snow fun!

We took the boys up to the cabin for a get-a-way! We had a long weekend off and took advantage of it! We have been so lucky this year with the snow up there. We've been two times this winter and BOTH times there has been snow!! We had a great weekend and some very deserved R&R! Here is Goose, lookin' too cute
I tired hard to get a picture of the both of them. This was the best I could get! It was so fun that both boys were big enough to get in their snow gear and enjoy playing outside! I can only imagine what a year from now will look (and sound!) like!
Sean was so funny on the sled. It reminded me of that kid from the Christmas movie who is all bundled up and can't move. He would freeze on the sled and literally not move. His eyes would just get really big and then he'd look at you like he was in shock! Then, once you were done he'd ask for more! Grady of course LOVED it and kept asking to go faster...he's got so much courage that kid!
Oh, my sweet Sean boy! Look at these rosy cheeks! He DID NOT like when he would fall face first. (I mean who would?) But to say that it made him mad would be an understatement! His big eyes just melt my mommy heart. I swear you can see the kindness in his soul through those eyes!

"Cheese!" All in all we had a great weekend! It is so nice to have a place to just relax and spend some QT time as a family!

Christmas...and more!

I uploaded these pictures in the wrong order so we'll start with Christmas day and work our way backwards to the holiday traditions! Here is our sweet, sweet Sean on his new "bike." He always wants to be out riding on a scooter or bike and it really hurts our backs after a while to be bent over, so my folks bought him this push along bike! He LOVES it! He could be pushed around in it all day if he could! side note...i love these jammies!
G is totally obsessed with Lego "mens." The little people...and recently started to get into building Legos as well. He enjoys making "towers" and loves to watch you build him things! He is really good about playing with them while Sean is sleeping so no choking hazards are out for him to get! This was one of Grady's favorite gifts this year!
Sean LOVES Elmo...not sure how he knows him since we don't really watch his show...but he loves him none-the-less! This Elmo sings and dances and Sean enjoys music just like his big brother and his mama!
This year was a really fun Christmas. It was really the first year Grady understood the whole Santa thing. He wasn't concerned about Santa "watching him" or about what list he was on, but he definitely understood that Santa brings people gifts! He told me the next morning he heard Santa in the sky and that he wishes he could come back again soon! Sean was still too young, but he mostly enjoyed destroying the boxes. He would walk all over the wrapped presents and flatten out all the boxes...we nick named him "the destroyer" that day! It is rather fitting! It was such a whirlwind day that by 7 that night Rob and I were pooped! This year we did our big Christmas Eve at my parents house and then they came to our house for Christmas day. It was really nice to wake up and not have to rush out of the house! We were all in our jammies until 3 that afternoon...perfection!
Christmas Eve was spent at my parents house! We went to 3:30 mass and then Jill, Brian, Jake, Mia and Jill's parents joined us for dinner! We did our traditional crab feed and ended the night with the cousins exchanging gifts! It was such a nice night! Grady and Sean got a new guitar and drum set from the Weeks'...Grady looks like an old rocker pro on it! Check out his stance!
Every year we take a cousins picture in their Christmas jammies! This is the first year in 4 years we haven't had a new baby celebrating their first Christmas! It is amazing to me that they just keep growing...a year ago Sean was 2 months old. Although Sean doesn't look thrilled with this picture, I think they all look pretty darn cute in their festive jammies!
The boys...not a great picture, but all dressed up for church! This year when Father asked all the children to come up front, Grady took off running! I was so proud of him that he was willing to go sit BY HIMSELF with all the other children. In fact, we were literally sitting in the last pew in the very back of the church...Grady amazes me sometimes!
Checkin' out the reindeer food! One of our new (and to be continued) traditions was to throw out food for the reindeer. It is oatmeal with glitter so the reindeer can find your house! I do this with my first graders and Grady LOVED it! Classic...Sean followed Grady around and after Grady would throw the oatmeal out Sean picked it back up and ate it! He loves food!
Tossing out the food...we put it on the driveway...easier clean up!
This is Sean's idea of helping in the kitchen!
A tradition I did with my mom every year was to make sugar cookies! I don't know how long my little boys will want to do this with me, so I will soak it up for now! Grady helped me cut the cookies out and then did the sprinkles! It made me laugh, all the sprinkles were in one spot!
We went on the Sunol Train of Lights for the first time this year with the Parletts! I thought the train ride would have more lights for the kids to look at but they enjoyed the ride anyway! The train is decorated in beautiful, festive lights...each car looked different than the next! We got hot chocolate and brought some popcorn to munch on! (Sean boy stayed home this year, but he'll join the fun next year!)
High five-ing Santa...I mean what can be better than that?
The boys! They look like they are dressed for the snow! This picture makes me laugh!
The gang! It was such a fun night and we enjoyed being able to do some holiday celebrating with some of our best friends! I am so happy that Grady and Jameson are going to grow up together! The Parletts are such special people to us and I am thrilled that we continue to do things together even as our families grow! I can remember a few years ago when both Jen and I wanted nothing MORE for Christmas than to start a family...two kids each...a few years later and here we are!

playin'

Look at these rosy little cheeks...this picture makes me smile!

now you see em'...

and now you don't!

We got these awesome lockers this year and the boys decided the other night to play in them. Not really a great idea since they can tip, but since we were both standing there I decided to take the photos for fun! Yes, they are literally in the lockers in this picture! Don't call CPS!

Christmas Spirit!

One thing I have learned about being a parent is to expect the unexpected and that when you expect something to happen a certain way...it never does!

This year when we went to see Santa (and apparently Mrs. Claus) I totally expected Sean to cry. Not only did I think he'd cry, but I would have NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS thought he'd smile! It's hard to tell in this picture, but he was all grins! It was no surprise to me that Grady all but ran and jumped on Santa's lap but Sean once again surprised me! It turned out to be an easy photo to take! Grady told Santa he wants a rocket and a skateboard. Then Santa gave him a little coloring book! I always love going to see this Santa (the one in Blackhawk) since there is usually a short line! Every year so far they have had their pictures taken with this SAME Santa! So fun!

The boys hunting for our Christmas tree! They look happy dont' they?! hee hee This was the only picture I was able to get...

This year my bestie from high school Katie came down to spend the day decorating our Christmas tree with us! After a fun afternoon of decorating (and of course some light drama, isn't there always???) we headed out to the Pleasanton tree lighting. We went equipped with our hot chocolate, jackets, scarves and the boys all bundled up with blankets! We ended up parking the stroller at the tail end of the parade and after some parade and some LONG breaks in the action Sean decided he no longer was going to cooperate so we headed home. We never did get to see the tree actually light up! Regardless, it was such a fun day and really kicked off the Christmas season! I feel so lucky to have Katie back in the Bay with us and to be able to share these moments with her! I can't believe we have been friends for 18 years now! OMgosh that makes me feel old! I love you Katie!
yummm....

Thanksgiving...

It's hard to believe just a year ago Sean was sooooo tiny on Thanksgiving! This year he was running around and quiet honestly, really fussy! He looked so handsome in his little shirt, but he was not too much fun to be around that day! We are thankful for our little Sean and can't imagine our lives without him!
Here was our attempt to get a picture of BOTH boys together. It seems nearly impossible to get a picture of both of them looking at the camera smiling. Here was Auntie Jill's and my best attempt.
After a LOT of noise, Jill and I decided it was time for a movie. Of course, nothing can go quiet as you plan so it took us a while to find a movie. While waiting we offered gum to those who could sit quietly. Both boys were thrilled to sit and chew! Mia and Sean were too little for gum that is why they're not in the picture...next year!

It is so important to me that Grady and Sean grow up knowing their cousins well and having close relationships with them. I always wished I lived by my cousins and really (to this day) miss the big family gatherings at the holidays. I feel very lucky that we live close "our" cousins and that we genuinely LOVE to spend time with both Jill and Brian and the kids!

T-H-R-E-E!

Wow, when I use to watch other mom's deal with their children at the age when you know their child was learning to be independent my heart was with them and honestly, at the same time I prayed my child would not be "that" bad. Well...I take it all back. He's three...and he is. I love him more than life itself, but some days I swear we may not make it! After a fun performance at school today, a feast, playing with Nana and no nap we had "one of those nights." Thankfully, he's asleep (has been since 6:30) and I have a glass of wine to enjoy. I know, this too shall pass, but boy do I hope it passes fast! I'm sure just in time for Sean to reach this age! :o) and really, I'm not complaining...just reflecting on my current reality!

Halloween...

When Grady was 1 he was a monkey for Halloween. I loved this picture and with some begging from my mom we recreated it for our little lion! Pretty funny!

ROAR!!!
Grady had a little parade at school! He was SO EXCITED to wear his costume to school and to have a parade with his friends. It was pretty cute. There were lots of sweet faces very unsure about the process, but after a few steps and some applause from parents they warmed up. Here is Gman waving to his fans! (aka...Nana, Sean and I!)
Every year we do a little photo shoot with the cousins and with Jill's picture skills! Here is my favorite of our little lion boy...he wasn't super patient with the mane but he hung in there enough to get a cute shot!
I LOVED this costume and Grady was so happy to wear it! It looks so real and is sturdy enough for some serious dress up play! It's not my favorite picture of Grady, but you get the idea!! He was so cute trick or treating this year. We went with our neighbors and he wanted to keep up with them so I think we were out walking the streets for an hour and a half! Thankfully, my folks stayed home to pass out candy and kept Sean with them! Grady slept well that night...even after eating his way house to house!

This picture makes me smile. Every year we've added a cousin to this picture until this year...they were all so cute. They were yelling "cousins" so we could get a good picture! It's hard to believe that they are all this big already! We feel so luck y to have such cute, sweet cousins/nephew/niece and that we can spend holidays with them!