Christmas Party #1

December Fun

"Merry Christmas!"Ethan LOVES puzzles!Making Christmas Presents!Ethan was so excited to put sprinkles on the cookies!Decorating cookiesStockings hung by the chimney with care....
Having fun during the "blizzard"

Visiting Santa!

I thought that this might be the year that Ethan would like Santa, but after seeing him, screaming, running in the opposite direction and squeezing my neck so hard that I could not turn him around until Santa gave him a candy cane was a good indication that this was not going to be that year! As you can see from Caleb's face, he was not a big fan either :) There is always next year...

Finally some SNOW!!

Caleb loved the snow!
Each boy in their own sled:)
Ethan pulling Caleb around - they both enjoyed it!
"We all fall down!"

Since that we like Marquette and the UP in general, we could not wait for the first snowfall so we could play in it! Today was the perfect day to get the kids outside and for Caleb to experience playing in the snow for the first time - he loved it! His favorite part was when Ethan pulled him around in the sled, he could not stop smiling. Ethan and I had fun singing "Ring around the Rosey" while circling Caleb and then falling into the snow! When it was finally time to come inside, my pink cheeked toddler was not interested so I had to bribe him with hot chocolate:) The only down side to having two small children and playing in the snow is that it takes just as long to get all the gear on as it does to play in it, but we had fun!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

This past weekend my mom came to stay with us and she helped decorate our house for Christmas! I love the holidays and dressing the house up in lights...Caleb was pretty impressed too:) This year Ethan has really taken a liking to the Christmas tree and enjoys pointing things out that are on it. It is going to be a wonderful Christmas- we feel so blessed!

The past couples weekends we have been busy! Last weekend we headed to Grand Rapids while Jim was hunting (not successful this year) and had a great time! We hung out with Grandma Sowerwine, Grandma Jastifer, Aunt Keri and we were able to spend some time with Angie and her two adorable kids Amaya and Cole. Amaya is just a little younger than Ethan and they had a fun time playing together and Cole - he is just such a laid back smiley boy! I went to a baby shower for Jim's cousin Melanie, so I was able to see even more of the family. We had a great time!

This past weekend Jim had off, which was sooooooo nice! On Friday and Sunday we just hung out and the kids were able to spend a lot of much needed time with their dad and mom got a much needed break!! Ethan and dad made mom breakfast in bed one morning, it was so sweet! Ethan was so proud of himself - he came in running,"We made you breakfast mama!" I had another baby shower for my friend Rebekah on Saturday and Jim went to the MSU football game in Lansing with my brother and dad. Now with Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner, things are going to get pretty busy! Here are some photos of the kids during the past couple of weeks

Putting on grandma's shoes!

Don't get too excited, he is not potty trained!Ethan loving his chalk board from Aunt Kelly!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Someone is sitting up!!

Time with the kids...

6 month check-up

Well looks like I have a long and lean baby! Weight: 17.4 pounds (39th percentile)
Height: 29 inches (97th percentile)

Belly Laughs

This is just a glimpse at how much Caleb adores his big brother!

Happy Halloween!

"Happy Halloween!" from Tigger and Piglet

Uncle Mark & Grandpa Biener Visit!

Last weekend Uncle Mark and Grandpa Biener came over for the day to hang out. We had a great day and the boys loved having them here- thanks for coming!!

Message from Ethan to Grandpa Jastifer

Playing in the leaves...

He was like a kid in a candy store!

Little Pumpkin in a Pumpkin

As many of you know, we did this with Ethan as well for his first Halloween and are keeping the tradition alive! This was Ethan in his pumpkin :)

Pumpkin Carving!

Could not have asked for a more beautiful day to carve pumpkins

Dad's pumpkin (He said the pumpkin had the swine flu)!

Mom's pumpkin

Gene the Pumpkin Man

Today our playgroup went to pick pumpkins at Gene the Pumpkin Man! This family has been selling pumpkins for 57 years now and there are TONS of pumpkins to choose from. Ethan found a pumpkin for himself and one for Caleb, but I think that best part for Ethan was pulling around the wagon and looking at the big tractor! Like I said, LOVED that tractor!