New Car!

Jonathan and I had a niceweekend. We traded his truck in for a new car. We got a Honda Accord. It's a really nice car with lots of room and has that new car smell. It will save us lots of gas with Jonathan's commute, which is why we decided to get this car. Jonathan hasn't driven his new car yet this week because of the ice and snow. Instead he has taken mine with 4-wheel drive. Once the snow and ice leave I think it'll be good car for us.

(Not the best picture. My apologies.)

More Snow

More and more snow. It just keeps coming and staying cold. Last week it was actually warmer and some of the snow began to melt making it wet enough to stick together and build a snowman.

This is James' first snowman. He enjoyed adding the carrot for the nose and eyes and mouth. I am sad to say that after a couple of days the snow man began to melt and he no longer looks as good, but since we are getting more snow, maybe they can build another one.

Happy Birthday Jonathan!

So I am a few days late in posting this since Jonathan's birthday was a few days ago, but thats okay. It was a fun time. I have to say I am terrible and did not take any pictures of Jonathan on his birthday. Oops.

A few days before Jonathan's birthday James and I were at Target. As we were walking through I asked James what he thought we should get daddy for his birthday, not really expecting an answer. James replied, "puzzle, puzzle". I was shocked he continued with this idea for a couple of days. So the day of Jonathan's birthday I asked him what are we going to get daddy today? He said, "puzzle, puzzle." So we went and found a puzzle for Jonathan. I gave James a choice of one that was a puppy and on that was a train. He firmly said no to the puppy puzzle.

After supper that night Ruth asked James if he had a present for daddy to open. He then said, puzzle not quite understanding the idea of a surprise. So daddy opened his puzzle, and when James goes to do this puzzle it is always "daddy's puzzle". It's so sweet to see him be thoughtful and full of ideas. What fun! Happy Birthday Jonathan!

Christmas Surprises and Fun

Christmas is always such a busy time for us. We enjoy it, but it goes by so quickly. We spent lots of time eating, playing with new toys, spending time with family, and enjoying surprises.

James really got into opening his presents this year. It was really fun to watch him shred the paper. Then daddy would spend the next five minutes opening the packaging and undoing all the twist ties.

Relaxing from the festivities.

Some time with family.

The Dynamic Duo.

James had a surprise for everyone this year. I took him aside and changed his shirt and he came out with a gift for his grandparents. It took both sets of grandparents some prompting to read the back of his shirt. My parents' reaction, "We thought so." Bruce and Ruth were the last to notice. Uncle Aaron noticed immediately, but sat with a confused look on his face. We found out later he wasn't sure if he was already supposed to know this or not. Next, the news traveled down the couch, and to the other side of the room. However, papa and grandma didn't notice even with James laying on his tummy right in front of them. Once asked if they saw his shirt they replied, "yes.' "Did you read the back?" Squeals abounded after that. It maded for an enjoyable time!

Later James really enjoyed playing Dutch Blitz.

He has really enjoyed his new toys!

Although, Daddy and Uncle Aaron may enjoy some of them more!

All in all, it was a good Christmas. One that was filled with joy and lots of memories. Next year will be great as well!

Siding...It's coming along!

We have a place that's really starting to look like a house now with the windows, doors, and now siding. All of the rough-ins have been completed. Next on the schedule is shingles, insulation, and stone work. However, because of snow and extreme cold things have been delayed. We have been told that the completion date is now mid-march. Hopefully, it will warm up soon so the work can continue.

Snow Days

After a couple of days of snow. James and I went out and braved the cold for a few minutes. We did go out yesterday while it was still snowing, but James wasn't too sure about. Today, he was much more interested in it. I think we got about 7 inches and the wind chill today was -14. We were out briefly. Long enough for James to experience the snow.

Relaxing in the snow. Then it was time to go inside.

21 Months

He just keeps growing and growing. This past month he has been talking and saying many new words. This past week he is starting to put two word phrases. He likes "NO MORE" from no more monsters jumping on the bed, odder sigh (other side), and outsigh (outside) to name a couple. He is literally saying several new words each day. He is such fun and a joy.

We had a busy Thanksgiving and had fun seeing family and shopping in preparation for Christmas. We still have some more shopping to do, which hopefully won't take too long for the sake of James getting antsy.

They started framing this week. So maybe at Christmas we will actually have some walls to show. Can't wait to see everyone at Christmas!

Colorado Vacation

We made a quick trip to Colorado Springs to visit Jonathan's sister Sarah. It was a quick trip. We were there for two days, so we crammed alot in.

Here is our navigator so that we didn't get lost finding our way.

We went to a park the first day because Jonathan was sent to help Sarah get a washer and dryer later. We also wanted to watch the Husker game later that day. It was a fun park and James played for a long time. It was good for him to stretch his legs after being in the car most of the day.
We hiked the second day up in Mueller State Park. It was pretty cold at first but then warmed up as the day went on. We did see a small amount of snow. After a while, James needed a break from all of his hiking and rock climbing. We hiked a couple of miles that day. We stopped and ate a picnic lunch and hiked some more.
The great hiker.

Happy family.

The Bird Whisperer.

Papa and Ma-Ma (second syllable is accented with emphasis for a distinction.)

Us.

The real hiker.

The top. James really enjoyed climbing over all the rocks.

View from the top.

We found a park going up the mountain/down so we had to stop to play.

Tired after the long day of hiking.

Climbing the rocks at Garden of the Gods.

Fun vacation. It came to an end too fast. I have way more pictures of our trip, but thought I would spare you with sharing them all. It was great to see Sarah and the mountains. Hopefully, we will make there again sometime soon.

Monkey See, Monkey Do

James is a little monkey. He climbs and goes all day long. He also will copy everything he sees and hears. For Halloween he was a sweet little monkey.

We tried on the costume early to make sure it fit okay. He was not a fan of the hat. Playing in the leaves with his costume.

We spent Halloween in Colorado Springs. We didn't do much for it because he doesn't eat candy(mainly I haven't given him any yet). I brought his costume with us and took some pictures of him at the Garden of the Gods.

He took a few shots, but was ready to climb on the rocks. So the costume was short lived, but as you can tell we enjoyed it!

20 Months

James is growing, growing, growing. It seems that he is changing, learning, and talking more everyday. It still amazes me at how quick and how much kids change. James is starting to put two words together. He will say "Hmmmm, let's see" and "whats zis". He also seems to say a new word each day. He of course is still busy. Unfortunately, winter is coming so we aren't able to play outside as much as he would like. I better prepare myself to be out in the cold this year because he loves the outdoors so much.

Fun in the leaves. There aren't alot so we had to work to get a little pile to play in.

Busy mowing.

Running to the park! What fun!