2015 Christmas

 We went to Massachusettes for Christmas to visit family and the kids had a great time (and were "pretty good" on the airplane). Instead of a white Christmas we enjoyed weather in the mid 60's. 













Nolan's not to sure about this...

Christmas morning was awesome for the kids! They were a little confused on why we had to drive to Nana and Grampy's for presents instead of them being where we stayed. But they still believe in Santa so you can pretty much tell them anything and they believe it.

Keaton was super excited to get his very own shooter.

Keaton has been telling us for weeks that he wanted Santa to bring him a science kit. Santa must have been listening. 

Nolan is really into brushing his teeth so this might have been his favorite gift.  All he wanted to do is brush is teeth after he got it.

While we were there Nana celebrated her 60th birthday.  The kids have young grandparents on this side of the family (unlike their other grandparents). We went to this crazy restaurant, the Kowloon to celebrate. It's a Chinese restaurant that has a tropical theme, full of fountains and overall a crazy place.

It was a great trip and the kids definitely got spoiled with all kinds of treats from Nana so I think they will be looking forward to the next trip!

Boys & Baptism's

This past Saturday, Nov. 11th, we had Nolan baptized at Holy Rosary Church in West Seattle.  There was another 2 year old girl also getting baptized.  While she sat quietly next to her parents, Nolan was drawing on himself, handing the lady behind us markers, stuffing bear crackers into his mouth. However, both boys were really good...for being boys!

Nolan and Keaton were quite curious about the whole thing...

 

Aunt Claudia was Nolan's God Parent and was the perfect person for the job.  She has been such a huge part of his life and a VERY important person in our family's life.

 

Happy Family! Time for Cake!

 

Congratulations Nolan!

 

 

Happy Halloween, Thank you.

Keaton almost sounded like a robot, "Happy Halloween, Thank you." He usually didn't even wait for them to put the candy in his bucket.  I really emphasized how important it was to say thank you and he would tell me in a sad voice when he forgot to say it.

Keaton has really been into Ninjas so a Teenage Mutant  Ninja Turtle was the perfect costume.  And Nolan loves to say "Moo" so his was fitting also.  Keaton is getting lots of use out of his costume and has been wearing it to the gym.  There is a guy there who always has a Spider Man or Captain America costume on so I think that's why he does it.

It was a horribly rainy day on Halloween.  None of us wanted to leave the house but knew we had to.  We went down to the shopping area by our house and quickly did some trick-or-treating before getting too wet.

  

Pumpkin Picking

Nolan got to go to the pumpkin patch for the first time - yahoo! He didn't make it last year since he was sick. But he was healthy and strong and knew just what to do.

Keaton's school went on a field trip to Remlinger Farms out in Carnation where they road a train, went through a hay maze and saw a puppet show.

Nolan thinks he's a big kid and totally fits in with the 4 year old's.  I think the second child grows up a lot quicker.

He dove right into the pumpkin patch, climbing over the pumpkins to find the perfect one.  He insisted on dragging it around in the bag and didn't want me to carry it.   It is so fun to see him experience new things, especially with his brother.

This guy is strong, he could have carried at least 2 or 3 pumpkins by himself.

 Keaton definitely got the biggest pumpkin and was really proud of that.

Growing like a Pumpkin

I've been measuring Keaton at the pumpkin patch since his first trip when he wasn't even one.  Looks like he went from about 1.5 feet to 3.5 feet. Not sure how accurate the measurements are but he's now old enough to pick out his own pumpkin so he must be growing.

2011 - 9 months old

2012 - 1 year old

2013 - 2 years old

2014 - 3 years old no pumpkin patch (Nolan was sick)

2015 - 4 year old

Cute or Creepy?

Both Keaton and Nolan love to kiss me (not TJ though).  I always joke with them about slobber and Keaton always makes sure that he doesn't have any before kissing :)

Now they are kissing each other.  I'm starting to wonder if there is too much kissing going on at our house.  At least when they are older they will have lots of practice, which is creepy that their practice is coming from mom.  I do think the innocent kissing is pretty cute though!

Nolan's not too sure about kissing his brother...

Keaton goes for it...

Nolan liked it!!

Tortoise and the Hare

One of the funnest days this Summer was when we went to my friend's mother-in-law's house.  We spend a lot of time with Lynn and her son, Camden.  I have been friends with Lynn since high school so our friendship goes way back.

A few weeks ago we spent the afternoon with them, the kids riding around in their John Deere truck.  We brought our little battery operated car and it was a joke compared to their truck.  Keaton and Nolan loved it!

The best laugh I've had in a long time was when I looked over and Lynn was cruising in the yard on a granny scooter.  I didn't know she was doing it (or that they had one) which is what made it so funny.  The thing was actually really fun!  When you wanted it to go fast you turned the dial towards the picture of the rabbit.  When you wanted it to slow down you turned it towards the turtle "Tortoise and the Hare".  I raced the kids a few times.