Finishing Up 2012

Right before New Years, Luke's parents came out for the weekend for a quick visit. One day we took them to see the Garden of the Gods. It was freezing, but still neat to go back.

Jacob loved climbing up on the rocks and through all the small caves and tunnels.

I love the rock we see on our way out because it's always amazing to see that big rock barely balanced by anything it seems.

The boys love having their grandparents around, especially Grandpa. Luke and John were also able to watch the last Redskins game of the season together too.

By New Years Eve night it was just us again, and we spent the day relaxing and that night we watched lots of movies, ate snacks and hung out together. We put the boys to bed at normal time, but it was still fun to just relax bringing in the new year.

I love this picture of Luke making Blake laugh!

On New Years Day we had the Loughe's over for lots of treats and snacks. Luke got a trifle bowl for his birthday so I made one for the first time and thought it was pretty good, and easy! We had a good time.

So while I'm at it, I've been meaning to catch up on how the boys are doing. Right before Christmas Blake turned 18 months!

And finally, a day before he turned 18 months he decided he was ready to start walking! Once he realized he could make it across a room, he's been walking all around without a problem. He does hold his arms up though so he still looks so cute waddling around. We're glad he finally did it!

Other than that, he's still small as a peanut, and a picky eater but if he finds food he likes he'll eat a lot. Basically my boys eat spaghetti every single night because that's practically the only thing they'll eat! Blake is really good at talking though. I have no idea how many words he knows, but he picks them up fast and says them clear. He's also very particular in what he likes and knows he can cry to get something he wants. Unfortunately it often works. Right now, he loves Cars (especially Lightning McQueen), trains, Elmo, reading books, and he's also really good at doing puzzles and things like that too.  Blake likes to try and put on his own shoes, hats, and likes to keep his coat on a lot too. A lot of times he puts on Jacob's shoes, or he likes to wear his new lightning slippers.

 

He's also a big climber now, and also loves playing with Jacob. They really are good buddies and sometimes it's just better when they're together. They usually play pretty nice.

They love playing with Daddy and Blake often says "jump" because he likes when Luke tosses him on the couch or bed and they bounce.

Sometimes these boys just like to roughhouse and I want to intervene, but they love it so much and just think it's funny to roll all over and knock each other down. Blake's a tough little guy, haha.

 

But he's also sweet too- he'll give me hugs and kisses and still likes to cuddle for a few minutes when he wakes up. He's been taking great naps, goes to bed so easy, even sleeping in lately too, and has been great for friends and family who've babysat lately. Blake started nursery and has done pretty well, and it was nice that Jacob could be there to help him transition his first few weeks. Blake can be a bit stubborn and a handful at times, but I love it most when he's happy!

 

 Jacob is doing great too. He's been doing great at preschool, even learning the alphabet in sign language, which I think is so cute! He's been loving playing in the all the snow lately and asks every day what we're going to do, always wants to be out doing something. Maybe this year I'll be better about actually getting him out more and doing fun new things, and not watching so much TV/movies! He also loves to play with all his Toy Story character toys, Cars cars, and trains. 

 

This year Jacob also starts Primary! He seemed to do well this first week although he was a little nervous at first. It's mostly a class full of girls, with only 2 other boys. It's so cute seeing him be reverent, and sing songs, and pray. He's my sweet boy and such a good older brother. He makes me so proud!

Last year was full of lots of new changes for the boys. Jacob turned 3, started preschool, mastered his letters and sounds, learned to stay dry all night, saw lots of family and made new friends. Last year Blake met his extended family, learned to crawl, had his first birthday, learned to take a pacifier, feed himself, talk, walk, play, learning to share, and started nursery. I'm sure 2013 will be full of lots more new things too, but hopefully at least it will be a fun year!