Counting down

Nathan's been in this stage where he asks us and tells us how much he misses us. We could have been separated for 1-2 hours (at church) and he'll tell us that he misses us. Although it can be heart rending (and sweet too) to hear this from him, it was a reminder that we needed to have some time together as a family. Thankfully, a break is coming up so we started making a plan.

Coundowns have been popular so this time the boys both worked at moving the numbers starting from 12. 

What is going on here?!

Nathan's acting silly and Zach is way too interested in food. WAIT. These are typical reactions for the boys! No Facebook-perfect picture here today!

We're headed to visit 'cousants' in Michigan since we didn't get to go at Christmas. A new house is finished with a new puppy to meet. It'll be a great couple of days!
Another surprise is up our sleeves and we hope the weather will cooperate.

Sunday Shenanigans

Nathan used some more birthday money for this cool Hot Wheels jump and a set of cars. The boys were trying to make it difficult so that I had couldn't get the cars to make it all the way to the end. We found there were only a couple cars that could make it all the way to the end -- maybe due to the weight of them -- I'm not sure.

Thanks Grandma, Amy, Keith & Traci & cousins!

First Back Ride of 2018

The weather has been so nice that we decided to go for a bike ride today. In fact, we had to get out shorts because it got so warm. We can't decide if the warm weather is here to stay so we're hesitant to take off the plastic around the windows.

Isn't Zachy's face so cute?! Also, Nathan and his cowboy boots?! There's a worm in between Nathan's bike and mine that we watched for quite a while and then checked out again when we got home. We're not so sure that it's going to make it.

Friday Flashback

Some videos from August 2017 that I couldn't resist sharing.

Zachy's growing up!

Did you catch what Zach said?

Apple

Typical sibling arguing :)

Throwback Thursday

Here's a throwback to some fun from August

Helping with laundry

 8/18/17

 8/24/17

 8/27/17

8/30/17

So much fun with kitties

Happy Valentine's Day!

We came up with things that we loved about each of the boys and added one each day of February. I tried to get the boys to take a picture with the hearts that we have been putting up and this is what we got:

Eating a biscuit.

 Zach wouldn't let Nathan take a picture by himself (still eating the biscuit).

 Now Nathan could have his turn.

Silly one!

Crazy Brothers

Can you tell what Nathan's trying to do?

 Zachy says, "Ummm... Nope!"

Okay. Try again, Nathan!

Ha ha ha! This time Zachy let him kiss him.

This was some morning shenanigans.

Singing Brothers

We've been watching a lot of YouTube videos -- mostly Moana and Let it Go. It's  been fun to see the boys sing along. Tonight they decided that they needed to watch while dinner was getting finished up. It's so cute to hear them sing.

Zachy typically says "More!" If it plays the next song and he doesn't like it, he says "No, no, no!" It's cute. 

Sunday Shenanigans

Can you believe that this picture follows the crazy weather that we had this week? The last two days we've been in the 60s! We found one spot that had a little bit of snow left (they had built a snowman), but other than a standing water, there was nothing much left. We didn't even wear a jacket to church today. (It was funny because Zachy was looking for his coat when we got out of his class.)

 The day was absolutely beautiful!

Zach had picked up the wagon from the garage and then decided he needed it inside. Next thing I know, he's got his grocery cart in it. He saw me get the camera out and said, "Cheese!" What a cutie pie!

Thursday Throwback - Mrs. Jackie's Birthday

Mrs. Jackie's birthday - 8/8

Last year we did a sign in Mrs. Jackie's front yard for her birthday so again we did one this year. The boys helped color the sign.

 [The boys wore their baseball shirts!]

Later that day, we came back and gave her lots of hugs!

We love our Mrs. Jackie!

Second Winter Storm

Sure enough, the next storm came through on Tuesday and both our jobs closed early. The boys and I got home first and were able to shovel some snow in order to go over to our neighbor's to bring her the mail. Then, Wednesday school was cancelled as the temps dropped dramatically and everything froze. Some more snow came Wednesday morning. Then they went ahead and closed school for Thursday as it hadn't gotten warm enough to melt anything.

The boys have been troopers but Nathan has decided he doesn't much care for it. Isn't that funny?! He has been talking for ages that he can't wait for snow. Then when it's here, he gets tired of it!

Snow!

The boys were super excited for snow today! Zachy would stand on his chair by the front window and say "Wook!" (translate: Look!) It had mostly stopped by 8am but we waited a little longer before getting all decked out with layers of clothing.

The snow wasn't good for packing so we didn't get a snowman made, but we did throw a few handfuls of snow at each other. We walked all around the yard and went over and said hi to our neighbor. Then once the car was warmed up some and cleaned off, we headed to the grocery store. We came back home and Nathan and I cleared a bit of snow off the patio. Although it didn't get warm enough to melt it all away, the roads were clear and we had no problems.

Buddy Shirts

"There's no buddy like a brother"

Aunt Katherine made these cool shirts for the boys for Christmas and it was actually warm enough that they could wear them today. 

Then, tonight, we had bath night. As I was getting Zachy ready, we were trying to clean out his nose and do saline spray (it's a two person job!). He started crying for Brother. "Need Brother," he cried. Isn't that so sweet?! As we were getting ready for bed, Zachy also wanted hugs. It was cute.

Showing off Boots

Since the boys both wore their boots to church today, we took a picture as we came home to show them off. Nathan has particularly been in love with them (which is good because we thought he'd have the hardest time with them). Since they've been back at school and daycare, there hasn't been as much opportunity to wear them.

Obviously, there wasn't much cooperation...

 Nathan was adamant that he couldn't put the boot back on and he didn't want you to see the other one. Zach? I'm not sure why he suddenly squatted when I took the picture.

We tried again, but.... 

Crazy boys!

Wrestling Brothers

Ever since Nathan could be near Zach on the floor, he has tried to lay on him. We have tried to correct him and tell him that one day his brother would be bigger than him. Of course, he still doesn't believe that so he continues to wrestle with Zach. For some reason the boys were all over each other tonight. Silly boys!

Thank You Cards

We worked on these cards last week before the end of our break, but waited to share so people could get them in the mail first.

The red hands inside message says: We couldn't wait to get our hands on the gifts you gave us.

The reindeer inside message says: You are such a deer!

The boys did great with their hands being painted and both signed the inside. We had a great Christmas and the boys are continuing to enjoy what they received. We were blessed for sure.

Christmas Holidays Fun

The boys and I have been filling our days with lots of TV watching and playing inside. If it had been somewhat decent weather, we would have ventured out to the library, but it was too cold. We went outside one day for about 20 minutes to play, but otherwise it was indoor weather. The boys got back out the race track and we played with that in addition to Christmas presents.

 I can't begin to list out the movies that we watched this week. It's been a ton! I think relaxing has been done over this break. Maybe a little more sleep could have been had, but what can be done? I got curtains washed and ironed, laundry done, floors mopped, the oven cleaned, dishes washed, and other cleaning around the house. All in all, I think we did well. Now, we have a couple more days, but Daddy will be home! Hurray.

Gifts, Part 3

We have several special people in our lives that wanted to bless the boys with gifts. 

Our neighbors Mr. Robert and Mrs. Jackie have been in our lives from almost the first day we moved to Lebanon (believe it or not 12 1/2 years ago). We've been neighbors with them for 11 1/2 years so they've been with us during the highs and lows. They love seeing the boys and we check in with them when we get home several times a week. They blessed the boys with toys -- horses for Nathan and emergency vehicles for Zachy. They have loved played with them.

Another special person is Mrs. Mary. I worked with Mary until she retired and then have still kept up with her since then. Mary also has been with me during the rough times and she and her husband prayed for us to have children. Although Tony passed 4 years ago, he was able to meet Nathan and know the results of his prayer. Mrs. Mary gave gifts to the boys - a Lego set for Nathan and a riding car for Zachy. Again, they have loved these toys.

We're so glad to have these special people in our lives. I think I'll have one more installment from Christmas -- the fabulous lunch we had. Yum!

Gifts, Part 2

We started the gift opening time with FaceTime with the Michigan Stevens family. The boys were excited to begin opening and they were very happy with these items. [We watched The Lion King during Zach's nap.]

 Then we got into the business of opening gifts.

The boys each got three gifts from us -- like Jesus did:

something for the body, something for personal/spiritual development, and something you want.

 Here's Zachy's 'want' gift - a fire truck (with duplo pieces)

Here's Nathan's 'want' gift - Legos!

For their body gifts, we got them cowboy boots. They got a few books for the personal/spiritual development gift -- one was about Christmas, and then others were about topics they're interested in. Stay tuned for the next installment of gifts!

Gifts, Part 1

Christmas Eve began with the first gifts....

 Pajamas!

 We got up Christmas morning and did stockings (in our pjs!).

 We got fun things and pretty much Nathan played with Zachy's stuff. You just can't win, can you?

I'll spread out the gifts over the next couple days. Poor Barry's back to work tomorrow, but the boys are home with me for the week.