NBDE Part I and Grandma Date

We hadn't seen Grandma Kathy in a week so we stopped by and played with her then went window shopping and finished the morning with lunch. Grandma dates are fun!

Quite the Pair

Will was stuck in his chair

I got a call from Brad while we were at lunch. He finished his boards and felt great about the test. It represents a lot of diligent studying on his part. He put in countless hours during the holiday break and has been frequenting libraries, Barnes and Noble stores, and spare bedrooms at both my parents and his parents homes. Anywhere quiet. I'm impressed because it isn't easy to study when you'd rather play with your kids and spend time with family. He was sure he passed and says that he'll be able to stop working on models and start working on dummies. ;P

Good job honey!

Backyards on Loan

We like having three backyards to borrow; two grandparents yards along with our cousins yard too (pictured). We like that it has been 70 degrees of perfect since we've arrived. We like getting dirty. We like rocks and we like shoveling.

I like that David let Will play alongside him instead of taking his toy.

Sorry Mike, I don't know if those little rocks really belonged inside that planter!

Five or Six Kids

Brad and I got to pretend that we had six kids. Brad's sister Amy and her husband headed to a photography conference in Nashville and left us to hold down the fort from Friday until Wednesday afternoon. I'm glad that she trusts us that much.

David and Jared enjoy the park on Saturday morning

Megan gives the stake board a try

Jared is becoming a real pro

Nate helps push David on the swings

I'd probably want to put that cool hat on too!

Amy's kids are older and very self sufficient. They helped with cleaning, fixing dinner, and they played with David and Will. For me the most challenging part about it was having my kids in a different space (How many times did David open the snack cupboard and help himself? Maybe 36?) It was nice to spend time with nieces and nephews without their parents around! I can only hope that we left everyone thinking what a cool and hip aunt and uncle they have.

Heading West and 10 Months Old

APEX (dental internship) in Arizona; Part II.

Getting things prepared for a two month absence was busy and stressful. But still easier the second time around. We were even able to pack less...

You are 10 months old Will!

When we are flying with our little boys I think "I'll never do this again," but by the time we got off the plane and I had a little perspective I decided it wasn't so bad. The boys did remarkably well but not without some fuss and two separate diaper blowouts. At one point David slept sprawled across Brad and I while Will slept in David's car seat. Hello lovely weather and family.

Stand Up and Walk My Son

Will has been practicing the last two or three weeks and has decided that walking is a fun way to get around. It warms my heart to watch but I feel like walking makes him not a baby. What did we do so that both our kids felt they had to walk before 10 months? Goodbye babyhood, hello new adventures.

Also of note--waving bye bye, playing peekaboo with one precious hand over his eye, becoming very vocal about the toys that constantly get ripped away (who can balme him?) and still not quite figuring out how to go down the stairs.

Will says Happy New Year!

David is Two!

Oh David. You are two. You've been sleeping in a big boy bed for months because you decided to crawl out of the crib this summer. You know how to open doors and the refrigerator with "baby proof" locks on them. Sometimes you spend your days taking anything Will decides to pick up, vrooming your cars on the walls, eating toothpaste, unrolling toilet paper, and dumping out every toy you have just for the fun of it.

Happy Birthday!

I love the big elephant tear streaks in this one, he was unhappy that we were waiting and took the temping cake away.

Oh David. You are two. You sit and quietly and look at books with an air of amazement and wonder. You never forget your brother and when we are leaving the house or when he is sleeping. You ask "please" for everything, even things you shouldn't have. You soften our hearts when you point out the picture of Jesus or when you recognize your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins in photos or on the phone. You say "beep" when you walk backwards...in fact sometimes we wonder if we are raising a truck instead of a little boy! You spend hours with your cars and trains. You like holding a hand going down the stairs--not for the help but for the company. You are your Daddy's little boy who still to loves Mom a whole lot too.

The red "You Are Special" Plate (trust me, it says that under the food)

Cars cake compliments of Dad

So excited! It is hard to believe he was ever a little baby.

Blowing out the candles; now he can officially turn two.

Christmas Day

David woke up somewhere in the 5 am hour...we were prepared with the movie Cars on Brad's laptop. David watched his show while we tried to snooze. William woke up at a much more reasonable 6:30. Brad was more excited than anyone and reports that he couldn't sleep well last night. Just like when he was a kid.

David walked over to his chair and promptly sat in it after clearing space by sliding the cute pile of presents off. He then demanded that Will sit in the chair next to him.

I think the chairs were a hit!

We lazily opened gifts until the afternoon. David did ok at unwrapping. He would always for "help please" so he could play with whatever he had opened. He didn't really care much about moving onto the next thing. Will ended up liking some of David's gifts which worked out when big brother decided he wanted what Will had.

Much of the day was spent playing with GeoTrax or as David says train tracks.

It was a relaxing Christmas with a few surprises and a lot of fun for the kids. We are converted to not traveling during the holidays.