Building Towers

I caught Eli building a tower today! I have never seen him do this before. I'm going to say this is the first time he's ever done it on his own. So proud! Then Gage joined in. My boys, playing together, it makes my heart swell!

Cornbread Goodness

Oh.My.Goodness. Oh my yummy goodness! Craig and I both agree, I have found the best cornbread recipe! If you would like it too click here. It really has to be the world's best! So that's what we had for supper tonight, along with some chili, which in comparison, was the 'supporting role'.

Well, that's what Craig and Eli and I had anyway. Poor Gage went to bed with an empty tummy. He immediately pushed his bowl away when I sat it down in front of him. I even picked out most of the beans and tomatoes ahead of time so it was mainly just yummy hamburger goodness. But he didn't want any, or any of the leftovers that I offered from last night's pasta dinner. All he wanted was the cornbread. Yes, the boy takes after his mama, the carbs are his favorites too. But he was not allowed to have any until he had just one bite of meat or veggies. Well the child is very strong-willed and I am very weak, especially when he is looking at me with big teary eyes saying "peeees". I must say, if it wasn't for my strong, grounding husband, I would have given in. But he reminded me that we can't let Gage have his way, which is an on-going battle in all arenas right now.

So tonight I had a heartbreaking tough love moment, that I hope pays off eventually. And I had some delicious you've-got-to-try-it cornbread. I hope Gage gets to try it too before it's all gone.

Pella Friends

It's always fun to do a little something out of the ordinary, don't you think? Last Friday we did just that. After the boys woke up from their afternoon naps we headed to Pella for the evening. Craig had a little meeting with this guy, seen here with Gage at 4 months:


Mike.
This picture was taken during Tulip Time a little over a year and a half ago. Mike looks just the same, but wow, what a difference a year and a half makes for a baby! :)

Mike works at Central College and although I graduated from there I never knew him until he and Craig became colleagues through a Central/QAS project many years ago. Since then we have traveled on a few business trips together...and bumped into each other at Tulip Time. Craig has been in touch much more often than that. I met his wonderful wife Sheryl a few years ago, but didn't really get to know her until Friday night. What a special person she is! They both are, so I just had to dedicate a post to them! Our boys were particularly "high maintenance" that night, but they were so gracious and laid back. That is just who they are.

Unfortunately I was not thinking and did not get a picture of both of them on Friday. I am so mad at myself! But I did get some pictures from my phone at the library...We had a little time to kill while the guys were meeting at Mike's office before dinner.

Gage found the perfect little spot for us to make a mess...



And look at books.Eli's face just cracks me up! He wanted that Clifford book Gage has so bad, but is making do with another one, for now.


Well, somehow he managed to get it away from Gage and now is as happy as a clam! :)

Good Things

Look at this little cutie!Pulling himself up every chance he gets!

Oh yes, we're heading toward good things...

I am Crafty

Craig said the funniest thing to me the other day: "You really like to make things don't you. You know what I'm realizing...you're crafty."

After all these years of making cards, and blankets, and a few scrapbooks here and there, etc. etc. he finally gets it. I love to craft! I get so excited to read crafters' blogs and dream up new ideas for projects. I've started out small over the years but I'm just now on the verge of big things, because I have a new sewing machine! Craig got it for me for my birthday and I can't wait to use it! Now if I can just find the time to get it out...

Here are a couple things I was working on leading up to the holidays:

I'm really not much of a fan of scrapbooking. When I'm on a roll I love it, but I am too much of a perfectionist to enjoy it for long! But I made one for Gage for his first birthday and now Eli, and will carry on the tradition. Beyond that, digital scrapbooks all the way baby!

I'd rather be making cards or something like this:

I used wood blocks, specialty paper, stickers and Mod Podge to make a "Countdown to Christmas" gift for some special people in my family...

And of course the fleece blanket for Craig's grandparents:

My problem is I come up with ideas a little last-minute and put myself through stress and my husband through torture (or so he says) as I work like mad to get things done. Well, I'm going to try to be different this year and plan ahead! So I have roughly 343 days until next Christmas!

A wrap up of our holidays...finally!

The brothers and their kids! One year ago at Gage's 1st birthday party:


One year later, New Year's 2011 at Gma & Gpa E's:

We have another boy cousin since last year! Bentley was born on Dec. 22. So sweet and tiny!


We had a great time with Craig's family over New Years! Played games on New Year's Eve with Craig's parents and our good friends, Nate & Christina (who moved to the Quad Cities a few years ago).
Played with the uncles and cousins on New Year's Day. You can tell that Chloe had been at this push-Eli-back-and-forth game for awhile now! What a good cousin!


What a great way to celebrate Christmas and the New Year!

On Dec. 30th we drove to Cedar Falls to celebrate Christmas with my family. We also celebrated my sister's birthday (which is on the 31st as you might remember!). The boys got even more fun stuff to play with, which I am probably most excited about! It's just the right time for some new and exciting additions to our toy room.

At Thanksgiving we introduced Will to our game "Giant Spoons". I love it because it's a fun game for all ages. Well he loved it too, I mean really loved it! So that's what he got for Christmas and he couldn't have been happier!

The next morning my sister and I got pedicures together! It was so fun to actually be with her on her birthday after so many years of not. We had a great time!

Warming our toesies by the fire...before we ventured out into this:

There was a layer of ice on our vehicles! And I did not even have a scraper with me so the Birthday Girl scraped mine too, freshly-pedicured-feet-in-flip-flops and all.


Later that day, we traveled onward to the Quad Cities where we celebrated with Craig's side of the family! (details coming soon...)

Our Christmas day was very special!

1. Because we spent the morning at home enjoying each other, new toys, and the beauty of why we celebrate...

2. And because we spent the afternoon/evening with Craig's grandparents at their home near Earlham!

Craig and I made a blanket for them.

Which they liked. I thought about suggesting a re-take, but decided nahhh. Aren't they cute?

Grandpa Great and Gage a year and a half ago.
Grandpa Great and Gage today.
Just precious!

It was a lovely day.

My Two Year Old

I think Gage was physically bigger the morning he woke up as a two year old.

Daddy insisted on going back to Hickory Park for Gage's turn. Well remember how last time (just a few weeks ago) when we were there for Eli's birthday, everything seemed to go perfectly? The boys were happy, showing off and flirting with people, smiling for the camera...It just couldn't have gone any better.

Well this time, not so much. It all started with me forgetting the camera! But I did capture a couple with my phone: This one pretty much sums up the evening - ha!

I figured it out later...This time we were in a corner, against a wall, no people to flirt with and get attention from! :)

Gage did like his ice cream! My beautiful boy will always be the one that made me a Mama first. He's got me by the heartstrings.

Two One Year Olds

We have had a whirlwind of a Christmas and New Year's, more to come on that, but first things first:

This is our last day


of having two ONE YEAR OLDS at the same time.

I wonder if someday they will think being the same age for 3 weeks is as cool as I do?