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!

Halloween 2010

My kids still don't quit get holidays yet, but they still had a good time dressing up as superheroes! Chase wore his batman mask...until it came time for halloween, then he didn't want anything to do with it. oh well!We were invited to a couple halloween parties, so we got to dress up this year too. We decided to go as Alice and the Mad Hatter and had a lot of fun! It took a few weeks to get the costumes all put together as we had to piece things together from second-hand stores and fabric stores, but I think Bruce's Mad Hatter costume came out great!!!

Since the kids don't really understand halloween yet (getting free candy), we were able to really limit the candy they did get (which means less candy in the house for mom and dad to eat too, phew!). But, unfortunately, I think Chase is catching on and we won't be able to be such "scrooges" next year!

Disney on Ice

I thought it would be fun to take Chase to see Disney on Ice this year. We had plans to go with some friends, but things changed and it ended up just being a little date with me and my little guy! We started the evening off by going out to frozen yogurt - LOVE IT! Chase mostly just likes to eat the toppings...After we got there, I let him pick a souvenier before we sat down for the show; he picked a shiny Buzz Lightyear...surprise, surprise!

Every morning Chase comes downstairs asking to watch Mickey Mouse, so when I told him we were going to see Mickey with Disney on Ice, he was VERY excited! The whole drive he kept saying, "Going to see Mickey Mouse!"
They saved the Toy Story characters for the very last and that really got Chase excited - seeing Mickey and Buzz & Woody at the same time!

He did great, even with the late night. I had such a great time just being one-on-one with my little guy and I'm looking forward to going as a family next year!

I tried...again

One of these days I'm going to get a picture of both my little guys together AND looking at the camera! I don't even care if they are smiling...just LOOK at the camera! ;) I was doing a senior portrait shoot for a family friend and the two little ones had to tag along. During a break I noticed they were both sitting together, so I tried to "sneak" a picture...Bennett caught on and started looking and smiling for me, but as soon as Chase saw what I was doing (he was a little "zoned" for a bit)...He did what he does best, and ran away!

Oh well, I tried. Again.

what's the definition of insanity again?...

*check out my photography blog, I've updated and posted pictures from my latest projects with losts more still to come!

enjoying the pretty fall!

I'm shocked at the beautiful, sunny fall days we've been having! I made sure the boys got to play outside as much as they could to enjoy it while it lasted...lots of rain ahead! They've started playing together more and Chase has even started sharing his toys...as long as he can push and/or pull his little brother all around the yard!

Bennett is getting so big and talking more and more every day. He was so excited the first day he got to play in the backyard without mommy right at his side to stop him from doing all the "fun" stuff...like playing in the dirt and bushes!

This is the best I can get of Chase anymore...he rarely slows down long enough for me to get a picture!

playing with cousins

We visited family recently and it was the first time we made the 11-12 hour drive with the kids...they did okay the first time and much better on the way home. We stopped for a break and quick bite to eat at a McDonald's on the way there and kids loved being able to run around for a bit!
This is the first time this little guy has ever gotten to play on something like this (it's the first time either boy has played at a McDonald's...haha) so he was having a blast! From the time we got there both the boys were so excited to have cousins to play with anytime they wanted! All the kids got along well...as long as "Thomas the Train" wasn't involved...

We had a great time and loved seeing the kids enjoy themselves! They sure do love their cousins!

pictures of the kids

Chase thought he was being so funny by wearing Grandpa's hat and running around their house...The rare occasion where he stands still for a picture and actually looks at the camera...now if I could just get a big smile to go with it we'd be set! (not asking for too much, am I?!) Bennett won't miss a chance to smile big for the camera!
This was daddy's chair when he was a little boy and we had to get a picture of Chase in it when he was younger, and now Bennett. They both love to sit and rock in it. We get to visit family in Utah in about a week and we're excited to see everyone! It'll be our first time driving with the kids...so we'll see how that goes!

more summer boating

We've been able to get to the lake a few times this summer and we've had a lot of fun! The boys love to take the boat out too and I'm glad they do so well! Bruce & I got to wakeboard together finally and that made me happy! This is about all I can do...not much! ;) Since I'm not only goofy-foot, but also goofy in general, for some reason I don't like going "toe-side" - but I'm determined to make it happen and jump!

Awww, hot cute!

Every time we go out, Bennett gets more and more involved! He likes to hold the flag and push the horn on the boat, and if daddy will let him, he even loves to drive (we just don't tell him the boat is parked on the trailer)! ;)

Chase has gone out on the tube again this year, but mostly just wants to hang in the boat and not get in the water too much. He loves to sit in daddy's lap while he's driving the boat.

Bruce really likes to wake-surf. Here he is on the opposite side of the wake than normal (showing off, I'm sure!).

Boating season is so short here it makes me sad! It's already getting dark too early and cutting into our play time! I'm just glad we're able to go and we have a lot of fun with our friends and family who come along too!