Christmas 2009

Before we hit the new year, I thought I better share a brief post on our Christmas. We did things a little differently this year, which made for the most relaxing Christmas we have shared since marriage. Though we were sad to not be able to make it to all of our usual stops, I think we were a happier family for it.....if you know what I mean.

Christmas Eve we spent with Jason's family, and though brief, was very fun. The kids did great, and each were so fun to watch. The next day was spent with my family, which was also very laid back. By only making two stops, the boys were able to actually spend time enjoying their news toys, rather then being tossed about, in and out of the car.

Both boys were so fun to watch this year, each with their own way of showing excitement and gratitude. Levin asked me the other day if we were going to have another Christmas, and when I said yes, but not till next year, he shouted out, "YEAH", and beamed a huge grin.




One last story to share, before closing this post. I must preface it, by saying that we have not taught our boys to believe in Santa, but have also not forbidden the knowledge of the jolly fellow either.

A few days before Christmas, Levin informed me that we could not have a fire in our fireplace on Christmas. I did not inquire as to why, but knew just what his little mind was putting together. So, then this week he told me that it would be alright for us to have a fire again. Funny what goes on inside a three year olds mind sometimes.

A First For Both Boys

This year, marked Levin's first Christmas program, of wearing his costume! For those who may not know or recall, last year, Levin did not wear his costume and thus stood out in all the pictures since he was all clad in red.

We were so surprised and shocked at how well Levin did. He not only wore the costume and stood on stage, but sang with motions and all! He is growing up and changing way too fast.

Philip, on the other hand, opted to enjoy his first shot at the church christmas program, from his seat in the front row. He did sit very well, and enjoyed every moment of watching. Next year we will try again.

New Found Joy in Giving to Others

This past Saturday, as I was wrapping up the last of the Christmas gifts, Levin finished helping daddy with a project and came to stand and watch. Standing may not exactly be the right word.

Maybe if we said watching, walking on wrapping paper, volunteering to help, walking on more paper, taking the scissors, grabbing the scotch tape and walking across more wrapping paper, you would get a better picture.

As we sat together, him looking for ways he could be involved, I remembered one of the chief blessings of being the daughter of a garbage collector. A large assortment of unsold, post Christmas wrapping paper. (His occupation being a driver of garbage trucks and only occasionally does that involve forays into the realm of a collector. My husband and father-in-law are more the types to retain and collect garbage as a hobby, but that's another story.)

So back to Levin and his desire to assist in the wrapping festivities. Levin and I went downstairs and picked out a roll of extra wrapping paper, just for him to use.

We found his scissors and he got to do with it as he pleased, whether just cutting up the paper or cutting and wrapping up some of his toys.

He was very taken by the idea of wrapping up some of his toys, and so quickly ran and picked out a favorite toy of Philip's. A special truck Great Grandma Van had given him a couple months ago.

With only a little help, his truck was hidden away beneath the several layers of wrapping and a measured amount of scotch tape.

Then comes the hard part! Waiting for the perfect time to give the perfect gift. In this case I made him wait about an hour until Philip woke up from his nap.

He was so proud of his work and was excited to share it with his brother. At the first sound coming from Philip's room, Levin bolted upstairs full of anticipation at what Philip would think.

He threw the present in Philip's crib as he was still rousing himself with instructions to open it at once. If only I could have caught this all on video, because both boys were so excited. Once Philip unveiled the gift, he seemed a little puzzled to be opening a truck just like the one he already had. But he was still excited to see his brother excited and to get something from him other than the usual assortment of bumps and bruises.

So for all our efforts at teaching our boys, sometimes lessons like the joy of giving come along so spontaneously. Isn't it amazing the lessons God sends our way!

Beep Beep!

I have memories from my childhood, of my mom taping down roads along the carpet for us to drive all of our (mostly my brothers) trucks and cars along, so today I finally pulled out the tape and set to work.

If you are looking for an indoor winter game to play with your young ones, here you go. All you need is some masking tape and a few cars and trucks...oh, and floor space large enough.

Just Missing the Hot Chocolate

Little Hands

Here it is, our project for December, which began as a group effort, but..well...you know how it goes with little ones.

Let the Baking Begin

Last week, the boys and I made sugar cookies together, and this week we plan on staying home to bake up some more yummy treats. I still have yet to come up with a fun little art project for us to work on together. Stay tuned to see what we think up.

This is Levin's old man that is "falling apart", and thus, using a cane.

Making Family Memories

Our mission last Saturday morning, was to find a Christmas Tree, while making fun happy memories together. Grandma and Grandpa German, and Aunt Jen came along too, which the boys always especially enjoy. We did not stay out long looking for the perfect tree, due in part to a busy day ahead, but also because of the freezing (literally) temperatures. The tree is up and decorated, but I have no pictures of that yet...maybe someday soon.

Come on over.....

....but don't forget your ice skates!

Where's Philip?

It has become an almost daily tradition in our house for the boys to hide when they hear daddy coming home, and this day was no exception. Philip was copying Levin, who had hidden himself fully- in a larger box, of course.

Happy Thanksgiving

What did you say?

As we were driving in the car yesterday, I heard Levin say to Philip, "I have no clue what you're saying". Hmm....not sure where he has heard that line before.

Philip has quite a full vocabulary, but is still hard to understand at times. Apparently this is frustrating not only for mommy, but for big brother too.

"The sun did not shine. It was too wet to play"

Sorry for no real updates lately, but we have done very little. Until last night, I am not even sure the last time the camera was used. So here are a few pictures of how we have spent most of our waking hours at home this past week. For those not around here, it has been a wet week, as the title here implies.






Maybe I have said this before, but this train set has been the best purchase thus far in our venture with toys. The boys both love it, and have played with it many more hours then any other toy we own. Thank you Craigs List!

Back to Being a Two Car Family

*Please bare with me one last time, as I mourn.

Well, it's official. I learned today that I will never again drive my favorite car around. My baby has been sold, or is being sold off. Looks like we are passing along the Jetta to Pastor DeMass and his family. They have been borrowing it all week, and have decided to buy it. I know they will love it, as I feel it's a great car. Lisa DeMass reassured me that I can come visit it whenever I like.

Hey, ya know, I just might.

It is nice to know it is going to a good home and that I will see it still at least once a week at church. I am thankful to of had a slow transition away from my beloved car, but the time has come and it must go. Goodbye old car, so full of memories.

Hello new memories, of life, with my mini van.

*Thank you again for listening.

First Attempt

The other night I sat down and made this pouch style baby sling for our next little guy and I to use. I combined a few patterns, and it actually went fairly well. Erika and baby Ezra tried it out for me and it seemed ok. We will see how it fits me once I move my expanding belly from the inside to the outside. The good news is that I have enough fabric to make another sling if this one ends up being too small.

Not Quite What I Had in Mind

I guess we need to redefine what cleaning up means. Though, I must admit that scooping sand off of the basement floor with trucks, does look like fun, I am just not sure how contained it would stay.

Peek A Boo

Look who's popping out!


I can no longer hide the fact that I am pregnant, but alas it was bound to happen at some point. Though I am 21 weeks today, this picture was taken last week at the 20 week mark.

Costumes and Candy

Here are the boys all dressed up in their costumes that they wore to each of the grandparents houses the other night. Philip was not thrilled to be wearing overalls, or any accessories for that matter, but he managed.




And, since my niece and nephew looked so good, I will share a picture of them too.

Introducing Baby Boy #3

The circle you see above this little guys face ia actually where his lower and upper arms joints meet (whatever that's called) He had at least one arm resting on his head the entire ultrasound. Maybe he will be another easy going kid. (A mom can hope, right?)

I love this picture of his little hand.

It's A

Those of you who rooted for team pink...sorry, not this time. We will be having another boy. All looked good in the ultrasound for baby boy #3. I know his two older brothers will be so happy to meet him in a few months, as will his mommy and daddy. Now I have three boys to dress all alike!

Time to Bring Out the Tent

I have been waiting for the rainy days to set in, so I could unveil this tent I bought over the summer at IKEA. Today seemed like a great day, and the boys could not have been more excited. They jumped around the house as they eagerly waited for me to get it all set up. I think it will eventually make its way down to the basement play area, but since I am still too afraid to even walk down there, that will have to wait. Not sure why I am so scared of tiny little critters creeping around my basement, but I am.

What Will It Be Next?

Fall has come, and along with it has come the cold weather. This in turn has brought back the mice. Yup, I think they are moving back in for the winter. So, we have been busy getting our basement ready for the new guests. As unwelcome a site as they are, it is also a true reality and must be dealt with. We have placed all of our food, canned goods aside, in plastic storage bins.

As I was downstairs with the boys this morning, doing some cleaning, I came across more evidence of our little "friends". They had eaten into two packages of Costco brand baby wipes, you know, the unscented kind. Who could have guessed that one? I am now left wondering what it will be next? It is now in my plans to put everything possible or at least things that are somewhat important into plastic tubs. This may also come in handy when and if we get water inside again this winter.

It may sound like we are trying to accommodate our guests, which is in fact far from true. Last winter we caught well over a dozen little furry things. So, I am looking for any tips you all may have found to be useful in keeping these fellows out. Thankfully they have yet to find there way upstairs. When they do that I will be moving elsewhere.

Oh, and no I will not get a cat simply to keep these things away.

Poor Guy

You know your busy two year old is not feeling well, when this is all he wants to do.

Five Years Ago Today

Hard to believe it was five years ago today that Jason and I were married. It seems like just yesterday. We will be celebrating next weekend with a night up in Seattle, but here is what Jason gave me for my birthday and anniversary.

I am truly blessed, these material things aside.

Someday They Will Enjoy It

Now that the cold weather and rain has come, I am forced to get more creative with how we spend our days indoors. An area that I do not feel is a strong point, but with two boys I hope to improve. Today, after some time spent coloring I remembered an old craft I had seen done many times during this time of year. Here is my attempt. Oh ya, did I neglect to mention that art is not my string point?

So, there you have it, an art project that the boys mostly watched me do. Levin did feel that cutting his paper would be easier for him than ripping, so that was his contribution to his picture.

Do any of you have good craft ideas for young children? I am always looking for new projects to do with my two and three year old boys. Just keep in mind that I really am not very artistic at all.

Rumor has it...

...that the rain is coming in this week, so the boys and I headed out to the pumpkin patch this morning, before we are tied to the indoors. We had fun playing in the wood chip pile, winding our way through the corn maze, watching the animals ( including two baby lambs just born this morning) and picking out pumpkins.

Another Reason I love Fall