Brotherly Love

This picture is what I've been waiting for! Sometimes in the chaos of having two kids 21 months apart, I would say, "What was I thinking!?" But then moments like this happen and it makes it all worth it. I know we were supposed to have Jake when we did and some days are CRAZY but I love having my boys so close and know they love it too. Jake loves Vince and smiles at him when he comes around and especially when he pays attention and talks to him. Vince loves Jake too. When he wakes up in the morning or from naps he always asks about Jake. He's starting to "share" his toys with him more and when Jake's in his swing he'll bring him toys. One day I turned around and Vince had piled like 4 of Jake's toys on Jake while he was swinging. It was so cute! Vince loves to come "swing" Jake, as you can see in the picture and Jake gets the biggest smile! I LOVE IT!

Love this expression

I think Jake is starting to teeth and Ryan and I swear we can already feel a little bump! He loves putting his hands in his mouth

  

Ryan brought in a piece of wood and it's Vince's ramp now. He loves pushing cars, trains and anything that has wheels down it. I love seeing Ryan and Vince play together. He's the best dad :)

Jumping Elmo

Jake turned 4 months yesterday! 4 MONTHS!! Wow, time flies! 

Jake loves looking at this Aquaphor jar

Claytons Visit

As I mentioned during Christmas, Ryan had 7 of his 8 siblings up in Washington visiting. Well his other sister who lives in North Carolina was able to come visit with her family after the holidays. They have 3 young kids and were able to stay with us at out house for a few days which was so much fun. Again, Vince had a blast being with his cousins. One of the days we drove up to Snoqualmie Falls to sight see and it was gorgeous! I love living back in Washington!

Jake is getting so big and getting really good at tummy time. He holds his head up great and can usually roll over from front to back!

Ryan made this table from scratch in about 4 hours. He is amazing and did such a good job! It's perfect for Vince and his little friends. He loves "Vince's table" :)

Vince turns 2

Happy Birthday Mr Vince!

Vince turned 2 on Jan 2nd, his golden birthday :)

Vince is a ball of joy and brings us so much joy! He's so fun and keeps us smiling.

He is smart as a whip and loves to talk. He's like a little parrot and can repeat anything you say, watch out ;) He loves tools, cars, trucks and anything his dad does. He LOVES his daddy and wants to be just like him. It's so cute to watch him copy Ryan.

We had a little celebration on the actual day because we were having a big family party a couple days later.

What a ham

See what I'm saying about wanting to be just like dad?!

We opened a few presents from us on his birthday. He got a golf club set and a riding firetruck toy that he absolutely LOVES! He rides it everyday :)

I couldn't get him to sit still long enough to take a picture :)

Cookies are one of his favorite things. He mentions them in his prayers everyday. :) So on his big day we walked up to the Maple Valley Market and let him pick out a birthday treat. He got his "big cookie" and was so pleased

 

A couple days later we celebrated his birthday again with all the family. We had at least 30 people in our little house to celebrate. Vince is so loved. He was a little overwhelmed and there was some tears but after some cake he cheered up and had fun opening presents.

Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. I love Christmas with all the goodness and happiness it brings. First off, to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ and everything He has done for the world. Then all the other fun festivities. The music, food, presents, service, love, decorations and magic of the season. We were able to have Ryan's family come visit which was a blast. His parents drove out from Wisconsin with their 3 youngest children. Then one of Ryans brother and his family and a sister and her family came up to join us and 2 other siblings and their families! Ryan had 7 of his 8 siblings all together for Christmas! We did lots of fun activities and I'm kicking myself because I didn't get any pictures!! I'll just have to borrow some from my sister in law ;)

Santa made a special trip over to visit the boys. I really didn't know how Vince was going to react since this was his first year of starting to understand Christmas and Santa. He did great! He jumped right up on Santa's lap and told him everything he wanted: tools and cookies :)

I did get 2 pictures of when Vince and 2 of his cousins were playing. He had a blast with everyone and hope to see them again soon

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving in Washington with my family, which was a first for me in 8 years! It was great to be at my grandpa's house with all the family. We have so much to be grateful for :)

The next day we got snow!! It was fun to go out and play. 

  

Vince's first snowman

Pure joy!

My love

Holly and Ella came to visit and Ella and I were wearing the same outfit. She wasn't so sure about taking a picture with me :)

I think you can see on Vince's face how much fun he was having at the ward Christmas party

My boys