Luke turns 2!!

Luke's birthday was pretty fun.  It was on a Saturday so we got to spend the whole day as a family.  He is officially in the terrible twos.  We went out for donuts and it ended with me apologizing to the people next to us as we were leaving.  Not only was he loud and naughty he didn't even eat his donut.  He just picked all the frosting off and licked it.  We proceeded to go to the mall to play at the play area which was being cleaned so we had to go down to the machanical cars area.  When we were ready to go back to the play area Luke was not so he proceeded to throw a fit.  Once we were half way there he stopped.  But when we got there he refused to go in because he wanted to ride the train.  The train was not open.  So he layed on the gross mall floor.  Finally he went in to play.  The train guy finally showed up a half hour late and then moved super slow to open the train while Luke was trying to get out of my arms so he could get on the train.   On Sunday we had the family over for soup and sandwiches.  My mom made him a hobby horse cut out cake.  It was a fun party.  Some gifts he recieved were:  baby doll furniture, high heel shoes, bubble wrap, clothes, new car (that he is scared off), and a broom and duster, and a microwave. 

Stille Town

Sometimes winter gets to be a real drag.......but not when you have Stille Town right in the middle of your living room.   I used painters tape to make roads and we set up a whole town.  The kids had a good time playing. 

Sledding

 This was both kids first time sledding.  We got all bundled up and they were super excited. 

 Until....... the first time down the hill.  Lauren was really scared and started crying. 

 I was trying to take her picture crying but she got even more upset and covered her face.

 Thankfully we were able to talk her into trying it again and she loved it.

 Luke liked it from the get go.  He kept saying "again" "again".

 I love this picture.  I was holding her legs up so they didn't drag and slow us down.  Nothing like going down a hill butt first. 

 Mindy went with us too.  She had to get in on the fun.

 We couldn't leave the pacifier behind so we just tied it to his face with the scarf.

Valentine's day

 We had a fun Valentine's day this year.  Lauren colored every Valentine for all her friends.  I got the kids new dishes, a craft to do, and of course some candy.  Luke loves candy. It usually ends up dripping down his chin.   We got a heart-shaped pizza from Papa Murphy's.  Here are the pictures of us doing the craft.  Lauren was really into it and did a nice job.  Luke did a pretty good job too.  He enjoyed putting the stickers on the monkey.  If I tried to help him put it in the right place he got upset with me.  He wanted it where he wanted it.

Craig's New Job

Craig got a new job!!!!   We were so happy for him we decorated the kitchen to surprise him.  Yah for Craig he's finally out of claims.  Here's to a happy new life as a compliance analyst.

Blankie's, cuddling, and each other

Both of my kids have a special blanket that they sleep with every night.  Lauren calls hers pink.  Pink is very faded and has had to be sewn 5 times.  Lauren used to only cover up with pink and if we used another blanket she would kick it off.  I remember saying to Craig what will we do when she gets to big to be all the way covered up by pink. Well she's too big now so she wraps it around her top half and uses other blankets to keep warm.  Luke has his blue polka dot blankie he calls ni-ni.  Every night he has to be covered up with the polka dot side up.  We do a lot of cuddling in this family.  Can you blame us?

Christmas Play date

All of my teacher friends like to get together every year for a gift exchange and play date.  This year we went to Kerri's house.  Good food, good fun, and good company.  Next year we will have two new ones to the group.

First Snow Fall

When that big white stuff starts falling from the sky my kids go nuts.  Luke especially loves it.  He starts shouting in a very high pitched voice over and over and over, "no, no, no"!  He can't say his s's

Bundle up

I'm not a big fan of winter.  In fact I really hate it.  Give me the hot sun and humidity any day.  But I live in Illinois so I have to deal with cold snowy weather.  So the best part of this winter is looking at these two cutie pies all bundled up.

Santa gifts

This year Santa brought a tent and a train table.  The kids were super excited and loved them.