Friday, November 30, 2012

Santa Baby....

 So proud of my boys today!  Aidan was up all night coughing so I kept him home from school.  He felt fine, just tired.  So I thought a trip to see Santa was due - better than dealing with the crowds/lines on the weekend!  I had no idea how Lucas would do - last year he screamed.  I was pretty sure Aidan would get over his fear pretty quickly because he knew potential presents would be involved.  Lucas was hilarious - I put him on Santa's lap and he wouldn't turn his head and look at Santa - he only moved his eyes to find out where I was - it was so funny.  Eventually he warmed up to him, mostly because his big brother was there, and at the end he said "I love you Santa!"  Ridiculousness.  Serious cuteness going on.

Aidan was excited to write a letter to Santa - I helped him with the spelling, but he wrote the letter himself!  He was so excited to give it to Santa.  Love him.



Later in the day we had a visit with Little Miss Sophia - both boys were excited to have her hang out with us for a little bit. 


 Aidan made popcorn with her and Lucas loves her some much he was crying when she was leaving.  
So sweet. 

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Christmas photo session....





Trying to figure out how Santa will fit down our chimney...
 .

Monday, November 26, 2012

Yep...this sums it up....

I love this picture.  Kris took this one day - she asked Aidan to pose for a picture...he locks Lucas between the doors and poses....nice.  Brotherly love.  Ugh. 

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Da' Bears....


Today the students at Aidan's school were allowed a "dress code pass" if they paid $1.00.  The rule was they could wear jeans but had to wear Bears colors/shirts as well.  I think the principal at his school is a genius - you have potentially 700+ kids bringing in a dollar and all that money goes towards school programs (like music classes, drama). Aidan is also very convinced that his new shoes make him run waaaaayyyyy faster...love it.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Happy Birthday Kacie Anna!!!!

Happy birthday Kacie - we love you and miss you and hope you 
have a great day & an amazing year!  XOXO

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Park time!





Lucas is at the age finally where Aidan actually likes playing with him (sometimes!)  I love these days just hanging out at the park and watching them play together.  #cherishforever. 

Friday, November 16, 2012

Donut Date...


I get a lot of time alone with Lucas these days because Aidan is in school, but my moments with just Aidan are much less often.  On Thursday my mom took Lucas for an overnight so when I picked up Aidan from school we had a little donut date.  A nice little distraction and he told me all about his day.  LOVE.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Veteran's Day...

Thinking of my dad, my grandfather, my uncle and many, many more today that have served and are currently serving our nation today.  Your bravery is so appreciated.  

You make us proud to be Americans! 

Lucas' first official haircut!

 It was time...I wanted to keep the long baby curls forever...but he started to look scraggly, so off to see Auntie Julie (one of my besties since we were babies...our parents were besties too)...


Look how handsome my guys are!  Julie gave Aidan a trim as well, and now both Lucas and Aidan know to make a bee line for the "sucky pop" drawer at the shop!

Thanks Jules - it's always worth the trip!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Wedding sneak peek....


 

 
 DeJong Family
   And last, but not least...my handsome boys!




Friday, November 2, 2012

30 days of Thankfulness…..

 
30 days of thankfulness:

 1: I am thankful I did this list so when I am feeling not so thankful I can go back and read it!

 2:  I am thankful for this amazing warm weather - I am still doing outdoor photo sessions and LOVING it!!!!  The boys still want to play outside - awesome.

 3:  I am thankful for new friends.  We have met so many nice people since we moved and really love our new neighborhood.  It's fun getting to know new neighbors, people at Aidan's school.  And Aidan has made some really nice new friends as well.  He still misses his friends from his old school! 

4: I am thankful I found a site called Blog2Print!  I usually do a photo album on Shutterfly for the entire year - now I can just print my blog!!!

5:  I will be thankful when my mom potty trains Lucas...it's only fair - she trained Aidan! :-)  That is one thing I am not looking forward to...I wonder what I can bribe her with.... (BTW - I am also SUPER thankful for my mom!!!) 

6:  I am thankful for friends that love to shop on Black Friday...I sleep...they go shop for me (thanks Nalani!)  :-)

7:  I am thankful for the difficult times, and the opportunity to grow.

8:  I am thankful for my little Lucas - this morning I brought him his sippy cup and his breakfast snack and he looked up at me and said "I love you too mom!"....so stinkin' sweet.

9:  I am thankful I have a brother-in-law who is an amazing chef...when my husband brings home rabbit I can call John and he tells me what to do with it!

10:  I am thankful for my husband's job.  I'm glad he has one - especially in this economy!  I am able to stay home with the boys and work from home because of what he does each day.  Love him. 

11:  I am thankful that people are kind.  An older man slipped and fell at the Y last night in the parking lot...lots of people ran to help him - people are good.  He was crying he was so grateful.  A car was coming and didn't see him, if people hadn't ran in front of the car things would have been worse. 

12:  I am thankful for family traditions.  Just thinking about Thanksgiving and how much I love it.  The family, the fun and the bowling!!! 

13:  My job.  I am able to work from home and be here for my kids.  Some days I miss working downtown - having adult conversations - but most days I wouldn't trade it for the world! 

14:  I am thankful for my MOPS group/table/friends.  This has been a lifesaver for me.  This year has been great - my table is fun and our steering team is awesome.  So thankful. 

15:  I am thankful for great swim coaches for Aidan - he LOVES swimming and is doing really well.  I love that he has one coach that pushes him really hard and makes him excel, then his other coach he is completely smitten with and will do anything she says...so fun. 

16:  I am thankful for my nieces - today is Kacie's birthday.  So glad I am here and able to celebrate these milestones with these amazing girls.  Love them. 

17:  I am thankful for our home.  It's not just a house - it's a home filled with love and laughter (and fighting, whining and screaming sometimes...) but mostly laughter!

18:  I am thankful for my mistakes - they have taught me valuable lessons.  

19:  I am thankful for my mom.  She is so strong and encouraging.  She LOVES my boys and loves spending time with them (thanks for taking Lucas overnight mom!) 

20:  I am thankful my boys are starting to like each other!  They are finally at an age where they can play together - so.much.fun.

21:  For all our men and women that are serving and have served in our armed forces - I am so thankful and grateful! 

22: GREAT friends.  I have a group of friends, the kind of life long friends...friends I don't see or talk to every day, or even every week for that matter, but when we need each other we know they will be there.  Love them! 

23:  I am thankful for my sisters.  They are both so special and unique - they keep me sane.  My lil' sissy Katie is the calming force in our family.  And Kris is just the opposite - I love them both and wouldn't have them any other way.  Love you guys!

24:  I am thankful the election is over.  Not sure that either of the candidates would have been able to do much over the next four years for our country.  But I am glad that there won't be any more political ads on TV.  I think politics brings out the worst in people - I have never seen so many "Christians" spewing so many negative and nasty words (and racial slurs) on Facebook as I have already this morning.  Time to grow up people.  Or maybe time for me to get off Facebook, who knows.  Nothing will change if your kids see you behaving this way...remember, they are always watching...

25:  I am glad we live in a country that we all have the right to vote. 

26:  I am thankful that Aidan is adjusting well to school and loves it.  He has a wonderful teacher who is kind and really loves the students.  Unfortunately, she is a sub until after Christmas break - his original teacher (who was with them for 4 days before strike and having her baby) is coming back.  She seems great though too - praying for a smooth transition. 

27:  I am thankful for this big family that I am a part of.  We had so much fun last night at Kevin's wedding.  So many aunts and uncles came out to celebrate and just be together and it was great.  Kevin was so happy.  It's so fun being a part of such a big group - knowing you have family that love and support you.  Today was a bittersweet day - so happy for Kevin, so sad my dad wasn't there to see it.  Having everyone there made it so much easier.  Love you guys!!  And Tim, you are a rock star on the dance floor! (this could apply to both my cousins named Tim)...

28:  Thankful for Stephanie, the new addition to our family.  Today is my brother's wedding.  I am so proud of him.  My dad would be so proud of him.  Kevin picked well - Stephanie has a kind and gentle heart.  I first saw this when my dad was sick. She loved him and she told him so.  She helped my parents any way that should could and I will be forever grateful to her for that.  She has a calming and sweet way about her that brings out the sweetness in my brother.  They are a great match!  It can't be easy coming into a family with three sisters who all are pretty strong willed.  I am happy to call you my sister now - love you!

29:  I am thankful for my sister, Kris, who came over to hang out with Lucas so I could spend time at Aidan’s school for his Halloween party.  Aidan is in Kindergarten and I want to be as involved as I can be to help make sure he is getting a great education. 

30:  I'm feeling feisty today... 
Thankful that I have to good sense not to put all my thoughts on Facebook…Have an opinion on CPS schools?  First, do you live in Chicago, I mean really in Chicago, or are you in the suburbs?  Are your kids or will your kids go to CPS schools? …. Politics…oh boy, do you really think you sound smart when post your racist BS?Yes, you are ENTITLED to your opinion, I know…
Not posting my every thought means that I actually keep some of my FB “friends.” Hmmm.