Snowed-In

With the winter storm of 2011 coming in, we decided it would be fun to all bunk up in the front room...which happens to be our storage room at this time.  So, after moving a few boxes around we pulled our matresses and the television in for a fun filled evening by the fire!

 Lexi and Gavin snuggling together watching a movie.

 A view of our set-up.  Snug, huh?  (Notice all the storage pushed off to the other side of the room)

 Gavin had lots of fun jumping around the matresses!  He is even doing somersaults!  I don't think Lexi was doing these until she was 5!!  :)

Here is Lexi kicking back watching her movie.

 And what would a good storm be without a fire.  So comfy, cozy!  We are ready!  Ice-give it your best shot!!

Mommy's Little Boy

With Lexi back in school after Christmas, Gavin and I have had a lot of time together.  He is really becoming Mommy's little boy.  He is a very unique little boy.  He has such a sweet disposition...sometimes.  He is a stubborn, determined, hard-headed little boy!!  Gavin knows what he wants and no one will have peace until he has it!  He will not take no for an answer.  He never quits moving...EVER!  From the second he wakes up until his head hits the pillow again he is moving...and most likely causing trouble.  :)

But as I said above...he has his sweet moments!

We tried converting Gavin's crib into a toddler bed.  It totally worked for night time.  Nap time however, was a different story.  And let's just say, I am not quite ready to give up those 2-3 hours a day of alone time. 

He is such a cuddly boy!  My favorite time is 'after bath time' in which Gavin gets his towel wrapped around him and then he snuggles up with Mommy!  That is the one time a day I can be sure he will lay his head on my shoulder.  LOVE IT!! 

This sweet little coat was Ryan's when he was Gavin's age.  Can we say 'How Cute'?!?  He LOVED wearing this hat around...and his new Kangaroo backpack that Grandpa David got him in Australia.  :)

Gavin is really such a sweet addition to our family and we love him very much!!

I could get use to this...

This week Ryan had to come to Chicago for work, so not being able to live without my hubby for 3 days, I decided to come with him.  Maybe it had more to do with the fact that I couldn't live with the kids by myself for 3 days.  :)  Anyway..we woke up this morning to this!  BEAUTIFUL!!!!

 This is the amazing view from my father-in-law's apartment which he so graciously offered to us for the week since it is not being used right now.  It is a little foggy but this is a view of downtown Chicago, Lake Michigan, and Navy Pier.  Pretty snazzy if you ask me!! 

 The entire lake is almost completey frozen!!  There is a small area of water that must not be quite frozen yet.  Still, quite impressive.

 I think I could get use to this view.  Just don't think my little nursing budget with a family would cut this rent.  Maybe when my kids are grown and my hubby is vice president of Pixar we could do this.

Until then...

We are completely happy with our cozy little home!



Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas!!  What a fun year this has been!!!  We have had our share of challenges but I am hoping that through it all we are learning.  We have also had our share of blessings along the way!  We have had the opportunity to spend time with far away family (aka- our crazy disney trip!). My amazing father-in-law has retired and moved back to Indianapolis!!  We have 2 beautiful healthy babies!!  (Notice I didn't say well-behaved)  ;)  And I am madly in love with the most amazing man ever!!

(That's my guy!!)

Gavin is growing so much!

He is really interested in the world around him.  He is no where as vocal as his sister but he really sits back and takes it all in.

That sweet smile can melt your heart every time!  He loves his family so much (especially his Mommy!!).

And what a beautiful girl!  Lexi is turning into such an amazing girl!  She is so smart and has such a wonderful heart.  She is so giving.  I am having such a wonderful time seeing her try to figure out the world. 

Another smile to warm the heart!! 

Gavin loved this wooden horse that was Ryan's.  He even managed to ride it while drinking his sippy cup! 

So resourceful!  :)

Lexi carried this present around for 2 days!  She was so excited to open this one from Grandmother and Grandfather Wing.

And suprise!  Lexi loves these Christmas dolls of Donna's so for Christmas Lexi got these from Donna.  And they light up!  :)

Gavin had a great time opening presents as well!  Well, he liked it after you opened it up so he could see what was in it!

For Chirstmas, our family was given Kiva gift cards from David and Donna.  Kiva is a program that allows you to loan money to people who are in need of help.  There are people from Mongolia, Rwanda, Liberia, Chile, etc. that are looking to expand a business to help support their families.  In the end they pay back the loan and you can invest it in other countries or take your money out via Paypal.  Thanks so much David and Donna!!

Gavin really enjoyed his basketball net!  Not only can he put the ball in but it comes out all on it's own!!

Thanks Uncle Chris and Charm for the awesome makeup!!!  She totally love it!

Already hooked to the phone!  Even if it is a lip gloss phone.  :)

A Fur Real Pet!!!!!  Finally.  The first words out of her were, "My mom and dad wouldn't get me one of these!". 

Lexi has been asking for a telescope for 3 years and finally Santa brought her a telescope!  However, since Christmas it has been cloudy.  Hopefully soon we will be able to see something!

Gavin got the start of his Thomas Train Set.  He loved it!

He figured how to climb over it!

And take it apart...

Lexi loved her UDraw for the Wii!  And there are so many cool games out there!

Gavin trying to figure out how to work Mr. Potato Head

And so many other things!

We had a fabulous Christmas!

This is my absolute favorite picture of the kids!  Lexi totally has Gavin in a headlock.

We also had lots of fun at Nana and Pappy's!

Gavin was happy just chillin in the recliner.