Growin' Up

My little man is growing up... he's sure been in a hurry lately. For so long it seemed as though I couldn't get him to try new things, but now I can't seem to get him to slow down.

In the last couple of months Aaron has really started talking more... he can now (with a little artistic interpretation) repeat nearly everything I say and is finally trying out words with more than one syllable. Today, his biggest accomplishment was his mastery of the stairs, like a big boy. He came running to me "Mom. See. Stairs! Mom. See. Stairs!" Such a proud moment for him. And of course, you can guess what he just couldn't wait to show Daddy when he came home from work.

He has the cutest personality... such a little joker! He loves to tease and tickle with Daddy and sometimes even the brothers, if they can manage to keep it friendly. He does such a good job keeping up with his older brothers. He and Sam are usually pretty good buddies, and he and Seth... well, let's just say they like to keep each other on their toes. Never a dull moment around here!

Luckily, in the midst of all this growing up he is still my little snuggle bug who needs his kiki (blankie), milk and thumb... I don't want him growing up too quickly you know! Though he is turning 2 in just a couple weeks... YIKES!

It's Christmas Again....

Well, at least it was for me :-)

My Christmas gifts arrived today... FINALLY, after a month of anticipation. I am so spoiled! I have had this secret desire for new silverware for several years now, but just couldn't bring myself to mention it. Silverware is EXPENSIVE you know! The fact that we had a total of approx. 8 forks (dinner and salad combined) and company coming got me looking around. Our initial thought was to scavenge at the thrift stores... however, I think everyone must have lost their forks because there wasn't a single fork around (though we did manage to find some spoons). BUT THEN we found this amazing deal at Oneida.... a year end CLEARANCE... woohoo (I love the word clearance)! So, we bought a whole set... they are beautiful!!! I love them! And, they came just in time for our company a couple weeks ago.

Unfortunately we didn't get to share the rest of our gift with company... the cookware was back-ordered and only just arrived this afternoon. I put them right to use (though I have to admit that I considered using an old pan... cuz I didn't want to get my new one dirty and all... foolish, I know, but they are just so pretty and shiny!). It's going to take a little learning cuz they cook very differently than my old ones... but dinner was definitely delicious!

Adalie Update

Adalie has been just growing and changing so quickly. The night before Grandpa and Grandma came I was able to sit her up and count to 16 before she fell over. By the end of their visit she was sitting like a pro. She has been sleeping, crying and feeling yucky a bit more this past week, so I am wondering if some little teeth might be coming up soon. Even at her crankiest though, she is still the happiest little girl ever.

Visitors

I am a little (ok, a LOT!) behind in posting this news.... But, I'm gonna post it anyways.

We had our favorite visitors come to visit us for 10 days earlier this month. We didn't really go anywhere exciting or anything... just stayed home and enjoyed every moment. I am not sure Patty could have handled too many trips out anyway... she spent most of her time in layers and scarves (yes, even in the house =).

I am so thankful for a grandmother that truly enjoys spending time with her grandkids. Patty spent hours and hours each day reading, playing, and making things with the kids. I so enjoy this extra time to myself... it's such a vacation for me.

Gene, on the other hand, does anything but play {well... he does a little of that too :) }. He gets right in and works like crazy. We now have a brand-new water heater... that doesn't leak a gallon of water a day! The boys have a whole wall in the basement to hang their coats, gloves, hats, scarves, and to line up their shoes and boots. And after much blood, sweat and tears...

our nasty old bathroom floor went from

this to this!

Isn't it beautiful?!?
I think so!

I especially enjoyed all of our late night Yatzee, Ziltch, and Cribbage games, while the kiddos were tucked away in bed. I have really been blessed with the best in-laws ever... thank you, Gene & Patty! We love ya!

A Little Bit of Heaven

That is what we received today... A little bit of Heaven... in a HUGE box. If you know my boys at all you would totally understand. They love to color, paint, cut, glue, tape, and fold just about everything. They see every piece of paper, cardboard, soup can, etc. as potential for some kind of project... I can hardly keep the trash in the trash around here! And printer paper... well, we go thru that faster than toilet paper (seriously!).

So imagine the joy when we received this huge box in the mail today. It was filled to the brim with adorable girlie clothes and shoes, but nestled in the middle was the mother load of art supplies... JACKPOT! My boys went nuts! We had markers, window crayons, regular crayons, paint, books, sticky foam, etc. flying all over the place. Needless to say we were quite occupied all afternoon (and will be for several afternoons to come). Thank you, Christa, for this big box of goodies!