Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013.

For several years, we've celebrated New Year's Eve with our close friends and their kids. Maren and Josh are the same age as Matt and Ryan so the kids always have fun together and it is an easy way to celebrate while still including the kids. And the kids always have a good time, well except when there is a sharing issue over toys.

These boys are going to hate me for this photo some day.

The Littlest Elf.

When I saw these jammies, I had to get them. I can't help but laugh out loud every time Ryan wears them and even when I see these photos. This is going to make a great blackmail photo someday for his wife!

 

Christmas - 2012

Christmas seems like a long time ago as I type this now in mid-April. Here are some of our highlight photos from the holiday.

 

Due to weather, we made a VERY quick trip to Grandma and Grandpa Hanauska's for a quick celebration and most importantly presents.

Then we celebrated with the Mulcahys. This is one of my favorite photos of Ryan, he just looks so grown-up!

Keeping up with his brothers, Ryan also gets Lego's for Christmas.

More Lego's.

Have I mentioned we got lots of Lego's this year?

Love this photo of the boys "tracking Santa".

Light sabers were also a hit this Christmas.

Matt takes his turn with the light saber.

Christmas morning, lots of new presents to play with and Ryan is playing under the sink.

The Winter That Would Never End!

These photos were taken in Dec. when the snow and sledding were fun. I'm typing this in April, it is currently freezing rain and we are expecting 2 - 6 inches of snow tomorrow. We were out playing in the snow that we got last week, but now we'd like these photos to just be a memory. Go away winter!

Farming - Nov. 2012

We made a trip back to my parent's farm in early Nov. 2012 for my dad's 70th birthday. My dad was kind enough to save just enough combining for the boys so they could enjoy the thrill of harvesting corn. Here are some from a weekend.

Chances are they are trying to talk Grandpa into more tractor rides or they are trying to decide who is going to "drive".

Checking out Grandpa's new truck.

Going for a wagon ride.

Happy to be combining corn.

Lots of development in the area by my parents farm means a new road with an extra special name.

Bunk Mates

Sometimes I wonder why we bought bunk beds, when Drew keeps crawling into Matt's bed. Although it won't be long and they'll be too big (and too old) to want to sleep in the same bed.

Stalling!

At nap time I often hear Ryan say, "No nap!". Often he'll protest for a brief period of time and the fall asleep by the gate on his door. But sometimes he'll entertain himself, these are the days that it is good to have the camera ready. Here are some examples.

 

My bags are packed, get me outta here!

I've got all my guys ready to go into battle with me and yes it looks like Type A/OCD gene has been passed along to him.

Maybe I'll just read myself a few more books.

I'm going to try on SEVENTEEN pairs of underwear, get stuck here because I can't move my legs and pass out till someone wakes me up. We might have to save this photo for his graduation party!

Thank Goodness for ECFE!

Since Drew was one, I've been taking the boys to E.C.F.E. (Early Childhood & Family Education) classes. It is a great opportunity to spend one-on-one time with your child, it teaches the child about going to "school" and it also is a great opportunity to connect with other moms who have kids the same age.  I've always enjoyed these classes and have also had the opportunity to meet some really great women who have become long-time friends. 

One of the perks of attending these classes is the staff offer the children a variety of ways to play, many of which that are more messy than I'd prefer to take on here at home. Case in point this day that we were playing with stampers and Ryan decided that using a stamper wasn't enough and decided to rub the ink pad on his head. Another benefit of these classes is everything these use is very washable.