Brotherly Love

I just had to post these pictures. This morning the boys were both in good moods. Nicholas got in the chair because he wanted to watch a show before breakfast and Jake crawled up next to him. Then I noticed they were holding hands. It was so cute. I'm glad I caught it because it only lasted a few minutes. I have to remember these moments especially when they are pushing, screaming or running away from each other. This made my morning:)

First day of Sunbeams/Nursery. Jan. 17, 2010

Yesterday was a big day for my boys. Nicholas had his first day of Sunbeams and Jacob went to Nursery for the first time. What a great day!! Nicholas has been talking about Primary all week and learning new songs every night. We got in the Primary room and he just sat there with his arms folded so reverently. I think he was just in awe. I didn't realize how little he looked until he was with all the other Primary kids. I usually just see him next to Jacob so it was quite a difference. When I picked him up from class he was just so excited to tell me all about it. The whole ride home was what he did, songs he sang, how much he loves his teacher. It really was so cute. Jacob went to nursery with no problems. I guess from the experience I had with Nicholas when he first started nursery I was a little hesitant but they have very different personalities. Jake is much more relaxed and goes with the flow. He's also very independent for his age. He doesn't like when I just give him something or do something for him. He wants me to ask first so he can nod his head (yes) or shake it and make a growl sound (No). He likes to be included in all the decisions that involve him throughout the day. When I picked him up his teacher said he didn't cry or go to the door and look for me once. When I asked him later if he had fun in nursery he very quickly nodded his head and smiled. Then he completely passed out on the way home. I am so proud of my boys and hope next Sunday goes just as well.

My boys on their big day.

They are so handsome in their little outfits. Thanks Aunt Cathy!

A day at the Park January 16, 2010

About once a day Nicholas will ask me if we can go to the park with the "sand pit." Even if it is a blizzard he still wants to go. So today we decided since it wasn't freezing outside we would take the kids. It was so much fun. Jake got to slide on the slides by himself for the first time and he LOVED it. Nicholas loves the sand pit at this park and tried his hardest to build a sand castle but it just wasn't working today. They both had fun and it was nice to get outside and enjoy some sunshine.
Jake at the top of the slide.

At the bottom of the slide.

Getting ready to slide down again.

Nicholas climbing through the tube.

Jake following his big brother.

Nicholas is a really great climber. Jake getting ready to slide down again.

More slides. You can almost see his smile in this one.

This was the small "castle" Nicholas built. Chad put a flag on top of it. The sand was not cooperating today.

He still loves to dig in it though.

So much fun.

Jake on a little car ride. He didn't like it so much.

Asher's Chocolate Factory Jan. 14, 2010

We really needed to get out of the house and do something fun today so we decided to go to Asher's Chocolate Factory which is about 45 minutes away. It is the oldest family owned company in the United States and it makes chocolate and other treats so we couldn't go wrong. We got to go on a short tour to see how they make, package and ship all their delicious treats. It was actually very interesting. It only lasted about 10 minutes but then we went to the gift shop and bought a few things to try out. There was a little house with a table and chairs and a little couch that the boys just loved. They could have stayed in there for hours. We couldn't take pictures in the factory part so there aren't to many. It was great to get out and do something fun as a family.

At the front entrance.

Jake sitting at the little table.

Nicholas getting some books out so he can sit on the couch next to the teddy bears.

They really liked the little table.

Chad getting them out of their "little house."

Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning 2009

We had such a great Christmas this year. My sister Cathy came down early Christmas Eve morning. Nicholas was so excited to go to the train station to pick her up. He thought we were going to go on a train to get her but he was still excited even when I told him that wasn't the case. Then later that day Chad made a gingerbread house with the boys. Jake pretty much just ate the candy. A tradition in our home is to open one present on Christmas eve. Both boys got new pajamas. Chad and I also got each other a pair and Cathy got a pair of Christmas socks. After getting changed into our pj's I had Nicholas help me frost the cookies we were leaving for Santa. We got out our special Christmas plate and filled it up. Christmas morning started at approximately 5:15am. My boys NEVER get up that early. They were so excited we let them open 1 gift and play in their room while we went back to "sleep" until 7am. (By "sleep" I mean the boys coming in every few minutes to ask if its time yet.) I wish I had more pictures of us opening our presents but our memory card became full after just a few. Nicholas LOVED the quilt I made him and although he knew about it (because he saw me working on it the last few months) he was surprised that it was finally finished. Jake got kind of bored after the first few presents. He had more fun playing with the wrapping paper and boxes. Chad got a few books on cd he'd been asking for and I got the first 2 books of Twilight and the 1st Harry Potter book so now I have the 2 series complete. It was so great having Cathy there with us. We had such a nice day together and hope everyone had a Merry Christmas as well :)

New Pajamas

Our Christmas plate

Christmas cookies

Yum!!

Cathy with her Christmas Socks.

Chad and the boys gingerbread house.

Our tree (which looks like its leaning but it wasn't. I think its just the angle.)

Christmas morning.

Chad passing out presents and the boys waiting patiently to open them.

Chad and I on Christmas morning.

The Liberty Bell December 5, 2009

Chad and I has some friends down for the weekend. They wanted to go see some sights so on Saturday we decided to go see the Liberty Bell. The weather was terrible and we both forgot our cameras (I used my phone) so the pictures aren't great but it was nice to see some of our famous historical sights and learn some new things.


The Declaration of Independence. (not the real one.)

Nicholas standing in front of the Liberty Bell. He kept asking why it was cracked and why they couldn't just fix it. It was very cute to see it from a 3 year olds perspective.

Chad, Nicholas and Jacob in front of the Liberty Bell.

Setting up the Christmas Tree. November 27, 2009

Today we set up our Christmas Tree. Its a little earlier than we normally do it but I thought since we had my family down we would do it now. We bought a fake tree a few years ago so Chad was setting that up while I got out all of our ornaments. Nicholas put the star on with the help of Chad. Everyone helped put on the ornaments. It was a fun night and the tree looked great. Since then the tree has been abused. All of the ornaments have been put up really high so the kids don't touch them. Thankfully Chad attached it to the wall because I'm sure it would have been knocked over atleast half a dozen times by now. To put it mildly, the boys are very excited for Christmas:)


Chad setting up the tree.

Jake sitting on Papa Rick's lap.

Cathy doing her "I'm to sexy dance"

Hanging ornaments almost as fast as Jake pulling them off.

Putting on the star.

Finishing touches.

The boys loved it!

Our family in front of our tree.