Preschool Christmas Program

Yesterday was Joey's preschool Christmas program and holiday party. I don't think there's anything cuter than watching a group of 5 year olds trying to sing in harmony. They all were so focused on their teacher, watching for their cues. So adorable. After the program, we went to his classroom to help him make a gingerbread house. Here's one of videos I got with my camera...

Making a gingerbread house.

Finished product.

Joey and his teacher, Ms. Sabrina. He kind of likes her... can you tell?

Christmas 2011

Merriest Christmas Card

Customize your Christmas cards this holiday at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

Holiday Fun!

Can you believe Christmas is only 2 weeks away?!? We have been having so much fun getting into the holiday spirit. We made a chain to count down the days which the boys love. I also made my first Advent calendar so we've been doing a special family activity each night. Some of our favorite activities so far have been: (1) Watching movies together (The Grinch, Rudolph, Frosty), (2) Coloring pictures of angels for those we love, (3) Reading our Christmas books and talking about Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. I love how Joey is so into Christmas... we have been trying to keep him focused on the true meaning of Christmas this year and I think this is the first year he's really starting to "get it".

Sam is really into Santa. We've already seen him 3 times (he seems to be EVERYWHERE). I never in a million years thought he would like Santa so much (he's normally scared of strange men) but he just loves him. He talks about him all the time and wants Santa to bring him a horsey. Joey keeps reminding him that he has to be good if he wants Santa to bring him his horsey.

Some day they are probably going to hate me for taking (and posting) this picture.

Here is our Christmas countdown. If nothing else, it helps them practice their counting.



Silly Freddie! He colored Joey & Sam a picture last night.



Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We were fortunate to have my parents join us this year. We had a delicious meal, beautiful weather and the Packers beat the Lions. What more could we ask for?!?

Joey LOVED the turkey!

Sam is more of a mashed potatoes and bread guy.

He seems rather shocked that he knocked over the tee... :) Can you believe we were outside... in November... without a coat?

Joey and Papa watching the Packer's game

The boys playing on their new horse and wearing their turkey hats they made at school.

Seriously?!? The mashed potatoes are really all gone???

Joey challenging Grandma to a game of Cootie

Sam the happy helper!

Giving Daddy a massage (it's his new thing).

Joey got to do most of the decorating and was very proud of end result.

Freddie, our Elf on the Shelf, arrived late last night. Sam doesn't understand the concept yet but Joey does and has been on his BEST behavior!

Give me a KISS!

Children's Museum

Last weekend we took the boys to our local Children's Museum. It's been awhile since we've taken Joey there and it was Sam's first time. They both had a lot of fun running around and checking out all the little gadgets and exhibits. After we were done inside, we went outside to take some fall pictures. Unfortunately Joey was not in the mood to take pictures but Sam was (and I took full advantage). The last one is my favorite picture of Sam. Ever. I love that smile!

Look who's 5!

I'm not sure how this happened but my cute little baby with chubby cheeks is now a tall, skinny, handsome little boy. It's almost as if it happened overnight. We had his 5 year checkup last week and 43 is his magic number -- he weighs 43 lbs. and is 43" tall. He's growing like a weed. Pants that fit him last week are suddenly an inch too short. He is all about getting bigger and growing up. He loves being 5. We had his birthday party the Saturday before his actual birthday and I made the mistake of telling him he's not really 5 until Monday but he didn't want to hear any of that nonsense. So he was 5 on Saturday, end of story. 

We had his party at a gymnastics/fitness facility. The kids started out by running and jumping on the trampoline, then moved on to an obstacle course, tag and everyone's favorite, jumping in the foam pit. Then we finished up the party with pizza and cupcakes. A good time was had by all and we are so thankful to our family and friends for coming to celebrate his big day with us!!

I will end this post with a few of Joey's favorite things:

Food:  Cheese Pizza

Drink:  Chocolate Milk

TV Show:  Tom & Jerry

Game:  Super Mario Bros.

Outdoor Activity:  Riding his bike

Superhero:  Iron Man

Sport:  Soccer (to play), Football (to watch)

Quiet Activity:  Legos, Art

Hatmaker Blog

I recently came across a blog written by Jen Hatmaker, a fellow adoptive mom, and her latest post really hit home with me so I thought I would share part of it...

So for those of you trying to dodge the idea of adoption because your marriage is not perfect and you don't have your crap entirely together, please let me dispel the notion of "necessary impeccability." I'm learning this: Orphaned kids don't need a perfect family...they just need a loving one. You needn't be fit for display and ready for the adoption speakers' circuit.

Can you enter into the grief of a child and stay there until God heals? Do you have room on your lap for another daughter who would delight in the same "Carl Books" you read the rest of your kids? Could you direct your diligence toward becoming a healing parent, even if that just means listening and affirming and acknowledging and holding a child through the storm? Can you be miraculously, fantastically present for a child that is positive you too will disappear one day? Do you have the gumption to be oh-so-very consistent with boundaries and discipline, understanding that requiring their respect supplies them with the very security they crave in a parent who is actually in charge, freeing them up to be a kid instead of a survivor?

Then Kelly Ripa or not ("Be even more amazing!"), you can throw your hat in this ring.

You can read the rest of the post by clicking here.

Goodbye Summer

I have been slacking big time in the blogging department the past few months but I am determined to get back on track. After all, I count on this blog to help me keep track of milestones and funny things my kids do. I just recently realized this when I was trying to play catch-up on the boys' scrapbooks (one of many of my excuses for being behind). Without my past blog posts, my scrapbooks would have been all pictures without much journaling because I am slowly realizing with each passing year, my memory fails me more and more. I can hardly remember what we did last weekend much less the details of an activity we did 6 months ago. Anyways, since summer is over (sob, sob)... I thought I would do a quick recap of some of the highlights.

SAM

Towards the end of July we decided to move Sam to his "big boy" bed. This meant taking down the crib and getting out the toddler bed. We had been contemplating this move for a couple of months but just didn't know how he would do. He surprised us both and did great! He was pretty good about staying in his bed... for the most part. The 2nd or 3rd night after moving to the toddler bed I heard Joey say "Mom... MOM!!!!" It's not like Joey to wake up in the middle of the night so I jumped out of bed and went into his room. He was sitting up in his bed and when I asked what was the matter, he said "What is HE doing in my bed?" I then looked over and saw Sam laying on the pillow next to Joey. Sam looks up at me and says "night, night mommy"... the looks on both of their faces was priceless. Luckily Sam went back to sleep (in his own bed) and has been pretty good ever since.



My littlest man with his big boy bed!



JOEY

Joey had a busy summer. He took swimming lessons and played soccer through the park district. Daycare kept them busy too with numerous field trips. Some of his favorites were going to the zoo, county fair and picking berries at a local berry farm. Before this summer he hadn't shown much interest in riding his bike but that changed a few months ago. Now he and the neighbor boy ride their bikes up and down the sidewalks and he wants to ride his bike whenever we go on walks. Now summer is over and he's starting another year of preschool. He is still at the same place but will be in a different preschool class with a different teacher. He had a great teacher last year and has another great one this year so we've been very fortunate. He loves school and it's so fun sharing in his excitement when he learns something new. It's hard to believe he'll be starting kindergarten next year but I think he'll be ready... I might not be ready, but he will.   



1st Day of Preschool

 And I'll leave you with one of my favorite pictures from this summer...


Best friends!



Catch-Up Post

Here's what we've been up to this summer...

MANY TRIPS TO THE ZOO!

How sweet is this picture? Sam and his best buddy, Peyton!

 PLAYING AT THE LAKE BEFORE MY COUSIN'S WEDDING

Adrianna, Joey and Khai (with Sam in the background) before Nikki's wedding.

Adrianna is always up for a photoshoot with auntie!

MOMMY'S LITTLE HELPER

Joey giving Sam his nebulizer (they both thought that was pretty cool).

CELEBRATING JOEY'S ADOPTION DAY AT THE WAHPETON ZOO. HARD TO BELIEVE IT'S BEEN 4 YEARS!!  

The boys had a blast!

LOTS OF FUN IN THE SUN!!! 

We've had some really nice weekends so we've been spending a lot of time outside... playing at the park or in the pool or sprinkler in the backyard.

 CELEBRATING THE 4TH OF JULY WITH FRIENDS!!!

Can you say cute?

Joey's preschool graduation is tomorrow night so he has been practicing his songs all week. Sam has been his biggest fan and loves to watch him practice and cheers for him after every song. Tonight I got Joey and his sidekick on video...

How cute is that?

2011 Fargo Marathon

Fargo held it's annual marathon this past weekend and once again, it was a huge success drawing in over 22,000 runners between all the events. Even though I've never participated, I still look forward to it each year. It's inspiring to read the stories about people running to overcome a tragedy in their lives or those who are dedicating their run to a particular person or cause. It's also one of the few sports where you will see people of all ages and fitness levels participating and it's quite fun to watch and hard not to get a slight urge to do it myself... someday (when I run out of excuses). :)

Once again, Josh participated, this time doing the half marathon. Unfortunately he hurt his foot around mile 3 but kept on going and finished in just 2 hours, 12 minutes!!! Needless to say, I was very proud of him. Once again, he worked very hard and accomplished his goal. Joey and Sam are very lucky to have a daddy they can look up to.



Josh looks pretty good for just running 13.1 miles! Joey had to wear his medal to be "just like dad".



Our Future Marathon Runner...

Tonight Joey completed his very first race and had a blast doing it! Not only did he run a half mile but he did it in just 6 minutes... pretty impressive for a 4 year old! Once he was finished he said "Mommy, my body is all out of energy now." He should sleep good tonight!!

Showing off his new Spiderman water bottle.



Sam getting ready to cheer his big brother on...

 

Time to stretch!

Crossing the finish line with daddy!

Proudly displaying his medal!

I did it!!!

Way to go Joey... Mommy and Daddy are SO proud of you!!!

Easter

I realize I am a little behind with this post but better late than never, right? We spent Easter back in Minot with my family. As always, the boys had fun playing with their cousins. The big boys played with their "army guys" and spent some time outside riding their bikes and scooters and all the kids had fun running around outside enjoying the nice weather. On Easter morning the boys tore apart their Easter baskets and then we all enjoyed some of grandma's famous caramel rolls. As Sam would say they were "mmmmmm... nummy, nummy, nummy!" Then we all got dressed in our Sunday best and headed to church. After church my my mom made a delicious meal and we all ate way too much. Later than afternoon the kids had fun hunting for eggs (and even more fun opening the eggs and eating the candy)! Now on to a few pictures...
  

Sam shooting some hoops with daddy

Adrianna + Sam = TROUBLE

Joey checking out his Easter basket

Sam giving his tortoise a kiss

The Easter bunny even remembered to leave Bruizer some treats and a new toy.

Check out all of those eggs!

Hunting for eggs

I LOVE this one of Joey and his great-grandpa! Joey absolutely adores him!