Block Tower

I recently filled out a questionnaire about 18 months old kids.

Question:  "Can your child stack more than 3 blocks on top of each other?"
My Answer:  "Yes"

3 Hours later...

(I promise, I didn't stage this!)

What happens after the tower is to Miles' desired height?

Yup.

Choo Choo!

So last night, we were doing our evening wind down when I noticed Miles was super quiet. Like SUPER quiet. That normally means he's doing something he knows he shouldn't be doing. So I'm thinking to myself, "dangit - what's he getting into? Where is he?"

He was sitting behind the couch playing with his trains. *melt*

Lately, we've noticed he's been trying really hard to figure things out. While he's always been this way, we've seen an increase. Whether he's trying to figure out how to steer his new bike, how to jump on his trampoline (instead of fast feet) or how to switch his fish lamp on and off, he works sooo hard until he gets it.

I watched him for a bit before sitting down and playing with him and he was perplexed at the magnetic ends vs. trains with no magnets. You could just see his brain working. "Why don't these two sides stick? OoO! These sides stick!" *Proceeds to break apart and re-do*

When I sat down with him, he started to bring trains out one by one to add to our line.

By the time he broke apart this train, we had 10 stacked end to end! Before bed, I asked him to put all the trains in the bin. One by one, he picked them up and placed (correction - threw) them in the bin. So cute.

This morning, we woke up and did our normal morning routine. What's the first thing he decides to play with? You guessed it....Trains!

Brain Unload

Things are back to normal after the holidays, thank goodness. So for today, enjoy a totally scattered and random post.

Omi got Lia a book for her birthday and she's been killin' it with her reading skills!

Miles has been really into pulling all the blankets onto the floor and rolling around in them. So strange but hilarious to watch

Miles knows the sign for baby and likes to hug the baby, kiss the baby (bite/slobber on it's head) and pat the baby. I tried FOREVER to get a good video. This is the best I got.

Halle reading to Charlie while Erin whispered the words in her ear lol

Reading with Uncle Todd

Miles has picked up quite a few signs in the last couple weeks but our favorite right now? Deer! He throws his hands up like touchdown and says "Oh deer!"

The whole crew of littles looking like big kids!

A quick favorite - Thanks Omi!

Out selling girl scout cookies!

My parents got a new puppy - Max. Miles wasn't too sure...

Peanut is doing well too! Not many pics of him but he's happy and kicking up a storm. Miles has noticed my belly now and likes to come up and pat it at random times which is cute. We are working on Peanut's room and almost done, so stay tuned for a post on that. That's all for now! Happy Tuesday!

All Giggles

He's been so giggly lately! Happy Tuesday!

Piggy

Ho Ho Ho & Down the tube we go

A continuation of our awesome snowy Christmas vacation....

Becky and Todd planned with the girls before they went to sleep to come upstairs once they saw light outside. So the minute the sun hit the horizon, the girls were up and pumped. Thankfully, they followed directions and didn't wake anyone else. Stephen and I missed the early morning Oos and Ahs, but got some cute photos from Becky of that morning.

I love this - the capture of true joy

Let the madness ensue! Stockings first until everyone woke up

It didn't take long for everyone to join in on the fun.

SO excited about his cars he was growling. ha!

Miles was slow at opening gifts and honestly would have been happy with the very first one he opened. He doesn't quite understand that part yet. So, in the middle of his gift opening, he had to go down for a nap.

Meanwhile, the girls were pumped to start playing with their new things!

Todd got whoopy cushions in his stocking and the girls thought it was hilarious. They were calling them the "tooties" for the rest of the trip hiding them under cushions and asking people to sit down. You can't help but laugh - everyone has an immature kid side just screaming to come out. Apparently farting is the key.

In the midst of the laughter, us adults were talking about the weather crossing our fingers Mother Nature would give us a white Christmas. Guess what? She obliged! SNOW! ON CHRISTMAS!

It didn't stick. But it was so pretty. So naturally, us Texans bundled up to go out a play. 

Easily one of my favorite memories from the trip:
Halle:  "Bob-o move over. I want to hit my dad"
- Bob-o moves over - 

Halle gives a sneaky grin and chunks a big snowball directly at Bob-o

The snowball hits and Halle bolts

Bob-o realizing he's been duped. hahaaa!!

Soon enough, Miles wakes up to join in on the fun!

Lia was so sweet with Miles and helped roll him around

The snow was on a off pretty much all afternoon. Such a fun addition to an already great Christmas. We all went inside and Miles opened the rest of his gifts. The girls happily helped.

Stephens face in this one. haha!

He hasn't quite got the jumping thing, but he's working on it!

Stephen and I got these weird, sticky snowman balls to add to everyone's stocking. When you throw them, they splat to the wall. A big hit! However, they come off much better on glass as compared to drywall. The girls did a good throw and one got stuck. Stuck waaaaay up top. So what do the boys do? Send a wall crawling remote control car up to save the ball. An obvious choice, yes?

You'll be happy to hear the snowman ball was rescued with no apparent injuries to it or the wall. A-plus car crawler.

The rest of the day was spent playing games, hanging out with family and just enjoying the day. Once the kids went to bed, we ended the trip with one last toast. A thank you to my parents for an amazing trip, a thank you to the kids for not being complete terrors and a Merry Christmas to all.

The bummer of all trips is when they come to an end.

BUT WAIT! We found out the snow tubing park was opening the next day. Our flights weren't until later in the evening so Becky and I brainstormed how we could make this happen. An early exit for my parents who were taking some toys in their car, a proper check-out for the rental house since we couldn't go back after the park, packing everything while keeping the snow gear out, leaving room for snow gear once done at the park, changes of clothes in case we get wet, etc etc etc. We HAD to make it work. There was no other option.

Miracles can happen. Snow parks CAN open in time to enjoy them. It was a rushed and slightly frustrating morning trying to get everything ready, but we did it. 

Miles wasn't a fan at first

But it didn't take long to grab a smile!

Miles was pretty observant and stoic the entire time. Not quite sure what to think. The girls, however, were PUMPED. They did the "kiddie" run a couple times and upgraded fairly quickly to the faster run.

I love this photo - they look like natural snow kiddos

Us adults had a pretty good time as well!

Sadly, the fun had to come to an end. It worked out pretty perfect though because we got there early. There were no lines. By the time we left, the park had filled up pretty quick. Snow gear off, into the car we go to make the 2hr trip to Phoenix to catch our flight.

Girls being goobers

Stephen and I trying our best to get Miles to sleep. We had no such luck... But, he was a trooper and did pretty well

We hit some pretty nasty turbulence - the worst I've gone through. Becky doesn't fly well (me neither for that matter). But, Miles had her back. He thought the turbulence was hilarious and cracked up every time we dipped or hit a bump. Had Becky laughing along. High-five bud :)

I'm pretty sure everyone had a blast. Thankful to be home, but would definitely go back in a heartbeat! Merry Christmas Everyone!!