Christmas Lights

Last Wednesday we ventured out of the house to go look at Christmas lights. Every year since I can remember my family has always gone to the Portland International Raceway Christmas lights. Nathan and I continued this tradition after we got married. We thought Andrew would love the lights this year and since you get to stay in your car while looking at the lights we thought it would be a nice way to get out of the house since he was sick all week. We went with my parents and then met Grandma Twyla at BJ's pizza. Grandpa Bud had to work unfortunately. After pizza we went and saw the lights. Andrew loved them! It took us about 30 minutes or so to get through the lights so he got a little bored at the end, but overall it was a fun time for all of us!

Checking out all the lights!

Waiting for his pizza!

12.9.09

Big Boy Potty

Andrew has had more of an interest in the big boy potty lately. It might be because we were home all last week and I was trying to encourage it. Last Monday night Andrew went #2 in his diaper. Lately he's been hiding when he does this so as soon as I noticed he was hiding and then smelt the lovely smell, I asked him if he wanted to go in the big boy potty. He was very excited and went right in! He sat there for a bit and we read some books and then all of a sudden I hear a little tinkle and he looks at me with big eyes and I said "did you go potty?" He just looks at me with a huge smile and I clapped and cheered and told him what a big boy he was. Daddy even gave him a new toy because he was such a big boy. He hasn't gone potty again in the big boy potty but he has sat on it at least 3 times this week and has told me that he wants to go on the big boy potty, so I'm hoping this is a step in the right directions!

12.10.09

Getting his new toy after going potty on the big boy potty!

12.7.09- 27 months

Christmas Tree Farm & Decorating

Last Saturday we bundled up and went to the Christmas tree farm to cut down our tree. This year we found out that some of our friends have a farm and were offering a great deal on trees so we took them up on their offer! We made an appointment Saturday morning, because it's not open to the public and we had the best Christmas tree hunting experience ever! As soon as we got there Grant took us around the whole farm on his quad. Andrew thought this was pretty exciting and was smiling the whole way. We told him what size we needed and he took us to a certain area. We found the tree with in minutes and he cut it down for us and hauled it back to the quad! We didn't even have to do any of the work....pretty sweet deal :) When he turned on the chain saw, Andrew got a little scared but was curious at the same time. I think he really enjoyed the whole Christmas tree farm experience, especially the "truck" ride (as he liked to call it. Unfortunately I didn't have time to decorate the tree that day so I finally got it done over a process of about 3 days (it was a very busy weekend!). Andrew has been very excited about all that is Christmas lately. He really likes all the decorations and especially the tree. He has taken many ornaments off the tree, tried to put some back on and broken some. We've had numerous amounts of time outs because of this and I'm hoping that next year this stage will be over. I do love that he is so excited about Christmas though and that he loves all the decorations just like me!

Looking for our tree

Not our tree, but a cute picture :)

12.5.09 - Andrew 27 months

McCulloch Christmas Tree Farm

17 weeks pregnant with baby #2

Andrew trying to help decorate the tree

12.6.09

Visiting Santa- take 1

The Tuesday before last we went to Bridgeport Village to take some pictures for our Christmas card. Since we were there we decided to visit Santa too! Andrew's initial reaction to Santa was timid and shy. When he 1st saw him, as long as he was standing next to Mommy and Daddy, he was fine, but once he was on Santa's lap, he wasn't too sure about him and wouldn't even look at him. We tried to get some pictures but he started crying a bit and we figured that we'd just come back another time for pictures with Santa. We haven't made it back there this week because Andrew has a cold and it's freezing outside, but we are hoping to make it back to see Santa soon!

Jingle Bells Remix

Nate bought himself a new Christmas present yesterday, a flip HD camera, and has been using it ever since. Last night, as we were getting Andrew ready to go to Target, Andrew started singing 'Jingle Bells.' He must think the song sounds like Old MacDonald, because he starts singing it in the middle of Jingle Bells. It's pretty funny!

Andrew 12.4.09 - 2 years old

New Traditions

Last night we went to the arrival of Santa Claus and lighting of the Christmas tree at Bridgeport Village. We went to this last year and I'm hoping that we can make this a family tradition. We arrived just in time for Santa to arrive and Andrew was so excited. He just watched him and tried to get closer. Then the tree lights came on and he kept saying "look, Christmas!" He ran right over to the tree and just wanted to look at it. I think he thought the whole evening was pretty exciting! A band played after the tree lighting and he was front and center to make sure he could hear all the music. We really only listened to them warm up and then we went home because it was getting late. He was not to happy to be leaving though! Such a fun night and the beginning of the Christmas season. We are hoping to do a lot of fun family Christmas activities this year!

11.27.09 - Andrew 27 months

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving was spent at my parents house this year. It was just the 7 of us, Mom & Dad, Kayla & Cory, and the 3 of us (plus baby). We had a fun and relaxing day spent eating, watching football, playing video games (mainly Grandpa, Daddy & Andrew), and playing with Andrew. However the day did end short because I forgot to bring diapers. I find that I'm so forgetful these days and even had several diapers sitting downstairs, but forgot to put them in his diaper bag. Luckily I had 2 in his bag and my mom had 1 at her house. Andrew had a record number of dirty diapers that day so we ended up leaving around 7, only about 30 minutes shorter than normal, but still a quick ending to the night. I am so thankful for a wonderful family, a loving husband, a funny little boy, and a healthy baby (we find out the sex Jan. 6th). I'm so grateful that all of my family is healthy!

Andrew with Grandpa & Grandma

Andrew playing the piano

Cuddling with Sophie. He really wanted Sophie to sit on his lap, so I had to find Sophie and position her on his lap. She stayed for a few minutes :)

Our only family picture of the day, even though you can't really see Andrew's face.

Having hot chocolate at Starbucks Thanksgiving morning.

11.26.09 - Andrew 27 months old