It's a GIRL!

I will announce the LATEST before I get to our long list of catching up . . .

We found out "Baby C" is a girl. My friend Lauren wrote me a note that made me smile out of excitement:
"A girl, Kara, that's fantastic. You will LOVE having a girl. When you have a boy, you think, "oh, i can live with all boys, they're awesome", and THEN your girl comes along, and totally melts your heart!"

I am sure this little baby will melt our boys' hearts too. I don't know what it is about pink and dolls that excites Travis but he is thrilled beyond belief- I guess every father adores their little girl- right Popi?

Christmas 2010
What a treat. Relaxing, wonderful, full of family, home, and fun. Below are some pics from the weekend (we spent Eve over at Gigi & Popi's and Xmas night with the Mack family aunts and uncles and cousins and then the following Sunday with my side's aunts/uncles/cousins/ and as you will notice, DOGS!). And oh yes, the boys got underwear in their stockings- I guess Santa was giving them a little hint of what this year brings. (code: Tyler is in blue underwear, Carter orange)


Above: Uncle Bill reading to Tyler who absolutely adored him
Carter above with the Buck Family Dogs, Tyler Below
Snow Day!
Late one afternoon it started POURING snow- we got 5 inches or so within a couple hours . . . and it stopped and melted almost overnight. So quick- the boys had had runny noses all week but after loads of begging to go outside, I finally let them. I thought they would be scared but they tromped around like pros. (code: Carter red, Tyler blue)


Carter fell and got stuck. Poor guy- such a big suit- but it was classic.
Best Buddies
I will admit, I was a bit terrified when I found out I was pregnant at first. But day by day, the boys bring a smile to my face- they are truly growing up and becoming best friends. They do EVERYTHING together it seems- whether I instigate it or not. It usually becomes a competition- who has the best car, toy, can ride the fastest on their fire engine and school bus . . . but before the "breakdown and fight" comes this wonderful moment of brothers laughing and adoring each other. It's fantastic to watch it progress daily. Tyler's favorite word is "Carter"- he calls to him whenever he is out of sight. They even crawl up on the same couch, pillow, whatever to look at books or watch TV together. It's adorable catching them in the moment. (Carter in navy)

above: Carter on the left
below: how all goes from peaceful and perfect to "oh my" in a moment- doesn't Tyler realize he has his own chicken nuggets on his plate? It's a constant battle.

Tree cutting, Thanksgiving & Trucks

Happy Holidays Everyone! We have had a ball so far. . . to kick it off we had an amazing Thanksgiving with both sides of the family. We started off at Travis' uncle and aunt's home. Below is a picture of us with Grandma (I am holding Tyler):

Then it was off to Gigi and Popi's to celebrate with our cousins . . . The four boys loved playing together and of course wouldn't sit for a picture . . . except for at the piano. Wow- 4 boys- CRAZINESS. . . thank goodness for sweet little Lanie who added some peace to the fiasco. I have a feeling we're going to count on her for that a lot in the future! It made me think about our best friends the Bringhursts. It was the age her (Karen) boys were all together (yes she had twins) . . . can you imagine?! . . . but all the boys are TONS of fun and just hysterical!

(Below with Gigi & Popi & the picture our Papa drew years ago . . .)With Thanksgiving over, bring on Christmas . . . and a tree! We went out into the wilderness (okay not QUITE Griswold style) but we did cut down our own tree. Gigi and Popi came along and I have to admit, the farm we found was a GEM- Gigi found not only a tree, but one in 10 minutes, and many more that she loved. . .
The boys are now obsessed with trucks- maybe it is cause it is their new favorite word. But for the past couple months Tuesday morning is the best- the garbage man comes- they run to the window and watch him cruise the street. And of course Maizy has to jump into the middle of all the commotion. The boys now ask me to open up the window . . . they don't mind the cold- they just want to hear the loud truck! It's a pretty cute sight.
Last week we headed to Stayton to visit Great-Grandma. She is doing fantastic and always amazes me. The boys cruising around didn't phase her one bit- She adored them and was on top of it all.
The boys love helping me bake- they love to stir and even say "please" to get a lick. . . oh my. I remember calling the "batters" with my brothers. . . the beloved cookie dough. (Below: Tyler)
Other favorite pictures:

Above and Below: Carter (they both love big people shoes)

Above and Below: Tyler (he loves to pose)

Above and Below: Carter- the Santa hat is a new favorite

Videos

Just a couple videos of what the boys are most famous for right now . . . They are very good at saying "please" and Tyler pronunciates it just too cute . . . Carter's favorite thing is raise up his hands and say "where'd it go?" - okay, he just says "go" :)

By the way, the shoes are for future use- they are HUGE. The boys find them and pull them out every night to put on over their pajamas.

Halloween and More!

(Above: Tyler the Lion, Lanie the Bear, Spiderman Camden, Batman Holden, and Carter the Tiger)
So I truly thought the boys would only make it to two or three doors before calling it a night, but they must have wanted to be expert trick-or-treaters like their big cousins. The four made it all the way through Gigi and Popi's neighborhood. We finally quit a little before the super heros because, well, I was embarrassed. We all know what people think when parents show up with 1 1/2 year olds for candy- hmmm, who's gonna eat that? However, Carter somehow snuck his first Lollipop with Popi. (okay, I didn't stop him and yes, this wrapper was quickly bitten off- smart lil' Tiger)

Let's not mention last weekend please, but the boys wear these fleeces win or lose. GO Irish! (Tyler on Right, Carter Left)

Above- Carter saying CHEESE!
Below- Tyler knows how to get cozy for a game . . .

I love it cause the boys have turned into little snugglers. Below is the best- They rush onto me to share my lap for storytime, or in the next pic (Carter), for some TV time.

They still can't get enough of their fort! (Below: Tyler)

And lastly, a fall ride around the neighborhood in the wagon

(Above: Carter)

Pumpkins!

The Pumpkin Patch:

We went to Roloff Farms with the boys. Wow were they amazed . . . from the petting zoo to the Hay Maze and huge patch we all had a ball.
(Below: Tyler running to the hay- they ended up climbing all the way to the top of the pyramid)

Here he is again . . . forget riding in the wagon- Tyler wanted to pull! Here they are in the Hay Maze with Travis:

This is how the petting zoo went. . . The boys at first, very unsure:
(pictures are of Carter)

Then they got VERY FRIENDLY with the animals- Carter especially loved the cow:

So comfortable in fact . . .

Let's just say hands were fully washed after that!

(Below: Tyler and Daddy looking for the perfect pumpkin)
(Below: Carter)
Below is a Family Picture from the World Championships of Handball. I reported on the event this past weekend- this picture is from the banquet after the championships. Amazing sport if you haven't seen it- but of course seeing the best in the world is unbelievable. I just can't believe we are all looking at the camera below. That never happens! One day we will all be smiling~ (I am holding Tyler)