Tis the Season '09

Yes, that's right, 'tis the season for matching Christmas pajamas! Oh yeah, I LOVE IT!!!

Our snuggley smiley Christmas boys

We got a couple of really cute pictures (if I don't say so myself) but you should see the pics that didn't make the cut . . . hilarious! We took about 20 pics and the facial expressions captured are priceless. Bryce should be a model, he was happy, then he was sad, then he was mad, then he was scary, you get the point. Just love my boys in their jammies and I am going to continue to do this every year for as long as they let me :)

And because I take a million pictures a day, I have to add a few pictures of Max from yesterday, his 2 month birthday.
Earlier in the day Aunt Erica enjoyed a little cuddle time with Max. I like this picture!

So it's official, the Christmas season has begun: our tree is up, one ornament has already met its fate, the boys are in their matching pj's, and there will be many more pictures to come with coordinating outfits, etc. What a fun time of year!!

. . . . and Yes I know I'm a dork

Max Aiden - 2 Months

Our baby boy will be 2 months old tomorrow and I can't begin to explain how he has touched our lives. It is simply mind blowing how much love we have for our child no matter if he's our first, second, or third. He is so special to us and the only way I can think to share our feelings with all of you is to show you our favorite pictures from the last month.

Little Butterball . . . he's fat and happy :)

Here is his "Hey, Who you calling butterball?" look

Little man in his baseball hat enjoying a ride in the carrier

smiley guy

Chubby Cheekers

Haha, just like this outfit

Thank you Max for being you and bringing more love & happiness to our lives.

Thanksgiving 2009

My brother Allen came for Thanksgiving at my parents house and he finally got to meet his newest nephew. They made fast friends.

Thanksgiving Day was celebrated with turkey, all the fixings, pumpkin pie, and Lions football. I only wish I would have remembered to bring the Lions bib for Max that was a gift from the Richey family. However, I had to pack for 3 kids and myself and that was the only thing I forgot . . . amazing, huh?

Pa with Blake and Bryce watching the game

We also celebrated my brother's birthday with a large cupcake. Happy Birthday, Allen, but I think Blake & Bryce were more excited about the cake than he was :)

Max also got to meet the Brining Family and he was all smiles for Mark. Audrey and Lilly liked to say "baby" but were more interested in playing with toys and the older boys . . . Mark & Ashlie are going to have their hands full with those two cuties :)

We truly have so much to be thankful for, the obvious - family, friends, health, work, etc.

We are also thankful for all the little things that make our life a wonderful one - Blake's funny songs he makes up every day and his giggle box personality; Bryce's siren that sounds through the house as he plays trucks and his puppy dog eyes that win us over every time; Max's sweet baby coos, adorable smiles, and feeling his baby breath on our necks when he cuddles. Tim and I are so very thankful for all the blessings in our life and also for each other and all of you!

Just Because

. . .he's cute in this outfit!

Max (6weeks)

Harvest Lunch

Bryce and his classmates invited us to a Harvest Lunch on Wednesday and it was delicious! We were very thankful for the turkey soup, bread, and pumpkin pie, but most of all for the songs Bryce sang . . . so very cute!

Our Pilgrim, Bryce

Bryce was beyond excited that Daddy was able to come

Bryce loved the pumpkin pie, but had enough of the picture taking
He's such a TURKEY

Love Note

At the age of 5 Blake has officially received his first Love Note. He came home from school today with a paper that has stickers all over the front and on the back the little girl, who shall remain un-named, wrote "I love you Blake" then wrote her own name and "I love you" 10 more times, and on the bottom of the page wrote, "I love you and you love me".
He acted fairly nonchalant when questioned about the note, then proceeded to tell me that the girls at school have been saying, "Look at his eyes" and smiling at him.
WHAT?!! I want Names.
I do not think this is funny or even cute. It makes my blood pressure rise.
No. Girls. Allowed.

Dear Tooth Fairy

Blake lost his FIRST tooth today at school! He bit into his granola bar at lunch and out it came. The school gave him a cool plastic case shaped like a tooth to keep it safe until he got home. That's so great . . . until he lost the case with the tooth in it! He was all tears and worried the tooth fairy wouldn't know about his tooth until he found it in a different pocket in his backpack, whew!!

The tooth fairy is sure to stop by our house tonight!

B & W by Traci

When one of my best friends Traci came to visit we had fun taking pictures with my goofy guys. They were being incredibly silly and hamming it up for the camera. Here are a few great shots she recently sent me. Thanks, Traci, we love the pictures!

Love my boys

Can't wait to see you again, Traci, Bryce has LOTS of kisses waiting for you ;)

Playing with Max

Playing with Max is so much fun as he kicks, coos, and smiles. I guess I am breaking the mold because I think I am taking just as many pictures of my third baby as I did my first! Here are the pictures this crazy Mom took today!

Max loves his letters that Mimi made for his wall (we just haven't hung them yet)

Oh yeah, watch out he's a Chick Magnet

Get ready for your close up, Max!

The poor child has the WORST baby acne/rash, but these pics don't really show it, YAY!

We love our little "Munkin"

(Munkin is how Bryce used to say Pumpkin and it has just stuck in our family. Max is now our little Munkin Man)

Max's Dr. Visit

Max saw the doctor today for his one month check up and he confirmed Max is a healthy growing boy. He weighed 12 pounds and was 23.5 inches long, he's in the 90th percentile for both height and weight.

Baby LOVE

Max is certainly not lacking on love and affection! We love him up with hugs and kisses all the time and here are some of our favorite cuddle pictures!

Max (5 days old) and Me

Pic by Monica, even though I hate my profile I really love this picture

Blake cuddles Max every day before he leaves for school

Bryce tries to sit still long enough for a snuggle with baby brother

Daddy & Max enjoy their quality time in the evening

~ The LOVE of a Family bestowed upon you, Max ~

Halloween 2009

Cold, windy Michigan weather didn't put a damper on our Trick or Treat festivities!

Max was in spirit all day long with "I "heart" my Mummy hat and socks

(thanks Uncle Sean, Aunt Erica, & Quinn for letting us borrow them)

Then he transformed in to a plump little pumpkin
(thanks Woolmans for letting us borrow this cute, comfy baby costume)

2 Pirates and a Pumpkin: Our 3 Boys ready for Halloween

Our fun started when we gathered at Uncle Sean, Aunt Erica & Quinn's house

for pizza in the afternoon. Uncle Sean got some cuddle time with Max . . . finally!

Little Lia had the cutest butterfly costume :)

Kara & Lia

Lauren, Bryce, Blake, Quinn & Lia

Cutest little puppy EVER! This is one kind of puppy I'm definitely not allergic to :)

After our pre-party we headed back home for trick or treating in our neighborhood with the boys' friend Alex, the "Belle" of the ball

The boys hit the candy jackpot as neighbors handed out handfuls of candy and bags of chips.

Our pumpkins greeted our trick or treaters while Max and I handed out candy
What a fun-filled day and night!

Happy Halloween

Making Breakfast

Blake and Bryce asked if they could make their own breakfast this week, so here is the process:

The decided on waffles and waited patiently while they were toasting

They carefully grabbed the waffles out of the toaster and put them onto their plates. Bryce nearly lost his breakfast on the way to sit down, but he quickly recovered with a safe landing.

Plastic knives were used to cut the waffles and a little dab of syrup topped 'em off!

Job well done, boys.