Tommy's School Concert

Last week Tommy and his classmates performed a few Christmas songs for the parents. What fun we had! Chris was able to come too so Tommy was so excited. They sang 4 songs for us and after every song little AJ clapped for his big brother! After the little "party" the four of us head out for lunch together. What a special morning!

Getting ready to sing Jingle Bells

Tommy and his teacher, Mrs. Treder

A New Look

So the blog has a new look! I have been debating about changing it for awhile, just didn't know what I wanted. I think I annoyed Chris so much about it yesterday afternoon debating about what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to keep it simple, but as some of you know, I don't do well with change, therefore could not make a decision as to what I wanted the blog to look like. Well, after an evening of frustration of dealing with blogger, we changed it, and I like it! I plan on changing the pictures in the banner more frequently. On the old one I kept noticing that we had newborn pictures of AJ, so it had been a year since any changes for the blog happened, it was time. And I like it!

Snow!

It has been snowing like crazy here in Michigan! We've taken a few opportunities to enjoy the snow...that is when there is not 50 mile an hour winds or below zero temps! Hard to believe it's not officially winter yet!

Tommy loves playing in the snow. AJ, however, does not enjoy it as much. I think he is still trying to figure out how to move around in all that gear. He reminds me of the kid from A Christmas Story who can't put his arms down. Most of the time AJ just lays in the snow!

AJ fell and couldn't get up!

Ready to go! Notice AJ still on the floor!

AJ sliding down into the snow!

Tommy enjoying the snow!

Merry Christmas!

It's so hard to get a "good" picture of these two boys together. AJ is usually running off somewhere, Tommy is always jumping around or waving his arms around, great for pictures. At least they are both looking at the camera. I will keep trying!

What a Cutie!

Library Santa Claus

We got together with some friends and headed to the library to listen to Christmas stories and have a visit with Santa. AJ loved being there! While he didn't listen to the stories, whenever they starting playing Christmas music he would stop and dance! Tommy asked Santa for a Mr. Potato Head and asked for a Lotso Huggin Bear for AJ.

Natalie playing with Tommy

Listening to stories

Tommy telling Santa what he wants for Christmas

St. Nicholas Day

December 6th was St. Nicolas Day. So the night before we all put our shoes in front of the fireplace for St. Nicolas to fill. Tommy was very excited to see what was going to happen. He knew if he had been good, he would get a special surprise and if he was naughty, he would get coal in his shoes! Check out the pictures to see what happened!

All of our shoes out!

Such cute little shoes!

Daddy was naughty...he got coal in his shoes!!

A Joker Car!

An animal puzzle for AJ!

Christmas Tree Lighting

Okay, so it's been awhile for the blog. But we have encountered every sickness there is the past couple of weeks! Tis the season to be sick! However, we are on the mend and back to blogging!

A couple of weekends ago we attended the Christmas tree lighting in St. Joe. It was a very cold evening, so we first stopped in for some hot chocolate at South Bend Chocolate Company. This was AJ's first try at hot chocolate...he wouldn't put his sippy cup down! He loved it! We then headed over to the lighting and walked the lighted bluff. All the lights were timed to Christmas music. It was really neat, we all had fun!

All bundled up and ready to go!

Yummy hot chocolate!

O, Christmas Tree!

The bluff, all lit up!

Tommy and me in front of Frosty

Thankful

On Wednesday I learned that one of my friends from high school passed away from his battle with cancer. While I had lost touch with him after high school, when I found out about him having cancer a few years back, I started to follow him through facebook, news articles, and his blog. I was touched by his story because he never seemed to let the cancer get the best of him, always living life to its fullest. Since Wednesday, I haven't been able to stop thinking about him and how it's not fair that his life was taken so early. But it's also made me realize that I need to be so thankful for what I have in my life. This time of year becomes so busy and the list of things to do goes on and on. But since Wednesday, I've tried to enjoy the hustle and bustle and enjoy every minute with my family. I'm trying to be less annoyed with things and people and trying to have more patience. I'm so thankful I have beautiful, healthy family. While my two boys keep me busy and usually exhausted by 8 pm, I'm loving spending every minute with them I can, because who knows what will happen tomorrow. I have no idea what the future holds for us, but I am so thankful for the blessings in my life and thankful to my friend who has shown me this week how precious life really is. Thanks, Nick. Rest in peace.

Manchester Road Race

On Thanksgiving Day, Chris, Scott, and I ran the Manchester Road Race. This is a 4.78 mile run that 15,000 people participate in. Chris and I have never run more than a 5k, so we were a little nervous as to what might happen to us during the race! The Manchester Road Race is ranked among the top 25 races in America, I had no idea how fun this was going to be. People dressed up in ridiculous costumes and bands played along the side of the roads. Spectators offered words of encouragement and high fives along the way. The three of us ran together the whole time and thoroughly enjoyed our Thanksgiving morning. We then didn't feel so guilty sitting down to two different types of stuffings, mashed potatoes, and of course turkey! What a great way to start the day!

Sporting our Cullen Beer Olympic shirts for the race. We came in first
for that competition...not the case for the race, but we still had fun!

Pasta Mishap

For my birthday, I requested that Chris make homemade pasta with meatballs. We don't frequently make homemade pasta, because it's messy and time consuming, but it is certainly delicious. Anyways, Chris was following the directions in which you need to make a well with the flour and combine the eggs to knead it into dough. Well, his "well" didn't quite work and eggs went everywhere! His hands were full of goo and he couldn't stop the eggs from going all over the place, quite a funny scene. Here are a few pictures of it.

Last of the Birthday Pictures

AJ really enjoyed his birthday weekend. He loved being around all his friends and family...and eating cake every night too! Here are a few more pictures from the weekend.

AJ and Cake

AJ enjoyed his birthday so much! He especially loved the cake. He had a jungle themed birthday, so I decided to try and make a monkey cake. I got the recipe from Martha Stewart and even watched the video online on how to make this cake. I didn't want to mess up his first birthday cake so I knew I needed to do a trial run. The first cake turned out great, and we enjoyed this cake on his actual birthday. Then I had to make another one...this one was wonderful too! However, I really don't want to see frosting for some time now! Here are some pictures of AJ enjoying cake!

Cooking with Tommy and AJ

Tommy and AJ love to play with the tupperware while I'm cooking. I think this is great, it occupies them for awhile and I can get stuff done while still watching them. The food they come up with is great too. Tommy has served me coffee with sprinkles, potatoes, soup, and pizza. Here are a few pictures of them playing.

First Snow!

Last Friday was the first official snow in Michigan! I thought it was just going to flurry, but it just kept coming and coming! The boys had so much fun watching the snow fall to the ground.

Happy Birthday, AJ!

Our sweet baby AJ is one! I can't believe it. Where did this year go? AJ, you have developed into such a fun loving boy, a true joy to be around. I love that you know how to make us all laugh and you can laugh right along with us. You truly are my sunshine. We love you more than you could ever know! Happy birthday, sweet baby AJ!! These pictures are of AJ throughout the year.

Newborn AJ

1 month old AJ

4 month old AJ

9 month old AJ

One year old AJ!