Christmas 2010

Like last Christmas, we went to my grandparents' house to celebrate Christmas! Dan and I decided to go back this year because you seem to be away from it all when you are there. It is very laid back and relaxing. You are not caught up in the middle of all the hustle and bustle of the city. You are in the midst of nature and God's wonderful creation! It was very low key, with Joshua being the only little kid there my family got to soak up every last bit of Joshua that they could! We didn't do whole lot, we went for nature walks, watched movies, open presents, had Santa on Christmas morning, and had a wonderful family Christmas dinner and also read the TRUE story of Christmas. It was a fun 4 days and we are glad that we got to spend it with family and truly enjoyed their company and all the fun down time that we had! Below are just a few pictures from the 4 days, I took alot so I couldn't fit them all on here. Enjoy!

He created this cozy spot all on his own!

This is funny, because Joshua the night before had to taste the cookies and milk that we sat out for Santa, and then the next morning he decided not to waste and ate the leftovers that Santa didn't eat!! So funny!!

What Santa brought Joshua. The first thing that he did when he came in the living room was go straight to Dan and check out his new pajama pants. Totally by passed the toys! We had to tell him to look around, look at what you got!! But as you can tell in the picture, he is still a little fogging on everything.

Christmas Morning!! Not a morning person at all!!

As tradition, my grandfather always reads "Twas the night before Christmas" on Christmas Eve. He has done it since I was little and I am so excited that he gets to read the story to Joshua!

Our Christmas Eve service that we had at the house.

Joshua playing in the leaves! He

enjoyed throwing the leaves up in the air over and over again!

Joshua helping bring firewood from the barn to the house for the fire that we had that night!

Busy Holiday Weekend!

This past weekend was super busy, but fun! My friend, Jana, came into to town late Wed. night to come visit us for the weekend. We love hanging out with her! She is so much fun! So, we decided to cram a lot of fun things into a short amount of time. First, on Thursday night we went to a place Dan had saw on his way home from work a few weeks ago, called Santa's Ranch. They have tons of lights that you can drive through the ranch and look at. The only rules that they had were to stay in the car and turn off your lights(yes it was that bright)! Joshua loved it and just continued to star out the window in amazement! This place did a pretty good job. They had different scenes and places to look at. It took about 30 minutes to drive through and all the while you got to see tons of beautiful, twinkling lights!

Then on Friday night, we went to the grocery store to by stuff to make soup and to bake cookies! Once dinner was over we got down to business and started making Christmas cookies, and "trash". I personally like to call it Christmas crunch, but none the less it was really good and really easy to make. Joshua even joined in on the fun. He did a little taste testing along the way to make sure that everything tasted good.

This is our finished Christmas Crunch! Talk about yummy and very addicting!

These are our finished Christmas cookies!

On Saturday, Jana and I decided to do a little Christmas shopping and we also were going to make Christmas dinner that night as well. So we woke up and Dan made us some yummy french toast and then we left the house about 9:30. The guys stayed behind to have a "guy's day". Jana and I shopped until we dropped! It was so much fun, but so tiring! We shopped from 9:30 to 5 that evening. That is like a full work day!!! It was fun to have some girl time, because I don't get to have that as much anymore. We did have the best time shopping and going to lunch and when we got home we hit the kitchen once again to make Christmas dinner. Dan and Joshua had a full day as well of doing "honey-dos" and going to Auto Zone, you know manly stuff. So, we cooked Turkey, stuffing, corn casserole, green bean casserole and rolls and had cookies for dessert. It was so good. We were all stuffed and sleepy by 8pm.

On Sunday, Jana had to leave to go back home, so we just had a lazy Sunday until it was time to go to my company's Christmas party! It was a fun gathering and we had a nice buffet and we did a white elephant gift exchange. Joshua was of course the hit of the party! He looked so cute in his slacks and sweater vest! He did very well and when he asked for his blanket, I knew it was time to leave. It was a wonderful weekend. I am blessed to have so many friends and family in my life.

Honestly, he looks like a little man! Dan said he looks like "Kevin" from home alone when they are at Christmas dinner. ha ha! He kind of does with his sweater vest and his little smile!

At Three...

...I (Joshua) am growing and growing! Even though I turned 3 on the 14th, I didn't have my 3 yr check up until the 16th. Mommy doesn't like to make me go to the doctor on my birthday, which is great!! At the doctor they weighed me and checked to see how tall I was. The doctor also looked in my ears, nose and mouth. Mommy and him talked for a long time about potty training, tantrums and if I was a picky eater and just how I am doing over all. I didn't mind that they talked so long because while they talked I got to play with all the cool toys and books that they have in the room. Towards the end I did have to get a flu shot and they had to prick my finger for some lab work, but I took both of those like a champ! I hate getting shots, but I know they are for my own good. Back in July when I had my lovely ear infection they found out that I was a little anemic, so that is why they had to do some lab work, but the labs came back with showing my iron right where it should be. When the doctor checked my ears, he saw the beginnings of what could turn into an ear infection so mommy and him decided it would be best to stop the ear infection before it got worse. So he gave me a prescription for antibiotics. I am good with taking medicine and especially when it is bubble gum flavored....YUM!! Overall I got a clean bill of health and I am right on target for a 3 yr old. Enough about the doctor, let me tell you what I can do as a THREE year old!

I weigh 30lbs 2oz (50%)
I am 36 3/4 in tall (25%)

I can take off my shirt, pants, socks and shoes
I can pull up my pants
I can reach the table without my booster seat
I love to wash my hands
I can talk in full sentences
I can get in and out of my chair at the table by myself
I got a big boy bike for my birthday and I am learning how to ride it.

I can drink out of a cup with no lid with minimal spilling.

I am starting to draw with a purpose and starting to pretend to write(scribble) names of my friends.

I can identify a letter or a number without it being in the correct order.

I love to find shapes and letters in my food and will tell mommy and daddy what they are.

I know the majority of my shapes, colors, and all of my letters

I can count to 10 in Spanish and to 22 in English

I love to sing the alphabet song over and over again and shout it from the roof tops

Thomas the Train is my new favorite thing! I also love all kinds of trains. Elmo is still a big hit with me.

I look like a little boy and not a toddler. I do not have the baby fat as much anymore and that makes mommy sad!

I love to laugh

I also like to dance to any music, but I will stop and dance for the theme song from cops!

I am slowly starting to grow out of my naps! Yay for me! Mommy and Daddy are not to happy about this! :)

I sleep from about 830pm to about 7am on a regular basis. When I do go to sleep I am usually out for the night.

I can get in and out of my bed as I please, but normally do not once it is time for bed.

I now come out of my room most of the time when I am ready to get up instead of laying in my bed and waiting for mommy and daddy to come get me.

I am not into the whole potty training thing as of yet, but I am showing a tiny bit of interest, so I am know it will happen eventually.

I can throw the best of tantrums.

I get my feelings hurt really easily

I love to give hugs and kisses

If I am put in timeout, I do not like to come out of time out until I am ready even when the timer has gone off and timeout is over (stubborn much?!)

I am surprising mommy and daddy everyday with how much I can do and say. Everyday I am doing something new! I am thinking 3 isn't going to be so bad!!!

Three Years Ago Today...

...my precious son came into the world and changed my life forever! He is the kindness, most caring, strong-willed, most independent, stubborn, silly, happy, compassionate, funny little boy I know! He marches to the beat of his own drum and has since before he was born. I feel blessed everyday that God allowed me to be his mother and trusted me to raise him. Although this is probably one of the hardest birthdays for me(to present); I am still very excited that you are growing up and becoming your own person! Mommy and Daddy love you more than you will ever know! I hope you have a super, fantastic, 3rd birthday, Joshua!!!

A few hours old

1st taste of cake on his 1st birthday!


2nd Birthday!!

3rd Birthday! I think he has the hang of it now!

Check below to read about the birthday party!!!

Party Hardy!!

Joshua's 3rd Birthday Party was a great success. The theme for his party was planes, trains and automobiles. I always bite off more than I can chew when it comes to hosting. So this party was no different. I had bought wooden planes, trains and cars that needed to be put together and painted, because I got the brilliant idea to hang them over the table. So my sweet and awesome husband put them together and then I painted them and then they were hung. I thought it looked really good. I also painted a road and train tracks on a black table cloth and had a bunch more decorations and creative food ideas. It was the perfect day for a party and therefore the kids were able to be outside and play,play, play! There were about 10 kiddos there total and many adults. I think it came out to be about 25 or so total. So it was a great turn out and everyone had a great time. The party ended about 1 and about 45 mins after that Joshua crashed for almost 4 hrs(that is how you know it was successful). He had a great time and was so excited to see his cake, balloons and blow out the candles. Everything turned out wonderful! Below are pictures from the party...Enjoy!

Birthday Boy!!

My wonderful husband hanging the decorations(see the planes hanging in the background)

This is what Joshua did while the adults got ready for the party.

The awesome cake from my co-worker!!

Party Table!

Waiting patiently to blow out his candles

Finally! He did a great job! He was so proud of himself!

Loving the cake

Present time! Boy did he get some presents!! Our house looks like a toy store exploded!

Joshua and his friends from school.

Party goers!

More party goers

No Time for Blogging

Blogging always gets put on the back burner this time of year. It is just not at the top of the list, especially in the month of December. Our December is always packed with Joshua's birthday, Hanukkah, and Christmas. So you will have to forgive me if the blog gets neglected and days go by without a post. Since it will probably be days until the next blog post rolls around I will leave you with a few pictures and what we are up to.

This guy right here will be 3 next Tuesday! I know, I can't believe it either! So on Saturday we will have his birthday party which is sure to be fun and exciting. He is really into open presents and singing the birthday song and blowing out the candles. He has been practicing this for awhile with unlit candles that I have around the house. So I am sure this party will be a hit!

So I am busy getting all of the party items and food ready. We should have a pretty decent crowd so I am looking forward to visiting and seeing the kiddos play and celebrate! Thursday and Friday will be spent running errands, finishing up present wrapping, and tons of cleaning!

The next 2 weeks are busy as well with my friend, Jana coming to visit and then Christmas. I really do love this time of year, but it gets to be so crazy that I always feel like this month just sneaks by me and before I know it we are into the next year.

I was sentimental when Joshua turned one and just couldn't believe it and then when he turned two, I thought he is growing up too fast and now that we are less than a week away from him turning THREE, I really just want to cry! Because he doesn't act like a baby, talk like a baby, or even look like a baby! He looks, talks and acts like a little man and while I know he is going to grow up and I know it is a good thing, I just can't help to think about my little baby boy being in place in my arms almost 3 years ago. For some reason this birthday is a little more sentimental for me.

So, once again excuse the lack of blogging for the next few days, as we are getting ready for one special little boy's 3rd Birthday Party!!!!

Hanukkah

This past weekend we went to Plano to celebrate Hanukkah with Dan's family. Dan's mom hosted a Hanukkah party and everyone had a good time. There was lots of food, family and fun! Joshua and his cousin Kaden played together really well and even put on a little dance show for us. Well, actually it was for them because they were dancing and giggling to their reflection in the TV. It was still fun to watch them. There were plenty of presents to open, but Joshua was still all about the tissue paper. I thought he would have out grown that, but nope; he was throwing it up in the air and trying to catch it and then proceeded to play peek a boo with it! What a funny guy! He was more into unwrapping or should I say ripping the paper off the packages this year, so that was fun to watch.

This is how Milo spent the evening on Saturday during the party. He was so worn out from playing with the 3 doggies that lived there. He actually took over this whole chair and was not interested in anything but sleeping...lol

There was also alot of drediel playing going on as well. Joshua loved to watch the drediel spin and spin and would try and catch it before it stopped spinning. Sometimes, he wouldn't even let it get past the first 2 spins before he had it stopped...lol When it would stop spinning or Joshua would catch it, he would giggle and then ask daddy or Uncle Eric to "do it again!"

Joshua also got the special task of making the dessert! Caramel chewy brownies, YUMMO!! Mimi and Joshua spent some time in the kitchen preparing this fabulous dessert. Mimi did all the measuring and pouring and Joshua did all the stirring. He even helped unwrap the caramels too.

So happy to be helping and stirring. He would smell the bowl and say "mmmm, chocolate!" and then smell the bowl again and say "it's delicious!"

Mimi and Joshua with their finished dessert!! They were so good!!

It was nice to get to be with everyone and we all had a great time together. Thanks Mimi and Papa for the great Hanukkah party!!! We had a blast!