunity and a rare time without Hunter running around like a crazy kid! So, of course I pulled out the camera. Too cute!!!

Fun with Christmas Ornaments!

Hunter loves to color so I bought him some Christmas ornaments to color. He had a great time coloring them and was even smiling for the camera! It was so nice to see him so involved in an activity and he is really looking forward to hanging them on the Christmas tree later today. I cannot believe how big he is getting. I know 10 years from now I will see the ornaments he colored and remember this day. Wow, now I really sound like a mom!

Seriously, the flu????

Poor Hunter got hit by the flu bug in a big way. Not fun. He started complaining of a headache today and then spiked a pretty high fever which was followed by lots of vomiting. I hate when he has the flu. I feel so bad for him. He is completely miserable. I wish I could make it all better but I can't and I hate that so much. Right now I am waiting to take his temp again to make sure the Tylenol has kicked in and has provided some relief. Poor guy. My fingers are crossed that Evan escapes this bug as well as Christian and myself too.

Uncle Matt and Aunt Jess!!!!

My brother and his wonderful wife Jess came in from Colorado for a visit. We were thrilled to be able to see them if only for a little bit! Hunter took a while to warm up to them but he eventually did and he even let them take his picture. However, he would not let either one of them pick him up but he is at that age or so I am told. I think it was just the mood he was in yesterday. Evan loved his Uncle Matt!!! He was staring at him and smiling at him practically the entire evening! He was his usual happy self and it was great! Hunter had fun playing with his cousins and was completely tuckered out by the time we headed for home. I just wish Matt and Jess lived closer so that we could see them more often and that the boys could get to know them more too. But, now we have a good excuse to go to Colorado! I can't wait to take both boys out there! Hunter has already been there once but he was only 6 months old. I would love to see the look on his face as he discovers the mountains again! That is a possiblility for next year!

Fun with Melissa!

Melissa came to hang out with the family a couple nights ago and we all had a blast! Hunter thought is was great - he had a new play buddy!!! He had so much fun playing blocks with her and tackling her too. It was a sight to see! Evan had fun too - spitting up on Melissa's leg was fun enough for him. His smile was so big all night long! I loved it! Melissa seemed to have fun too, she even offered to babysit the boys. We will be using that offer for sure! Christian even got in on the fun. It was a wonderful evening and I am looking forward to doing it again soon.

Fantasyland

We headed out to Fantasyland a few nights ago. Sadly to say, Hunter did not have as good of a time as he did last year but we made the best of it. Evan loved all the lights and moving Christmas figures. It was wonderful to see his eyes moving all around gazing at everything and then the smiles that followed - priceless! If only Hunter would have enjoyed it more the trip would have been near perfect. There is always next year.