what a mess!

As it usually is, the pictures don't do this mess justice. In record time both the boys managed to cover the pantry, the house, and themselves in cornstarch and, I think, pancake mix. They had pulled food off the shelves and everything was covered! Where was I, you ask?....I may have fallen asleep about 10 feet away. But trust me, it only took about 10 minutes for this mess to happen.

After I saw what they had done they started running around the house...creating a cornstarch cloud that now has my vacuum looking white. I was still cleaning when bruce got home from work, and the smart man that he is, took both the kids with him as he went to go pick up dinner for us - just assuming that I was in no mood to cook!

They thought they were pretty funny. Me...not so much.

starting Sunbeams & Nursery

It's a big year for Chase, he gets to be in Sunbeams at church now! Also, Bennett gets to finally go and play in nursery (not sure who's more excited; him or mommy & daddy!). They've both done ok so far...they aren't completely comfortable with the new routine yet, but they're getting used to it. Chase finally went to Sunbeams and Primary the whole time without needing me (I've either sat with him or subed his class the first 3 weeks), hopefully he continues!
Bennett still gets a little upset after a while in nursery, but I think he just hasn't been feeling well, so hopefully this next week will go great! What will I do with myself if I'm not roaming the halls with kids? What are they even teaching in class this year (and where is class?)?! haha!

Christmas 2010

Chase could not wait until "Ma" and "Papa" came over on Christmas morning, he was so excited to see everything under the tree! We kept reminding him we needed to wait for Ma and Papa, so he would just sit right be the tree and look or sit on the stairs by the door waiting for them to arrive. We did stockings then had Christmas breakfast before opening presents...I don't think we could've held the kids off any longer!Bennett knew what he was doing and loved opening the gifts just as much as the rest of us!Bennett loves to play with his big brother's Toy Story stuff, so he was pretty happy to get his own!Chase was so much fun this year! He really got into it and loved everything about Christmas this year - the lights, Christmas movies, music, and of course, the presents...we had an FHE on the real reason for Christmas and talked about Christ's birth...not sure it really sunk in yet...we'll try again next year!Chase was so excited for everything he opened, even if it was clothes or something he had no idea about; he would still yell "Ooohhh, Wow!" so fun to watch him this year!Santa might have gotten Bennett something that was just as tall as him! He took his time tearing piece by piece, but eventually he got the whole thing unwrapped!Daddy set up the Toy Story 3 train set that Chase got from Santa and for 2 days straight Chase spent the whole time in his room just watching the train go round and round!We went over to Bruce's parent's for Christmas dinner and more gifts. The boys insisted on wearing their new Buzz and Woody costumes they got.

We had a great Christmas and it was especially fun with both the boys this year. We're excited for this new year and everything that it might bring! The boys are growing up fast and we hope to do more fun things together as a family this year!

what we've been doing...

We let this little guy help bake a couple times...he loves to help stir the bowl!

For Thanksgiving I baked a couple pies...except if you're my mom you would say I cheated and it doesn't count (I used canned filling for one and boxed pie crust...such a disappointment to my mom who bakes anywhere from 8-13 pies each Thanksgiving entirely from scratch!!! it's hard to top that!) I really missed your pies this year mom!

We enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner at Bruce's parents' and had a good time hangin' out with family for dessert later that evening.I love getting a Christmas tree and I "encouraged" Bruce every day after Thanksgiving until we finally went to get one! It's about 8' tall and wide...just like I like them (no skinny, anorexic trees for me!)
Besides...we still don't have much by way of furniture in our front room (a piano and a single, lonely side chair) so getting a big tree would help fill it up! ;) Ever since we got the tree up and decorated this guy has been obsessed! He loves Christmas trees and points them out wherever we go and every time he sees it in a movie (The Polar Express is big in home right now). He found this Christmas tree night light and it's his perfect decoration for his room! The day we got it he just held it the who time until it was time for bed and he could plug it in.

We're so ready for the Christmas season and we look forward to what the new year has to bring (like 2 new baby nephews come January!!!)

family visit

"PB&J" (as Bruce calls his brother's family) came to visit before Thanksgiving. We got to see their little guy and catch-up!

These 2 are so different, yet so similar at the same time...brothers! Chase loved all the family time and activity that went on the whole week and warmed up to his uncle quit fast!

("Patrick, can you help me?") I love this girl! She cut me hair for me and I LOVE it! And, it was so nice having a work-out buddy at the gym for a week!

We went on a date with Patrick and Jessica (and cousins!) and we did dinner and a movie...it will be a memorable night if only for how HORRIBLE the movie was! It made poor Jess sick...literally! ;)

Jess & I went bowling for a "girls' night" with a couple cousins, and it's a good thing I forgot my camera, 'cause we weren't that good! I watched some teenager next to us bowl while he was texting and get a strike...I was lucky if I could lift the bowling ball! :)

We had a great time though and it was so nice getting to see them! We're hoping to make a trip to AZ again this spring and spend more time with PB&J!

snow!...BEFORE Thanksgiving, it's a miracle!

We only got a little bit, and it only lasted a day or so, but these little guys were so excited to go try it out! It gave them an excuse to wear their new snow pants! They didn't last long before Bennett fell in the grass and couldn't get up...(haha, reminds me of a movie...!). His poor little hands got so cold trying to push himself up; he was done after that and wanted nothing more to do with the snow!

It came so early we were a little shocked, but hopefully we get more

pretty snow to enjoy this year!

3rd birthday!

He was very excited about his birthday and all the fun stuff he got to do! In true "Chase" family tradition, his birthday was a week-long celebration as we wanted to wait for PB&J (his Aunt & Uncle and baby cousin) to arrive from out-of-town to have his official birthday party.

On his birthday he got to open his gift from Mamas and Papa - he got a couple church books. One was a magnet book and he wasted no time getting all the little magnet pieces set up -hopefully we don't lose too many!

He got to go out to dinner on his birthday and he picked his favorite - PIZZA! (or as he says it, "pazzi").

His uncle's birthday is a few days after his, so when they came to visit he shared his b-day party and cake with his cool uncle patrick!
I don't know why I even bother with a cake for Chase, he likes to look at it and even tried blowing out the candles, but when it comes to eating it...This is all he'll do...barely lick the frosting and then leave the actual cake! At least this little guy enjoyed it! He had no problem digging right in, although I'm not sure how much he actually got IN his mouth...!

It's fun to watch him open presents now as he's old enough to actually do it himself. He gets that there is more than just the fun wrapping to play with!

Aunt Jess and Uncle Patrick also came with a gift for this little guy - can't leave him out!

Happy 3rd Birthday Chase! We love you!