Christmas Morning

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. Zackary was really into all that goes with it. We left out cookies and milk for Santa and an apple and banana for the reindeer. In the morning we found our stockings filled with goodies and the BIG present Santa left for us...

A TRAMPOLINE!

Zackary jumped and jumped and jumped and jumped!

I can't believe how magical Christmas is. This is how I remember it as a child. Now that we have children, Christmas became magical again. Santa, stockings, surprises, decorations, presents wrapping paper... the list goes on and on about all the fun things about Christmas. I know that there is a lot more to it than that, but 'the little things' that is what children love. To see the smiles, the excitement, the thoughts, the surprised looks, its all priceless. If we could all just go back and appreciate the simple little things.

Merry Christmas!

Sledding

Here was the start of our attempted sledding trip with 2 apparently tuckered out boys. We might have been driving in the car about 5 minutes and I turned around to find this. We were cracking up because they reminded us of the little boy in The Christmas Story that couldn't move because he was so bundled up. They both look so stiff sleeping in the car seat. They surely weren't comfortable. Oh the beauty of being little with the ability to sleep anywhere.

And here we have Aaron, so PROUD of his Onsie. As you all might know, I'm not a fan of anyone wearing a onesie after the age of 1, with very few exceptions to this rule. And my 6'4" husband wearing his ONSIE...

not the exception. Really!

We had a good time sledding, however as you can see the snow was coming down pretty hard and horizontally right into our faces as we were headed down the slope. The sledding didn't last very long, but just perfect for the little ones.

Polar Express

We got to go on the Polar Express this year with Laura, Glen, and Lauren this year. We have never done anything like this. The kids had a blast! We took the 6:00pm train to the north pole to see Santa. We read the book, sang songs, drank hot chocolate, and ate cookies. What a great experience this was for the kids.

Only slightly manic by the end!

After seeing Santa the kids were thrilled. They had to so off their new bells from Santa.

Cookie Time

Cookie decorating time is here again. We are making it an Allan family tradition every year at Christmas. This was our 2nd annual. I'm pretty sure everyone ate more than we ended up making, everything was so tasty. Zackary had piles of sprinkles on his cookies and down his bandage. We also celebrated our Christmas with the Allans the same night. Tons of food, cookies, and presents. What a great night!

Slight Accident

Well, we had our first bike wreck. Just 2 days after he go his bike we spent some quality time in urgent care thinking we would need stitches. Luckly we didn't but we will be wearing this nice large bandage for quite a while. He really did well with everything. I'm pretty sure he caught the entire fall with only his chin. Poor guy, I guess all boys need some scars...

3rd Birthday

Today we celebrated Zackary's 3rd Birthday. Wow 3 years old! My baby is 3. It is so wonderful to see your child grow up, but it sure never seems real. Zackary is such an amazing little boy. He is so sweet, sensitive, energetic, caring ,and beautiful. We are blessed with such a perfect little boy. Here is some of Zackary's things
~ weighs in at 36lbs and 41 inches tall (he is the size of an average 4.5 year old)
~ full of energy of course
~ has a full six pack, quads, hamstrings, and delts...maybe we have a future athlete
~ he is an awesome host, he offers everyone juice boxes and suckers
~ he has such a sweet disposition
~ is learning to test his bounderies
~ enjoys watching movies

We celebrated his birthday at Marley Farms Petting Zoo. This is such a great place to have a party. We got several bags of feed for all the animals, 2 jumpy houses, a hay ride, picnic area, and the entire petting zoo all to ourselves.

The kids had such a great time, I think the parents did too!
Thanks to everyone who celebrated with us and for all the wonderful gifts.

Nana and Papa showed up after the party to give Zackary his brand new Big Boy Bike. It is a small Radioflyer bike, it reminds me of my childhood. Same colors and everything. He was doing so well riding for the first time. No Fear!

The night ended with him passed out on the couch at about 6:00pm.
Zackary, you are such a blessing to us. You have brought us so much joy and love. Everyday just gets better with you. We love you so much.

Mode of Transport

I mentioned about a week ago that Lane was officially walking. But today he decided that it is his new mode of transportation. He is walking everywhere. We rarely see him crawling anymore. While I absolutely love the first steps. I think crawling is the cutest thing and will sure miss it. He is all over our house discovering it like he has never seen it before. Everything must look different from a foot higher?

Energy

Our house is filled with so much energy. I'm sure everyone with children, especially boys would agree with me. Some days I will try anything to have them sit still for just a few minutes. I have been trying to do things with Zackary to keep him entertained with out needing to jump on and off every piece of furniture, climb anything climbable, run like crazy, or torment his brother. He really is a great kid he just has lots of energy. I've asked my mom if the energy level is normal (I know it is for an almost 3 year old boy, but just need confirmation every now and then), her reply "PAYBACKS!" Apparently I was exactly the same way. So today we decided to do some art projects. We made a large snowflake that is hanging in our entryway and looks awesome. We spent almost 2 hours creating this masterpiece gingerbread house. I was so impressed, he sat and decorated it the entire time. I sat with him and ran the frosting construction while he decorated and told me where to put the frosting for him to place the candies. I love the rows of gumdrops.

We had so much fun together. I thought doing a few projects and some very close one on one time together might distract him from the craziness.

NOPE, I was wrong.

This is how our night ended. Notice the couch flipped over. Yes, I flipped the couch over because I was over asking him to stop jumping on the furniture. It did solve the problem. I'm sure everyone that has little kids can understand the house looking like this? Right?

I love him, he brings endless energy and laughter.

Walking

Lane started walking today. Well today I'm officially calling it "walking." He has been taking several steps for the last month or so, but today he was sitting in the middle of the room and stood up and walked across the room to get a toy. That is what we consider officially walking. I was so glad I got to be home to witness it. Or at least if I didn't see it for the first time nobody told me and that is just fine. I love it the beginning steps are so incredibly cute, I just can't get enough. I'm not sure why he insisted on carrying around the fly swatter all day but he did.

Morning Time

This is usually how our mornings have been lately. Aaron or I usually get up around 6:15 with Lane for his morning bottle. No I have not dropped the bottle yet, not sure why, all I can say is that he loves it so much. He usually plays then Zackary joins us about 7:00 for his milk and his 'big boy show' as he calls it. He has several he likes and everyday it is a different one. He keeps us on our toes. I love that they will sit together, I just think it is so cute while it lasts. Lane usually is over it within a few minutes and off playing or bugging his brother. It is sure funny how they already know when and how to push each others buttons.

Family Day at the Zoo

We actually got to spend the day together at the zoo. Aaron usually never gets to go with us because of work of course. We usually don't go on the weekends to avoid the crowds. It was nice to spend the day together, just the 4 of us. It is so nice to see the boys starting to interact with each other and enjoy some of the same things. Of course they both love climbing on the tractors and petting the goats.

Gotta love the brotherly love. No posing, no asking, no bribing... just loving each other.

The Big 1

Well our little baby Lane turned 1 today.

I can't believe how fast this year has gone and what an incredible year it has been. I feel like we just brought him home from the hospital. Now we look at him and he is communicating with us and just about walking. I guess I can say he is walking he is doing 5-6 steps at a time, usually with some bribery. Lane is such a wonderful and fun baby. I have to steal this line from a friend because if fits perfect, "he is one of my obsessions." I just can't seem to get enough. I absolutely love this age.

Here are some fun things we learned about Laner this year.
~he is our little social butterfly-he is as happy as can be as long as someone is around

~he weights in at 22.5 pounds and 30.5 inches tall

~he uses several signs-duck, bird, milk, all done, eat, dog, moon, fan, light
~he will give you a fantastic muscle show
~he has the most beautiful blue eyes and great 70's style hair
~he loves to be outside

~he is sporting 4 chompers ('the hippo teeth'- the bottom two and the top outside 2)

the 2 front chompers will be arriving real soon

~he loves his big brother and already knows when and how to push his buttons

~he could probably take you in an eating contest

These are just a few pictures of Lane's first year. This one above is on his 1st birthday!

A message for Lane...You have been such a blessing to our family. I can't tell you how much we love you and are amazed by you everyday. Your personality is wonderful, cute, funny, and mischievous. We love to watch you grow and discover new things everyday.

We love you so much.

Happy Birthday Lane!