February walk

This Winter has been strange, not that I am complaining. We have essentially had no snow, and we've had many unseasonably warm days. A couple of weeks ago, we headed out to Five Rivers for a family walk. The trails were pretty dry, until the end. 

Here we are, setting out . . . . 

Posing at the dock on the pond. The water is not even frozen solid!

Will's first truck

Who knew that the cozy coupe comes in a truck? 

Well, Will couldn't wait for it to be put together before he climbed in.

The truck was delivered in its fun box to our front porch, where Will spotted it through the front door! He was thrilled when Dave brought it in to put it together. 

 You might not be able to really see this, but Will is sucking his thumb while holding the steering wheel. So cute and really funny! He held on to that steering wheel while Dave put the truck together. When he wanted to sit in the truck, before it was put together, he would put the steering wheel in.

 Everyone enjoys the truck. Inside, they were piling on . . . . 

Another puzzle

Winter means puzzles around here. Even with a mild winter, we spend lots of time inside and lots of our days are dark. Anna Kate finished another massive, photo puzzle about a month ago. 

I love sharing these with you!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Will!

Happy Birthday, Will!

Our sweet, flexible baby boy is growing in to an opinionated, lively, stubborn little guy.

He is using more words, still using sign language, and making lots of noises to accompany all sorts of acivities. He likes cars, balls, hitting things, batting things, playing like he's a dog, books, all sorts of physical activity, yelling, painting, and snuggling (thankfully).  He brings so much life and fun-loving to our house. After two epic battles one night two weeks ago, (Thank you, Dave!) he is sleeping through the night again. Even though he often wakes early, he will go back to sleep in our bed for a little while longer. He still naps well. And, much to my dismay, is no where near potty-training. :( I know, this is normal. 

We started Will's birthday with a team breakfast. Abby was here and sang to Will!
Abby is exactly one month older than Will.  

We celebrated with dinner, cake and presents. Will ate his typical crackers; this night, with Laughing Cow cheese. But the rest of us enjoyed stovetop mac-n-chesse, chicken sausage and salad. Then, it was time for cake. In the morning, when Dave sang Will "Happy Birthday," Will smiled and then pretended  to blow out candles. That was definitely something he'd been looking forward to. I made him a train cake.

 This year, he actually ate cake! I'm counting this is a small stride forward, slow and steady wins the race, right?

 Like his Dad, he prefers the cake to the frosting. (Incomprehendable!)

 Myra, along with some friends, helped us celebrate. Peter was on his way to China! 

 I love how the girls are embracing giving on one anothers' birthdays. Everyone had a plan.

Anna Kate wanted to give Will a chocolate bar. Lucy and Samantha each wanted to give him a car.

We didn't get through all of his presents. It got late fast and everyone was falling apart, quite literally. 

So, we hit pause and picked up the next day with a few more presents. 

Lucy's 6th Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LUCY!

Before Anna Kate went to school, she really wanted to give Lucy her present, which she planned and picked out herself - beautiful "big sis/lil sis" heart necklaces.

Lucy requested a snowman cake. How'd I do?

Good thing, because for the first year, since her birth in sunny Las Cruces, NM, there was literally NO snow, and it was probably 40. That's very warm for us this time of year. 

Peter and Myra helped us celebrate!

This year, Will has been very interested in helping blow out the candles on other people's cakes. (I'm already looking forward to his birthday, especially since we are through Dave's and Lucy's. . . . .)

One candle left to go . . . .

This "Fijit" that Lucy's cousin Madeline sent was (and still is) a h-u-g-e hit with Will. 

It entertained him the rest of the night.

Julie, Lucy's new American Doll stole Lucy's heart.

Dave's (34th) birthday

First Snow

Winter this year has been, well, fantastic! (from this southwesterner's point of view)

We have had literally next to no snow. 

However, we did have a little bit of snow a couple of weeks ago. 

Here's the proof.

 

 Daddy walked everyone down to the hill in front of the Academy. 

Will did not enjoy this as much as everyone else! But he did survive!

 And, we cut Will's hair. I have been the one hesitant to do it. I didn't want to say good-bye to his curls! But after one particularly challenging bath and grooming session, I said, "let's go!" 

Dave took me up on the offer. And our little guy looks so much more like a little boy!

He loves books. On this evening, he was periodically reclining on the pillow behind him and flipping through my book (Boundaries with Kids . . .. that's the kind of month we've had around here! Seriously, it's one of my favorite and helpful books!)

And we're still getting into the action with Twister!