Let's see, how do I recap the past month of fun? We have had warm days and really cold days, flew to Colorado and drove to Michigan, learned new words and found a new best friend, started new adventures, signed up for school, and gave gifts from the heart. That is a lot in a month--so that must mean a lot of pictures, right?
First, our trip to Michigan was so much fun. The boys are the best travelers and it helps that Lucas has a bladder of steel (just like his momma!) so we only stopped once and made record time. Finn is old enough that I can just hand them each a hamburger at lunch time and they are happy.
When we got there, something else arrived: Snow! I only like that word when it is something I get to visit and then get to leave which is exactly what happened. So we played and played, and then when we drove away, the snow stayed in Michigan while we drove to sunny TN.
Finn found the snow interesting, but didn't want to venture far from momma.
Lucas on the other hand, was all in, throwing snow, running, rolling, sledding, sliding.
The boys were well loved on this Christmas with some pretty fun toys and matching Tigers shirts!
Somehow we lost Lucas but came home with Jake the Neverland Pirate. This kid can play in this imaginary land all day long and can stay in character all day long. Apparently they play it at school too where Lucas is always Izzy.
We drove to Rochester on New Years Eve to see my brother and sister, the boys were so happy, they love Uncle D and Aunt Meg so much. I love this photo of them, it is one I need to frame in my house.
I mean, how handsome is this kid? I love my funny man so much, he comes up with the funniest words and most creative ideas that keep me entertained all day complete with figuring out how to use some pretty big words. Wise beyond his years already. He loves to order "brown soda" (Dr. Pepper) at restaurants and a cheeseburger with a big "please". My little polite southern boy. He loves to open doors for me, run out and get my newspaper, and is so sweet and patient with his little brother. Just an amazing kid.
Yummy car trip baby right here. He eats, watches movies, sleeps, and just stays content.
Lucas has such fair, sensitive skin, he turned red and chapped almost immediately when he went outside. Sweet red cheeks. We just discovered before this trip that he had another irritation to add to the list: detergent. Now we can't use regular of that either or he breaks out in huge patches of hives. Don't say poor kid, say poor momma, I had to do so many loads of laundry to wash everything that his skin rubs up against.
Lucas got to "camp out" in the basement with Poppa, I was surprised at how well he did and still talks about how much fun that was. He even got a camp night light to wear on his head for trips to the bathroom.
Not even a full week after coming back home from Michigan, we were off again to Colorado to see Sugar and Grand Da! One of the favorites in their house is the big jet tub in my mom's bathroom. Finn would even climb in and play without water he loved it so much.
Finn's new expression, "ooooh" It is adorable. And pretty much the only "word" he says at this point. He is concentrating more on walking then talking so I think he has shelved some words for awhile. Guess I should enjoy the quiet while it lasts huh?
Go Barrett! Go Bama! My boys sported their crimson through the airport and all day for the game and they won! I love that anytime we see the Alabama "A" on someone's car or shirt, Lucas will say, "Look momma, they cheer for Barrett too!"
The boys with their Sugar and Grand Da. Oh how they love each other, I think everyone forgot that Josh and I were there because they were having so much fun ;)
We lucked out big time on our trip to the Garden of the Gods, the time we went before there were people everywhere and in most people's photos, there are people everywhere but we hit it at a good time and got a great family picture!
Sugar had to have spent hours and hours and hours on the most adorable super-Finn and super-Lucas capes! I mean, they are gorgeous. And reversible so they can be other characters.
My plan worked. Well, almost. My plan was that we were going to enjoy the beautiful warm and sunny week in Colorado and not experience any cold. We almost got there, we were sooo close. When we got to the airport it was overcast. When we boarded our plane it started snowing. 30 minutes later it looked like this and we had to wait in the long line to get de-iced. And the de-Icer ran out of de-Icer. So we sat on a plane for 2.5 hours before ever taking off. I mean, what would I rather do when flying with two littles right? They were so well behaved.
Back home. Back in TN where the humidity will bring these sweet curls to life. Happy 15 months to my Finny! He started to say momma and hi again, he loves to use utensils and have a real plate and bowl, and he loves to have a cup with a straw instead of his sippy---growing up too fast I tell ya.
This winter has been a roller coaster temperature wise, we have kept the short sleeves and the sweaters in the same drawer because you might need a different one each day. We did find our first flower, well Lucas found it and he gave it to me :)
The life if a preacher's wife is definitely different, I love it, but there are some parts that are hard. Like Sundays, I call them "single mom Sunday" because I usually don't see Josh till lunch and have hesitated adding anything to my Sunday schedule. I am still on my "Finn-sabbatical" from the worship team because I just don't know how I can get there any earlier with the two boys. However, all that changed when I got the chance to teach with these girls-- this dream team gets the 4 year old class and we (and they) have so much fun!
The sweet gift giving wasn't over. We went to our friend Britton's 4th birthday party at Chuck E Cheese. When it was time to exchange his tickets for those high value plastic trinkets (sarcasm), he really wanted this purple ring. It was all his tickets. I was a little hesitant because I didn't know the right answer so I just didn't make a big deal and let him do what he wanted. When we were walking to the car, he said: "Momma, I was thinking that when we get home I could put this in your stocking so that I will have a present for you". Tears. And do I wear that beautiful sparkly ring? You bet.
We are planning a trip to DisneyLand this spring after Josh teaches at Pepperdine for a week. I took Finn by the Disney store just to see what they had while Lucas was at school. This is Finn, my 1 year old, who has (or had) no idea who Mickey is. As I was scanning the clearance rack he grabbed a Mickey and held on so tight, giggling, hugging and kissing him. All the people in the store came to watch him it was that adorable. So of course I had to buy one. Ok two, Lucas needs one too.
Finn walks around the house with Mickey, sleeps with Mickey, and later in the day started saying: "Mickey!" or it sounds more like "mick-mey"
Another warm day meant the brothers could go on a cruise around the neighborhood. I love that Finn is old enough to do this with his brother.
All this fun for the boys, it was time for me to have some fun too! These girls are my world, our babies are all growing up (way too fast) together and I love that we are all in this together
more than words can say.
This is Finn's model face:
The two bffs playing around the house. Finn learned how to scoot down the stairs this week and say "meee meee" for milk.
Check out who is loving to hoop like his brother! (and that is my new paint color behind him, I am LOVING how the house turned out.)
Finn loves to vacuum and sweep with me, he even dresses up and wears a tie.
