We've Moved!

So, if you're reading this right now then you are in the wrong place! We've moved our blog and if for some reason you missed the new address - please send us an email or leave a comment so that I can send you the new address! I'll be making the new blog private in a few weeks, so please contact me as soon as possible =)

Shop-a-holic in training.

Hope you had a great Black Friday! Little b did some shopping of his own this past week. Now, if only we could get him to drive himself...

Sorry about the phone-quality pics, but they are too funny not to share.

And for those of you that know me well - you will REALLY appreciate this picture. Yes, it is his first ride on one of those germy coin-operated rides at the grocery store. And boy did he love it!

Oh! Christmas Tree!

With barely any time to rest from the Thanksgiving holiday, it was time for our yearly Christmas Tree hunt! Though last year's snow-covered field was a little more picturesque....



it was still a beautiful day and much warmer!

This is the best tree farm! I love how everything is so organized...



What picture-perfect scenery.



And so we searched and searched and searched. Until...



we found the perfect tree!



So, Bri cut it down (sniff, sniff) and loaded it up - which meant little b lost his ride!



But, it wasn't anything a little promise of an ice cream cone couldn't fix!

Captain b?

Little b was supposed to have surgery on Friday... but this is what happened instead!

He started coughing on Monday and with only two more days to go before his surgery - we took him in because it sounded pretty bad. And sure enough...he was diagnosed with...pneumonia! So, he was immediately put on breathing treatments. The doc sent in a nebulizer and warned us that he would probably cry because most kids do and then left the room. She came back about ten minutes later and was surprised when she didn't hear any noise coming from the room. Well...that's because..............

HE LOVED IT!!! Quick-thinking Brian told him it was a pilot's mask and so immediately he was excited to try it on. In fact, towards the end of the treatment, Brian lifted the mask a bit to see if the medication was out and he grabbed Brian's hand and shoved it back onto his face!

When we got sent home with a brand new fish-themed nebulizer you can only imagine his excitement. And for the record, he actually prefers that I do the treatments over Brian, because I put him in my lap and lean back and forth like he's flying an airplane and after we take off I start singing at the top of my lungs, "HIIIIIGHWAAAAY TOOOO THE DANGER ZOOONE!" Oh yeah!



And of course, he insisted he have his favorite airline safety card with him during the treatment. The best part was when he had his mask on and leans down to point to the picture of the passenger using the oxygen mask from the ceiling. Oh boy.

This week...

...the weather was perfect! So, Little b and his buddies M&J went on a toddler hike. We hiked down to a tree tunnel and stopped for a little picnic. He loved being outside and playing.

Stopping for a snack.

The kids found some weird apple species on the ground and then played a game of bowling with them.

I walked up on little b playing the piano - he found a songbook and realized what it was used for. He's recently added singing while playing to his repertoire. We will have to post a video of one of his performances sometime.

And then I caught him doing some shopping with Ernie and apparently he was thirsty.

And last but not least, I managed to get this shot, though blurry, to show you a before picture of his big tonsils - you can see, they're almost all the way closed up. But this Friday we'll be saying goodbye to his tonsils and adenoids and he'll finally be able to breathe normally after almost three years! He'll have to stay overnight - but it looks like he'll have plenty of toys and activities to keep him occupied. We will take some pictures and let you know how he's doing next weekend. Stay tuned!

Our October Recap

To finish off the Fall festivities - here are a bunch of random photos from last month.

And what better way to celebrate than to have a two-year-old draw a mural on the living room wall! Now, to the untrained eye, this may look like a bunch of scribble, but alas, what we have here is...

A middle-aged, bald-headed man staring off into the sunset as he ponders the meaning of life. Ah-soooo...my little grasshopper, you are wise beyond your years. That, and mom has a pretty wild imagination.

Every once-in-a-while, Little b loves to take a drive out on the open road. What's funny is he'll take a break from driving and take his hands of the wheel and never stops to wonder why he isn't driving straight into the pond. Hmm...

Could it be that remote control dad is always holding? Well, you know what they say...innocence is bliss!

I don't know if it's the age group or what, but we literally are scheduled for a least one birthday party a week. So, Little b is definitely getting his party on these days. Here he is at K's bug-themed birthday:

And of course, it wouldn't be Fall or Halloween, without the annual hayride to the pumpkin patch.

This is really isn't the best picture - but it gives you an idea of what our hayride is like. This is one of the best hayrides, ever! The wagons travel deep into the woods, up and down hills and through the mud. And to keep the kiddies entertained, they have a ton of character (Disney, Superman, etc) displays along the ride. The kids love it!


Picking out the perfect pumpkin...got it!

Since the hayride is located on a working farm, they have a ton of animals around. And this one caught our attention. Those are some sweet extensions, don't you think?

And as always, the tour ends with a cookie and some good laughs with his best buddies.



Here's another from a party we had earlier in the month. And finally, our sad little pumpkin. We were too tired that night and so Bri and I opted on the easiest cutout possible. Note how the carver (anonymous name that starts with a b) so carefully cut so that some of the marker outline is still left. And what you don't know is that I had traced a bottom tooth, but sadly the said carver was not paying attention and cut one of his teeth out. But I guess it suits the pumpkin well and evens out the lack of nub he has on the top...another oversight of the pumpkin carver who was also the picker this year. Note to self: I'm picking out the pumpkin and carving it myself next year.

And finally, the little man decided to cooperate and strike a model pose...ooorrrr his mom is just really quick at taking pictures.

Jumpin'

If you haven't already seen this video - it's a must watch! It's awesome (even though the quality of the video isn't)! It was taken from an Army vs. Navy game. And speaking of the Navy, our friend Damian, who is in the Navy is currently deployed in Afghanistan. So, we just want to send him a big shout out and come home safely!!!

Happy Halloween! Pt 1

To sum it up - it was the perfect storybook Halloween! The leaves were changing and falling and the weather was a bit chilly. Little b definitely had his share of festivities - but at least he got a lot of use out of this year's costume.

So, this Halloween we teamed up with his best buddies Matt-Matt, Jordi, and Hannah Banana.

With 4, two-year-olds, it was difficult to get them all together in one shot so I had to break it up, but you get the idea.

And this is what they looked like as they all walked out together for trick or treating...so cute!






This pic is from a friend that happen to catch them together:

Cash for Flunkers

So, I'm sure you've heard about this already. What in the world?! I never thought in a million years this would happen. In case you didn't hear - this funny article will fill you in.

Funny thing is, I never actually ever bought any of these videos because Bri is too cheap and kept protesting, as he usually does. His annoying response to everything I have wanted to buy is "good things come to those who wait." And I have to say that a majority of the times he has unfortunately, been...(cough)...right. And so I'm sure I'm going to hear the other annoying response of "I told you so" sooner or later!

Finally!

Chicagoooo....

A few weeks ago, we took a trip to Chicago for some work and play (but mostly play). Without too many words, here are a few of the highlights of our adventures. And to sum it up, let's just say that Little b is OBSESSED with Chicago. Don't believe me? He wakes up or goes to bed saying at least once a day, "Fun...Chicago!" OR "Go back Chicagooo!" And to top it off - he sleeps with his Chicago map. So, if he ever decides to run away, at least we'll know where to find him!

This is how he spent most of his trip - hooked on to his daddy like a turtle shell. And here was his favorite part of the trip...



More train spotting...and then a good cry after we got off each time.
He loved the "L."



And more sightseeing. No wonder he loved it so much...could it be he had the best seat in the house?



Off to Chinatown for some DIM SUM! Mmmm...



And more waiting for trains. Note the glazed-over trance he's in...



Proof that he does not like ice cream! And actually, it's funny because a lot of places we go to, they just give him the cone for free so we love it, too! And if you look on the right - this is a very common sight in our home. He LOVES airplanes more than anything. And so his Uncle Mitch was nice enough to send him an airplane safety card. His first one got so beat up. We carry these everywhere and I mean everywhere. Even to bed. And you may laugh now, but if you should ever have an emergency on an airplane, this is the one time you'll want to be sitting next to this two-year-old!



More exploring...



An authentic Chicago deep dish pizza. And for those of you that have never eaten here...just know that it's an hour wait to get seated and another 45 min just to cook the pizza! But it was totally worth the wait!



There was so much to do! We are definitely planning another trip!

It's Autumn Time!

We especially love this time of year. You really can't beat a true Fall season with the weather change and the beautiful scenery. Everything is so vibrant as the leaves change colors and the air is nice and crisp - it's just cold enough to wear a light jacket now. We're enjoying the weather while we can! And to officially say good-bye to Summer...we're going on our yearly hayride to the pumpkin patch tomorrow! Here are a few pics of the little man running around outside...or actually he's trying to run away from me and my camera, that is.

And we also want to wish a big Happy Birthday to Papa! Little b helped make this little pillow for his birthday. And then couldn't stop staring at himself...oh boy.