Happy New Year

Thankfully our New Year's plans didn't include driving anywhere because the weather wasn't the best. Our neighbors came over with their two boys that are the same ages as Adam and Evan. The party hats and horns were a big hit with the older boys:) Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2011!

Great-grandmothers

We were fortunate to get to see two great-grandmothers in one trip to Cold Spring. It was Evan's first time meeting them both.

Great-grandma Elsie with Evan

Papa playing 'Ring Around the Rosie'

Happy Evan

Great-grandma Renee and Evan

Hanna showing off her pretty hat and sparkly shoes

Renee and grandkids

Four generations

Adam wanted to get in the picture too:)

After 3 busy days of holiday celebrations, Adam was excited to be relaxing at home watching his new "Toy Story 3" movie with his new Buzz Lightyear.

Merry Christmas

Adam's face lit up when he saw that Santa had been here.

And brought him this tractor!

And this chainsaw!!

Evan checking out he new tractor too

Adam thought it was funny to pretend to cut down our Christmas tree

Amy helping Adam set up his new track

Nana and Evan

Kate flew home late on Christmas Eve

Evan's 1st Christmas

Adam asked to to ride his mow mow (aka tractor) throughout the entire day. The Schmuckers came here for lunch and we took the boys out to look at Christmas lights at dinner time. It was a long, fun day and we were about to get ready for bed and Adam wanted to ride on his mow mow again. I said if he wanted to ride, he could ride for just a little bit and he looked at me with a huge smile and said "No, I want to ride a lot".

It was so fun to experience the excitement of Christmas through the eyes of a 2-1/2 year-old. He told me in the morning that he was so excited that Santa had come and that he was having just too much fun.

Christmas Eve

We started off the day baking and decorating cookies. Adam decorated a special cookie for Santa.

Better make sure they taste OK for Santa

Jenn and Bubba mailed a gift to Adam and he couldn't wait to open it with them through a video chat.

After Adam's nap, we headed to the Apolds. Soren sang "Frosty the Snowman" for all of us and Adam wanted to take his turn on stage too.

Soren and Adam taking Papa "downtown"

Hanna loves dressing up (and likes Mickey Mouse too)

Adam and Evan

Opening gifts... a new train!

And a new "worker guy" hat!

Amy was as excited as the kids when she opened her new ring

Nicole getting Evan to laugh

A little something for Santa and his reindeer and off to bed

Little Hams

Normally when I get together with two of my college roomates and their kids, we find it very difficult to get a picture with all of them. Today the boys were very cooperative and were actually posing and hamming it up for the camera. They thought it was hysterical to take a picture holding a baby that wasn't their brother.

Each of the boys holding their brother

Switch!

Funny faces:)

Santa Comes to Hudson

The Apolds and Fischers joined us for an opportunity to meet Santa and his reindeer at Lakefront Park in Hudson. We left Evan at his grandparents house so we wouldn't have to bundle him up.

Adam enjoyed watching the reindeer

Soren and Hanna loved playing in the snow

They were a little bashful meeting Santa

Adam was shy too

He warmed up quickly when Santa asked for a high-five

And warmed up even more when Santa asked if there was anything he could bring him for Christmas. Adam quickly replied that he wanted a chainsaw and a tractor (yep, a chainsaw - Aaron has had to cut down a few trees this year and Adam loves to watch and pretend he's helping).

Playing in the snow

A fun wagon ride pulled by horses

What a fun day! Adam has been asking if we can go see Santa again and we have to replay everything that Santa said to him. He is pretty excited for Christmas!!

Evan - 3 months

Evan is getting bigger by the day. At three months, Evan:

• Has started to drool. I don't remember Adam's drooling starting quite this early, but we definitely have another drooler on our hands.
• Cries and cries in his crib at night. I've been bringing him into bed with me just to get some sleep, but he has a gassy tummy throughout the entire night. He also eats around 2:30 and 5:30.
• Loves bathtime!
• Has lost most of his hair, with the exception of a ring in the back.
• Has found his hands and loves to suck on them. Also really starting to grip toys.
• Is getting stronger and stronger. He can roll from his back to his side and loves to sit/stand in our laps.
• Flashes us the biggest smiles and loves to cuddle.

Now for a few new pictures...

I love this picture because both Adam and Aaron sleep with their hands like this too!

When Evan is on the floor, big brother Adam is always right there talking to him and giving him lots of love. Adam climbs into the crib with Evan too and Evan lights up with delight every time.