Thanksgiving

The boys and I spent Thanksgiving with my family. Chad was on call the week of Thanksgiving and had to stay here. At least is off call the weeks of Christmas and New Years! The boys and I went to my parents on Wed. afternoon. My immediate family members were all together that evening for our Thanksgiving meal. It really is so much fun to be together. Although Andrew was having some behavior/listening problems in particular this evening. He can sometimes be defiant at Grandparents homes and I think it was worse because Chad wasn't there, or maybe it just felt worse to me because I was always the one dealing with it!

Thursday we all went over to my Uncle LaVon and Aunt Linda's house for Thanksgiving. Prior to leaving, Kristy realized that Buddy the dog had eaten one of the two loaves of bread that they were supposed to take! The entire loaf ~ not a crumb on the floor. Ben had brought the bread in, not really realizing it and Kristy didn't know it was in their room. When she got back from taking a shower there was Buddy snacking away! Of course this will be one of those stories we can all laugh about over and over again! We were able to see my three cousins, their spouses and all of their children. I really enjoy seeing them all, some of which we probably hadn't seen since last Christmas. The children grow up so much!! Andrew thought he was one of the big boys and enjoyed playing outside with the older boys.

Friday we spent lounging around the house. Tric, Buddy the dog and I went for a nice walk in the morning. So nice to get out in the cool weather and chat one on one with my sister!

One funny story from this weekend was one evening Andrew wanted to build a tent. So my mom helped put up a blanket over the foot part of the recliner and stretched it over to the couch. Andrew wanted someone in the tent with him. So I laid down under the blanket too. Soon Justin and Tim were under the tent too. (Andrew was completely under; Tim, Justin and I just had our heads in) Andrew was telling us a story he learned in preschool. It was getting a little warm with all of us breathing under there. The next thing I know Buddy is trying to get under the blanket too. Buddy is a big dog, Lab/Golden retriever mix. He squeezes in, turns around in the middle of all our heads and lays down snuggling in. Andrew thought this was pretty fun. Then there is this horrible smell. Buddy had gassed us all out of the tent! I think his stomach was a little upset from eating the loaf of bread!

We came back home on Saturday afternoon and promptly left to go cut down our Christmas tree. This is the first time we have done that. We tried to last year but arrived at the tree farm too late in the day to be able to see to cut down the perfect tree. The boys enjoyed walking around and selecting a tree. It was a little warmer day, in the low 40s. We put the lights on the tree Saturday night and then finished decorating it on Sunday afternoon. Andrew and Carson enjoyed helping decorate, though they liked to put all the ornaments in one spot. With much reminding from me or me just moving the ornaments, they are now dispersed throughout the tree. I love having a real tree, smelling it and enjoying the glow from the lights.

Sweet Moment

While sitting in church today during a prayer, I had my head bowed, eyes closed. Carson was sitting on my lap facing me. I heard him whisper "right here" and then kissed my left cheek. Then whispered "right here" again and kissed my right cheek. Then whispered again "right here" and kissed my nose. Sweet little boy.

Let it snow!

Yesterday we had our first real snow of the year. We had had snow flurries in the past month or so but nothing that made the ground very white or hung around very long. Yesterday morning we woke up to the ground covered in fluffy white snow! The boys were very excited. Andrew wanted to build a snow fort like we did last year ~ not quite enough snow for that.

We went to a friend's house in the morning. By the time we got home, most of the snow had melted. That was very sad for Andrew. But by late afternoon it was snowing again. It snowed really hard for about an hour or so. It was so pretty to watch. I love how the trees look when they are dusted with snow. (In the first picture, you can see what Chad built this past weekend ~ with the boys help. It is a raised garden that we hope to plant a vegetable garden in next spring.) The boys enjoyed watching it snow as well.

After the snow had slowed down, the boys and I decided to head out to play for a little while. There is something so exciting about this first snow fall! I love how much brighter even the dreary days seem with the ground blanketed by snow. Andrew was already out cleaning off the sidewalk with his shovel by the time Carson and I were bundled up and outside.

Above Andrew is getting ready to throw a snowball Chad's way! Look out!

Andrew loves the snow. He kept asking "Mommy, can you make me a snow ball?" and then would proceed to throw it at me while giggling. Don't worry I got him back as well.

Carson saying "Cheese!"

The above shot is of Andrew, right after he threw a snowball at Carson. He didn't intend to, I'm pretty sure anyway, but it hit Carson right in the face. I'm sure it did not feel very good! So cold and the snow was packing pretty good so it was probably a pretty hard snowball.

Here I am wiping the snow from Carson's face as well as the tears. We headed back inside shortly after that. It was good to get outside, in the cool crisp air and enjoy the snow.

Happy Birthday Andrew!

Our little man turned 4 today. Andrew is such a joy to be around. He is energetic, enthusiastic, smart and pretty funny. He can be so animated and passionate about many different things that excite him. It is hard to believe that our little baby is a preschooler.

November 16, 2004

Birth day

November 16, 2005
1 year old

November 16, 2006
2 years old (and already a big brother)

November 16, 2007
3 years old

November 16, 2008
4 years old

I had read a post on Sarah's blog about a cake in a dump truck for a construction themed birthday party. I wanted to do this for their birthday party last weekend but they wanted Lightning McQueen. Last weekend I had issues with the first cake I baked not getting done, so I put it in the freezer and baked another cake for their party. So today I got the cake out of the freezer, put a little of it in the back of this small dump truck, along with some chocolate pudding and cool whip to make it look like dirt. Andrew loved this!

Autumn place mats

Today we made these autumn themed place mats. I got this craft from Oriental Trading Company. They have tons of different crafts for children. I got these originally for the boys' birthday party. I thought the boys would enjoy doing this craft with their cousins. But they had so much fun playing together, they didn't really want to sit down and do a craft.

Andrew did a really good job putting this together, with my help. The kits came precut, we just had to weave the different colored strips of foam into the place mat and then glue in place. (We used these neat little "glue dots", not nearly as messy as regular glue) We then added the three leaves and two little smiling acorns. As you can tell, Andrew thought this was pretty neat.

Carson was napping while Andrew & I completed Andrew's place mat. So after Carson woke up he wanted to do one too. The phrase "Me too, Me too!" is heard multiple times a day around here. Carson sat and ate a sucker while I weaved the strips. He didn't really help do this craft so much but he still really liked the outcome!

When I ordered these, it came with 12 sets of these place mats. I don't need that many. If anyone would like a kit (or two) let me know and I will find a way to get it to you. They really are cute, I love the fall colors and the kids love them.

Talking in your sleep

Andrew has been frequently talking in his sleep recently. We know this because at some point during the night, he ends up on the floor of our bedroom in a sleeping bag. Sometimes his talking is just mumbling or the fact that I am only half awake so I don't understand him or remember what it was that he said. Yesterday he said something about making a trap, then said he needed to go back to sleep. One morning he said " 5 4 3 2 1. Blast off!" This is a song from the Laurie Berkner CD Carson got for his birthday. It was pretty funny because he said this quite loudly, I thought he was awake but he just kept sleeping.

I found this video on You tube from when the Laurie Berkner Band does a little video on Noggin (a children's tv station) I tried to put it directly on here but I couldn't figure it out. As we watched this video, Andrew said "I like that lady. I wish I could marry her." So maybe this is becoming a frequently used phrase and not really that special when he says it! (He has told me that he wishes he could marry me twice this week.) He also said that he wishes he had a rocket ship costume, like the kids on this video.

We have checked out these Laure Berkner CDs from the library a couple of times. The boys love them. And I find myself singing to the songs as well! They are fun songs, a little folky wih some nice harmony. On the same CD, there is a song called Going on a hunt. In the song they must say "hunt" 20 times, usually at the end of a phrase. Carson always gets the "hunt" in but not always the other words, too funny.

Our day with Renee & Emmett

Yesterday we had a fun day with our friends Renee & Emmett. Renee's husband Brandt and Chad were in residency together. We had many play dates with Renee & Emmett during those years. They have moved away but were back in Dayton this week visiting friends. We met up in Columbus for the day. We first went to Recreations Outlet. They have this very large showroom with many different playsets. Their website advertises free play, but it did cost $4.00 for children over 2. It was amazing. The three boys had so much fun climbing rock walls, ladders, sliding on the slides, swinging and riding this very popular roller coaster. They also had trampolines, play houses, basketball hoops. If the drive was a little shorter the boys and I would definitely be going to this place many times this winter.

After two hours of play and time for Renee and I to catch up, we went to find some lunch. The boys and I went to McDonalds and ordered food for the three boys. Renee and Emmett went to Chipotle and ordered food for Renee and I. We all ate at McDonalds and then the three boys played at McDonalds' play area. So much fun to see them interact and pick up where they left off about 16 months ago. We miss the frequent play dates we had while in Dayton.

We said our goodbyes and Andrew, Carson and I set off in search of a new pair of shoes for Andrew. We found a pair at the New Balance store and then they played at the mall play area! 3 play areas in one day! They will most likely be sick in a day or two!!

Andrew & Carson's Birthday Party

Saturday we had a birthday party for Andrew and Carson. They choose Cars/Lightning McQueen to be the party theme. They both really like this movie and toys. In fact Andrew has been sleeping with a Lightning McQueen car, not exactly something to cuddle with - it is hard plastic! One night we couldn't find it and when I asked Andrew what he wanted to pray for, he said "Pray for Lightning McQueen because he is lost."


We were blessed to have most of our family members here for their party (We missed you Tim, Bradley, Renee and Lucca.) It is always fun to be together. The boys love their Grandmas and Grandpas, Aunts and Uncles and cousins. I had asked Andrew what food he wanted at their party. He said "cheese and crackers, yogurt and peanut butter and jelly." We did have cheese and crackers and some fruit/yogurt/granola. We also had hot chicken sandwiches, corn bake and some chips. The cake was a joint effort; I baked it, Chad and Justin came up with the 3-D design and decorated it. Cake decorating is really hard!

The gift opening was a whirlwind of activity! I always forget about all the crazy packaging on toys!! The boys are loving all their new toys, books, puzzles, music and clothes. They received this tent pictured above and Andrew has been sleeping in it each night (at least for part of the night). Yesterday afternoon Chad and Andrew layed down in it for some quiet time. The next thing I know Andrew is tip toeing out towards me. I asked him what he was doing, He said "I just sneaked out of the tent. Daddy is sleeping."

Thanks for coming to the party and making two boys very happy!

Tagged from A to Z

My friend Sarah tagged me. I love reading Sarah's blog and her blog encouraged me to start my own blog. Here goes....

A. Attached or single? Attached
B. Best friend? I'm not sure that I have just one; Chad, my sister, and several girl friends
C. Cake or pie? Pie
D. Day of choice? Saturday
E. Essential item? Chap-stick, I can't stand dry lips
F. Favorite color? Brown
G. Gummy bears or worms? Neither
H. Home town? Archbold
I. Favorite indulgence? Chocolate
J. January or July? July
K. Kids? Yep. Two boys, Andrew & Carson
M. Marriage date? July 24, 1999
N. Number of brothers and sisters? 2 brothers (Ben & Tim) and 1 sister (Tricia) plus twin sisters that passed away after birth (Lynn & Laurie)
O. Oranges or Apples? Apples
P. Phobias? Other people's germs
Q. Quotes? Andrew- "I wish my bedroom was inside your bedroom." & "I wish Carson had his own Mommy"
R. Reasons to smile? 2 precious little boys, health, beautiful weather
S. Season of choice? Summer

T. Tag 5 people: Renee, Jill, Sarah H. , Sara C., Carrie (Don't feel like you must do this, but it was kind of fun!)

U. Unknown fact about me? Umhh, I really am not sure. I think I am pretty open, I guess I will just keep it unknown....
V. Vegetable? Corn
W. Worst Habit? Finding/making excuses to not exercise
X. Xray or ultrasound? Ultrasound.
Y. Your favorite food? Mexican or Italian
Z. Zodiac sign? Capricorn

Vocabulary

Carson has a lot of words that he says. He babbles a lot. Often he will be babbling and throw an actual word in here or there. But he doesn't combine too many words. He will say "Hi Daddy." or "Thank you Mommy."

Well yesterday the boys and I went to a MOPS meeting. It ends at 11:30 and Andrew's preschool begins at 12:15, MOPS is about 20-25 minute drive, so I pack a lunch for Andrew to eat in the car. After dropping him off at preschool, Carson and I came home to eat lunch. Chad was here eating and finished up before we were done. Chad got himself a piece of cake and needed to head back to work soon. Carson wanted some cake too of course! But he didn't eat much lunch. I kept telling him he needed to eat more lunch and then he could have some cake. This just made him more upset. He said "My Cake NOW!" with his arm thrusting back and forth as he pointed in the direction of the cake. So I guess he is learning to put words together!

Christmas is coming?

Today is gorgeous! It is very sunny and in the low 70's. I love it. In the mail we received not one but 4 different toy catalogs and one hardware catalog with "holiday gift guide" on the cover. This warm beautiful weather doesn't make me feel like Christmas is coming.

I enjoy giving gifts (receiving too) but the gift marketing kind of drives me crazy. My dad mentioned that he was in Wal-Mart a few weeks ago and they were playing Christmas music already. (Probably Jingle Bells or Rocking around the Christmas tree and not Silent Night or O'Come all ye Faithful) Christmas to me is much more about the birth of Jesus, spending time with family, seeing things in a new light through the eyes of my children.

I always feel like I eat pretty poorly (well not the most nutritiously) from Thanksgiving until January sometime. Well this year, the baked goods and candy have started much earlier. About mid-October! I made some cut out cookies towards the end of the month of pumpkins, apples and maple leaves. I do enjoy baking but I am horrible about resisting the temptation to eat cookies or desserts if they are sitting on the kitchen counter saying "eat me!" Then this was the first year the boys went trick or treating. We have tons of candy around from that. Then last week was Carson's birthday and I made him a cake. This weekend we are celebrating the boys' birthdays with our families = another cake. Andrew's birthday is the 16th, I think I will just take in some cup cakes to his preschool class and not make anything for us at home for his birthday. Soon it will be Thanksgiving with yummy pies, followed by Christmas family gatherings in a few weeks. I must control myself!!

On a side note, this is a picture I took of our front lawn in late October of last year. I loved the different colored leaves scattered around with the green grass poking through.

Cauliflower Cheese Soup

Now I know some of you are probably thinking; no thanks, I will pass. But really, you have got to try this! It is really good. I made this for supper tonight and both boys cleaned their bowls without any problems and Andrew had a second helping. I commented to Chad that I was surprised that every time I make this the boys always eat it well. Chad commented that he was surprised that he himself eats it! :) Bradley and Renee made this for us one time when we visited them when they lived in Iowa. Thanks for sharing the recipe. (I don't think I copied down the recipe correctly, but this is how I make it)

Cauliflower Cheese Soup

1 med-large potato, diced
1 large cauliflower, diced
1 medium carrot, chopped (I don't always put this in but it is still good with or without)
3 medium cloves garlic, peeled
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
1 1/2 tsp. salt
4 cups water
2 cups grated cheddar (I don't usually use 2 full cups)
3/4 cup milk
1 tsp. dill

Place potato, cauliflower, carrot, garlic, onion, salt and water in large saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer until all the vegetables are very tender. Puree in blender. Return to saucepan. Add cheese, milk and dill. Heat till warm. May serve with a little extra cheese.

Fun in the leaves

Saturday afternoon was beautiful. Really warm and sunny. Chad was mowing and raking/blowing the leaves. The boys and I took a little time to play in a pile of leaves. What fun!

2 years

November 1, 2006
Day One

November 1, 2007
1 year old

November 1, 2008
2 years old

What a difference two years makes! Carson was born with so much dark long hair. He had these huge side burns. Over that first year, his hair just kept getting lighter and lighter. They grow and change so much in these first few years.

Have you heard people say that if you measure a child when they are two years old and then double that height, that is what their adult height will be? Well Carson has not had his 2 year well check yet, hoping to do that at the same time Andrew has his 4 year well visit. I measured Carson this weekend. He was 32 1/2 inches, so that would make him 5'5" as an adult. I am hoping that this is not true! That seems awfully short for a man, guess he got my genes on that one and not Chad's.

Carson has always been on the petite side, ever since his 6 or 9 month visit. I contributed this to his milk protein intolerance and reflux but maybe he is just little. Chad and I recently compared pictures he had taken at 6 months and then again at 9 months. He had rosy chubby cheeks at 6 months and then at 9, he looked really thin and pale. So thankful that he no longer as issues with either of these conditions now.

(I just looked at Andrew's growth chart, he was 34 1/4 inches at 2 years, making him 5' 8" 1/2 as an adult. Guess we shall see!)

Happy Birthday Carson!

It is true. Our baby is now two years old! Hard for me to believe. If you ask him how old he is, he responds with a very excited "Two!" He is such a sweet little guy. He loves to do anything big brother does, "Me too! Me too!" He loves music and the little rhymes we say at story time. He is starting to show his "two-ness" at times. He really knows what he want and when he wants it!!

I told Andrew yesterday that Carson's birthday was today. He wondered if he could get him a present. So this morning Andrew & I went to vote (just me really but Andrew was along) then we went to the store so Andrew could pick out a gift for Carson. He picked out this Cars racer. It was a huge hit between the two of them! Carson says "Race!" We had cake tonight after supper (because none of us have had enough sweets in the past few days!) and Carson also got this horse (or as Carson says something like "herse") from Chad and I.

We are having a birthday party for both boys next weekend with our families. Today was a bit confusing for Andrew. He thought his Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Grandmas and Grandpas should be coming since it was Carson's birthday. He also didn't understand why Carson's birthday came first.