Finally...Brett's 3rd birthday and Christmas in WI!

Long time no blog, right?! We've had some techinical difficulties with our computer lately (I hate virus'!) so I haven't been able to upload pictures or blog. We still haven't fixed our computer but Kyle got a new work laptop that he is letting me use because I couldn't wait any longer to update everyone on our now 3 year old little boy!

We had a rough start leading up to Brett's birthday and Christmas because Brett came down with Croup 4 days before we were suppose to head to WI. We woke up that Sunday morning at 4am listening to Brett gasp for air ---- probably the most scary moment of my life. We quickly did a breathing treatment which helped a little, but definitely not enough, so we were off to the ER in Chelsea. We were so scared and worried about his breathing that we didn't even put him in the carseat or put a coat on him - we just wrapped him in a blamket, plopped him on my lap and sped away as fast as we could. Thank goodness we live in Chelsea and are only 5 minutes away from the hospital! After more breathing treatments, steroids, and a little rest, we were on our way back home after afew hours. We thought this response to Croup was because of his asthma, but I guesss it can happen to anyone. So scary!! Anyways, because of Croup and an ear infection he was diagnosed with later in the week, we waited until Friday to make the drive to WI. We thought he was doing a little better - and had been on antibiotics for over 24 hours, but unfortunately, the beginning of the trip was pretty rough. Poor Brett clearly still didn't feel well and slept awful. The good part is that he was still a trooper and enjoyed opening his presents and tried his best to be a good boy despite how he felt. I think he still had a good birthday and Christmas :-) I seriously cannot believe we now have a THREE year old!!!!! I love him with all my heart :-)

Brett and his cousin Lily jumping from the big bed down to the mattress on the floor. I love how they are holding hands!

Action shot!
"Happy Birthday, Brett!" Here he is opening his first present :-)


Taking a break before heading to Grandma and Grandpa Mo's for more birthday celebrating.

Grandma Mo went all out for Brett's birthday - she had cake, decorations, poppers, presents, and games. Here Brett is playing "drop the clothespin in the jar". Both Lily and Brett LOVED that game!

Now, to the next game...pin the tail on the donkey! Another huge hit!

Here is Brett's personal little cake...Lily's birthday is just afew days after Brett's so there was a big cake for both of them and then they each had their own small one like this. Grandma Mo thought of everything!

"Happy Birthday to you..!"

He was a happy boy!

Make a wish!

Brett demonstrating the best way to eat a cupcake :-) YUM!

Now to the best part...presents!!!

The next morning it was time for MORE presents....MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!

New trains!

The only shot I have of Brett and Lily dressed up for Christmas dinner! Lily was so proud of her beautiful dress :-) And Brett, well, he couldn't care less! :-)

And here's just a random shot of that handsome smile :-) I love you, Brett!!!

Christmas in Chelsea

We have had one fun December here in Chelsea! Christmas time is such a magical time of year and it's even more magical when you have a wonderful little boy to share it with :-) Seeing the joy, surprise, and curiosity on his face each time we have done something new (or new to him since he probably doesn't remember much from last year) are moments that touch my heart and make me smile. And, the best part is that we don't have to go far to enjoy all the holiday festivities! Our small town makes sure to captivate us all with all the Christmas fun they provide....and it's all in walking distance! A couple weeks ago was "Home Town Holidays" with a parade, live nativity scene, cookie decorating, arts and crafts, and of course, a visit with Santa Clause! I was so proud of Brett because he actually sat on his lap this year!! I think it helped that his friend Abby did it, as well as the candy cane and little trinket gift Santa was handing out :-) Brett even got to see Santa a second time at Abby's daycare where they welcomed the public to come visit him. Both times he saw Santa he was apprehensive at first, but slowly warmed up and would shyly go over to sit with him. If you listened really carefully you could even hear him tell Santa that he wanted an airplane for Christmas ---- so cute!! To continue the fun all month long we have been doing holiday arts and crafts at playgroup and at home, and have had fun listening to Christmas music and singing "Jingle Bells" and "Rudolph" together :-) I love listening to him sing!

Brett and Abby bundling up before heading out to see Santa and the animals!

Visiting the live nativity scene and listening to Christmas carols

I love the look of complete surprise and amazement on his face!

Petting the donkey :-)

Brett and Kyle checking out the cool train pin he got while sitting on the train! Of course, that was one of Brett's favorite parts!

While waiting to see Santa, Brett got to do some fun art projects! He made an ornament (that fell apart soon after), a snowflake, and some fingerprint deer. Cute idea's!

Here are a couple Santa pictures I took. Unfortunately this particular Santa was a little grouchy and didn't smile much....atleast Mrs. Clause looked happy though :-)

Thank you for smiling in this picture, Santa!

Doing the best kind of art project there is - one with glue and glitter! I swear I'm STILL finding glitter throughout my house!

Our Christmas tree :-)

Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

This year we were really on top of things and actually went to the Christmas tree farm the weekend after Thanksgiving! The temperature was mild and we basically had the place to ourselves because we went Saturday afternoon during a U of M football game. I guess some people think sports are more important than Christmas tree's (and usually Kyle is one of them) - but not for this game! None of "his" teams were playing so we were all about starting the holiday season and picking out the perfect tree for our family :-) Brett had A BLAST and was quite intrigued by the saw and how it worked. That's our boy for ya, he is always trying to figure things out and see how everything works. I love watching that little mind of his go to town!

Pulling the big wagon out to where our favorite tree's our (but of course I can't remember the name of them!). We offered to give Brett a ride but he preferred to walk :-)

I think he found one he liked!

Let the sawing begin!

Watching intently as Kyle saws away. I love how he is on his knees. So cute!

Now it's Brett's turn to try!

Trying to get Brett to stand still for a picture!

Father and Son, hand and hand :-) I love my boys!!

Of course, as soon as we got home we HAD to put the Christmas tree up and start decorating ASAP :-) Brett did such a good job and was fairly gentle - well, sometimes :-)

And here is the finished product - Brett loves to sit (or stand) on the chair and take the ornaments on and off. He has done LOTS of rearranging since the tree was put up a week ago!

"The Mitten"

When Brett turned one he received one of the best Christmas gifts ever from his Grandma Bingham. She had gotten him a very special book called "The Mitten" by Jan Brett. It was extra special not only because that was one of my very favorite books growing up, but also because the book was only a small part of the gift. The story is about a little boy who loses one of his white mittens in the snow. It is soon discovered by many of the animals in the area (an owl, fox, badger, rabbit, bear, mouse, etc) who decide it is just the right place to keep warm. Karen came up with the best idea to make this wonderful story even better - she hand made an oversize mitten along with the animals to go inside! At one years old, I was definitely more impressed than Brett and I couldn't wait for him to really get into the fun of it all. Last year, at two, he showed a little interest but he still wasn't quite old enough to really get into it - but this year, this year is different - he LOVES it and wants to read it all the time :-) We've read it so many times that he actually has the order of the animals memorized that go inside! Here are a few pictures of him immersed in his new favorite story :-) Thank you for the thoughtful gift, grandma Bingham! This is something we will have forever!!

Here Brett is reading the book by himself. I think we had read it together atleast 3 times at this point and I was ready for a break!

Surrounded by the animals, ready to read the story again :-)

Stuffing the fox into the mitten while I read to him.

One of his favorite parts, emptying the animals out when the story is finished.

Trick or Treat!

Now that Brett is a year older, trick or treating was even MORE fun than last year...he has a sweet tooth like his mommy, and was so excited to fill up his pumpkin with candy! I had a hard time trying to figure out a costume for him this year though...he first told me that he wanted to be a kangaroo for Halloween, so I searched and searched for a cute, affordable one, with no luck. They were either ugly or way too expensive. As I continued my search for a new idea I realized very quickly that it's very difficult to find a nice little boy costume that isn't a super hero, muscle man, or some other violent creature - and I'm just not ready to go there yet! Soon enough, I won't have any say at all, so this year, while he still listens to his mommy, I was going to find a CUTE one (but I had no idea what that would be!). Then my mom called one day with the best idea....she had seen an adorable owl hat and offered to buy it and then make the rest of the costume. What a wonderful idea, mom!! I bought a brown sweatsuit and she bought some felt; I then cut out the feathers and wings and my mom did the harder work of gluing and sewing it together. We were both a little worried that he might not wear it because we could never get him to try it on for us, but once the day for candy came, he was all for it :-) My mom did an AMAZING job and Brett was seriously the cutest owl I have ever seen :-)

Getting ready to head out..I mean really, can he get any cuter?!

Grandma and Grandpa Mo came for a visit so Grandma came trick or treating with us!!

Our attempt at a family picture :-) As you can tell, Brett is already munching on candy from our house!

Brett was so good at saying "trick or treat" and "thank you" after he got his candy.

Brett and his friend Abby who was dressed up as a pirate. SO cute!!

Brett and Abby holding hands :-)

The Dorritos were a nice break from sugar!

We stopped at the funeral home for some free donuts, cider, and games. I love our small town!

Hand and hand, on our way home.

Once we got home Brett insisted on opening up each piece of candy just to get a taste and see what was inside. Needless to say, we ended up with a whole plate full of half eaten candy!