Ollie!!

Finally!! Photos of my handsome new nephew! I should have had these up much sooner!! As you can see, he's absolutely gorgeous... and I miss him so much already! I am in such awe of all that my sister is balancing, right now. Graduate school (finals, papers, studying, etc.) and a new little baby. She's doing a fabulous job and will deserve all the rest she can possibly get over the holidays. A sleepy little Ollie with his mama. Oh, so peaceful... Daddy has the honor of doing the first fingernail trimming... (such pressure!) What a cute little family! Ollie's first outing! (And guess who knit his sweater and booties?) Only two days old... Sarah and Chris call this Ollie's "thinker" pose... apparently, one of his favorites... Taking a look around...

So cuddly with Uncle Seth...

Special time with Mimi Sleeping in Granddaddy's arms

And since I have no photos of myself with Ollie (since I'm always the person BEHIND the camera!), I thought I'd show how handsome Ollie looks in the hat and booties I knit for him!

My Little Cookie Monster

Both boys have been saying "uh-oh" for ages. There has been much debate in our home as to whether or not this counts as a first word. I would argue that it does count as a first word, since it's used in appropriate contexts: ie. sippy cup is dropped to the floor..."uh oh."

Jax, however, has officially learned his first "real" word and is using it as frequently as he possibly can. What is this magnificent word? Is it "Mama"? No. Is it "Dada"? No. It's "COOKIE." For a few days, we were wondering if he could really be saying it, as sometimes it sounds like, "Kee," and other times, it sounds like, "Goo-gee." But, this afternoon, it became official. After giving each of the boys an animal cookie after lunch, I put the box into the cupboard. Jax came running over to the kitchen, pointing to the cupboard and shouting, "Kee!! Kee!! Goo-gee, goo-gee, goo-gee!!" When I reached for the box again, he clapped his hands and, once again, squealed, "Kee!" Is that communicating, or what? Now, if they could just say, "Mama," my world would be complete!

Not to be outdone, Dex got his first molar this week-end. Score one point for Jax in the word department and one point for Dex in the teeth department. Of course, Dex also chipped one of his front teeth this week-end... but he handled it like a pro, so we won't subtract any points for that one!

The Zoo Times Two

The boys enjoyed a day out with their girls next door, again! This time, it was an exciting trip to the zoo. It turned out to be the ideal trip for energetic toddlers. The zoo is basically empty this time of year, so we could let the children run wild and not worry about losing them in the nonexistant crowds.

By the time we left, the boys were completely drenched from all their splashing in the tidal pool. Next time, I am definitely going to need to bring a spare pair of clothes! You try to get four toddlers to turn and look at a camera with a million more interesting things to look at!!This photo just makes me smile... :)

After an afternoon with the girls, the boys were so inspired they just had to express themselves musically. (Jax-left, Dex-right)

Bathtime was extra splashy that evening, as we remembered how fun the tidal pools were at the zoo! (Dex-left, Jax-right)

Thanksgiving

I returned home from the most fantastic visit with my sister, her husband and their new baby boy, only to realize that I have a million things to do before Christmas!! There's shopping, projects to be completed (or started?!), wrapping, decorating, baking, traveling... and blog posting! Yikes!!

Anyway, I have a series of photos from our Thanksgiving celebrations with both sides of the family. The boys had a blast playing with aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and a great grandpa, too! They love all the attention they receive in big family gatherings and they can't seem to get enough of their cousins!





Great Grandpa has such a fun yard for running and exploring. The boys adored collecting leaves and stones, playing tag with Grandpa and investigating pine cones with Great Aunt Lou ... Dex even thought it would be a good idea to make a bed of stones.



Jax loved walking outside with Great Aunt Lou and eating Sonja's popsicle!


"Uh oh! Looks like we've been caught...."

The boys had so much fun exploring Great Grandpa's house!! There were so many fun things for them to look at! Mostly, I think they loved all the attention their uncle Jonathan and cousin Sonja gave them. With a house full of people, it's nice to know they're always with someone who loves them!

Jax and Gramma, hiking back home after a walk down the hill.

Playing in Grandpa's candy drawer was a huge hit.

Hooray for sippy cups!! D.R. gets a good cuddle with Reese, Jax and Dex...
Enjoying the sunset with Gramma (holding Jax) and Daddy (holding Dex).

Yipee!!!

We have a new nephew!! My sister gave birth to her first child this morning (afternoon?). I have yet to receive any details other than that he's gorgeous (as though I expected anything less!) and has a full head of dark, dark hair, dark beautiful eyes and the roundest and rosiest of baby cheeks. He's been named Isaiah Ollie and I am so unbelievably anxious to see him and give my sis and her hubby the biggest of hugs.

Of course, I'll be posting more on this later!

Holiday Treats

Though they may have been tentative, at first, the boys have a new favorite treat... krumkake! D.R. was sweet enough to give me a whole day of baking (undisturbed!!)... and the above are some of the fruits of that labor. I got together with a girlfriend and we had so much fun that I think it will have to become an annual event! I think the boys are hoping it will be a weekly event, as our supply of krumkake has disappeared. :)

More cuddles and giggles

Dex relaxes with Daddy after a long day of playing with his brother. Daddies are SO cuddly!
Jax snuggles up with his woobie... sometimes it's fun to just relax...


Jax had a blast trying to share his rocking chair with one of his friends. Of course, she looks a bit traumatized... The boys are so used to sharing each other's space that sometimes it's hard for them to understand that other little people don't always have someone sitting on/by them, poking/patting/hugging/kissing them. Most of their little friends have gotten used to their enthusiastic greetings and playstyle, though!! :)

Jax and M share a friendly gaze over the piano keys while Dex gets the ride of his life on C's shoulders!

Oh, How We LOVE Auntie T!

Yes, in recent days, the boys are cuddling more and more... though, they've been notorious busy-bodies and it is SO hard to convince them to sit still long enough for a good cuddle! Lucky Auntie T got to rest with Jax for a good 10-15 minutes! UNBELIEVABLE!! I'd be a little jealous if they weren't so darn cute together! :)

Storytime is so enthralling when Theresa is reading to us! (Jax-left; Dex-right)