HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

As 2008 comes to a close, we reflect on where we were, where we are and where we want to be. It's funny that just one day does that to people - since, in essence, we start a new year every day. We all do it...

So, I think about where we were last year - having traveled with a 2 month old and a 19 month old to VA for Nick's Baptism. Then to Ohio for New Years where I saw snow flying SIDEWAYS - it's been a while since I'd seen snow or temps that low - we'd lived in TX for 6.5 years. I was sad to be leaving TX and my house to come to a (really old) townhouse in ARKANSAS of all places. We were glad to have the family living under one roof and blessed to have all of our family and good friends.

As the year drew on, we had some minor scares from Nick - I'll get him for those later. And we decided it was good for the boys to get out to school/day care. They have both flourised and we have all adjusted to Mommy going back to work and excersising her "adult" brain in the work force. We enjoyed visits from Matt's parents and mine. We spent a lot of time at the zoo - the boys love the animals and Jake LOVES to feed the fish and the animals. We had a couple of trips to TX to see our friends, we went to Chicago in November and we spent 2.5 weeks in Scottsdale with Nana & Pawpaw.

As this year draws to a close, we are again blessed and thankful to have all of our family and friends. We are thankful to be living under the same roof again. We will welcome visitors as they come - first up are Memere & Pepere Savoie. And we look forward to getting back to Army Life and meeting up with our friends in Kansas sometime around July. I'm pulling for 1 July, but I'm not sure those logistics will actually line up the way I want to. And we are pretty sure that even though Kansas is only 10 mos, we won't have any idea where we're going after that at this point next year! :) Oh well, we'll take it. WE'll be too cold anyway - it being our first full winter in the NORTH for quite a while!

Happy New Year to all!

Matching Jammies

The boys received matching LL Bean Jammies from Auntie Lu. I tried really hard to get a pic of them getting ALONG – but one or the other (or both) was being just a little bit ornery. So…here you go!

Nana & Pawpaw

Some shots of the boys with Nana & Pawpaw. Jake really misses his buddy. Everytime the door bell rings, Jake goes running saying Nana Pawpaw here. He's learning that presently, more often than not, it's someone bringing us dinner! :)

He & Nick really enjoyed their visit with Nana & Pawpaw and look forward to the next time!

Christmas 2008

I know, I'm behind. The boys have fought (and passed back and forth) some sort of illness - Jake ended up with a fever of 103.9 Christmas Day and an ear infection. Nick has fought it so far - and Matt & I are fighting some sort of overwhelming exhaustion. What's that you say?? Yes, I recognize it now as holidays with toddlers!

The boys had a great time! They both are getting into opening presents. Jake is a little faster than Nick. We are working on the whole SHARING thing - I guess I'm stuck with that for a while. Nana & Pawpaw were able to join us. Jake LOVES his Pawpaw (& his Nana) but if Pawpaw was doing it this trip, Jake was doing it.

Here are some select pics from Christmas at the Savoie's!

Chris' Christmas Creativity

What's the fun in having kids if you don't routinely mess up your kitchen with as many different colors of food coloring and frosting that you can find? Jake's school Christmas party is tomorrow (19th) and we are bringing a cupcake Christmas Tree. As much of a hassle it is to make so many colors of frosting - I had a BLAST making the tree!

Happy Nick

He's often overlooked - and isn't quick to smile for the camera - but he's a cheeser, too. Even after Mommy cracked his head on the cabinet - poor baby. :) Here's some shots of Nick with his happy face on (and some meal or other on his face...)

So, it's a sad day...

...when your 2.5 year old tells you you are going the WRONG way. Lucky he's so observant. This story really tells why I should drink some version of caffiene first thing in the morning. Unlike most stories that show one's flaws - I saw the humor immediately.

So...I got the boys ready to go this morning. Telling Jake (and Nick, but he doesn't REALLY get it yet...) the plan for the day: Doctor first (Nick needed his one year shots - I will never understand why they couldn't have done it the day before his birthday - and they both needed their flu boosters) and then to school. I get every one dressed with shoes and jackets for the rain. Load us all in the car - in the rain - and set out on our adventure.

I drive out and turn left at the light. Immediately Observant Jake starts telling me - NO DOCTOR FIRST. NUTS! You're right buddy...Mommy needs to get turned around. 2 miles later, we get turned around - I should have stopped and got the Starbucks right there at the Corner, but no... Off we go. I call Mom to share the humorous story.

Out of habit, I start heading North on the Highway. As soon as it's too late to recover, I realize NUTS - I did it again. And another 2 miles for the exit - GRRRR. We WERE going to be early. I exit, already knowing I need to turn around and Observant Jake - No, Mama, Doctor First! I know Buddy - Mama did it again. I heard that for the rest of the way - Mama did it again!

I called the doctor's office and just said we were running late. All the while thinking...what a sad day. But luckily I had told Jake what was going on - or they would have gotten dropped off at school and no shots would have been gotten today!

Meeting Santa

While at the Knights of Columbus Christmas Gathering, the boys were able to meet Santa. We thought it might be a little more subdued in this setting. Jake did pretty good - he didn't scream, but he wouldn't smile while sitting with Santa, either. Nick - really wanted nothing to do with him - he stopped short of all out screaming and stopped as soon as he was vertical with his feet heading towards the floor.

We think (hope) that next year, we'll have better luck and they'll both smile!

Singing with Daddy

We attended the Knights of Columbus Christmas gathering Sunday evening. As it was the Knights of Columbus, the Knights performed the 12 days of Christmas for us - Jake assisted Daddy in singing "6 Geese-a-layin'"

Decorating the Tree

Having a tree up with two toddler boys, was a challenge I thought we'd forego this year. As luck would have it, Jake is VERY excited about Christmas lights this year - trees, lights, wreaths, he's points them out wherever we go. So, we decided to go ahead and were further encouraged by a great deal on a pretty good tree and shatterproof ornaments (Thanks for writing about them Em...wouldn't have known they exist without ya!) - we've minimized risk and figure if this tree only lasts for a year or two - we're still in good shape.

Jake had a great time putting the ornaments on "his" tree. He did pretty good - we had to spread them out a little from the 3.5 foot level. Nick tried to help - set the ornaments in the branches he didn't really get the string concept.

Now, they both play with the ornaments - who wouldn't? There are 48 "balls" on their tree!

Circus Fun

We all got to attend the Circus this last Saturday. The boys had a great time. As we have a small arena in Little Rock - it was a one-ring circus instead of three. The tigers and elephants were still here, though! The boys (& girls) had a great time!