Sledding

So I misplaced my video camera and just found it the other day and finally got through the video from us sledding on Christmas Eve. There was fun by all, but Owen is not fond of sledding by himself, he wouldn't try it. But did enjoy getting pulled down the hill. Aiden loved being pulled down. Omer and I enjoyed sledding but wish we had gotten a real sled rather than a preschooler sled, too tiny and we were too heavy in it to really go. Love Winter!

Sled Watching Owen

Aiden Bear in the Snow

After I went sledding, Owen wanted to walk down the hill to bring back up my sled.

Quick synopsis of the video:
1- Omer taking video of me pulling Aiden down while he was pulling Owen down.
2- Goofy Mom sledding
3- Silly Dad sledding
4- Me pulling both boys down, the sleds are a lot faster than expected
5- Me and the boys walking back up, Owen was very proud of his walking up the hill.
6- Playing and the boys eating snow, but of course. We love that Aiden face planted so he could eat it and then Owen desperately wanting Aiden to eat the snow off his mitten.

SCORE!

We got Aiden a toddler basketball hoop thinking he would grow into in the next couple months. But our little ball boy went right for it, grabbed his ball and can stand there and toss or drop the ball in. We are shocked to say the least. He has played with it several times throughout the day every day since Christmas. He also likes to drop in his other toys like his soft blocks.

Shaken Not Stirred

This is from a month ago but couldn't post because then Omer would see one of his gifts. My friend hand paints glasses and I got a pair of martini glasses with olives on them. Owen immediately wanted to drink out of the "watermelon glasses". He enjoyed getting some water (no worries, no martini yet) out of the fancy glass.

First Steps

Aiden can stand unassisted for close to a minute and in recent days he has been taking a couple steps here and there. But he is still pretty unsteady, but getting there. I have counted about 8 steps and then fall down. I love watching them learn to walk.

Christmas and Many Celebrations

Oh the past several days have been so very enjoyable but also very tiring and busy. With weather some plans were rescheduled so the days around Christmas became more hectic. I think everyone in this house agrees with me when I say, we will be happy when life goes back to a little more normal. Owen and even Aiden seem pretty tired and seem to have enjoyed the moments when they have been able to just play at home with just us. But alas here is a summary of Christmas celebrations.


Christmas Eve: While Aiden and I stayed home for his bedtime, Omer took Owen to his parent's friends party. They have one every year and Owen usually has a great time. From what I hear he was very polite and sweet and pretty much just played and talked with Babaanna. But he did tell me was acting very silly to the older girls (college aged). This made me laugh and is all too common scene from Owen. When I put Owen down, he looked out the window and announced, "No Santa yet, better go to sleep."


Christmas Day: I was surprised that Owen woke earlier than normal, didn't think that would happen this early on, but he was excited! We all went downstairs and began the Christmas process. They opened stockings, Owen excited, Aiden happy but confused. Then Owen ran into the tree and excitedly asked where his were and the proceeded to open all his. Tried to get Aiden to open his but he had no interest, so Owen got to open some of his too. There were lots of smiles and thank you's. Just as his age should, Aiden was way more interested in shaking and eating the tissue paper and playing with the boxes, but did really enjoy his new ball. After the kids, Omer and I opened our gifts a little more peacefully. It was so much fun, Christmas with kids makes you just smile. Their faces are so pure and full of joy.

The kids got some down time to play with their new toys and hang with us, then Jenni, Grandma, Grandpa and Emma came by for more celebration and a delicious meal (if I do say so myself). When Emma arrived Owen told her she could play with all his toys but the new ones, then proceeded to hide every new toy behind the chair. I thought this was very smart of him as I knew it would upset him if anyone else played with them (even us through the morning). He got them all back out after his nap. :) We opened gifts, the kids played, we ate, we chatted, we had fun.


Day After Christmas: Because of snow my Dad's celebration was rescheduled to the day after. And many people were unable to come, my brother's family minus him were unable to come because they were all sick. Owen really missed his cousin Nicholas. Then my stepbrother and wife had to bail to be with his family. So I was prepared for many and then slowly it got a lot easier. It ended up just being my dad, stepmom, brother and sister. Owen did great and had lots of fun. He enjoyed telling them about dinosaurs and opening gifts, and just being silly. Aiden gave lots of smiles and showed some of his new skills off. Once again, we opened gifts, kids played, we ate, we chatted, we had fun.


Last Day (Sunday): Much quieter, but still visitors. In the morning we had Omer's parents over to visit. It was nice and laid back, so not as tiring.The boys opened gifts, we played, we chatted and had fun.


Owen told me today that he missed Christmas. Love it!! Overall the holiday's were fabulous and now Owen and Aiden are enjoying some special new toys and a little more peacefulness.


Merry Christmas Everyone!

Click on Picture to View Album

Car of Balls

Erica gave Aiden a blow up car full of balls. It was a hit for both boys. Owen enjoyed being super silly, he'd make up goofy words, roll around and of course play with the balls. Aiden as you will see loved watching his brother being super goofy and loved to play with the balls, throwing, rolling, chasing. He also loves to crawl in and out. The boys also enjoyed driving the car together. Very sweet!

Here is a small portion of the fun they had in the car of balls. Thanks Erica!!!

Wagon Ride

Since Aiden's arrival I have honestly missed the wagon. It is much easier for me to walk the dogs and pull the wagon rather than push a stroller. Also I know that Owen loves a wagon ride. Well I figured Aiden was old enough to sit in the wagon now, and I set the bundle me up on the seat. It was perfect. Both boys loved it and enjoyed being able to sit facing each other. Owen of course put his hand out to gather snow, and yes he ate it.

Home Alone

Last week for many different reasons we didn't see that many people or really do anything. Just the basic, library, school, and a pet store trip. Two playdates on Monday and then two cancelled playdates for the week meant I didn't see anyone except for Monday. On top of it Omer was out Wed and Fri. Then the blizzard happened which meant we were stuck for two days. We had had a very busy weekend planned of lots of fun holiday stuff but alas it all got cancelled. So by today I started to get more and more lonely and stir crazy. I think Owen has reached his limit as well, even though both of us are home bodies, there is so much you can take. Doing a whole day on your own is hard enough in my opinion and then add a three year old that is just acting out equalled a very rough day. However, I do try to look at the good and luckily the morning went really well. Owen built his own bouncy gym, a common occurrence in our house, and him and Aiden had fun jumping, bouncing, and climbing.

The Corner

Both boys love the section between the couch and table. It can be a battle sometimes on who gets what position.

Owen likes to sit on the ottoman's back there and play on the couch arm.

Aiden wants the play-doh basket. He also likes to watch out the window.
Pulling Basket Down Play-Doh Baby Style

More Snow Pictures

Our Front Yard

My Snow sign had to be dug out. Ironic!

Snow Covered House

One path big enough for a single file

Snow Path

Snowy River

Running Down the Hill

Sunday Snow

Shoveled driveway meant Aiden could crawl around.

But when he lifted his head poor thing couldn't see. Get Ready, Get Set.... Daddy Jumped
Then Omer and Owen started to dig a fort Boys Working Proud Fort Dwellers Aiden and I watched
Not a very happy baby Omer threw Owen into the snow. Can you see Owen? Aiden enjoyed sitting on top of the snow mountain
Owen and Omer had a lot of fun digging a fort and then tunnels too.
Baby FaceSledding Owen

Then Erica, Craig and Motley came by for a quick visit. The puppies sort of had fun out back, it was hard to play chase in the snow and Chloe as always loved to bark while trying to play. I absolutely loved that Owen was plowing through the deep snow and jumping in. Then we took a quick walk in the icy streets, boys in sleds. The boys loved it, Owen ate snow while enjoying a sled ride. Aiden loves the sled and we swerved both of them around, and did a couple spins. At the end you can hear Aiden singing his enjoyment.

Blizzard 2009

Throughout the day we have seen about 2 feet of snow. It is majestic, beautiful, peaceful, amazing. It is no secret I absolutely, positively love the snow and get so very excited (just as much as Chloe). So very happy this year that Owen as just as excited and Aiden doesn't seem to mind the fluffy stuff either. Here is som of our adventures today, minus pictures of shoveling the driveway 5 times.

1. Owen loves the snow but not when falling in his face.
2. Owen still enjoys a good snow eating.
3. Aiden also quickly started to eat the snow off his mitts.
4. Aiden enjoys the snow but get frustrated that he can't crawl.
5. The snow still brings out the puppy in Chloe.
6. Chester hops like a bunny to get through the tall snow.
7. Nothing brought me more joy today than my whole family playing in the snow.

Bundled Owen

First Steps into the Blizzard
Snow Excited!

Cold Face

Owen enjoyed watching me make snow angels, he did not want to join.

We enjoyed taking a seat.

I sat so that I could block the wind from Owen, it really bothered him. And of course Owen enjoyed eating the snow.

Finding Refuge in the Porch

Snowy Chloe

Plowing through the Snowy Wind

"A Big Snow Mountain!"

Snowy Owen

Chester and Chloe Playing

Amazed how much blew into our porch, Owen and I "skated" on the slippery surface.

Chloe Snuggles

Then Owen wanted to give her tickles

Snow Gazing

Beary Cute Aiden

Chloe Walking in our Backyard

Blurry Snow Chester

We took the kids sledding down our small hill, it was pretty deep to really move.
Aiden Sledding
Little Snow Bear

Owen Sledding and Snow Eating at the same time

Owen bopped his head back and forth in enjoyment on our sled walk in the street.

Such Fun!!!

Snow Tongue

Snow Smiles

Snow Fun!

Omer took Owen on a quick sled run

Then we took a walk through the streets

After we came in from our afternoon excursion we all enjoyed some hot cocoa, or for Owen cold cocoa by request.

Then Owen wanted to play snow with the flour.
Flour Cheeks

Chloe came in and Aiden spotted the snow on her and crawled over to pick it off to eat. I know gross!

Determined snow eater stooped after he got a little fur.

Here is some video of our fun afternoon in the blizzard. We all really had a wonderful afternoon.