Riding in the Neighborhood

Happy Third Birthday Ethan!!!

Today my baby turned THREE and I still can't believe it. He is a such character and a busy body. He loves to talk and can sometimes be a little bossy. He loves learning about new things and is really big into pretend play. You never know if he is a pirate, doctor, or acting like daddy. He loves being outdoors and still gets a kick out of Jager. He is probably a little too conceited for his own good but I think that is our fault. He loves looking in the mirror and calls himself 'cute'. He is a wonderful big bother to his sister Gracie and is always looking out for her. He is quick to tell her when she is throwing a fit or won't share a toy where time out is. He is defiantly a cuddlier and loves it when I call him 'my baby'. He will probably make more trips to the ER than any other kid because he is a huge risk taker and loves pushing the limits. He is a morning person like his mother. You know when Ethan is awake because he jumps out of bed, shuts his door every time, runs into our room and promptly says "Good Morning" in such a chipper voice. He is looking more and more like his Daddy everyday. He loves being told that because that is his best buddy. He gets such a thrill when only Eric and him hang out all day. I know he enjoys that one on one time very much. His laughter is contagious. He is such a great kid with a big heart but of course I would say that, I am his Mom!

Since we were home around Ethan's birthday and we knew we would probably never have the chance again, we decided to have his birthday there. This is the first birthday he got to share with them and he loved having his cousins there to play with. It was held at Putt-Putt so they all enjoyed miniature golf and games. We pigged out on pizza and cake, I forgot the ice cream. Normally, Eric reminds me! Ethan had a great time and was spoiled rotten.

Found the cord! I swear without Eric I probably wouldn't own a computer,
heck I barely learned how to text last week.

Getting ready to blow!

Yummy!

Opening Presents

On his first shot he got a hole in one! Pure Luck

His cousin Aiden showing him how to ride his new bike

The happy birthday boy

Our 5th Wedding Anniversary too!

May the best Woman win!

Eric and I have a little race going on and it is kicking my butt. Whoever reaches their desired weight/body tone wins the grand prize money. It first was whoever wins picks the vacation spot but seeing how we both agreed on that one, we changed it to cold hard cash. I would like to buy a new wardrobe for our vacation and Eric being so predictable chose a gun. It is kind of like Biggest Loser. However, the problem I am facing is that I don’t want to lose anymore weight, I know how weird that sounds but I like the weight I am at and it is around the weight I was in high school. But, as we all know after two kids, the weight has redistributed itself in places that it was never there. Therefore, my issue is more with toning than building muscle. I run about 2 1/2 miles and walk 1 mile MWF and then on T-TH I head on over to the YMCA for an hour and do core strength training at night. Knowing how competitive Eric is, he is going all out. I could care less about the prize but just finally beating Eric at something other than Rummy would make it all worth it. I have always said that baby weight should be left in the boobs. Don’t you think after putting us through the 9 months plus birth God could have at least left us with the extra lbs. in our boobs instead of on our butts and mid section? Heck, Eric and I would of both made out on that deal. Well wish me luck, I got till mid April.

Learning to ride a skateboard

There's no place like home, but some come pretty close!

Yes, we have finally made it back home! I knew we were going to be gone for awhile and was planning on updating the blog but it kept being pushed aside because we were too busy having fun with our family. Of course, we had a great Christmas and New Year. Ethan and Gracie had fun playing with all of their cousins and hanging out with their grandparents and great grandparents. We spent Christmas Eve with my family and enjoyed our annual seafood dinner, and then we spent Christmas morning with Eric’s family and enjoyed Belgian Waffles. If you know me, you know my passion for food and eating!!! Needless to say the kids were spoiled rotten and in the words of Ethan after me telling him no, “Where’s Grandma?” Yes, my child has realized the power of grandparents. Now my other child, Gracie, decided that she was going to jump back in time and wake up between 2-3 times a night. At first she would just want to play, then after getting too tired she wanted me to hold her all night long. Once I realized she was making a habit out of it we decided that it was best to come home early. Last night was our first night being back and I was worried that she was going to continue with the torture but she slept perfectly fine all night. When I went to put her to sleep she sat up looked around her room, laid back down rolled over and was out! In fact we all must have missed our house and beds because everyone crashed out really fast. We hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Sitting on Santa's lap at Grandma Teresa's Christmas Party.
Doesn't Gracie look huge!

He wanted his hand painted instead of his face. He got a black paw print.

Ethan and Grandma Teresa doing the cake walk.
They won three times!

Gracie playing with her ladybug balloon.

Looking so cute.

As soon as your done taking this picture and turn away
I am going to gab all these snow globes.

Ethan wearing a funny Santa Hat

Sitting on Santa's Lap AKA Grandpa Dan

Ethan watching Grandpa wave and hand out Candy canes.
The flash cut out most of the lights out but trust me it lights up the block.

Opening presents Christmas Eve

Opening presents Christmas morning
He is so proud of his underwear.

"Wow that girl looks like me"

Such a great Uncle!
Uncle Dave helped Ethan put together all of his presents.

Early Christmas

Although we will be heading back home in a couple of days for the holidays, we still wanted to celebrate our own Christmas with our family. We all enjoyed opening our presents, but watching the kids is always so much fun. Ethan is now at the age where he understands and is the most enthusiastic he has ever been about opening his presents. He was even handing out the presents to us. We did explain to him that Christmas is not over and we will be opening more presents in Alamo, so he is very excited that Santa is coming back. Gracie just tried to eat the paper a couple of times but she is always happy so we will just pretend she understands. Of course the day ended with Eric and I searching for batteries and practically ripping the toy boxes up trying to get pass the 50 zip ties. All the while, an anxious 2 year old hurrying us along.

Gracie and her hair looking Fabulous!

Gracie unwrapping her presents

Ethan unwrapping his presents

Ready to play

"Take the stinking pacifier NOW!" She kept jabbing it in her eye

"Uhhh Mom, you can totally stop taking my picture now"

The infamous Geo Tracks, although he still acted surprised.

Our very own Hansel and Gretel!

Accessories Make the Outfit.

Artist at work

We went to a pottery studio to paint with our playgroup today. Ethan picked a dragon and used his favorite colors to paint it, blue and orange.

That is his dragon behind him all finished

Christmas Party

Here are the pictures from the Christmas Party. We had a lot of fun and came home with homemade ornaments and presents from Santa. It was nice to sit and relax from all the Christmas bustle that we have going on. I finally got our Christmas cards in the mail after two trips to get more stamps, I know we still have more gift shopping to do and finally just getting ready for our trip back home. I am so excited to see our family and hopefully we will all survive the drive. I am keeping my fingers crossed!

Telling Santa what they want for Christmas

Ethan showing off his ornament

Hard at work

No this is not at the party but I threw it in for the heck of it.

Gracie's new found independence

Gracie has finally grasped that she is more than capable to move herself without mommy's help. Since her learning to crawl she has been causing a damper in Ethan's world. He is realizing that if she sees a toy that he is playing with, she will go and try to take it from him. All I hear is "Ughh Gracciiieee" I tell him if you want to keep the toy, you better go and hide. So basically Ethan has been trying to stay clear of her. Although he does get excited to see her crawl and will start yelling for me to come and watch her show off her new skill.

Today we had our Playgroup Christmas Party and everyone brought their favorite holiday treat as well as an ornament to exchange. Our plan was to get the kids all sugared up and just let them run lose. It worked till we were ready to go home and everyone had gotten into a bad mood. Ethan was begging for one more cookie like a little cookie addict but I knew he had enough. Tomorrow we have another Christmas Party with the spouses club so hopefully I can get my little cookie monster to not go overboard.

Watch Out Beckham!

They are my greatest blessings!