Christmas 2011

We had lots of Christmas celebrations this year. Four to be exact! We started on Christmas Eve at my parent's house. We had dinner and opened presents with parents and brothers and sisters. It is nice to have a quiet meal there! My side of the family is really big. Colton was spoiled rotten by his grandparents and aunts and uncle! Later that night, my Dad's side of the family came to my mom's for dessert. More presents! He is one loved boy:)

Opening presents

Playing with Sammy! He loves puppies!

Christmas morning we opened presents from Santa with just the 3 of us! It was nice. We made the mistake of letting him open Santa's best present first. It was play McDonalds food. It was all over from there! He was so in love that Dan and I had to open the rest of his presents for him. Despite that, it was nice to have a quiet, relaxing and HEALTHY morning. Last year, we spend Christmas morning in Urgent Care. Colton had a fever and was very sick. So we were very thankful for everyones health this year!

Christmas morning! Playing with his new play food

Playing in his ball pit!

Later on Christmas, we headed to Dan's parents house. We spend the day there with them. We yummy ham (and turkey of course for the boys....spoiled) and amazing twice baked potatoes! My favorite of Karen's! We open more presents and everyone played with all their new toys!! He well loved and taken care of at Mama and Papa's house too!! It was a nice relaxing Christmas!

We had our last Christmas celebration with my mom's side of the family on Monday. I love getting all the kids together! they have so much fun running around together. We enjoyed more food and presents! We were stuffed and very spoiled by the end of our Christmas weekend!!!

What can we say....we have amazing families and had a GREAT Christmas with all of them! We love them very much!!

Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season!

A Santa Tradition

Every year Dan's family host's a Santa Night! Santa comes and visits the kids, we eat lots of yummy food, and visit with good friends. While we were in high school and college, we just thought of Santa Night as another family thing.... Now that we have Colton, we LOVE it! He is so cute talking to Santa! It is fun to see how much they grow and change from year to year. He was slightly skeptical to go sit on Santa's lap alone, but he was a good sport! Santa even brought him a toy puppy and a book! Here are a few pictures of Santa Night!

Checking out Santa

Hi!

He wasn't too sure....

It was better with Mom

Checking out my present

Family Pic with Santa!

Looking forward to next year's visit from Santa! More Christmas pictures coming soon....

I love this time of year

Even though I love the warm summertime, this time of year comes in close second! I love snuggling up on the couch with a blanket and hot chocolate, eating tons of food and spending lots of time with family. This Thanksgiving was just as exciting. We actually got two, one with my family and one with Dan's. Colton loved the Jello at both houses!! :) The small things in life make him happy!

As Colton gets older, it makes me realize how quickly time passes. It feels like we were just doing Christmas 2010 and here comes 2011. Dan and I always talk about..."Remember when he was a baby and drank bottles? Remember when he couldn't move on his own? Remember when he laid in his swing? Remember when he couldn't open cabinets, drawers, doors????" And now he is an independent boy. He helps clean up his own messes, picks out his own snacks and is starting to have opinions about his clothes! Oh boy! But all of it makes me want to cherish every second with him. It is going by too quickly. Before we know it, it will be his first day if kindergarten! Stopping and doing the little things with him can bring a smile to any ones face. Good or bad day, he can cheer you up. One of my favorites is when he gets into your face, puts on that cheeser grin, squints his eyes, and waves in your face saying "Hi Mama"! Love it! Love him!!

He grows cuter and cuter everyday. I am so excited for the month of December! Breakfast with Santa at my school is Saturday! We will post pictures this weekend!

Some cute shots from this week....

Relaxing on the couch-snuggling!

Daddy made me Spagehtti O's with meatballs....yep, I picked out all the meatballs! Then smiled with them for Daddy!

A Smart Boy

This week we had our Parents-As-Teachers visit. This is were an early childhood teacher come to our house and does a screening with Colton. They "test" things such as: can he run and jump, can he stack blocks, can he say words, can he point to things he wants and ask for more, can he color with a crayon, can he problem solve and get a cheerio out of a toy bottle, and lots of other little tests! Our smart little boy passed them all with flying colors!! The only thing he "needs to work on" is putting together 2 word sentences. We will get there!! It seems like he says a new word everyday. He's latest is Night-Night as we walk up the stairs and get in bed!

When she asked him if he could stack 2 blocks, he said "NO" and got out 5 or 6 blocks and stacked them all! Such a smarty like he father :) I just love he cute personality...and he definitely has one!

His new thing to do this week is to get the pots out of the cabinets and then get some food out of the pantry (a can of unopened Parmesan cheese to be exact) and "cook" for mommy and daddy! He "ch ch's" and shakes some cheese into his pot, stirs it and eats it! It is amazing to see how much they really watch us and learn! If you give him a brush, he brushes his hair. If we ask him where lovie is, he knows exactly where he hid it earlier and will go get it! He amazes me everyday. We honestly think there is nothing cuter than our man! A little bias, I know, but we are mommy and daddy. We are allowed to think our kid is the cutest!

Coloring a picture!

It's November Already

October has come and gone....quickly! Colton was so cute on his "first real Halloween" as we called it. He got to go Trick or Treating and got lots of candy. He only made it about 2 streets before he starting handing the people at the door back some candy! It was too funny! He loved ringing the door bells and talking to all the people! Then we came home to hand out candy to our 2 trick or treaters!!! Yep....only 2:( I think there should be no school on Halloween!!! As a mom and a teacher! But all in all, he was pretty cute!

Helping Dad carve his pumpkin!

Putting the pieces on!

It was a Mr. Potato Head pumpking peice set! It matched his cosutme.

All finished! He wasn't into posing tonight:)

Getting ready to go Trick or Treating!

Just relaxing.....so cute!!!!

Also....yesterday I was in my best friend Courtney's wedding! She was stunning and her day was perfect! Congrats to her and her new hubby Adam! Love you!!! And of course I forgot my camera:( soooo when I get a cute picture from someone, I will post!!! The wedding was beautiful.

Pumpkin Patch

Our visit to the pumpkin patch was much different this year than last. Colton was certainly busy! He ran from pumpkin to pumpkin checking everything out. I feel like I got no good pictures because he was so busy! He saw ponies, giant pumpkins, tractors, chickens and oddly enough he favorite thing there was a small bridge he played on! He is at such a cute age, exploring everything!! Doing things like this just makes us realize how much he has grown in the past year! Time really goes by quickly....he's not a baby anymore!

Just his size!

He'd rather have the big pumpkins...

love :)

The bridge!!! and Mizzou Jersey!!

Pumpkin carving and Halloween pictures to come!!

PS: Congrats to the St. Louis Cardinals...World Series Champions!!!!! Colton experienced he first World Series.....for game 7 we went to a World Series party at my mom's and Colton would not go to bed! He wanted to watch the whole game and party! And he did....he made it to see us win! He was an angel and had such a great time partying!!! 

Growing like a weed

It seems that Dan and I were just talking about our little baby. Well he certainly isn't a baby anymore! I feel like just a few weeks ago I was telling myself "soon he will be able to reach those door handles, we are going to need those safety handles!" Well, he can now not only reach them, but he is learning how to turn them! He is so tall!!! And I feel like it happened over night. He can now: climb up on the couch and recliner all by himself, go up and down the stairs alone, lock and unlock doors, and I have even caught him trying to climb on the bar stools in the kitchen!!! Where did our little baby go?

Everyday I think he is saying something new. At almost a year and a half, here is his growing vocabulary.
Baby, Mommy, Momma, Dad, Daddy, Dog, Moon, Hi, No, Yes, More, Up, (some form of Thank You), and it grows everyday! He is good at trying to repeat what you say. A good thing when you are teaching him vocabulary, a bad thing when Mommy and Daddy use some not so baby friendly words :)

His newest games are throwing and soccer. He loves to kick a ball around and if you put a ball, (or anything for that matter) in his hand, he will play catch! Hopefully we have a sports start on our hand! He is almost hard to keep up with.....he runs everywhere! But we love every minute with him!

We visited the pumpkin patch this weekend. I will post pictures this week! Just wanted to share how fast he is growing!

The happy couple:)

Last weekend we celebrated the new Mr. and Mrs. Snee:) It could not have been a more beautiful day! The weather was gorgeous and boy did we have fun! The bride was beautiful and the wedding went seamless!!!

Colton was one of the ring bearers. He was so adorable in his little man tux. The pictures of my boys in their tuxes are so stinking cute. He went down the aisle about half way and then he was done! I had to carry him, my flowers and walk pretty with my groomsmen! All part of being a mom:) Once he got down there, he wanted no part of eating a snack and hanging out with Aunt Becky! He had some exploring to do!!! He walked around the alter with the bride and groom said their vows. Then of course, he ended up in Dan's arms. Which was interesting since he was the best man. All in all, he did great for his first wedding! Can't wait to see the photographer's pictures.

We had so much fun in the limo and dancing! We needed a fun night like that. A big thanks to Mama and Papa for keeping Colton so mommy and daddy could enjoy themselves:)

Here are a few pictures from the big day!

The boys in their tuxes! Of course lovie went down the isle too!!!

Such a cute face! Love his tie!!!

:)

Congrats to the happy couple....Scott and Stevie! So happy to have ANOTHER sister!!

We love you guys!

Time is Flying!

September has absolutly flown by! Maybe because our weekends have been jam packed and we are busy at work....whatever it is, I can't believe October is right around the corner! Almost Halloween!

In less than a week, we will be celebrating with the new Mr. and Mrs. Scott Snee! The three of us could be more excited! Tuxes have been fitted, dresses have been hemed and speeches have been written! We are ready to party:) Here is a sneak peek at the worlds cutest ring bearer!!

Just trying it on and testing the waters. He's not sure about it yet!!



Last weekend, the bridesmaids got to take the bride to the lake for her bachlorette party! We had a blast!! Hopefully she was able to relax and recharge. It's stressful planning a wedding. Next weekend it the wedding and then it's on to the DeCaro-Knese wedding! 

We will be sure to post pictures of the fam next week! Here is a cute picture of Colton! He is growing up too fast!!! On Wednesday he will be 17 months:)

Ohhhh and this picture should be on a post card or something! It is just so cute!

Remembering those of 9-11

 

Another crazy weekend...

Our house continues to be in full wedding swing...We had bachelor parties and wedding showers this weekend! And the crazy weekends aren't set to stop until November!! But we are excited for both of the happy couples in our lives!

Courtney's shower was beautiful this weekend! I hope she had a good time and it is exciting to get to start all her wedding stuff with her!! The date is quickly approaching. My picture of us was dark...so as soon as I get a pretty one, I'll post:)

A little man update....he is growing like crazy. His new tricks this week...spinning in circles until he is so dizzy he can't stand and he has learned how to climb up on the couch! We are in trouble now. :)

Such a cheeser! Love that smile:)

His favorite pass time! Who knew riding in the trailer would be more fun than riding the actual tractor! He loves when his cousins pull him:)

First Day of School:)

Today was the first day of school! This is bittersweet for me. While I absolutly love my job, I hate to not spend my days with Colton. We really enjoyed our summer, and all the days daddy took off to play! Colton loves his babysitter and all his friends there...this makes going back to work much easier on me!

This year's 4th graders are just as cute as years past! I love having a new batch of kids to learn and grow with. This is the best job. They make you feel so good and can always make you laugh. You can't be sad in a class of 20 4th graders:) I look forward to another year with them!
Here is a picture of the newly painted wall in my classroom! Thanks Becky and Kate for all your help:)

Go Hawks!

I promised some Magic House pictures. This was Colton's first visit and boy did he wear himself out!! He ran every square inch of that place and explored everything he could touch. We love to watch him grow and develop. He reminds he daily he is not a baby....he's a big boy now:) Makes a mommy sad!
Some pictures from our visit....

Drums!



The slide....we don't quite understand we go down the slide!

Climbing all over:)

And this pictures isn't from the Magic House, it's actually from Dave and Aubrey's wedding! I just found it on my camera!!! ha ha So pretty:)

A Busy Week!

Over the past week a lot has happened! Colton had his 15 month check up, Dan and I bought new cars, we took Colton to the Magic House for the first time, and I celebrated my 25th birthday!

First a Colton update: He got 2 shots (chicken pox and measles) and a general check up. They said he weights 24 pounds and is 31 inches long. He's in the 25% for weight and in the 75% for height. The doctor said he is tall and skinny! I wonder where he gets that from?!?! :) Overall, they said he is a healthy baby boy!

On to new cars: We trading in our old ones and upgraded!

Dan's new 2011 Buick Regal

My new 2011 Acadia

Love them!

Just a cute picture of Colton! He has started feeding himself with a spoon! Vanillia yogurt....yummm!!!

We had a great week! The last one before I officially start back to work! Magic House pictures to come..... :)

Wedding Season is Upon Us!

Weddings are in full swing at our house! The first one up is my brother and almost sister-in-law! They are tying the knot in September. All three of us are in the wedding! This is Colton's first wedding....he will be the cutest ring bearer ever! I'll post pictures to follow.

This past weekend, my sisters and I threw a shower for the bride-to-be! I think it turned out beautiful if I do say so myself! It was a lot of work but I think everyone enjoyed themselves:)  The wedding date is less than 2 months away and we are all getting very excited!!

Sisters:)

A Ferry Ride and Fish:)

Over this past weekend, Dan's parents and us were going to take Colton on the Grafton Ferry and eat at Finn's Inn. It is such a neat restaurant. They have huge aquariums at all the tables. We drove all the way down 94 only to find the Grafton Ferry....CLOSED!! Bummer! So we took the long, yet scenic route through Alton. Needless to say, we did make it to the restaurant and he loved it! He is at that exploring age and we LOVE him!! Everything is "WOW"! So cute!

Family Picture:)

The love of Mizzou begins!

Before heading to the Lake for the 4th of July holiday, we stopped in Columbia. Since Dan and I are both alumni, we wanted to see what the campus was up to. There have been many changes since we graduated. The new student union was AMAZING! If only it was that nice and useful when we went there! We walked around campus, visited the bookstore and outfitted each of us with a new MIZZOU t-shirt! And of course, stopped in for a sandwich at Picklemanns (our favorite restaurant in Columbia)! I know he is young, but we enjoyed showing him a place that both his parents enjoyed so much! We hope he finds a college that he can love as much as we love ours! Hopefully we can take him back for more visits, and maybe a football game or two in the future! Here are some pictures from our visit!

Dad and Colton

Mom and Colton

Checking out the Tiger!

A Visit with Nature

Last Thursday, Dan and I took Colton to Powder Valley Nature Center. I had never heard of this place, but Dan went there as a kid. It was the coolest place and Colton loved it. There were snake, turtle and fish tanks, animal skins, a deer observation deck and even a kids tree house to play in. He had such a great time running around exploring everything. He loves to walk! I am not a bug or snake person myself, so I'm glad Dan will go explore all of that with him! We even got to take him on a nature hike at the end! Much different than our walks through our neighborhood!!

After, we went and had lunch at Dewy's Pizza (yum!) and had a cookie at McArthur's Bakery! It was a fun day and I enjoyed spending time with my boys! Here are some pictures from the day:)

Dan and Colton looking at turtles.

The deer observation deck.

Fishy in the tank.

Such a big boy!!

And my favorite picture from the trip......

Love them!