Baby, It's Warm Outside

When you have young kids it's easy to feel cooped up very fast.

Winter is tough.

I know it's not technically not winter yet but it's usually pretty cold....

and snowy.

It's been warm and we've tried to take advantage of the parks, going on walks, and just being outside.

The snow will be here soon enough!

My Girls

Josie has been my sidekick lately.

I'm not complaining because she's super snuggly.

Sammie sleeps a lot and begs for food a lot.

Josie is waiting for Santa too!

If only she could help fold the laundry :P

Santa.... I know him!

When the Christmas season started Collin was unsure if he wanted to see Santa.

Actually, he didn't want to.

I was sad because I love Santa photos but I wasn't going to make him feel bad or pressure him to do it. I knew we had plenty of years ahead to make those memories.

However, around town at a few different events we have seen Santa. Each time Collin talked to him.

He wasn't scared.

We finally started mentioning the mall to him again.

He said that Benjamin could go and that he would wave.

I was good with that!

We arrived at the mall and he was all for it.

Santa waved to him and that's all it took.

He had to tell him that he needed more trains. ;)

Poor Benjamin still is in the stranger danger phase.

I expected him to not like it.

I'm so happy to have a photo of the both of them this year with the man in the red suit!

Big Boy Bed

Well, it happened.

My life is never going to be the same.

Benjamin learned how to do this:

I knew it was coming because he could climb out of the pack n play while I showered. 

I had just hoped he liked his crib.

He's a mover and well, I just should have known this milestone was coming....

after all, it is Benjamin.

So, he's in a toddler bed for now.

Someday soon we will get him a twin bed as well.

It's going mostly well.

Some days at nap time it can take a while for him to lay down.

He gets out quite a bit at night before he falls asleep.

He hasn't slept that great since but he's getting better.

We also added him to Collin's room so he's had a lot of adjustments. 

My baby is getting big!

Christmas Tree Lighting

Collin said to us last week that he would like to "go eat ham".

He doesn't get to go out for lunch as often because of school.

I decided to pair it with dinner and our local Christmas tree lighting.

It's not every day I can get Mike to take us out for dinner!

The boys loved having him with us. 

We arrived at the tree and waited for Santa.

They had carol singing, cookies, and hot chocolate.

After waiting a bit longer than we anticipated Santa finally was in sight!

He was riding on a fire truck!

Collin and Benjamin were both super excited.

Santa arrived and they lit the tree!

Family fun nights are my favorite!

Oh Christmas Tree

Our living room is tiny.

Our first year in this house Mike and I bought a real tree.

It was huge and eventually caught on fire.... kinda. It smoked.

We both love real trees and we've promised that once we move we'll do real trees.

We've always had pretty tiny fake trees.

Young kids and tight spaces made it hard.

Until this year....

We talked about it and bought what is called a "slim/pencil" tree.

It's not big but it fits perfectly.

I'm so happy to finally have a real-like tree! 

The boys did a great job helping me decorate. Collin LOVES our tree and so far, Benjamin hasn't messed with it. I'm shocked at that! Collin even asked to have his photo taken with the tree. That's a BIG deal because he runs when I pull out my phone or camera.

They're loving everything Christmas so far....

... and I'm loving it too.

It's far better being the parent and witnessing it through their eyes.

Randoms

Watching them sleep may be creepy to some but I just love them sleeping.

They look so angelic and peaceful.

Sammie and Josie got a new orthopedic pillow.

It's big enough to share!

Snuggling Josie for warmth

My messy bookworm.

Sorry if you're OCD.

The stare down.

Collin washing "bruh bruh" in the tub

Snow Fun

We had our first snow!

It happened about two weeks ago.

The first day I bundled Collin up to go play outside.

He had a blast! He is totally a snow kid.

Collin spent about 30 minutes outside before he wanted to come in.

The next day Collin was begging for all of us to go out and play in it.

It was about 11 degrees and while I think it's too cold I couldn't say no.

I bundled us up extra warm.

Benjamin lasted about 20 minutes before all he did was cry.

He wasn't so sure at first but then he had fun.

It wasn't his first experience with snow but it was something new to him!

Collin and Mike stayed out much longer to shovel the driveway.

I'm so happy I have two little snow lovers!

I'm anxious to get more because I want to take them sledding....

Lots of snow fun to come!

Thanksgiving 2015

Thanksgiving has come and gone. Hard to believe, am I right? I'm still full from all of the yummy food.

Thanksgiving actually started a few days early in our household. I was able to be a mother helper in Collin's preschool class. He and his friends had a feast for lunch. They had each made placemats and special hats. I love that I am able to be home so I can attend these things for Collin. His classmates dined on mashed potatoes, cranberries, fruit, rolls, turkey, and corn. Collin ate peanut butter and jelly and the items that didn't have dairy in them. They read a special book about the pilgrims and played a fun game as well.

Thanksgiving Day was a rough day for me personally. I woke up to a very intense RA flare up. I was miserable. Mike had to help me get ready and he even blow dried my hair.... and burned my scalp. :P
We went to parents and I was able to just rest as I watched every one prepare a super yummy meal!

Saturday we were to head to Chicago for Thanksgiving. I was still in an intense flare up and had very little sleep over the few days. I was struggling big time. Mike still went on to Chicago with the boys and had a great time. I was so bummed to miss out and I cried when they left. I hate this disease but I was thankful they were still able to go. A few days before Thanksgiving Collin asked Uncle Barron if he had choo choos at his house. He said he did because....

He has REAL choo choo trains! Mike, Uncle Barron, and Collin took a ride in to the city. Collin LOVED it.... even though his picture doesn't look like it.

All in all, Thanksgiving was a success. I just wish I had felt much better.

Hope you had a wonderful holiday!