Well, it's been over 2 months - my apologies. It's been BUSY!
Since our last post I believe we had an exceptional Thanksgiving with our wonderful Vann side of the family that we see far too little. We didn't know at the time how precious those memories would be.
We had something planned every weekend after that.
Jax & Austin had a birthday the following week - Jax turning 2 and Austin 1. We had a fun little party at Monkey Bizness in Olathe and I think all of the kids had a great time!
new tool bench for his birthday!
I love this pic of Jax & Katie on his birthday
"I'll share my birthday with you, but not my toys"
new bff Woody. Lookin' good, Dad!"
can't wait for spring!!!
Jax got Woody for his birthday and it was instant love. He didn't even know who Woody was before that and now he's one of his absolute favorites. The following weekend we spent in Salina with the Pestingers' for an extended family early Christmas. Jax got Buzz Lightyear for Christmas and the set was complete. Buzz and Woody are his very favorites and sleep with him every night. It's so sweet to see him play with them!
The only way to hold ALL of the toys and eat the candy cane at the same time is to smoke it like a stogie
if you look closely you can see a naked knee & hand of Ausin in there too.
Alex was great at helping Buzz ZOOM through the air!
Tia Tara helped too!
Hanging out with the guys by the fire.
best seat in the house
space helmet just like Buzz's
One week later we were headed to Iowa. We got a phone call very early that morning telling us that our family had been touched by tragedy the night before and while we are heartbroken and devastated it was nice to be so tenderly embraced by sympathetic family- even if they didn't know Brock and what an amazing and exceptional man he was. Between allowing me time to myself to mourn and praying with me and just embracing me & my sadness the Michaelsen's were so gracious in allowing my tragedy to take it's place in my holidays without feeling like I was ruining the season for them.
Brian's favorite family picture face!
...the grass is always greener (those gates were great!)
A hat just like Woody's! (and yogurt face)
probably an all time favorite. "...you've got a friend in me..."
Visiting Great Grandma Kathleen. This walker is fun!
Unfortunately we ended up cutting our trip short. We had to prepare for a funeral - one in which no preparation is enough. And so we ended up at home for Christmas morning for the first time as a family of 3. Since we'd planned on being in Iowa on Christmas we'd taken (and opened) most of the presents with the Michaelsens, but we still had stockings and Santa had come, so Jax had a couple of gifts under the tree. It was a brief trip home before heading out again for more travels.
After 4 days of interstate travel we landed in Frisco, Colorado for a little winter R&R with my family. It was the first time in 4 years that all 11(originally 7, now 11) of us had been out at the same time - shame on us! We had family pictures taken in the snow (and in the house). With a 1, 2, & 3 year old you can imagine how simple those were! Jax had been traveling for a week already when we got there and he'd had enough of the pack n play, so he didn't sleep well, but even with that it was a much needed week in the mountains.
First time playing in the snow this winter - it didn't last long. He wasn't a fan.
this is more representative of how the snow time went...
Brian helped Scott & Matt build a snowman. Papa came out later and they made a masterpiece!
I love this one of the 3 boys looking for chippies (squirrels) out the window.
For Mom & Dad's birthday last year we got them a photo shoot in Colorado. Here are a few of those shots. (The morning of Brock's funeral Jax had a run in -literally- with a glass door. He still had a bit of a fat lip & scab from it in these pics)
I know... bad Mama. No coat/hat/gloves... the list goes on. I'm still hearing about it. My bad (but we weren't outside the whole time - we took breaks to warm up inside!)
Papa ran a bath for the big boys in the BIG bathtub. Jax LOVED the jets! Scott - not so much, but he loved the big bathtub! They had a blast!
cheezin'
In mid-January Brian and I went to Mexico with good friends Aubrey & Kevin Graeve. It was just what the doctor ordered! I believe the doc put in another prescription for it, but I've been assured it won't be filled for a while. But boy was it nice to relax by the beach (while Jax hung with Nana & Papa in Salina)
Back in cold & snowy Kansas we spent last weekend with my family in town. Friday night Nana, Papa, Tara & Scott joined us for Disney Live with Jake & Sophia. When we told Jax we were going to see Jake and the Neverland Pirates he started singing part of the theme song when it came on. So cute. (You will have to visit the blog website to see the video - it rarely works in the email. Click on the title - it should take you to the site)
The boys LOVED it! Jax was slack jawed for 90 minutes. It was fantastic. He sat in awe through most of the performance and then at the very end he stood and watched (and then applauded). It was a great first adventure into theater! After everyone left yesterday Brian and Jax got all bundled up and went out to play in the snow. Jax liked it a whole lot more this time!
I hope everyone is staying warm and having a good start to their week!
