Ten on Tuesday

1.  Check out who got a family photo!!!!  Sort of.  (p.s. this is the day after the snow in San Antonio)

2.  Mike joined us for the train and Zoo day.  He had to sit in the front.  I think he might be the most excited of all the boys. 

 3.  Sammy was a trooper at the zoo.  Didn't fuss a bit.  I think he could feel the Vitamin D pouring into his Vit D deficient body.  This boy needs to get out in the sun more!

4.  He wouldn't smile for me.  So, when I politely demanded one, he gave me an little devilish "CHEEZE MOM". 

5.  The boys and I spent the night at Nama and Poppy's house for the ARTIC BLAST that hit San Antonio.  It was so fun to wake up over there with yummy cinammon rolls, fresh coffee, warm pjs, and snow on the ground. 

6.  Samel thought Poppy and Ryan were CRAAAAZAY for going out in the cold. 

7.I had taken this pic soon after his first hair cut!  Doesn't he look adorable!!!  Love this little booger! 

 8.  I LOVE this picture of Sue.  I just want to cover and protect her all the time.  She has one of the sweetest souls I know.

9.  Ryan spelled and sounded out the word C-A-T and C-A-R.  Easy words?  Yes.  But, I'm sure proud.  He and I worked on what "spelling" meant when reading letters, and how the sounds run together.  We used a baby book that Nana Jana got Ryan when he turned one.  Thanks Jana!  It's great for learning to read words.  I would cover up the picture so he couldn't see what letters he was reading, and what sounds he was making with the letters.  So neat!

10.  One of Samuel's tubes already came out!  Lasted a whole seven weeks.  WEAK! 

CAN YOU BELIEVE!?!  We're going to hold off replacing unless he starts getting ear infections.  Thank goodness for the Arctic Blast.  It not only gave me a day off, it also killed off any potential for the cedar count to go up until next season!  Hot diggity!

Ryan Visits the Dentist!

1/24/2011 - Ryan's first dental appointment. 

We passed!!!  Hands down the cutest dentist place for kids.  They had everything figured out.  We went to Little Teeth!  Adorable!  Ryan loved it, and his bag of goodies!

Latest on the Boys

It's been a while since I've gushed over, bragged about or shared funny stories about the boys.  It's time for an update.  I read my friends' blogs about their sweet babies, and all the fun milestones reached.  I soon realized that I'm not documenting my kiddos milestones.  And, frankly I feel like I miss some of them too as life seems to be flying by.  So, here we go:

Ryan:
A few funny things he's said lately,
"Samuel, I'm cross with you."  (no idea)
"Jesus has a bike."  (Said when I informed him that Jesus doesn't need a car). 
"Mama, it's not Christmas anymore." (said in hopes I might just say, "yes it is")
"I want ice cream.  Mama, I love you."  (I'm onto him)
"No nap for Ryan.  Right Mama?" (on weekends.  So, I just tell him he doesn't have to nap, he just has to go lie down for a bit...he bites everytime).

He recently moved up to the 3B classroom.  "Letti's class"  He's so happy to be in "Letti's class" that he'll ask me every morning if he'll be going to "Letti's class" (said in a needing-a-confirmatory-yes kind of way).  I love the classroom.  He fits in there well, and is actually NAPPING again. 

He does NOT like it when Samuel plays with his toys.  We're definitely in the drudges of fighting over toys.  I hear it gets worse.  I love being a mom.  I love being a mom.  I love being a mom...

Samuel (nicknamed:  Pig Pen):
The kid got tubes, got his first hair cut, and is full on walking!  I did remember (to remember) when he started walking.  And, the answer to that is at 13 months!  He doesn't nap well at school, and is a heavy napper at home on the weekends.  We get home from work/school around 5:30, and he's in bed by 6:30 and will sleep until 7:30pm.  He is one ACTIVE  (I love being a mom.  I love being a mom.  I love being a mom...) child, that is often attachiish.  (I'm making that a word).  Ryan is my independent, leave me alone, let me play with my toys, and watch t.v. kind of kid.  And, when he does want to be around me, he wants to snuggle.  How great!  Right?! 

Well, Round 2 is a different story.  Always wants me around (or Rod), doesn't want to snuggle, doesn't want to play with toys, wants to play with all things non-toy, toxic looking. We'll pick him up from school, and I seriously think I see a cloud of dust around him.  He plays hard, he plays well, but the second we're home, we're fighting to shovel food down him, and get him to bed before he massively melts down.

Now, I LOVE this kiddo with all my heart.  He can flash you a killer smile, say "giggleleee" with the best of them, and loves people.  But, there are just times when I question if the kid is for real.  Is he? 

We were recently started on an inhaler that he'll have to take twice a day for three months.   I love being a mom.  I love being a mom.  I love being a mom...  I'm horrible at remembering to give him meds.  Fortunately, we just finished a separate inhaler, antibiotic, ear drops and a steroid. 

2010 was a year of growing, learning and handling what life threw my way.  So, for 2011 I said that I'm going to take what I've learned in 2010 (through my amazing mentor, Bible studies, other books, prayer, amazing women surrounding me) and continue to grow while doing my best to slow down life and LIVE it with breath.  I'm going to take more opportunities to sit back and take deep breaths!  (after 6:30pm)

New Years Eve

Okay, seriously check out what Rod, Jenny and I threw together LAST MINUTE!!!  We called over all those that didn't have plans, and didn't have children.  Look what we got!!!!  I seriously think that the best nights are those that aren't planned too much!  We had the BEST time.  Truly.  We didn't want the evening to end.  NOTE:  80% of this table was thrown in the trash  (disposable plates, dollar wine glasses, votive candles, butter bowls - 4 for ...you got it $1.00). 

 The BEST part, again not fully planned, was that the men were in the kitchen almost the whole night (we didn't eat until almost 10pm) boiling shrimp, lobster and crab!  DELICIOUS!

Rod hung the lights, the Rivenburgs brought tables and chairs, I went to the Dollar Store to dress the table, and Jenny did the decorating.  It was a cold evening so I had everyone bring their own blankets b/c I was mandating we eat outside! 

I THINK this is just after the lobsters were cut open and the juices (innards) went all over my kitchen counter.  Breathe in, breathe out.  I just needed to think about what I was looking at.  But, lets just say that a lot of Clorox spray went all over my kitchen. 

Lisa and I were the brave souls to play with these things.  This was before the rubberbands were cut off the claws...see the veggies on the far left corner?  Those were used to test their chomping skills.

Our kitchen table served as the dump table! 

One very happy girl!  Happy New Years to you all!!!!  I'm never planning a party again!  Last minute is the way to go!

Tootle Christmas 2010

First, let me apologize for my lack of blogging.  I was in bed, sick for two weeks straight, then the holidays started, then the cousins came into town, and now we're at the present!  Thank you to all my blogging friends who keep up their blogs, b/c I do love reading them.

Ryan was in his first school program.  I had previously asked the teacher what Ryan would be singing so that we could practice at home.  Her reply was "They will be HELPING to sing Feliz Navidad and Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree."  And, she was right.  They "helped".  Sort of. Well....

 The picture below is one of my favorites.  Ava is the sweet girl singing with all her heart "...from the bottom of my heart."  Ryan took it real low.

After the program, we headed over to Nama's house to see the Arnolds.  We couldn't wait. 

The next day, Stacy and the girls came over to see the house and hang out.  So fun to see them play together. 

I got this picture of Malyn by bribing her with a cookie.

Rod and Ryan walking the plate of cookies and milk over to the fireplace for Santa.  He threw those cookies DOWN!

Santa sets up the presents alot like Auntie Jenny does.  He eats cookies like her too. 

Jenny spent the night with us, and it was soooo fun to have her wake up with my family and enjoy Ryan's sweetness and excitement.  Ryan woke VERY early partly due to tummy issues, and part excitement.  JEnny was so great about holding him off from coming down stairs until at least 6am.  So, by 6:00am we let him come downstairs and just look at what Santa had delivered.  Dad requested 20 more minutes.  Millie, does that sound familiar?

Jenny and I couldn't take it, so we allowed him to open JUST his stocking.

 Ryan requested the following from Santa:  tracks, trains, Charlie and a Thomas the Tank Engine computer.  Kudos to Amazon. 

We then headed over to my parents' house to have Christmas with them.  Lots of fun as usual.  Now, kudos to the family for being able to snap photos of the kids and take a big family photo within a five minute timeframe.  I wouldn't even say shorter than that.  We got this task down!!!

Mookie-dooks.  Don't you just love her?!

Hands down my favorite Christmas as a Tootle!  Love everyone.  I didn't take any pictures of Christmas at the Tootles so unfortunately, I have no pics to post.  But, let me tell you... the kids SCORED!

Comfort Christmas Parade

Featuring, for the first time, the Bending Branch Winery float!!!  Friends of ours opened up a boutique type winery in Comfort.  Everyone should head out to try the Tannat!

Check out who traveled all the way from Radiator Springs!!!

These are the faces of two boys who just saw Santa Claus.

And, this is the face of urgency to let Santa know that he wants Charlie (train) for Christmas.

Sammy was such a sport.  We learned something... always have crackers for this monster.

Lots to Celebrate!

Over the past few weeks, we've been busy, busy!  We kicked off the holiday season by going out to our friends' winery for a "Friends' Thanksgiving".  If you've not visited Bending Branch Vineyard, you need to get out there!  It's in Comfort, TX.  Beautiful property, and EXCELLENT wine.  The boys and I are attempting a "mom pic" in front of the bending branch.  Luck was not on my side. 

We celebrate our new house all the time, and the neighborhood that goes with it.  It's truly such a fun, family friendly hood.  Rod took the boys to the Vineyard park when he got home from a hunting trip.  My face must have had an expression. 

We celebrated Samuel's birthday.  Literally put the birthday party together at 9:00am, on his actual birthday.  We went to Two Bros BBQ.  Great place to sit outside and let the kids roam... until the junior high football team showed up and took over the gym set.  GRRR.

The next night, I had some friends over to celebrate CARTER!!!!  Kim and Carter made the trip down from Seattle for Marisa's wedding, so we got our group together to goo-goo, ga-ga over this cutie pie!

Casey OF COURSE helped me out.  If you've not had a "meal by casey" you need to.  She can put together some delicious foods anytime, anywhere, on any budget!  She's stirring up a Kalula hot chocolate!  Delicious. 

Then, the next night we celebrated Marisa and Ryan Parker!  This is Marisa at the rehearsal, in her fabulous dress, that I WILL be stealing from her closet. 

Then, we went to work, and did not celebrate anything at work.  :)  But, quickly got to Thanksgiving!  Here's is my table at my very FIRST hosting of Thanksgiving!!!!  Rod and I had a competition on who could make the best turkey.  A secret ballot was done, and the winner......ME!!!!!  So, we celebrated my win with some wine and dessert!  NOTE:  he fried his turkey and I STILL won!

This picture as taken just before we celebrated the cold front blowing in.  Perfect timing.  We ate, sat our full bellies outside, and felt the wind blow in the cool-to-cold air! 

My bird.  His bird.  Clearly there was no competition in the "presentation" category. 

Much to be thankful for, much to celebrate!