End of Year Phone Pictures

Can't believe I forgot about these on my phone.

Snow Walking, Dec 17
I took Aiden in the backpack to walk the dogs in the winter wonderland. He loved riding in the backpack but as always wanted to get out and walk the last part. He loved walking in the snow.

Rudolph Cupcakes, Dec 24
I saw Rudolph cupcake toppers in the store and had to get them. The boys love watching Rudolph. So we all made homemade cupcakes together. It was a lot of fun. The boys stood on their red stool together and had their jobs. Owen scooped and dumped and Aiden stirred. Then we frosted and the boys topped them with their favorite Rudolph characters. Owen's favorite is the snow monster and Aiden's is Santa or Ho-Ho as he calls him. We of course enjoyed some yummy homemade cupcake. We delivered some of the extra cupcakes to our neighbors and Owen was so cute and grown up delivering them and wishing them a Merry Christmas.

Potty Training

So as I mentioned Aiden started to want to go potty. I figured he would stop but he didn't and he even started to tell me he needed to poop on the potty and actually would go. So even though I think he is so young, I decided to listen to the "experts" and take my cue and potty train him. So I started full on undies (except while we are out right now) the week of Christmas. He took to it quickly and barely had any accidents and was beyond proud of himself. Didn't want a treat or anything just a lot of praise. Very shocked and very proud. He is still doing pretty well but he has started to having more accidents. Monday, no accidents; yesterday, 5 accidents. He is also super stubborn so unless he wants to go he WILL NOT go when I tell him to. This part has been frustrating and why he is having accidents. I know this is very common and we are still going to move forward as most days he does very well with the potty. He is even doing awesome with poop, don't think he has had any poop accidents. There has also been many times he has stayed dry while we are out and about. Very proud of my little undie wearing Aiden at 22 months. Wow!

Grandma Visit

The boys miss Grandma a lot and Owen asks about her all the time and several times has asked to "make the big trip to Grandma's house". While she was up here over Christmas break she came to hang out with the boys for the morning. They were both excited and Owen enjoyed some one on one play time with Grandma.

They played this game of rolling dragon balls down the ramp to see where they'd land in the treehouse. It was cute!

Snake Puppets
Aiden wanted to show Grandma how to Grill

Merry Christmas

I will try not to go into too much boring detail, but we had a wonderful Christmas, minus Aiden and me not being 100%. On Christmas Eve we wrote a letter to Santa. I wrote what Owen told me too. He will tell you that the true meaning of Christmas is love and having each other. He also told me that Santa will eat the orange first and then have his cookie for dessert. Love that kid!

As Omer, Aiden and I waited in our room for Owen to wake, we opened the door to find the gate open and Owen already downstairs with his stocking unstuffed. I was a little surprised, but he was so cute and excited. Then we all opened our stockings and played with the items. Aiden wasn't quite sure what to do but then with some help he got into it.

Then ran over to open gifts under the tree. We took turns opening our gifts and it is always such a joy to watch your kids get so excited and just want to play with that gift right away. The boys had so much fun opening and seeing what each other got. Omer and I also enjoyed our special gifts and I was reminded of one of the reasons I love my husband so much. He surprised me with a book he made of Chloe and family pictures with a poem at the end about my precious furry daughter. It of course made me cry and smile and laugh; he is so sweet.

Then Jenni came by to visit and enjoy some Aru family craziness. The boys always enjoy seeing their aunt. Then we just hung out in our PJs and played with our new stuff. Around 2:30 we finally changed into clothes and I started to make Christmas dinner. The Aru's and Hazera's came over to celebrate together and enjoy dinner. We all had a wonderful time and we are so blessed to have a loving family around us.

The next day enjoyed some quiet family time and then as Aiden and I still not feeling our best, decided that Aiden and Omer would stay home and Owen and I continued Christmas with my family at Josh's house. It was a great time and surrounded by so many people we care about. Sad that our whole family couldn't make it but Aiden needed to rest. As always Owen loved playing with his cousin Nicholas. And I got to catch up with my family and enjoy an amazing dinner and celebration. Very sad to say that I didn't take any pictures of this event, was not feeling all there and then just never seem to happen. Oh well, memories are in my head at least.

Here's to having lots of love in our family. Merry Christmas!

To View Christmas Album Click Here

Scavenger Hunt

One of my fondest memories from childhood was on Christmas Eve my parents would set up a scavenger hunt for us to open one gift. I thought it would be fun to start this tradition for our family. Owen was quite excited and got really in to it. Aiden went for the ride but of course being not even two, had no clue. Omer got very creative and made the clues into orgami. At the end the boys opened their gift together, a nature projector for kids. We all enjoyed a little nature show, it was a lot of fun.

Grinch in ICE

When I heard that there was a Grinch event close by I quickly had to look it up, who knew it would be this popular, amazing event. Owen loves the Grinch so it was a must. ICE is an event at Gaylord Hotel at National Harbor. The ice area is 9 degrees and hosts I think 12 different scenes from Grinch all made of ice. Spectacular! I bundles the boys and well us too and then they also give you a parka to wear. I have to say I was not cold at all. The boys loved looking at all the different ice scenes. Aiden was a little grumpy about wearing the parka and barely could walk in it. Too cute! Then we got to slide down ice slides, a favorite for both boys.

Then we explored the outer area of the ice and got to meet the Grinch. Owen was beyond excited and the Grinch was a lot of fun; walking backwards, dancing, giving high fives. Aiden had no problem when the big green furry creature picked him up for a picture, the boys loved it.

Welcome to WHO-ville

Entering ICE
Admiring the Ice

Owen and the Grinch

Walking through Who-ville

Mean Old Grinch

WHO Boys and Girls

Grinch

Aiden loved the ones with Max the dog

Grinch at the Fireplace (this was Owen's favorite)

WOW!

Boys with Grinch

Ice Slides

First run, Owen went right down and Aiden wanted to but we found that if wasn't all the way on the parka you went very slow. The crowd watched as little Aiden scooted himself down with a smile on his face.

Second time around, the boys went fast

Ice Slides

The Who Feast

Owen really explored every aspect

The Whole Feast

The Boys with Max

The very last is the nativity scene in clear ice

Aiden of course loved the goats

It was truly spectacular

Merry Christmas

While waiting for our photos to be printed the boys met a girl and ran around

Aiden Running and happy to be out of that parka

Little Monkeys Playing

Then we walked around the harbor and took in the beautiful lights before heading into the Gaylord Hotel. The place was amazingly decorated and had so much to see. We look at the indoor falls and creek. And then the fountain light show started. I was able to squeeze the boys close and Aiden just kept asking to go all the way up, the fountain sprayed very far out. I kept telling me he could be it wasn't until Owen took his hand that he would go. The boys were the life of the fountain show. Pure joy and laughter watching them get sprayed and running and splashing. Then as we walked back out it snowed on us from indoors. It was a great time, even though we didn't eat dinner until 1.5 hours later than normal and the boys went down late. It was worth it and to watch them boys just experience such an amazing event.

Lighted Trees

Waterfall

The boys loved watching the stream

Finally got close to the spray fountain

Such Excitement

Brothers Getting Sprayed

Such Joy

Waiting for the next sprays

Oh to be a kid!

Having a Blast

Then once we got home and finally ate some dinner, the boys ran around with their Grinches.

Grinch Running

Playing Tickle Chase