Legos

One of the things Mike has been looking forward to since the time we found out we were having a boy is Legos. As a kid, Mike loved playing with Legos and couldn't wait to re-live those fond memories with the boys. Samuel has had Duplos now for awhile and we figured he was probably ready to start entering the world of more complicated Legos. A few weeks ago, Samuel and Daddy built thier very first lego spaceship together.Samuel was very excited and did a great job. He sat patinetly, looked at the directions, found the pieces he needed and attempted to put them in the correct places. Mike had to help make sure they were snapped in and in the end they were successful.

I think they are officially hooked.

Snow

One new experience for both the boys this year is the snow. Of course this also means snow pants (which Samuel adorably calls pants coat), boots, coats, hats and mittens. So far it has really been too cold to be outside for more than a few minutes but the other day after we picked up daddy from work we played for a bit. The boys were so excited but soon realized how cold they would get and decided that another day would be better. Here are a couple of pictures of our moments outside. Hopefully it will be a bit warmer soon and we can introduce the sleds!

18 Months

Liam John-

Today you turn 18 months old. Eighteen months ago you entered our lives and nothing has been the same since. Was it only eighteen months ago that daddy excitedly exclaimed, "It's a boy"? Was it only eighteen months ago that Samuel became a big brother and mommy was once again outnumbered in the household? Where did those eighteen months go?

In the past eighteen months you have gone from being my little baby to my little boy. You have developed into a little boy full of imagination, curiosity, wonder, and energy. You bring so much life and entertainment to your household. From your crooked little sly grin to your rolling belly laugh, from your glare out the top of your eyes to your belief that you really do disappear when your eyes are close, you make us laugh.There are so many things I want to remember. I want to remember that your favorite thing to do right now is brush your teeth, at least 10 times a day. I want to remember how blue your eyes are when the sun hits them just right. I want to remember how you smell when you get out of the bathtub and how snuggly you are first thing in the morning. I want to remember how appropraitly you sign "please" especially when you really want something. I want to remember that you are always up for a graham cracker, granola bar or banana or how you just know that I am trying to hide something green in a spoonful of applesauce. I want to remember how much you love animals. I want to remember the smile that you give when you do something on your own or the sparkle in your eyes when I return to pick you up. There are so many things I want to remember about you right now and so afraid of how quickly I know I will forget.

I want you to remember that you are my special little boy. That each day would not be complete if I didn't share it with you. That my favorite thing to do is to watch you grown, watch you discover things for the first time and feel the pride in you becoming more and more independent. I want you to remember that I will always come back for you and that I will always be here whenever you need me. I want you to remember the way it feels to do something for the first time or how good it feels to laugh until your belly hurts. I want you to remember that even with your eyes closed, mommy can see you.

Today not only marks the eighteenth month of your life but today marks a very significant day in our country. At noon today, with you asleep in my arms and tears rolling down my cheecks, I witnessed the inaguration of our 44th president, President Barack Obama. Today is a day that I am so proud to be an American, to be part of a generation that has come together to say enough is enough, a generation where an Aftican American man is given the opportunity to lead the nation. I will always tell you that you can do whatever you want to do and that you can be whoever you want to be, today I say that with a little more confidence, a little more faith and a little more truth.

An eruption of cheering filled the air today as President Obama took oath, today people are dancing in the streets, gathering at parties, and celebrating. Today I will hold you in my arms and honestly whisper to you while you are sleeping,
you can truley be whoever you want to be buddy.

Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
And if you want to be free, be free
'Cause there's a million things to be
You know that there are

And if you want to live high, live high
And if you want to live low, live low
'Cause there's a million ways to go
You know that there are

You can do what you want
The opportunity's on
And if you find a new way
You can do it today
You can make it all true
And you can make it undo
you see ah ah ah
its easy ah ah ah
You only need to know

Well if you want to say yes, say yes
And if you want to say no, say no
'Cause there's a million ways to go
You know that there are

And if you want to be me, be me
And if you want to be you, be you
'Cause there's a million things to do
You know that there are

Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
And if you want to be free, be free
'Cause there's a million things to be
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are
-Cat Stevens

Love,
Mommy

Cold

It is really, really, really cold here.

Mike has the day off today, not due to snow or ice, but due to the fact that it feels like it is 31 degrees below zero. Burr. It is so cold that when you go outside it takes your breath away and your nose hair instantly freeze. Poor Wrigley has been outside twice this morning and came in both times and peed in the house. Guess I wouldn't want to go into the freezer to pee either.

It is suppose to get a bit warmer this weekend. I think they are predicting tomorrow's high to be 22 degrees with light snow and Sunday to be 21 with snow. Although it is very cold the sun is shining which seems to make everything a bit better. Especially when I can sit in my cozy jammies with a hot cup of coffee, inside my living room with the sun shining brightly.

Stay warm today...

First Haircut

A few days after Christmas Mike and I decided it was time...time for Liam's first haircut. I absolutely love his curls and was so sad to see them go but with winter and the amount of time he spends in a hat we were fighting knots and frizzy hair constantly. I had my camera on hand for the big event so here is the story in pictures.

Before

Prior to going in I asked Liam if he wanted to get his hair cut. He quickly responded "NO" and put his hands over his head. We weren't sure how he would do but we figured we should try it. He willingly set on Mike's lap, put on the apron and was ready for action.

He was a bit curious about it all and spent a good portion of the time watching what she was doing in the mirror. He didn't really mind the water or her combing his hair although he wasn't to found of the clippers.
A few tears were shed and the binky was required to make it through it all (that is for Liam I mean) but overall a great experience. He was very pleased with himself afterward and was happy to give me a grin to complete the photo album.
I have to admit that I was pretty sad for a few days. He looks so much older to me now and reminds me a lot more of what Samuel looked like at this age. It already appears that the curls will be returning. His hair is growing in much fuller and thicker now also so we shall see. All in all he is still the cutest 17 month old I know.

2008 In Review

So we spent some time reflecting and remembering 2008. I thought it would be fun to share our highlights through both memories, events and pictures. Enjoy!

January

• Samuel is potty training
• Liam learns how to sit up
• It snows...a lot...in SeattleFebruary
  

• Whole household gets extremely sick
• Discovery of "Charlie bit my finger" on You Tube
• Katelynn comes home
• Ruby is born
• Everett is born
• We get out of Seattle for a few days to rest with our small groupMarch
  

• Samuel reads his first book independently
• Uncle Mike visits

April

• Mike turns the big 30
• Samuel discovers his shadow
• Liam stands independently
• Blog goes private
• Samuel learns there is a difference between grass and saladMay
  

• Liam gets teeth
• Tulip festival time
• MIKE GRADUATES
• The whole family visits
• Samuel has his first opinion about his hair

June

• We camp at Gold Basin
• Samuel conquers his first fear
• Many, many walks around Green Lake
• Boys eat their first corn dogs
• Mike gets his tattoo

July

• Samuel turns 3
• Liam turns 1
• We miss Hannah for 4 years
• We celebrate 7 years of marriage
  
• We play at Great Wolf Lodge
• We buy a house we have never seen
• We go on a final camping trip with Zera
• Jenn gets her nose piercedAugust
  

• We say goodbye to Seattle
• We travel over 3000 miles to Michigan
• We enjoy three weeks traveling the beautiful country
• We say goodbye to our beloved fish, Lance.
• We arrive in Michigan to see our new home and wonder what we have done

September

• Samuel starts his first day of preschool
• Jenn becomes a gym addict
• Liam walks full time
• Kasey is born
• Samuel dances in the rain in his underwear
• Samuel learns to ride a bike
• Liam drives his first car
• Jenn turns 30
  

October

• Mike gets his first colonoscopy
• Grandpa Steve turns 60
• We adopt three cats
• We participate the family traditonsNovember
  

• The season's first snow
• We move into our new house
• We travel to MN for Thanksgiving

December

• We buy a puppy
• We enjoy our first Christmas in our new house
• Both boys are terrified of Santa
• Samuel has his first Christmas program which he refuses to participate inIt was a good year but I will admit that I am really glad it is over. Hopefully our 2009 will go at a much slower pace and we will be able to spend a lot more time together.