A little something about my boys~

Olivia has a project due tomorrow and it requires sharing some pictures of her life. So we went through loads of picture files over the weekend so she could pick out what she wanted. While doing that I found some pictures of Nolan & Leo exactly one year ago. I couldn't believe how teeny Leo looked, with dark, straight hair! Now, well let's just say his hair has a mind of it's own, wild, and has a head FULL of crazy curls. So funny how much it has changed. Leo & Nolan are becoming little buddies. Leo misses him when he's at school and when he wakes up he often looks around for him and says "Nolan" He LOVES his big brother so much. Nolan is becoming much more protective, and helpful to his little B. Both my boys are such cuddle bugs.  Nolan still likes snuggling, and when Shane and I lay with him he always grabs our arms and pulls them tight around his little body. Leo is like a Koala, hugs us so tight and squeezes his little hands to cling as tight as he can, it's so darn cute! I am one lucky mama to have boys that love this way.
Leo is 2 kids in 1 ;). He is the busiest, most determined of all 3 of the kids at this age. I thought Nolan was determined, but holy moly, Leo surpasses him by far. I wish I could bottle up his energy and give myself a dose each day. He adds a new word to his vocabulary each week, talks up a storm. Still a picky eater when it comes to anything with a smooth texture like noodles, eggs, beans, tortillas(which is killing me because that's a major staple around here). And let's just say this 17 month old little porky pig has YET to sleep through the night, ay yi yi!  Sadly I am used to it, although I crave more sleep.
Last Sunday night through Monday it dumped here, covering our city with snow.  It was really beautiful.  Nolan was so happy, and helped his Daddy shovel before he left for school.  *One other random thing about Nolan.  Last week  I was on the couch with the boys and they were lifting up my shirt looking at my belly.  Nolan looked at Leo and said "smack her belly!"  and then "it looks like dough!"  Awesome, thanks buddy ;)  Out of the mouth of babes!

Pictures~

Cuties~1 year ago!

Picture below 1 year later!

Leo rubs his little feet together when he is relaxing, just like my Dad does

Trying to show me thank you Mama

Please Mama~baby sign language, he uses it all the time

My 17 month old BiRtHdAy!

Leo, his hair is so wild, & funny in these pictures

He's a climber!

A few of his "I'm about to do something NAUGHTY"  looks ;)

Major Art Garfunkel(hair) going on here

Snow, SNOW, & more SnOw last Monday

Cutie boy

Trying to chip away at the ice

Favorite snow boy & favorite snow baby!

Christmas & New Year

A fun afternoon skating with Santa~Nolan with his little buddy Will, and Liv with her friend Kennadi

Christmas came and went way too fast this year.  The kids didn't get out of school until right before, and then went back January 3.  Whew, it was a fun filled, fast break and time together as a family.  I unplugged to most things besides this party of 5, which always keeps me on my toes ;) Christmas Eve was nice & simple.  Church, a yummy dinner, and watched Christmas Miracle.  The kids enjoyed having their uncle Jo Jo over for a sleepover.  He eventually fell asleep with them watching The Polar Express.  My husband made homemade cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning, and I have to say, they turned out great, and were a huge hit Christmas morning, the grandparents especially loved them.  Way to go Shane :)  I won't go into detail on the gifts that both Santa and Mom/Dad surprised the kids with.  I will however say that both of the kids are enjoying their cameras, Nolan his Lego's/games/airplanes, Liv her craft stuff, books and new clothes/accessories(as you will see, she is beaming when she opened them)!
One thing I forgot to mention.  The highlight of our Christmas was seeing Noel!  He didn't plan to come up from CA for Christmas, but ended up doing so.  Unfortunately it was for a very sad reason.  He was up to support his best friend as she said goodbye to her Father who had passed away the week before Christmas, and the funeral was the day after Christmas :( It was an incredibly sad time for him here, and it broke my heart too.
Jesus has the best Birthday party of the year! It's sad when it ends so quickly, the whole season does.  New Year's Eve was just as simple as our Christmas.  We had our traditional calzone dinner, the kids love making their own, and I enjoy it too.  It has been fun the last 2 years to start our own traditions as the kids have gotten bigger, they count on it now too.  We told them they could stay up until midnight, or at least try to.  They made it, Nolan barely.  We had a fun night of playing games, dancing to Liv's new wii game, eating ice cream, and snuggling up.  We did watch the ball drop, and counted down until 2013, followed by passing around smooches.  Still can't believe it's January!  As I sit and type I'm looking at how beautiful it is outside, the ground is covered in snow. To top it off I am enjoying the most delicious cup of caramel coffee with a splash of Baileys french vanilla.  Nolan is downstairs with Shane while he's working out, Leo is sleeping, and Liv is with her Yaya.  It's a happy, simple, peaceful morning for this mama~Thank you Lord!

My favorite winter drink...the one I just described

Christmas Eve watching movies with uncle Joe

Christmas morning with Yaya & Papa

Santa and his Elves delivered while the kids were sleeping

Christmas Eve, I liked this picture because of the way the nativity scene looked

2 of Liv's favorite gifts, her new glasses and purse

Nolan got his first tackle box & was thrilled, obviously ;)  He can't wait to go fishing with Dad this year!

Leo's favorite gift, his vacuum

Pictures got out of order, this is just more Nolan enjoying his tackle box

Leo's 2nd Christmas, much more fun for him this year

Santa brought Liv a jacket she's been wanting for months, boy he's good ;)

My favorite girl~she was cracking me up, literally wanted me to take a picture of everything she opened, she was having a good time!

She loves these books

Now we each have our own wii controller

Uncle Noel just got to our house, so happy!

Liv in her new "stuff"  she was so excited!

Daughter/Daddy date night

Celebrating Christmas with Walker/Lofstedt/Sander Families

Uncle Bry had fun shopping for Liv & spoiled her!

Pictures out of order again, shoot!  I put this on here because Rob is cracking me up in this picture

Liv with Auntie Shawna & Uncle Bryan

A rowdy group!  And Leo's hair proves that it was a wild time ;)

Leo's hair here, can you say Art Garfunkel?

 New Year's Eve~our last family picture in 2012

New Year's Eve sundaes.  My mom got me a set of these vintage ice cream dishes for Christmas, they are super cute!