Giving Thanks

We have so many things to be thankful for this year. Our family, time together, our health and being 23 weeks pregnant. I hope you all got to spend time with your loved ones. Finally it's time to get ready for Christmas!
- Axel said he loved me more this year because I'm pregnant?! Gotta love what they come up with. At least he didn't say he loved me less :)

Missing fall weather

I know it's still early winter but I am already feeling stir crazy! I miss summer/fall weather. I miss going for walks only wearing jeans and a hoodie and I miss playing outside with out freezing! I need to come to the reality that winter is here and remember all the fun things there is to do during winter time.

Until then I will look back at fall weather pictures wishing we could for a walk in out neighborhood. This cemetery is only a few blocks away from out house- it was one of our main walking tracks. Until next year.... when I have 3 boys to stroll around with! Wow... some days I forget about how crazy next summer is going to be. Okay maybe I'll just settle in for the winter- continue to watch my tummy grow (which it is- a lot-pictures to come soon), drink some hot chocolate and watch the snow fall.

"I DO ! "

ABEL

2 years old sure is a fun age. He is full of non-stop energy  and has really started to get his own personality. "I Do"- is his most used words. He wants to do every thing on his own. Like putting his shoes on, getting his snack, brushing his teeth or any thing when his parent's are in a hurry.

Abel being shy while getting his picture taken
 

Loves to play with hats and shoes

 This is how I find Abel all lot of the time. He has figured out how to get his diaper off and will strip down multiple times a day! He always is wearing a pair of boots- these are his favorite. They were Brian's when he was little. Otherwise he will wear rain boots, winter boots or any shoe in the house. I think he is ready to potty train because he will say "I pee Mom" but normally he says this when he is peeing on my floor- not in the bathroom. If only I can get him excited about going in the potty. Soon?

 He has been getting very verbal. I think he picks up new words daily- or at least I can understand more every day! Here are a few that I can think of:
* "I wuv you". - or most of the time he will say "I know" or "me too" when I tell him I love him.
* "Baby"- and then he will point to my tummy. Or he will say " I not a baby, your a baby" and point to my tummy.
*" No Way" or "yes way"
* "Dude"- I know this one totally comes from me- yes I use this word to often! :)
* "Your coo" or just "coo" - meaning your cool or that's cool- mostly to big brother but also to things around him that he likes.
*"I'm Egone"- this one he got from playing ghost buster with cousin Ethan. And Axel is "Ray"
* "Co- Co"- what he says for Axel's name. I'll say it's A-x-e-l. Then he will say No, Co- Co.
*" I fart", "I burp" and "it's stinky"- and then will giggle....boys :)
*" Owie", "It's hot"
*"Bumpma" (grandma/grandpa), "puppy" and "Nommy" (for yummy)
* "Where Dad go? or Where Momma go"?

I feel like I haven't written much about all the words Abel was been learning so I am trying to catch up. Abel you are such a fun 2 year old! I love that you still like to snuggle your Momma and you have the best tummy giggle- with super cute dimples!

School pictures

Kindergarten

Preschool- age 2

Gotta love school pictures! I copied them from my phone so not the best images but I think they both turned out pretty good for school pictures. :)

Stitches

Brian got his first stitches last Friday. I came home after working a night shift and ran into him and his sister on the way to the ER. He had cut his thumb with a blade at work. It looked like a good amount of blood and once I peeked at the cut it was pretty deep right on the part that bends on his left thumb. Brian was really hoping the doctor would just clean it up and send him home with a big bandaide. Not this time! He ended up with 3 stitches in all. He also has to wear a brace to help keep his thumb straight. This was a huge day for Brian- he has never had stitches before! I do have to warn you that I have attached a few graphic pictures- but you know me I have to document every thing!

The boys trying on Dad's brace

Numbing the site

Stitch # 1

Sorry if the pictures gross you out! I always love watching stitches being done. On a fun note I get to remove them for Brian in 10 days! He seemed nervous on this but no worries honey if I can remove stitches from a child- I'm sure I can handle you :) 

A Wow in a box

Axel was asking the other night about going to the bakery to get a brownie. I told him we could just make them and not have to buy them. He gave me this look of total disbelief! He said you can make brownies?! Yes Axel you can make a brownie! I am failing as a mother....obviously I am not baking as much as I should. So we went to the grocery store to buy a box brownie mix. Okay I know what your thinking- next time I will try them from scratch. I still totally Wowed my boys and they loved helping me- even if it came from a box.

UBC verison 2013

 We got the opportunity to spend the weekend at Uncle Brian's (and Dawn's) cabin. It was so nice to hang out by the fire, go for hikes, play in the leaves and just catch up with every one.

 This was one of the first time Abel just didn't want to be outside hiking. He wanted to be carried and then just had enough so Brian, Abel and I turned back to the cabin.

 Axel of course was in heaven being outside so he finished hiking in the woods and around the pond with Grandma Ann, Peter, Core and Dawn.

 Once we got back to the cabin Abel had a snack and was his happy self again.

 The boys are such good helpers! Abel helping sweep the floor and Axel helping drive the tractor.

 Playing Halloween Bingo with everyone. Fun was had by all! :) Abel loves this games and has caught on so quick on how to play it. Once he found his pictures he would say "Me too!" and point at the ones he had. Best $1 isle game ever! Thanks target.

Starting the fire

 Core teaching the boys at little bit about guns. They were both SO interested. In due time guys- then you can shoot pop cans with Mom and Dad.

Abel with his sleeping bag on the couch

Making bars- yummy!!

Playing Domino's with Dawn

The beaver hunters!

Brian and Core attempted to get some of the beavers that are destroying the pond and all the tress around it. The hippie in me hopes that they didn't get one but I saw how much damage they were doing to the area so I understand if they did. 

Halloween 2013

Craving pumpkins

Finished products!

Vampires!

 Axel choose to be a vampire this year for Halloween. I figured I better dress Abel the same way because he always wants to do what ever his big brother is doing. They both did great with the 'makeup' but the fangs ended up being a pain. Axel wore them for a short time but it was to hard to eat candy with fangs in so I ended up holding them in my pockets.

 I love living in a small town. Cannon Falls does a downtown trick or treating with the businesses. It's earlier in the day so it's not so dark out or cold. It's nice with younger kiddo's. Both boys got their buckets filled. Axel would say "trick or treat" and then Abel would say "me too!"

 Once Brian got home from work we hit the neighborhood for a little while also. Needless to say we all had WAY to much candy but it was fun night.

This neighbor was awesome. The guy sitting looking like a dead guy was really alive and there was another guy in the coven that totally scared Axel! It was really cute. It's fun when people really get into a holiday. It made me wish I had decorated more or some thing. Maybe next year. I'm sure once my 3 boys get older we could plan some thing fun and scary for the neighbor kids!
                                                       HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVEYONE!