Where is Alex?

Long Awaited Snow

This is the first big snow that we got this year and Alex was excited to go outside after he got home from school. Usually he comes home and eats lunch and then watches an hour of TV while I get Luke to bed and get a few things done. Since he refuses naps or quiet times I feel like he needs a little down time. Not today, he wanted to go outside as soon as I got Luke to bed. So, out we went for an hour and half.

Legos with Daddy

Other Pictures From Our Multiple Christmas Celebrations

We had a busy couple of days for Christmas. This year I decided to have Santa come the morning of Christmas Eve, so we could enjoy the time with well rested children that have not seen presents for awhile. (Last year, Santa came the day after Christmas and it didn't work out so well.) We had the Phibbs over for Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas morning with the Ericsons and Christmas dinner with the Porters. It took nearly three days of considerable extra sleep before the boys were back to themselves after the two days of excitement. They must of been good boys because the got a lot of new toys, I'm not sure what they don't have at this point. The list included lot of Leapfrog toys, marble race, a lot of books, replacement playdough and more playdough toys, at least five trucks and buses, a few musical light/button toys, a remote control truck and track, a Cars remote control car and track, FP wheelie raceway, DVDs, drawing game for Wii, voice recorder/play back for favorite stories (like Leapfrog Tag), animal potato heads, doctor kit/dress up clothes, snap circuit jr, magna doodle, a few puzzles, Michigan sweatshirts and aqua doodle. I probably still left things out. It's been nice to have so many things to keep them entertained.


Here they are Christmas morning, totally worn out.






everyone helps to put together the track for the remote control truck


this Leapfrog car is one of the favorites, it was given to Luke, but I think Alex likes it more, it pretends to break down and it tells you what to do to fix it and then praises you for doing it correctly to fix it and works for a bit before it breaks down again




Luke got a truck and Alex a "digger" from Grandpa Phibbs, they will be great in the sandbox




Michigan sweatshirts from Grandpa Phibbs

Santa Came!

This year Santa came on Christmas Eve morning. We were going to be pretty busy on Christmas with visiting family and I knew the kids wouldn't know the difference. Last year we did it the day after Christmas, but then they were over tired and really no longer into opening presents. They were beyond that by the 26th. I have more pictures of Luke because he was up before Alex. Once Alex was up, I was looking for breakfast. I had their pajamas set out to wear, but for some reason I put them on a day early, guess I was overly excited or lost track of the days, who knows.

Christmas Cookie Making with Grandma Porter

Grandma Porter invited us over yesterday to make traditional cookies that she use to make with her mother. We even used the same type of cookie cutters and decorated the same as she did. Luke was a good helper this year. He really enjoyed it and kept trying to sneak the dough into his mouth. Alex is just a pro now.

New Favorite Place for Bedtime Stories

Waiting For Santa

Luke and Lego

My favorite toy growing up was Lego. Both of them seem to really enjoy them too. Luke is getting really good building little towers. Here he is sitting on a pile of Lego's while playing.

A Visit with Santa

We went to visit Santa yesterday at Kerrytown. I have never been there to visit Santa before so I didn't know what to expect. I was very pleasantly surprised as there was no line, a wonderful Santa that was completely into taking great photos and better yet you are allowed to take as many as you want for free. I also was unsure how either of the boys would react, but was pretty sure we would be viewing Santa from afar. We approached Santa and about 15 feet away Alex decided that was close enough. I proceeded to take Luke up to him since I was carrying him, thinking if Luke found it interesting, then Alex would be soon to follow. Once Santa got into Luke's bubble he began to cry. I figured that was the end of our visit. But, then Santa asked me what Luke's brother's name was that was standing afar. He calls out "Alex, look I have this thing in my pocket and I can't remember how to open it. Could you help me open it?" He pulls out golden pocket watch. Alex instantly perked up at the challenge of figuring out how something works. (All of you that know Alex are probably chuckling now. There is not a better lure for Alex.) He's quickly walks right up to him and I start snapping pictures, not sure if that would be my few seconds of opportunity to get a picture. Once Alex found it okay, Luke was interested too.


Approaching Santa to check out his pocket watch and see if he could help him out with getting it open.


And suddenly he was on his lap, very pleased that he quickly figured it out.


"Wow mom, this guy looks pretty funny, but he's really cool."


Luke deciding that if Alex thought he was cool, then it must be okay.


Thinking about his Christmas wishes.


Eating his candy cane from Santa.


Cute face :)