Happy Birthday, Ross

January 27th was Ross' birthday. To celebrate, we went for dinner with Josh, Christy, and Will, then headed back to our place for cake. Ice cream cookie dough cake to be exact. That is delicious cake.

Gus will blow out your b-day candles for you if you ever need help in that area.

Will's personality is really starting to show through. He is hilarious. He hams it up for pics when he sees a camera.

Also, when he wants something, he just crawls over to it and grabs it. For instance, Nora's hair.

The best part of this photo is Josh and Christys' hands, both shooting in to try and stop Will. Nora's wincing face is also pretty funny.

Gpa and Gma Steve & Debi were here for the weekend and as usual, the kids loved every second of it! So did we. Thank you for watching the kids while we enjoyed a night out.

Happy Birthday, Ross!

You take the good, you take the bad

We've learned that a day in the life of our 3-year old includes many highs, and lows. One second Gus is smiling and laughing, and the next thing you know - he's on the verge of a breakdown. We just go with it. It all works out.

Here's an example of a good time, just after a nice, relaxing warm shower on a Saturday morning.

And a tough time - Gus' first trip to the doc for stitches. He slipped at daycare and smacked his chin on a table. Ouch!



For his first time getting stitched, this injury was just right because it only required 1 stitch + some skin glue. He did great! Ross said he didn't even cry. He will get his stitch out (yes, only 1), in a week.

Our Nora

Nora is growing up fast, and zooming by baby milestones so quickly that I barely have time to photograph them!

I caught up with her this weekend as she performed her latest tricks - push-ups, and sitting up on her own. Of course I had to add these crazy (but adorable, come on...) headbands. Thank you, Gabby! I love it. I'm waiting for the day when I can do pig-tails or braids.






5 months old already. Time flies!

Christmas recap

I'm a little behind on my posts. Here's our shots from Christmas 2010.

Gus set out a cookie and a cup of milk for Santa before he crawled into bed on Christmas Eve.

When he awoke on Christmas Day, he was impressed that the cookie and milk was gone, but his main focus was on the packages in the living room that weren't there when he went to sleep.

Home Depot Workshop! Yes!

Safety breakfast,
then starts the assembly.
And of course there was the traditional kids on Christmas, in front of the tree photo.

This is Nora's best pose.

More Nora Claus -

We had a few days to recover, relax, and disinfect after our first Christmas with Gma Vickie and Gpa Dave. Then, over New Year's weekend, we celebrated Christmas with my side of the family. Steph, and Hava were in from Boston (Mike held down the fort in Boston), Josh, Christy, and Will were back from their Christmas with Christy's family in South Dakota, and Mom and Dad drove down from Minot. It was wonderful!

Nora soaked up her time with Aunt Steph.

She loved her Christmas gift. Turns out, so did everyone else. I should have purchased infant sensory balls for everyone. They were a hit all weekend!

Hava and Gus played, and argued, like siblings. So cute.

Again, the sensory balls. The best gift of 2010.

Art project time!
Josh, the artist of the family, doing his own art project while the kids work. Show-off. But I like it.

Ahhh, a long day of playing means a bed-time snack is a must.

The play resumes, for day #2.

Gus and Gpa Steve
Nora, on her first Christmas, eyeing up the teething ring taped to her present.


More Spidey gear? Yes, please.

Will dug into his gifts like a seasoned pro, even though it was his first Christmas.

The girl photo. Also, do you like my lamp hat?

The kiddos with their loving grandparents.

"You ready for bed? Yeah, getting tired. Wanna sleep over? I have room in my crib. BYOP (pacifier). No problem."

On second thought, Will preferred to bunk up in the boys room with Gus.

We had 3 days of quality family time together. On Day 3, we decided to head out into the blizzard, to grab dinner as a family. Table for 7, with 1 booster chair, 2 high chairs, and 1 sling for a car seat. What were we thinking.

Will and Nora were the first ones ready to go.



Turns out everything went great.

Home again for some reading with Aunt Steph.

Reading was waaay better when done in Gus' secret fort.

After a long week traveling, and constantly on the go, Hava relaxed with a little yoga.

And Will relaxed by going absolutely bonkers in his Johnny Jump Up. I wish I had a video because it's hilarious.
Hava and Steph made one last stop at Josh, Christy, and Wills' before heading to the airport. We miss them already!


We loved every minute we had with our families this year. We missed seeing our extended family members in Minot, but we will catch up this winter or spring when we're all feeling healthy and not contagious.

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

Blue

Gus helped me wrap presents last week. He was in charge of decorating the name tags. At one point, he got bored with his job and turned around to watch TV. About 3 minutes later, he came back to decorate and when I saw his face, I gasped. He had no clue that he had forgotten to replace the lid on his marker while pretending it was lip balm.

After I gasped, I burst into laughter, which scared him. Here's the scene unfolding:


He only cried for about 1 minute, and the marker washed right off in the tub.

Very funny!