Christmas in Michigan

We were lucky enough to get to spend an entire week in Michigan this Christmas.  It was the first time we had been there for that long since 2006 - when Aaron proposed to me in MI we had been on a weeks' vacation.  :)  I LOOOOOVED being up there long enough to relax, not think about the ride home, and spend some quality time with the wonderful Anderson family :)

 

To get ready for the trip, I had the best little elves helping wrap presents this year!

 

Ummmm...guys....there's tape stuck to my finger that I can't get off :)

 The trip to Michigan was pretty good.  Addy got sick as usual - craziness because we weren't even 40 minutes into the 8+ hour drive...but, we got this down to a science so we were back on the road in no time. 

Also - we were JAM PACKED!  Aaron could not see out the back --- and I couldn't stretch out my feet.  I'm thinking that sometime in the UNFORTUNATE near future, I'm going to be the proud owner of a mini-van.  Ha ha......we'll see how long we can hold that off!


Think there is anything else we can fit in there????

The kiddos also had a wonderful time in Michigan.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE how well they are with everyone and how loved they are.  When we don't get to travel there as often as I wish we could, it always feel good to have the kids be so comfortable and happy!

Hiding in Papa's cupboard!

I love this picture!  The girls got along SO well and they do not get to see each other often at all.  The last time we saw Rylee and Sadie was Christmas 2011 and these girls were giggling, laughing, being super silly and loud within a few minutes.  So cute and so fun.  (Sadie and Addy are only a week apart in age).  We totally wish we could see the Spindler's more often!

Posing by the Christmas tree at grandma Barb's on Christmas Eve.  We had gone to mass that night and then to grandma Barb's.  The kids did very well during church - Addy loves the songs at Children's mass, and she is starting to pick up bits and pieces of the readings and pay attention.  It's fun to see her interest.

Home to Papa Lowell's and getting ready for Santa

Santa brough Blake a spiderman dress up (so he had other options other than princess dresses!)



Auntie Tina & Blake...love this pic

The kiddos got sleeping bags from Aaron and I that they got to open the first day we got there.  We got them the full size ones so they could grow with them...it was too cute to see them laying there, not even taking up 1/4 of the sleeping bag!

 During that week, we went sledding and bowling.  I have pics from both but there are lots, so I'm planning on doing them later - at least the snow ones! 

After we drove home we got to celebrate Christmas with our family of 4.  Santa had brought the majority of his gifts to our house in Pine Island since we had to travel so far, and the gifts that we had gotten for the kids, other than I think 2 of them, had stayed home. 

We are home from a long drive and Santa came, and, .... whoo hooo!

"Don't mind me, I'm just using my new screwdriver on EVERYTHING.  Presents?  I have other ones to open?? ....yeah later, I'm using my new 'power tool'."  What a MAN!  :)

Another successful Christmas in the books :) 

Christmas with the Tarara Fam

The same day that we saw Santa, we had our family Christmas with my parents, my sisters and their families in the afternoon and into the evening.  I have a TON of pictures from every Christmas (as usual), but just pulled a few out. 

 

Look out all these crazy presents!!! ....and this skinny minny girl in front of them. What a goof.

My favorite present of the season right here :)

My parents got the kids these fun big pillows along with some books and jammies.  Aaron helped my mom line these up downstairs at their house for the kids.  It was pretty cute to see them head down the stairs in age order from littlest to biggest to see them.

He cracks me up!!!  As soon as Blake sat by his new pillow, this is the position he took, LOL.  Laying there, one leg on the other!

A fav of miss Addy.  My aunt Nan had given Aaron this piggy bank as a joke, knowing he is a Packers fan.  Addy was happy to take it because she only has a 'little' piggy bank...and of course because it is PURPLE (one of her fav colors).  We asked her to give us her football face and this is what we got :)

 The day involved just being with family - opening presents, eating lots of unnecessary food, playing with cousins, games, movies, etc :)  Good times with wonderfule peeps!

Santa 2012!!

We went to see Santa this year with my parents, which seems to have become a tradition.  Typically my sisters are there with their family, but this year they weren't able to make it.  We always go to this carpet store in town that invites their customers to see Santa --- we continue to give them good business.  (they will be putting carpet in our new home!!)

 

Hiller's always does an awesome job :)

 

Ready to head out the door to see the 'big guy!'

While we were waiting for santa...they had entertainment: cookie decorating, face painting, lunch, coloring, crafts, etc!



Making a santa cookie with dad :)

 

Face painting!

Almost time to see him :)



 

I wasn't sure how the kids would do seeing Santa this year.  Addy was shy but went up to him and sat on his lap and told him what she wanted for Christmas this year (Barbies).  Blake usually follows Addy's lead, so he was willing to sit on his lap too.  I don't think he really knew what to think about everything, but he didn't cry.  Just sat there like the sweet shy guy that he sometimes is :)

Hiller's also provides a photo for each family and provides a gift for each kid.  It was pretty exciting this year because Addy had wanted a Barbie and that is what she got!  Soooo fun :)

Group Photo Time

Making "Meat - a - balls"!



In November, before Aaron went up to Michigan for a week of deer hunting with his dad, cousins, and uncles, etc - Papa Paul (Aaron's stepdad) came down to visit with Jean and made spaghetti and meatballs for Aaron to bring to camp.

 

Paul is 100% Italian, and a VERY good chef :)  He had a new little helper in the kitchen...too cute!

 

:: pumpkin carving, a butterfly, and a monster -- oh my! ::

We carved pumpkins at the end of Blake's birthday.  I think I mentioned in an earlier post that my parent's had a pumpkin patch this year...it was successful so we had plenty of pumpkins to pick from!  Addy was having fun digging out the guts!  This was the first time we've actually carved pumpkins so I was curious what she would do.

 

 

 

 

While Addy was working on the cleaning out her pumpkin - I got to cuddle with my little man (reference post on Blake at 2 years --- best cuddler ever!)

Aaron basically carved the entire pumpkin - she chose an "easy" (sarcasm) Minnie Mouse pattern.

How's my pumpkin coming dad?

The entire family carving pumpkins

After everyone left and the house was cleaned up from the party - and the kids were sleeping and the house was quiet - Aaron and I carved some pumpkins for ourselves as well.



Left to Right: Brynne's pumpkin she made for grandma, Aaron's Frankenstein, Marissa's stars & moon, Addy's Minnie mouse, Blaker's monkey and Grandpa Tim's bat :)

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The night before Halloween we went to a harvest party at the school.  They had tons of games - it was complete preschool chaos in there!  Loud & full of hyper kids :)  But, the kids enjoyed themselves.

Addy won a whistle (the reason for a super loud cafeteria - picture hundreds of preschoolers that won annoying whistles!)

Parties are fun!  The fun part -- Blake actually made the local paper from the party.  He was playing one of the games :)  Yep, we now live in a small town, where the preschool party at school makes the paper.  Fun stuff!

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Halloween night we went trick-or-treating with Ella and Hunter for a bit, and then we went around the block on what will be our neighborhood next year when our house is finished.  Addy decided to be a butterfly.  She was one a few years ago, but this was the first time she chose her costume, so I went with it :)

I was in love with the Monster costume, so I went with it -- even though I had just done a monster-themed birthday party!

Hunter, Ella, Addy & Blake ready to head out!

Addy was LOVING going around with her cousins.  Ella would run ahead and she'd encourage her to go ring the doorbell --- she was pretty cute!  It's crazy how big they get and how much more into things they get each year.  Fun times!

Running on to the next house!

Blake was adorable because he's say "trick-or-treat" with his cousins, let people put candy in his basket, and then he would just stare at them.  And stare and stare and stare while Addy, Ella and Hunter ran off to the next house.  The person at the door would be like "bye" and he would stare some more...and then eventually I'd have to grab him and leave.  It was pretty entertaining :)


This trick-or-treating thing is pretty fun!

Addy would peek in the windows of the houses after we rang the doorbell....

On to the next one!

Addy's antennas were on my head before we hit the first house...so she was a butterfly without the antennas :)

I can't wait until next year when we are in our home for Halloween -- it'll be fun to decorate a new house and know the kids in the neighborhood to go trick-or-treating with or see :)  And.....it'll be fun to see what costumes the kiddos pick next year.  Blake might be old enough next year.  Craziness.

Blaker Boy Turns 2

I can't believe that Blake is already 2.  Life is flying these days...just like how now it is almost 2 months since his birthday and I'm finally getting to blogging about it!  His actual birthday was on a Monday.  When we got home from preschool that night, my mom had made him a cake to celebrate!

Birthday cake from grandma Bonnie :)

We had a birthday party for him the weekend after --- Monster themed.  :)  I made a monster cake that I'm pretty proud of!  With the help of Aaron, we made eyeballs and the #2 out of rice-krispies earlier in the week.  It turned out pretty good I think!

Blake's birthday was a lot of fun - 2 is a fun age because they finally "get it".  He was pretty excited about his presents and singing Happy Birthday to him!  I loved how appreciative he was of his gifts and not rushing on to the next gift right away. 

I'm 2!



During cake when we sang him the song --- he was TOOO TOOO TOOO CUTE for words (at least in his mama's eyes!). He stared at everyone singing, was singing along with them, and cheered at himself really loud after he blew out his candles!!!  I was in charge of the camera, and I was distracted by his cuteness that I didn't get really good pictures.  Bummer!

Here's one though :)

*****

Where do I begin when I describe Blake at 2?  So many words!!  He's seriously the BEST cuddler ever, hands down.  He has the biggest blue eyes and long eyelashes that have wrapped his mama around his little finger since about day 2 of his life.  Ahh, he melts my heart! 

Look at those lashes!

This guy also has the most contagious giggle.  His laugh is from way deep in his belly!  I've been trying to get a good video of it, but he always stops when we turn on the camera!

He definitely lives up to the definition of "terrible 2" as well.  He's got quite the temper when he's mad - gets frustrated easy and still learning how to control that.  He is 2, what can I say.  Through and through - from the sweetness to the moodiness.  It's why I love him!!



A cute one of daddy & Blake in matching shirts this Labor Day

 Some of Blake's favorite things are his monkey (which he pronounces Mon-tee).  He sometimes also calls him Bear (basically because he copies almost EVERYTHING Addy does so since the animal she loves is "bear" so is his!).  He also love to swing --- a lot! 

He likes to dance and sing, watch things like Max and Ruby, Chuggington, and likes a good Dora episode also.  Blake also loves to play and do anything that his sister plays with - doesn't matter how girly it is!  If Addy's doing it, he wants to also.  They play really well together, which I love.  It's one thing that people would tell me about having kids so close...that they would be good buds, and that is SO SO true. 

Wearing some of Addy's sunglasses

Buds!



Blakes 2 year stats:
Length - 34 inches (39%)
Weight - 27 pounds, 2 ounces (38%)

Blake Aaron

I love this handsome dude!!