Birthdays and Belated Christmas

This past week was all about CELEBRATING!  I have a lot of pictures from two mini birthday celebrations and a very special, yet belated, Christmas celebration...

 

Thursday night we had a mini birthday celebration for the boys since we would be out of town on the day of their 2nd "Bert-day".  On Thursday night we had pizza and cake with my family.

Ashton got ready to Blow... On your mark...

Get set...

Blow!

Since Aiden was born three minutes after Ashton, he blew out his candles three minutes later.  *At one point I thought it may have been neat for one to be born before midnight and one to be after midnight so they each had their special days, but now it is just as good to have two special boys celebrate on the same day!  Aiden's turn to blow out his candle... Get ready...

Get Set...

Blow!

Time to dig in... 

Aiden's favorite part?  The frosting!

 



Daddy being silly.

The two S.P.O.I.L.E.D boys then opened their presents from Nana, and Elly and Price.  They were outfitted in full Batman and Superman gear.  Shoes, swim shirts, swim trunks and sweatshirts.  They ask to wear their new shoes everyday, but we need to grow just a bit more!  They are a bit big now, but will fit by summer for sure.

What do you get little boys who were just spoiled at Christmas and who knows the name of EVERY animal and has every animal?  Start them a Dinosaur collection, fruit snacks and get them Elmo hand soap ;) Thanks to Nana and Aunt Elly they will be very stylin' dudes for the next year too!

On Friday we packed up and headed East to Gramma and Grampa's house.  We were all looking forward to the visit and celebrate Christmas... with a Hawaiian twist.  It didn't take long for these two little boys to become infatuated with Grampa's train (it usually goes around the Christmas tree, but this year it was around the Palm tree).  Ashton and Aiden did a great job only letting Grampa "drive" the train and looking with their eyes.

You'll notice that it didn't take long for the animals to be set around the train...

They would have sat and watched the train for house, but the train needed to take a break and nap sometimes. ;)

Ashton found Elle's baby stroller and babies... all the animals got a ride too! *If you look close, he is pushing twins.

Aiden would be glued to Grampa the entire time, if it was possible.

Settling in for a movie on Friday night.  With popcorn of course!

Saturday morning, we had to kill some time before Uncle Dave, Aunt Missy, Elle and Elise came.  Once the boys found out they were coming, we were asked about it every five minutes.  Break out the iPad to waste some time...

Don't mind all the heads in the next picture.  The reason I L.O.V.E this next picture is the look on Aiden's face as he is adoring his cousin Elise.  They were not in the door but two minutes and he wanted to hold her. Awwwwww.



Ashton held her too.

All four grandchildren admiring Grampa's train.

Take a little time out for a quick "Dance Paaarty"...

What do you do when you are trying to get lunch ready and have the kiddos take a nap before presents?  Actually... we didn't even have to have them do anything.  I turned around all all three kiddos were playing in an iPad on the couch.  Elise will be sitting right along with them next year ;)

Cousins.  Nice smile Elle!

Let's try it again... SMILE Ashton.  Yep - that's his smile face. 

There's Elise!  Surprised one of the kiddos aren't wanting to hold her, or I'm not cuddling with her.

All settled in to watch Elle's new movie - Tangled.  Such a cute movie!  Bonus that it has a horse in it and not a scary shark like Nemo :)  Aiden doesn't like "scary parts" of movies...

Before presents, we wanted to get all four kids in a picture.  It worked to get them all to sit still for a couple minutes!

All those cute kids posing by the presents... Because Two People Fell In Love.  Gramma and Grampa!

And.... DIG IN!  Ashton is the present Terminator.  He will open for the sake of opening and will not give two looks at what he is opening.  Aiden enjoys opening, but he will open one present and play with it the rest of the time.  I was the guard of the presents, otherwise Ashton would have opened every single one in a matter of minutes!  "Nother One, Nother One, Nother One"

Yep, that is another forced smile face... "Just let me open presents mom.  Quit making me stop and smile!"

"Open. Open. Open."

What more could you ask for?  Blocks WITH Animals!

and TRUCKS!

Is that Grampa or Santa?  Hawaiian style Santa...

After all toys were cleaned up and paper in the trash bags, Ashton was tired and ready for a break.  Should we watch Tangled a-g-a-i-n?  Sure... Ashton is ready.

With so many people around, and the boys staying busy... I got my fix of baby snuggles, smiles, and stories from Elise.

Three Kids in a Tub.  Rub-a-dub-dub.

After bath time is bedtime.  The last bedtime putting these two one-year old boys to bed.  Where did my babies go?

Sunday the Boys turned T-W-O!  Aiden glued to Grampa and enjoying some birthday snuggles.  Are we watching Tangled? "Horsie Movie?"  Probably.

More presents?  Oh boy.  Again, Aiden opening a truck and wanting to play with it the rest of the time.  Ashton ripping through ALL the rest of the presents. 

 "More? More? More!"

 



Grampa and Gramma had cupcakes made for the boys... They were HUGE and YUMMY!

Second time around, they know exactly what to do!  Ready... Set...

Blow!

Ready...

Set...

Blow!

 



Elle showing us the color of her tongue... It's GREEN!

Yummmmm... Looking at this picture, I had flashbacks...

 Ha.  I knew the blue mouth looked familiar!

 Aiden taking a bit on his second birthday...

and on his first birthday.  Not really wanting to get "dirty" either days...

 Thanks so much for helping make their birthday a special day!  It was fun being able to share it with Gramma, Grampa, and The Ruebers!

After traveling home and unpacking, what is a better birthday supper than "Donald's?"  Yeah, we took the easy route and went to McDonald's and let them play for a bit.  Their other favorite person "Kae-da" met us there with Nana.  When we asked if they wanted Mikayla to join us they said, "Yeah... Kae-da dance too!"  To funny.

Where did the babies that were born two years ago go?  

Ashton = He is more quiet than Aiden right now.  While Aiden is talking just to hear himself talk, Ashton sits back and observes.  He knows as many words as Aiden, however only uses them when he needs to.  He wears his heart on his sleeve.  I say this as his feelings are hurt very easily, he shows when he is the slightest bit tired, and he will ask me to "snuggle" most days.  He loves his animals, trucks, and lining up all his cars and animals wherever they will stand.  He makes "a parade."  Don't let his blue eyes and fluffy blonde hair fool you, as he can hold his own against his brother.  He will hit at times, and he doesn't give in to what his brother wants all the time!

Aiden = He is a CHATTER BOX.  He amazes me each day with what he puts together, the number of words he puts together, how he corrects himself when misspeaks and his wheels are always turning trying to figure things out.  Aiden will push through as long as he stays busy.  You can tell he is tired when he is running up the walls and can not settle down.  These are the times he knows when he actually slows down or sits down, he will crash.  He loves to pretend play with his kitchen, house, and train table.  He is dad's side kick when something needs to be "fixed", vacuumed, swept, or shoveled.  He loves his "friends" (Scout, Tigger, Nemo, and Elmo) and his blankie.  He has a kind heart and will often share what he has when we ask him too, although he also tries to steal whatever his brother is playing with.  Don't let his big blue eyes fool you, as he sometimes bites and has extra energy that he sometimes can not get rid of! 

Happy 2nd Birthday to our Two Favorite Little Boys!  Love you to pieces.

Oh yeah, we're still building a house!  HOUSE UPDATE:  A lot.  Sheet rock is done.  Paint was done today.  The cabinets go in tomorrow, and the tile and wood floor will be in this week.  Our front door arrived finally from Utah, we had it stained at a stain shop, and it is ready to go in!  I LOVE it, and cannot wait to see it in!

Thanks for checking in!  We have the boys' two year doctor appointment tomorrow!  I am thinking Ashton is taller and heavier, but we shall see.

~The A Team

Two Years Ago This Week..

I cannot help but think about this upcoming week, and think about where we were two years ago to this week.  Two years ago on a Sunday night, I was thinking about an easy week I was going to have.  No kids at school on Monday (just like tomorrow) and a half day on Wednesday... My week couldn't have gotten any easier.  Going back in the blog two years ago, I wasn't feeling that well, and I was beginning to admit that I was slowing down a bit... Never to image that my water would break in the wee morning hours the Thursday of my "easy week."  Yup... Ashton and Aiden turn T.W.O. this week!  The five weeks that we spent in the NICU were the longest ever, but the last two years have been the shortest ever.  Even though the last two years are a blur... but I could not imagine our lives any different. 

 

On to this past week... We didn't do much!  While picking up the boys from daycare, I always make one stay up by the garage as I buckle the other in the car.  When I turned to get Ashton on Monday, he was watching some men split wood and use the chainsaw... he must have thought that it was loud.  Where did he learn to stick his fingers in his ears like this?!?!  Sponges... be careful what you say and do around these two!

 Tuesday night we kept the boys up a bit past their bedtime so we could watch Mikayla Dance her new Jazz routine.  It may be a couple years before the boys get interested in the basketball part, but they sure do L.O.V.E. to watch Kae-da dance!

 On Saturday the boys had some special friends over while Katie, Nana, Elly and I snuck to Rice Lake to watch a full day of dance (Conference Competition).  I have never been around so much rhinestones, glitter, make-up, tu-tus, and dance smiles.  I see gas powered vehicles, hockey skates, cars, trucks, and dirt in my future. 

 

Debbie, Tara, and Megan came over to spend some time with the boys.  Debbie and Megan used to watch the boys one day a week before they went to Bonnie's so they miss the boys and the boys talk about the All. The. Time.  Ashton wanted to just sit on Tara's lap... content as a bug.

 The boys got their Christmas Present from them, a Critter Care Kit.  Now they can play doctor with all their animals!

 Notice Izzie right in on the action, she LOVES presents too!

 

 With a rough night of coughing (both boys) and the flu season running rampid, Adam and I had some errands to run in Eau Claire so instead of dragging the boys all around, Tara and Debbie came back today!  They asked if they could ;)  It's so nice leaving the house when you see the boys content in the living room and not chasing you with tears begging to come with.

 This is an older picture from a basketball game last month, but as I was downloading pictures from my phone (which I rarely do) I came across it.  It's kind of a bad picture for the fact Nate is on a bleacher down so he looks tiny next to Mikayla, but I still like it.  A great picture of Mikayla and her dad (my favorite brother). ;)

House Update:  Not a lot of pictures this week.  Actually the only two I have are from the builder's Facebook page.  They are working on the siding and drywall this week.  Soon to start on the flooring, and painting.  The cabinets are in our garage and ready to go, along with all the light fixtures.  Hopefully next week we can keep our granite measure scheduled, but cabinets have to be in by then... It is so much fun now seeing it all come together.

 I wanted a barn door as an accent and separating the master bedroom and master bathroom, so the builder hand made one.  He will also make the beams for the living room and banister/railing to match.  These are the things I can't wait to see all come together!

 

We are trying to stay/get healthier this week because we have plans to travel to Gramma and Grampa's this coming weekend to celebrate Christmas and be there on Sunday for the Boys' birthday!  Gramma is home and doing great and we are sooooo excited to visit - being healthy and staying healthy is the tricky part until then.  Vitamins, rest, good food, rest, liquids, and rest are on the agenda for this week. Fingers Crossed.

 

We'll see if I'll have the time to post next Sunday for the Boys' Birthday.  Traveling may get me behind, but look on Monday or Tuesday. 

Stay Warm and Healthy!

~The A Team

 



HaPpY NeW YeAr - 2013

Happy 2013! 

As we bring in the New Year, we look forward to many things.  The boys will turn TWO in a couple weeks and there will be changes ahead again with another move.  I do not know where the last year has gone.  It seems like just yesterday the boys were starting to walk and we were planning their 1st birthday party.  The boys have grown so much, but I think we are all in agreement that we are ready to say good-bye to 2012.  We have a lot to be thankful for as Gramma Wamboldt got her new liver and a "new lease on life" however has been battling with some infections in her hip, requiring multiple surgeries since.  She is the strongest woman I have ever met and we know this will be her year to heal and start enjoying the things she used to enjoy.  Just probably not ice-skating or snowboarding with the grand kids.

 

While sitting and playing, Aiden said "pretty... ear... like mommy" ( I type it like that as he is trying SOOOO hard to put sentences together but they are still choppy and sometimes the words are out of order).  Sorry buddy, not piercing your ears anytime soon!

 Monkey See... Monkey do!  Ashton then tried putting the guinea pig in his ear to be "pretty."  I had nightmares of peas up the nose and in the ears...

 Once the "guinea" didn't work the "roo" did.  ~Kangaroo

 New Year's Eve the boys partied with Nana while Adam and I went out with some friends.  We met Karen, Jeff, Nate, and Brooke for dinner and a few drinks at Shanghi Bistro.  We all have kiddos the same age so some adult time, nice dinner conversation, and laughs were nice!  Once the food came, we made the joke that we didn't have to cut anything, make a plate, or feed anyone else but ourselves. We actually made it until midnight too!

 On Tuesday, Missy and the girls came over to watch the Rose Bowl Parade and some pizza.  They brought a special gift from Elle and Elise's Grandma Maureen... a new warm, fuzzy sweatshirt!  She spoils the boys like they are her own grandchildren... Thanks So Much Maureen and Papa Coach.

 It didn't take long for the kids to all gather in the house and play at the kitchen.  At one point all three where in the house and peeking, but I didn't have the camera.  Trying to stage the photo op again, they fought about who could peek out the side window... so no cute pic ;)

 One peeking after the fight... they liked watching the bands in the parade.

Another one peeking...

 

These two play together well most of the time, but they also fight like brother and sister the other part of the time...

 Aiden wanted to watch what Elle was playing on the iPad and I was nervous about putting them this close so I said, "Don't touch her."  I guess he took it literally and kept his hands away...

 Love it.

 Elise had the CUTEST little red and white stripped bibs on for the Badger game.  Elle had some to, but chose not to wear them.  I know we are starting to go through some clothes struggles also with Aiden, but it's over socks (for now).

 The three cutest little Badger Fans... Ashton was crabby and went to nap early.

 For Christmas Grandpa Rodney (my dad) and Cindy got us all some Badger gear.  We all made sure to wear our socks on game day... even though they didn't bring the team luck.

 So for a while we have been talking about going potty in the potty chair, wearing big boy undies, and opening the boys up to the idea.  We are definitely not pushing anything yet but the boys are curious and Ashton pees in the bath tub on demand so... bring on some undies!  Daddy put them on Ashton's head... silly.

 After bath time, we put them on them to see how they fit... so cute!  I don't know if I'm ready to get rid of their diaper butts.  They put them on and the ran sprinted all over the house for at least a half hour.  Do undies feel that more free than wearing a diaper?!?!  Within that half hour, Ashton pooped in his big boy undies. 

 Such big boys.  Bonnie has most all boys at daycare and has for the last many years, so I am counting on her help and expertise for training and also looking forward to summer where they can just pee on a tree outside ;)

 Focusing more and more on building "towers".

 Also focusing and sitting still longer for coloring.

 Saturday night the boys cheered on the Packers while Adam and I watched the game with Missy and Dave.  We may be getting spoiled with some adult time and kid-less dinners!  We had a great time at the Livery for dinner and cheered for the Packers.  Well, most of us were rooting for the Green and Gold... Uncle Dave and one other girl in the entire place were rooting for the Purple Team. ;)

 Thanks for the new sweatshirts Nana! 

 This morning we meet up again with Missy and Dave but included the kids on a swim date.  We heard about a local hotel with warm water and a pool that is never busy, so we packed up and went swimming!  For as long as we haven't been swimming, I was surprised how they boys LOVED the water and Ashton was jumping into the pool (even went under a couple times... by accident... but he didn't mind).  The water was so warm, it was a bit steamy! 

 The house is all insulated, plastic wrapped, and ready for sheet rock! 

 Standing in the great room, looking into the entry way. 

 Our cabinets... all ready to go in after sheet rock and paint!

 The garage is all sheet rocked.

 Adam standing on the front porch.  The door has finally shipped from Utah, was in Chicago last we looked and we will be hand delivering the stain to the finishing shop tomorrow.  We also meet one last time tomorrow to make all final decisions on whatever else needs to be decided on.  This week they will be installing the garage doors, hanging the sheet rock, and putting on the siding. 

Whew... Once again, I forget all that we do until I look at the camera on Sunday nights.  How do we find the time to go to work and daycare too?!?!

 

Until next week... not sure what we have planned, but I'm sure we'll find something to do... or not.  That would be nice too.

~The A Team