Everything they wanted and more...

This year Ethan and Sammie got everything they wanted and some. Santa brought Ethan his sled and trains!! Christmas Eve and Christmas day, I had to work. So Santa stopped by our house on Christmas night and we opened presents on the 26th. We celebrated at Nick's parents house on the 24th evening...I got to leave work a little early. So we enjoyed a tradition of spaghetti and meatballs for dinner, and presents for the kids to follow. Ethan said he heard Santa's reindeer on top of the roof that special night...

Ethan loves his magnetic fishing bathtub set!
Sammie liked the musical penguin so much, he wanted to be IN the box!

Sammie and mama!

No, he's not drinking wine...don't worry!!

Cuddling with Grandpa!!

Ethan and Dylan playing with the new puppy.

Our family is dominated by boys!! Maybe one day we'll add another girl to it!!

Just in Time...

I asked Ethan yesterday what he wanted for Christmas. This is how our conversation went:

Me: Ethan, what do you think Santa is going to bring you? Is there anything special you really want for Christmas buddy??

Ethan: I told you 20 times already, all I want is a sled and trains!!!

Apparently Santa has already heard this 20 times!!

But I think Santa can make that work, and it will be just in time for our forcasted 18 inches of snow over the next 2 days!!

Walking around in his snow suit.

His Favorite Thing.

I always wonder if he loves snow so much because that's the season he was born in. It always seems as though people who were born in the summer, love the summer. And people who were born in the winter love the snow!! I don't know, maybe he's just a kid (cause don't all kids LOVE snow?!?!) He insisted on helping me shovel today...but he drove his cars instead!

*A Letter From Santa*

For those of you with children, I found the coolest thing!! Click on this link:
http://portablenorthpole.tv/watch/4576090b07bdf35a6961a5b8398f04f3
and you can make your own for your child!! It's so cool, I think Ethan will just LOVE it!!
Have fun!!

Thanks Abbie and Brooke!! :)

Ethan's God Mama, Abbie, sent him and Sam some suprises in the mail today!!
We're so spoiled!!
Sammie's God Mama, Brooke (Abbie's sister) sent Samuel a birthday present too!!

Reading his new alphabet book, specially made with his name in it!!

Thanks girls, for remembering your "boys"!! We love you both!! :)

25lbs of Laundry...

It's not what you think...I don't hoard my laundry that long...

although it would be a great idea...

Imagine carrying this upstairs!! Talk about a back breaker!!

I think Sam enjoyed the ride ;)

Dr.s Visit's.

The boys had their Dr. visits on Monday. Ethan had his 4 year check (kindergarten shots) and Samuel had his 1 year check (shots). Both the boys did GREAT.

Samuel's 1 year stats:

weight: 21lbs. 8oz.

height: 29 inches

Samuel got 5 shots....yes I did say 5. He got his normal 1 year vaccinations, plus the H1N1 vaccination, and the flu vaccination - or so I thought. Our nurse, Linda, called me that night and told me she forgot to give him the flu vaccine...so he would have really had 6 shots!! :( Poor guy, cried and cried and cried. He didn't scream like he normally does, but he did one of those long cries...long enough to where I was wondering if he was going to breathe again and his lips turned purple!! :( So sad. But as soon as I picked him up he was fine...although I was getting dirty looks from the back seat the whole way home. Not only from Samuel, but from Ethan too!!

enjoying some french toast and strawberries!

Ethan's 4 year stats:
weight: 36lbs. 2oz
(so we have a long way until booster seat time!!)
height: 40 1/2 inches

Ethan had to get 5 shots too!! The normal vaccinations and the H1N1 and seasonal flu shot, but we opted for the nasal spray for the seasonal. So he would have had 6 shot as well if we had gotten the actual shot! He was so brave. We didn't tell him that he was getting shots, especially since he knows what they are. But then the nurse told him he had to put a gown on so the Dr. could check the growth of his spine, and Ethan wouldn't even look at her. He crossed his arms and pouted!! Then he proceeds to tell Nick and I that he would be naked and his butt was going to "hang out". It was so cute. As soon as he found out he was getting shots, I think he wanted to run away. He did great with the first 4 shots, and the last one he lost it. She said that one stings as it goes in!! Poor little guy. I almost cried watching him try to be so strong and such a big brother for Sammie, but he covered his eyes and cried!! I almost lost it!!


In our pj's enjoying Ethan's birthday breakfast!!

Now thats some serious bed head!!

Such beautiful eyes.

One of Sam's favorite places to play...under the dinning room chairs!

This is my attempt to get a picture of the boys with some lights...

but Sam wanted nothing to do with them!!

A Little Helper.

I cannot get the dishwasher loaded or unloaded, or even try to sneak it for that matter, without Sam running in the kitchen to "help" me out! He always tends to go for knives, or very breakable things...of course! I think it's the best when I turn around to see him standing IN the dishwasher, soaking wet!!

Birthday Wish...

He could hardly contain his excitement...

%Happy Birthday My Baby Bear%

The Past Year with my Baby Bear...

1 week old

3 months old

5 months old

10 months old

1 year old

The smallest member of our family has overnight turned into this precious little toddler. It is heart warming and heart breaking all at the same time. I find myself just staring at him throughout the day...while I'm putting in the tenth load of laundry or loading up the dishwasher for the 2nd time that day. I just stop and pick him up, and hold him as long as I possibly can. This is what Heaven must smell like...A Sweet Baby Boy. He is absolutely delicious and is the most mild mannered, easy going member of our family. We are so blessed because he was born! Truly. He is more than I ever dreamed I would have. My heart is thankful today as celebrate his 1st birthday. Spend lots of time in the moment with your precious baby bears...


We love you so much Sammie~ xoxo

$Happy Birthday Ethan Kristopher$

Sneaking some presents a little early from Grandma in California. (12/09)

Celebrating your 2nd Birthday.

Chloe was your buddy! (14 months)

Such an angel. (16 months)

I miss that crazy hair of yours!! (2 years)

At 4:55 this morning, you turned 4!! I can't believe it. My heart overflows with love and joy for you Ethan Kristopher. You are a gift to this family in the most special and handsome ways. We all love and adore you more than words can say. You wave and speak to complete strangers every time we go somewhere, as if you have known them for a very long time. Everywhere we go people stop and say what a handsome young man you are. I am humbled to be your Mother. Truly I am. I hope one day you will understand the weight you carry in this family and in this world. You are loved by so many. You have grown into such a beautiful boy.

We are beyond thankful for the gift you bring to our lives....

Antibodies.

Ethan got a Dr.'s kit for his b-day today, and he is giving me all sorts of shots and taking my temperature. Well he put the shot in my foot and said "Mommy, this is gonna hurt but it will give you antibodies"!! Apparently we've been watching too much Sid the Science Kid!! HAHA~~ More birthday pics to come later!!

A New View.

Sammie got a new car seat! And I thought he loved it...

All smiles and we haven't even left the garage yet!!
Um...halfway there...Sam hated his new car seat and cried the entire way. By the time we got home, he was so upset, his face was all red and he was sweating!! :( Poor guy!! I felt so bad that I couldn't just hold him the way home!! It's better now, but we haven't gone on a 30 minute car ride again...