Amy and Evan…
Nathan and Ben:
So we’ve been told that Ben is a little Nathan. And it’s been said that Evan looks just like my dad and me. Whatcha think?
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First, we split up as a family for a few days. Evan and I stayed home to play (which was uneventful). And Nathan, Ben, and Sophie made the long drive out to join Larry, Debbie, and Jenny at the cabin in the Davis Mountains. They made it to the base of the mountain by 11pm on Wednesday; Larry drove down to pick them up; his truck only made it half-way back up. So they then had to hike up the rest of the way, in the snow, with all their luggage. Bedtime was after 12:30am! Thursday they spent the day lounging around the cabin, playing games, eating, playing with the dogs, and watching the sleet and snow storm roll through. Friday the boys took the dogs on a 2+ hour hike around the mountain and Ben explored the wilderness. Then they spent Saturday on the road. Sunday we had a wii competition/challenge, trying to beat each other’s scores on a bunch of the games. And today we never stopped moving. First, Ben and I headed to KSAT 12 with the Cub Scouts for a tour. Not surprisingly, Ben’s favorite part was visiting with the weatherman and getting to use the green screen to do the forecast. Then we picked up Evan and headed to a great lunch and visit with Paula, Morgan, Landon, Erica, and Madison. After, we added more friends (Melanie, Calli, Megan, and Kiera) as we made our way to La Cantera. The kids had a blast as they each picked out and stuffed their own stuffed animals at Build-a-Bear and then got to play on the playground. It was such a great day, so much fun!
But he’s talking now! Dog, bird, deer, cow (and lots of animals sounds); phone, hi, and bye; train, tunnel, choo-choo; eye, nose, mouth, ear; Mommy, Daddy, Ben, Santa; car, truck, airplane, tractor, bus, ready, set, go!; eat, drink, and milk (and these are usually said very excitedly or in a demanding way seeing as he is always hungry and thirsty); swing, slide; no; door and knock-knock; moon; bubbles, book, ball; again; cold, hot (then he proceeds to blow on anything that’s hot); hat, sock, shoe (and he loves to run around the house with someone’s shoe on!), etc. His favorite word right now is “Mine!” (and we hear that a lot). And he’s such an explorer! He’s into so much more trouble than we can remember Ben ever was. He enjoys pulling all of the wipes out of the package, going through wallets and purses, dumping diapers and clothes out of his dresser and onto the floor, getting out all of our cooking utensils and silverware to play with, and just making any mess he can get his hands on. My favorite story lately was the day I realized the house was quiet while I was doing dishes. He typically is right by my side trying to climb in the dishwasher, so I knew he was up to something. I found that he had opened our bedroom door, walked into our bathroom, climbed up on the bathtub to get onto my counter area, and had turned on the water as he slid into the sink to splash! He was so proud of himself and was having so much fun! It was hard not to be scared and angry; it was very difficult not to laugh… But as much trouble as he is, he is also such a blessing and a joy in our lives. He’s a chubby, cute, bundle of laughs who can brighten any room he walks into. He is a lot of fun to have around!
Monday was Ben’s first official day off from school. We spent the day playing out at the lot and then came home for movie night. Dinner, popcorn, frozen hot chocolate and The Polar Express made for a wonderful date with my boys. On Tuesday we played in the backyard and took Evan to his gymnastics class. On Wednesday, I took Ben and Evan to The Children’s Museum where we spent a few hours playing. And that night I gave the boys their Christmas gift from me- an awesome weather station that measures the temperature, wind speed and direction, humidity, and more. Ben and Nathan were both very excited. Larry, Debbie, and Jenny arrived Thursday afternoon for Christmas Eve celebrating at our house. We opened gifts amidst screams, squeals, and jumpings for joy!!! Then, when my parents arrived, we ate a wonderful dinner and opened even more gifts. We received lots of great presents from everyone (cd’s, dvd’s, tools, toy shopping cart, toy dump truck, books, etc). But the “awesome” award went to the wii and all of the games and accessories we got to go with it. When we woke up yesterday morning, we found a few little gifts in our stockings and a big gift in the middle of the living room- a Power Wheels John Deere tractor!!! (Thanks Santa) Then we headed to Orange Grove to spend Christmas Day with my grandparents and family. We stuffed ourselves again with a delicious lunch, everyone opened gifts, and then we spent the day visiting and playing. All the kids were excited to get Zhu Zhu Pets, Nerf guns, and toy John Deere tractors. And Ben and Evan also got an r/c bus, more wii games, and construction tractors. Today we spent a few hours getting more acquainted with the wii and then headed out to the lot with the Power Wheels. The boys drove it around the lot, helping us move more rocks (even Evan learned how to drive it!). And we spent time on the swing and playground and had a blast on the trampoline. Thank you to everyone who spent the holiday with us, for making this Christmas so special and for all the wonderful gifts. We hope all you ladies are enjoying your jewelry from us (I had such a fun time shopping for all of the necklaces!). Merry Christmas to all who we didn’t get to see this week. We hope your holiday was merry and bright. And we wish you all a very joyous 2010.
Evan had a Christmas storytime and started gymnastics classes on Wednesday. Ben got to build and decorate his gingerbread house on Thursday. On Friday we all went to Ben’s class’ Around the World Christmas party. The kids all went in their jammies; they all brought a dish from a country that they were assigned; they all got to exchange gifts (books!). Ben had been assigned Germany. So we made brotchen (German hard rolls), he learned how to say “Merry Christmas” in German, and we learned a few things about how they celebrate Christmas there. After the party, Nathan and Ben headed out for a Cub Scouts fieldtrip to the Toyota plant to watch the production line. Yesterday Ben and I attended the Cub Scouts Christmas party. Our den mom provided food, drinks, a fire pit to enjoy and cook s’mores on, and a hike by flashlight. It was so much fun! And today we headed out to Fiesta Texas. In addition to enjoying all the usual rides, we also got treated to thousands of beautiful Christmas lights and sledding down a snow hill!!!
Joseph Laddi was born on December 6th at 12:18 am. He was 10 pounds, 6 ounces and 22 inches long!!! He is joining their sweet 4-year-old boy, Robert, and their firecracker 17-month-old little girl, Lillian. Congratulations to John and Marli! We love you guys so much and are so excited for you!!!
Nathan and I attended the annual Rackspace Christmas party while Ben and Evan spent a fun night at Granmom’s and Papa’s. And the following night Evan, my mom, and I enjoyed watching the Christmas parade while Nathan and Ben rode on a float with our Cub Scout group. We got our Santa portraits done with both the boys. Evan and I enjoyed rockin’ around the Christmas tree at our music class’s Christmas party. We spent an evening baking breads (pumpkin, cinnamon raisin, ginger, and cheddar) to deliver to our neighbors as gifts. We drove out to the lot to decorate one of our cedar trees, jump on the trampoline, and hang a rope swing that Nathan made. I took the boys to the park. And today we walked with Ben’s class to the post office to mail all of their letters to Santa. The weather has been up and down through all of this. We’ve spent all the warm moments outside, enjoying the beautiful days. We’ve bundled up for the cold. And we celebrate the one hour of snow that we got! Yep, snow flurries. Pretty exciting for us Texas folk.
Your cool and frienndle! Can I please have a wii? We can plae it! How fun is it to rid a sleigh? Do you plae games? Merry Christmas! Love, Complete list:
Evan really doesn’t need a thing. With all the hand-me-down clothes and toys from Ben, he probably has most everything a little boy could want. But if you can think of something really cool for him to have out at our new lot to play with, that would be great. Maybe a small playset, a swing, or a sandbox? From,
Dear Santa, Amy
But… during the month of November, I have been able to get great work-outs in on the elliptical machine and been able to speed up the treadmill to a good jog. And I’ve lost 8 pounds (the three I gained plus an extra five!)! Yay! Now, if I can just keep up the pace through these holidays, I’ll be doing great.
We spent Thursday with my parents, having them over for Thanksgiving dinner… and frisbee. On Friday we headed out to the South Texas Maize and spent the day getting lost in the maze, jumping on the air pillow, playing on the playground, riding on the barrel train, and shooting the corn gun. It was so much fun! And then we ended up at my parents’ house for dinner and to drop off Ben for the night. Saturday was spent with Evan and getting out the Christmas decorations. And then we all headed out for the Dicken on Main event where the boys got to play in the “snow” and enjoy the petting zoo. And today we visited with friends Daryl and Michelle (breakfast while they were in town for the day) and then drove out to the Pipe Creek Christmas Tree Farm to enjoy a hay ride and cut down this year’s tree. So thankful, so blessed…
He attended the Tiger Cub Fun Day as an introduction to all Cub Scouts has to offer. He hiked with our den, looking for fossils. He walked the neighborhood several times to sell popcorn, selling over $400’s worth of product. He toured the police station with the den. And he helped donate canned goods with the den to Hill Country Daily Bread. And last night was a special pack meeting, to reward the boys for all of their accomplishments. Ben received beltloops for archery and bb shooting, for learning and demonstrating both skills at the Tiger Cub Fun Day; he received a patch and a Wal-Mart gift card for his popcorn sales; he earned the Outdoor Activity Award patch for all of the outdoor events and camping he’s done; he received a beltloop for bicycling; and he recieved a beltloop for soccer. Nathan and I are so proud!!! ———————————————- Mom: What do Mom and Dad do when you’re sleeping?
The constants are: The things that have happened lately are: |
Well, we wrapped up the school vacation with a bang!
It’s hard not to compare your children. Yes, I did it. During Evan’s first year, I constantly was comparing his accomplishments to my notes in Ben’s baby book. And for the most part, he kept up. Physically, he was right on track with the rolling over, sitting, crawling, and walking milestones. But I was worried when I saw that Ben was already saying a few words before his first birthday, and Evan still didn’t have words by 15 months.
What a wonderful holiday- celebrating food, friends, family… Christmas!
Tuesday Ben had his last Cub Scouts pack meeting of the year, complete with lots of Christmas treats. At this meeting, Ben was awarded several beltloops that he earned- citizenship, art, photography, and pet care. Yay!
Who knew I’d be writing a congrats blog to the Carollos again so soon? But their family was blessed with another little bundle of joy. Correction: big bundle of joy!
December has been full of fun so far. The holiday season is certainly upon us….
Dear Santa Clause,
Dear Santa,
Dear Father,
When we joined the YMCA back in September, I was able to do just yoga and only able to walk the treadmill at a medium pace. And during the month of October, I gained 3 pounds doing all that work! It was exhausting and discouraging.
It was a wonderful Thanksgiving week! We have so much to be thankful for!
Ben has been hard at work these last few months to not only participate in Cub Scouts, but to also go above and beyond to achieve a few goals we set…
As Thanksgiving approaches, we’re looking at all the things we have to be thankful for…
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