Thank you for the gifts

This year was kind of world wind when celebrating Christmas. We spent time with Scott's family, my family, and my extended family. The boys received alot of great gifts that we are so thankful for. Books, leggo's, clothes, marble maze, to name a few.

For the past month or two every night both Dylan and Joshua wanted to make a visit to see the HUGE dinosaur at either Target, Walmart, or Toy R Us. They love to press the button on this remote controlled dinosaur. Well, they recieved it for Christmas and have not stopped playing with it. Joshua likes for it to sit with him while his is in the bathroom (yuck) and sleep in his room at night. It is a gift for both Dylan and Joshua but for some strange reason Joshua always has his hands on it. Thank you Grandee and Poppy-- A.K.A Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

I also had so share the pic of the two of them in their shirts. Totally appropriate for the two of them. Thanks Aunt Jaime.

Christmas in the Chicago Snow

This year we spent a week at home (Chicago) for Christmas. We all had such a fun time playing in the snow, going to the Museum of Science & Industry, riding the train, and spending special time with family and friends. Daddy also manuevered very well while driving the car on both ice and snow.

On the trip up (we drove), all Joshua kept asking was if we were there yet (keep in mind this is an eleven hour trip). We finally got there and then all he kept asking was when we could play in the snow. The temps were in the low teens the beginning of the week so it was too cold but by mid week (Christmas Eve) we were able to play outside. We built a snowman at Nanna and Papa's house and then another one at Uncle Joe, Aunt Jaime ,and Colin's house. We threw snowballs and made snow angels. Alot of fun with some emotions of Nanna not being with us and Papa being sick. We will not forget the special time we had this year.

Jimmy the Cheetah

I just have to share this. It's one of those things that when our child is 30 years old we can ask him "What ever happened to Jimmy the Cheetah?"

The boys got Build a Bear gift cards for their birthdays. We made a family night of it and went to the store. Most of the stuffed animals are bears but they have added other animals as well. Both J and D knew what they wanted as soon as they walked in the door. J ran to the cheetah and D the T Rex dinosaur. It was so sweet. They just knew. They got to stuff them, put little hearts in them, and then give them a bath. While riding in the car on the way home we told J he should name his cheetah. I think he was trying to come up with Simba from Lion King but out of no where he pulled out "Jimmy". So now J has "Jimmy the Cheetah" and D has "Roar" as he likes to call it.

Christmas Fun

The boys had a Christmas party this past Friday at Miss Rose's house. God Bless Miss Rose for having a party for 20 sugared up kids with no parents at the party (she did have some helpers). J and D had a great time and actually came home with a little extra color. J was green and D was red, I guess that's what you get for eating colored candy canes. Well worth it though.

We also hit Zoolight Safari this past weekend. It is becoming one of our traditions. We ride the train and then walk around the zoo to see all of the beautiful lights. I highly recommend it. Daddy was also supposed to take J to see Polar Express at the Imax (which is also becoming a tradition) but after waking up from a nap J was not really wanting to do anything. Daddy was really looking forward to time with J, guess it will have to wait for next year and maybe we can all go.

Rudolph With Your Nose So Bright

Each Thursday Joshua comes home from preschool with some art/craft he made that week. Today he gets in the car with a red nose and antlers. I just couldn't pass up the photo opp.

He also made a reindeer out of popsicle sticks, very cute. It's fun because he has he own little Christmas tree in his room so we are always putting his new little crafts on his tree. The simple things that bring you joy.

We'll all be sad around my house when the holidays are over and no more lights. We need to remember what Christmas is all about though, the birth of Jesus. We get so busy with everything at the holidays that we forget to take the time to stop and remind ourselves what Christ has done for us. He was brought into this world for you & me and died on a cross for you & me. Something we should be very thankful for.

What's Your Christmas Tradition?

Do you have an old family tradition? Do you have a new family tradition? Tell me something special you did as a child at Christmas time? Are there special keepsakes you have of the holidays? I read all these blogs and see so many wonderful things, share more.

Choo Choo

Oh what fun it is to surprise your children with something they'll really like. They are so blessed to have so many toys so we don't tend to buy them a whole lot.

One thing we knew they needed was a train under the tree. We surprised them the other night and they can't seem to get enough of it. Hopefully the train will spend more time under the tree than it has lately. They are enthralled by the size of the train and carry it around the house. It's fun to watch but hopefully the train will make it to Christmas day. We'll see.

Tag...your IT

Okay, so now I've been tagged twice by two different people so I guess it is my turn to share. Because they were different tags I will have two different pictures. How does this work; I need to go to the 4th picture folder and post the 4th picture and tell a little something about it. Since I got tagged twice I am supposed to do the 6th folder and 6th picture as well. Here goes.

The first picture is of Dylan taking a bath around age 4 months. We always have fun at bathtime and we love to create crazy hairstyles. That tubring is also the best thing. Unfortunately Dylna outgrew it pretty fast. The second picture is of the Chicago Theatre sign. I grew up in the city and have spent alot of time downtown but this unfortunately is one place I have yet to visit. I'm not exactly sure what they show but my guess would be different theatrical plays and used as a music venue. It makes for a cool picture too.

Now I am tagging:

1. Missy Dameron (You've done it already but you have more friends than I do.)

2.Melanie Singleton

3.Susan Moll

4. Becky Anstee

Use the 4th folder with the 4th picture. Leave me a comment so I can see what picture you posted.

What have you gotten yourself into?!

Dylan is the one who gets into EVERYTHING. Joshua did too when he was younger but he hasn't done or gotten into half of the things that Dylan has.

When it gets quiet, you know that something or should I say someone is up to no good. Of course it is usually Dylan. Sweet boy can not keeps his hands off of our laptop. If he is quiet, I run to the computer to see what damage he has caused. As you can tell from the picture he has taken a few of the keys off of the keypad. The picture isn't even that bad because I've been able to fix a few.

The other night it was all quiet and I wondered where Dylan was. I checked the computer first but no Dylan. Low and behold he was in their bathroom sink. I guess he could say he was trying to brush his teeth, yah right?!

Happy 2nd Birthday Dylan!!

Today is baby boy Dylan's Birthday. He is "2" and hitting the terrible "2's"---but is still a joy. It's kind of funny because Daddy tends to give the boys special names. Dylan is referred to as "Big Baby D", "D Rock", and "Dino". Each one of these names actually fit him. When I get frustrated with him it is Dylan Andrew.

Dylan is pretty layed back, goes with the flow, and takes the hits and pushes. He is silly, sweet, and just a lot of fun to be around. He has a lot of character. He loves cars, dinosaurs, Nemo, and doing everything brother does. We love him very much. Happy Birthday Dylan!

Too Much Fun!!

So Dylan's Birthday is coming up this week and my mother-in-law wasn't sure what to get Dylan. It's actually kind of tough to buy for him when he has an older brother who has everything he might already need. Anyways, Grandee and Poppy brought Dylan's Birthday gift over a few days early. It's a Plasma Car. I'm not exactly sure what age this thing is geared for but my 2 and 4 year olds absolutely LOVED it!! Here it is Dylan's gift and Joshua wants to ride it all the time. Dylan is still getting the hang of it because he can't steer yet. The funny thing is, we think Dylan might think the only way to play with it is to push brother on it. We'll let him think that and let Joshua enjoy it until they really start fighting over it. Mommy actually got a turn. I did't see any weight limit on it, did you? Too much fun!!

Not much going on

There really hasn't been a whole lot going on. We are getting ready for Papa as he comes to visit us for 2 weeks. The boys will be excited to have him here and will play, play, play. Maybe we can take him to McWane or the zoo.

Can you believe it is almost Thanksgiving?! Don't you remember as a kid how time went by soooo slow and as a teenager even slower. Now I'm old and the days fly by. My precious baby boy Dylan will be (2) next week. Where has the time gone?!

I'm just posting a few pics where the boys were actually quite photogenic.

Happy Birthday Joshua !!!

Happy Birthday to our sweet boy. Today is Joshua' 4th birthday. It has been a beautiful sunny November day.

What a miracle and blessing to have Joshua in our lives. He brings so much joy and laughter to us each day. Right now he is really into Thomas the Train so he had a really cute "Thomas" cake and shared his special day with friends and family.

Enjoy some past birthday celebration pics. Don't worry he doesn't cry at every birthday, he truly enjoys them now.

We love you Joshua !!

Happy Halloween

You never know what to expect on that special day of trick or treating. We ended up having a great night. Joshua was a fireman and Dylan a frog. They wanted to go to each and every house, other than the really scary one next door (scary organ music, guys jumping out at you, etc.). Joshua would lead the way and Dylan was right behind him. We even took a hay ride in the neighborhood. They took everything thing in and got so excited. It was a fun Halloween!!

Our Little Helpers

J and D really are "little helpers". It is funny to see the things they get into or the things they want to do. I need to keep in mind that they are little boys.

Scott and I needed to do some planting, so while we were working so were the boys. D gets into everything. He sees us raking, digging, using the wheel barrow, and watering. He wants to be right there in the middle of the action.

We also love to see the flowers blooming so we'll go outside each day to look for new blooms. It is so much fun. My gerber daises are actually still blooming, unfortunately D is starting to pick the not fully grown blooms off. This is a little something he loves to do with all my plants. Maybe he'll be in the landscaping or flower business when he gets older. J will be there to check on D and make sure he has done it correctly. Just like his mother.