Ready for Christmas

My apologies for not posting much lately. Between crazy Christmas package season for Matt and 3rd trimester for me, there's not a ton of productivity left after work these days :)

As I've been meaning to post since September, we are adding a little pink to our house these days. We still can't say whether a boy or a girl will be joining our family in February, but we've added a sweet little girl to our family. We brought our new dog, Jolie, home in September. She has slipped right into our family. She is not yet a year old, and she is such a happy thing. She loves rough-housing with Otis, and she seems to know just how to play with Josh. We're really enjoying her.



Playing tug of war with Otis. Please note the little toy pieces and toy fluff around them. Our floors are almost always covered in such things. The good news is Josh pretty willingly picks up the dog toy parts and throws them away.


Counting the days to Christmas. Yes, Joseph and a horse are on the roof. Isn't that where they are in your Nativity scene?

Playing with his Fisher Price Nativity set.

Otis sneaks in a few minutes with the Nativity.

Performing in his first Christmas program at daycare.



They danced to "Chicken Pox for Christmas"

Helping trim the tree.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

A Scooby Doo Halloween

Happy Halloween! We've been enjoying the festivities. Josh and Otis really enjoyed the trick or treaters coming to our door. Josh watched through the window and would yell "Trick or treat come!" and then he'd hold the door open and yell, "Good night!" or "Happ How-ween" as they left. It was precious. Otis' favorite holiday is Halloween. He gets so excited by the kids coming to the door. Often the trick or treaters don't realize that he's harmless, and so when he pokes his giant head out the door, it occasionally causes some fear. Tonight we had one kiddo cry and one parent swear, so we'll consider it a successful evening.

Helping Daddy scoop out his jack-o-lantern.


Supervising the carving.

The finished product.


Sporting his mummy sweatshirt from Grandma.

A little pre-trick or treating rocking horse was necessary.

Displaying his spoils.

Sticker Fun

Stickers are an endless source of entertainment these days.

Camping Trip

This weekend we enjoyed a camping trip. It was great to get away, and Josh loves the outdoors.

Josh entertained himself while Matt & I set up camp by dunking his head in Otis' water.
Dog water running down his face. He thought it was hilarious when I told him that was yucky.

Trying to break out of the tent.

Enjoying an ice cream treat.

The slide was an endless source of entertainment.

Nhomas the Choo Choo

We celebrated Josh's big 2nd birthday with a Thomas the Tank Engine party (aka Nhomas the Choo Choo).

Grandpa & Grandma came down from Michigan for a long weekend visit. The following pictures are just a snapshot of the fun that was had at the party, and during my parents' entire visit.

The Nhomas cake. My dad cut this out of 2 13x9 cakes, and then my mom and I decorated it. Josh recognized it right away, so mission accomplished!


Stealing a chip off of Grandma's plate.

Hanging out with his cousins, Luke & David.

Ready to blow out the candles

Playing trains with Jacob

Morning after the party, sitting on his tricycle box and reading new train books.

Playing in the frog fountain at the arboretum.

Playing trains with Aunt Loretta.

Trying out the new "bi-kickle"

I'm 2!

Josh started out the day on Sunday answering the "how old are you" question with his standard "I on't know" (he has decided that "I on't know" is an appropriate response to almost anything involving or even sounding remotely like a question). However, after a short while we got him to say "I'm 2!" in response. He holds up his thumb and index finger for emphasis.

We celebrated his big day at home. Here is a sampling of how Josh spent his day.


Reading to himself.

Building an awesome train.

As soon as we presented him with his new pickup truck, he ran straight over and hopped in. He's pretty excited about his new ride.

Testing out the bed of his truck.

Making sure the horn works.

Blowing out the candles on his cookie cake.

Michigan

Josh and I headed to Michigan a couple of weeks back. As always, it was a great trip! One highlight this time was a trip to the beach with my mom, my sister and her kids.

Heading into the lake with Aunt Shannon!

Josh loved the waves.

Playing in the sand with Emily and her friend Morgan.

Enjoying a juice box.

I've never seen Lake Michigan with such big waves - it was so much fun!

Happenings of Late

I travelled for work most of last week, and all in all I had a great time, but it was SO HARD to be away from this little guy!

Since Josh has had hair, Matt has offered to cut it when needed, but that has always scared me. We were in desperate need this past weekend, and Matt took a shot at it, and it turned out pretty well.


The boys sharing a popsicle on a hot summer day.