"Just a little lazy, Mum"

This is a line that Adam pulls out when he wants me to do something for him. "But I am just a little lazy, Mum". Most often said while laying on the couch with his trusty blanket and teddy, asking for a chocolate milk and for me to put on a 'show'. And I have been a little lazy too...a week since Canada day and no blog!!! It is either a drought or a flood with me! So here it is!
We spent the day in Breton at the parade and there was a special area for the kids to go crazy afterward-jumping castles etc. Then Taylor and I were in serious need of naps so Ray took Adam, Orrin and Anna out to Winfield where he was setting up for "Winstock" the next day. Taylor and I took everyone out some supper and  I took a long my camera as well. And Orrin and Anna so kindly offered to pose for me!

I think that Taylor got more candy than Adam and Orrin!! I think at one point he had about five pieces in his little hands!

Just a bunch of posers!!

Canada Day!

My goodness, I do not know what has come over me lately!!

Today we spent the afternoon over in Warburg (next town over) for their Canada Day celebrations. Ah, but Canada Day isn't actually until the 1st of July (put it in your calendars!!). But Warburg down theirs the Saturday before, so we actually get two celebrations. Anyways!

We didn't leave until noon, so I had two hungry kids, one who had been awake for 3 hours and really needed a nap, and I was pulling my hair out! But we went, and it was a beautiful day, and once we arrived at the park the boys were in awe! Jumping castles, face painting, fairy floss (cotton candy) toys for sale...pretty much heaven!

So the boys played at the park, Ray and I ate (suddenly the boys weren't hungry any more!) and then we pretty much spent the rest of the day making our way around, and laying on our new picnic blanket! Well Ray and I laid...the boys played! And because it was such a beautiful day, I took some (even if I do say so myself) awesome pictures!! Taylor never lets me get photos of him. He either blinks, or he runs up to me so he can lick the camera. So I made the most of him be distracted today, and got some priceless shots of him, being him :)

And doesn't this next one remind you of Lionel out of Peanuts?!

Of course I got some photos of Adam! Playing with his new 'sword'

 And I was lucky enough to get some good pictures of Ray. He hates me taking his photo, he is so hard to please, but HE even likes these photos!!

 

A moment

I know, I am totally on a roll! We went out to lunch today at the little cafe that my sister owns, and when we had finished, I had some errands to run. So Ray took the boys back home while I went and got my things done. I was getting into the van  and I was watching my men walking down the street. Adam and Taylor were matching (I didn't even mean to do it!) in orange shirts and tan shorts. Taylor was riding high on Rays shoulders, while Adam was running ahead. And at the moment, I wished I had my camera. It was such a cute sight, the backs of my boys, walking along together on a beautiful day. I hope that I get another chance to capture that moment. 

There is something special about seeing a Dad out with his kids that makes me go all gooey. And thankfully, my kids have such a Dad. One who lives to make his kids smile. One who tries every day give his kids fun memories that they will treasure.

I guess this should have been my fathers day post, but better late than never! While I would like to have some mummies boys, I love that the boys live for their time with Daddy as much as he does. And you know...getting to listen to the giggles is pretty much just as fun!

Bragging? Or just telling it like it is?! *Please don't hate me!!*

I don't like to think of myself as one of 'those' mums. You know, the ones who seem to live vicariously through their kids.

But that being said...I am pretty sure that I have the cutest boys ever. And I know that everyone thinks that their kids are the cutest, but mine take the cake. And I am never wrong...just ask Ray (!).

I have finally recharged my camera (Adam has been going a little crazy taking wonderful out of focus shots of his feet!), and gotten the very few photos I took of the boys birthdays. But then...how many pictures of cute boys do I need?!
Really, I am serious. My sister once got frustrated when we were scrap-booking, because EVERY picture was of Adams face!

So here you are, pictures of my gorgeous boys, and yes, I am well aware that everyone will not find as much joy in them as I do, but...bad luck, I am posting them anyways! 

And beware...in a few days my swanky new camera is arriving, so I will have heaps of new pictures (that hopefully looks a lot better!) so show off, and yes, I will try to break free of the mold, and take pictures of other things...maybe my sexy husband?! The options are endless really!

                                                  

Now this picture has an awesome story to go with it. When Adam was a baby Ray began what he called Papoose rides. These caught on VERY well! Adam would lay down (or be layed down when he was smaller) on his blanket, and Ray would pick up the corners and spin him around many times, finally ending with dumping him on the couch. So now of course the tradition has passed onto Taylor. And as Adam is now too big/heavy for papoose rides in his own blanket, we need to use MY blanket, although now we can do two at a time! Now I know what you are thinking! Many people have almost fainted at the sight of Ray flinging the boys around in the air, but they are very safe!!! No-one has fallen out, yet...knock on wood!!

I was getting a little camera happy one day while the kids were in the bath...Adam worked with me for about 3 minutes...this picture was taken right in the middle of our 'session'...and pretty much was the only good one!! Taylor just kept blinking.

My Big Adams 4th Birthday. He was BEGGING for an Optimus Prime birthday cake...so Aunty Sarah got an awesome one from DQ, and Adam LOVED it...of course so did Jake...I think Jake had about 3 pieces in total. He is great to have at a party!!

I didn't take many pictures of Taylors birthday. It was kinda a non-event. He didn't care, he was grumpy, and just being himself really! But we did get a cake. I think he was even licking off icing in this photo! Of course he demanded his cake, and didn't want to stop eating it, and got a brain freeze (which he still continues to eat through, just screaming at the same time...talented!!) Next year I will do better!!

Of course we had Rays birthday in there too (but he doesn't like the camera!!). Ray had never had a birthday 'party' so the boys and I bought balloons, streamers, cake and made Rays favorite supper. Decorated the kitchen in streamers and balloons. And when Ray walked in the door, he was speechless!! It was pretty much the best idea the boys and I have had yet! He liked it so much, he asked me to leave the decorations up! 

So that is us...until my new camera comes :)

New aussie word of the day

Dak.

Meaning: Used to replace the word 'pants'. eg. trackie-daks (track pants/joggers). To 'dak' someone (To pull down their pants)

I remember always trying to dak Holly. I never crossed the line, and totally got her pants down (I honestly had no desire to get her pants down, I just wanted to scare her, as any good sister does). Although Laura would always come around the finish the job that I had started (Sorry Holly!!)

So I (being the wonderful mother that I am) try and dak Adam. Only it always backfires on me. No, he doesn't turn around and try to get me. He turns around, and pulls his pants AND his underwear down. The first time it happened I burst out laughing (so of course he now does it all the time!) I was not expecting him to start out on the "Full Monty"!!

So of course, I may now be more hesitant to dak people in the future (not that I really go around now and do it). But before Adam...I never considered the option that the person could/would flash me. Food for thought...

Aussie word of the day

Dag.
 Can also be altered into "daggy"
Definition? Adam.
Let me explain. Adam is a dag when he decides to dress himself, not caring that he ends up putting his underwear on backwards, or even his pants for that matter. He is a dag when he wears odd socks, or has one sock inside out. Adam is a dag when he insists on walking around town with one of his Dads hats on...especially the bright orange one with a pom-pom on the top.
Adam is a dag when he dances. Don't get me wrong, he is one cute dag, but he has some interesting moves to say the least. Like his new dance that he invented one evening before getting into the bath. I don't think the name of this dance is fit for a family blog. Lets just say that it was named after one of his body parts...namely the part that was moving the most.
Now while I sometimes worry that as he gets older his daggy ways are going to work against him. For the moment I am very content to enjoy the laughter that it brings on. And the fact that he is teaching his brother how to be 'daggy'.

This time last year...

I was totally freaking out! I am pretty sure that at 10am I was being butchered by the nurse who did not remember how to put an IV in (I ended up with a black hand). I think Ray almost hit her...and then a couple of hours later (I think it was 2:41pm) I saw Taylor (I think I heard him first!). I cried, Ray cried. I don't remember when I first saw Adam...so I made a point of being able to see Taylor. I was awake, and blissfully not feeling anything. I heard him scream as the nurses weighed him. I finally had my moment.

But yes...today is my Bug-a-Lugs first birthday!!

Time has flown...and yet dragged by at the same time. And while he is a different little boy, and a little on the demanding side, we really can't imagine life without him.

He has a smile that can light up a room. Eyes that make you melt. A banshee scream that can make you crazy. A waddle when he walks. A snuggle when he is tired, and a high five or a smile if you are lucky!

He is a sweet little boy, who is too anxious too grow up. He wants to do everything that Adam does, you can see the envy in his eyes. He has to eat what we are eating...and RIGHT NOW!

He has the ability to go from the sweetest little boy, tilting his head to look at you with a big grin on his frog mouth, to a high pitched squealing child who you would think is possessed.

He is a picky eater...but when he likes something, he really likes it! He will sit in his high chair with a whole slice of pizza, and go to town on it! He loves steak...even though he only has two teeth. Goldfish crackers are a favorite, along with my homemade bread rolls (with nothing on them!). He squeals in delight (and yes I can tell the difference) when you give him a banana. He loves his bottle...will not drink out of a sippy cup. He is a blanket boy...he will nuzzle into it and drag it around with him (lucky I bought him two!).

He is out sweet Buggy, Bug-a-Lug, Bo-bo, Bugster (you get the point!).

And now that this year is over (thank goodness!!) onward and upward! And a lot more craziness to come!! 

Happy Birthday Buggy!!!

If I had the money...

I would buy a lock for my office door...thus keeping out little hands from playing with my craft things, and messing up my organized chaos!

I would get shelves for my office. I have to keep everything on the floor..of course this does nothing for the aforementioned little hands!

I would get the entry way finished...a railing would be nice to that when people come over...they do not expect to plummet to their death (And yes, Adam will tell you that if you fall you will crack your head open and die...hey don't judge me...it works!). Paint and mudding, flooring, storage for shoes, hooks for coats would be great too...but I have gotten to the point where I consider those things 'luxury items'

I would get closet doors...I would love to be able to hide the mess on the floor when people wish to check out the en-suite...It is so embarrassing having 'unmentionables' laying on the floor from the morning, and not expecting anyone to go into your room!! I have been caught more than once!

I would get blinds/curtains for all my windows! I finally got curtains for the living room 18 months ago (no more blankets there!) and just got some blinds for the doors...however the rest of the house has blankets, or sheets...or nothing. Privacy would be nice.

I would hire someone to finish the house so that I didn't have to wait for Ray to have the time/energy to do it (after spending all day drywalling someone else's place...the last thing you want is to come home and do yours!)

I would buy more shoes. Ray has more shoes than I do...I am very picky! But if I had the money...maybe I wouldn't need to be so picky.

I would throw away all the clothes I never wear. I feel like I am holding on to them just so my side of the closet looks full (It really would be so empty if I took down the maternity clothes!) and replace them with things that I think are funky...at the moment! Ahh that would be so nice!

I would buy accessories. I never do because it seems to be indulging...but I would love to do it! Then of course I would have to figure out how to wear them all!

I would get my hair done more than once a year. Yep...once a year a cut and color. It seems like such a hassle (and expensive!!) so get a babysitter, sit around for 2 hours, and pay someone $120...but I always come out feeling like a million bucks!

I would decorate my house. I have even done a course in it! I have visions of what I want, and where I want it...I have sketches of what it will all look like...but not the money to do it. We only just got a book shelf! Our 4 boxes of books (half of which I lugged over from Australia) were just unpacked a couple of months ago...6 years in boxes...so sad! And we still have stuff that I want on the walls, or on shelves...but alas my brain sees these a luxuries also.

   I would get a coffee table, a new bed...and a new mattress! One that doesn't make me get up in the middle of the night to crack my back!

I would get someone to landscape my yard...so we don't look like white trash. Although I don't know if anyone could make Ray keep his crap under control!! And I would have to stop dumping the garbage bags outside the front door, and actually take them out!

I could honestly go on and on...handbags (I LOVE bags!!) socks...I never seem to have enough...pajamas! It has been forever since I bought new ones...I think I have more pajamas than clothes! Books...I would go crazy on books. Hair things, cute clothes for the boys, stationary (I could live in Staples!). A Mac...I get very mad at my computer. I would get someone to do the companies book-keeping (so I didn't feel dumb).

But all in all, I have a warm bed, a husband who comes home each night (he may spend most of the night playing guitar, but he makes it home eventually). I have my boys to make me laugh and snuggle me, and kiss me when I am sad. 

Stuff can stay in boxes...people can continue to risk their lives by visiting out death trap of a house (it is true..missing vent covers...wires..lack of railings etc). But I have everything that I need :)

Made my day!

This morning was a Playschool morning. I really dislike Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Getting Adam dressed and ready before nine is like pulling teeth. Not to mention that I have to get dressed too! I much prefer to stay in my pj's until I shower. So this morning was like any other Playschool morning. Taylor was grumpy and wanted a nap, Adam was dawdling, I was a mess.

We were just headed out the door, when Adam said to me "Mummy, you are beautiful"

My jaw dropped! I was wearing my favorite pair of track pants (my lulu's!) I still had my pj top on, hidden by a hoodie, my hair was not brushed, but just thrown into a ponytail. I was putting on my thongs (flip-flops!) and holding Taylor on my hip. I was disheveled to say the least!

But he told me quite simply that I was beautiful.

Needless to say, he made my day.

I am blessed enough to have an amazing husband who tells me that I am beautiful every day, not only in private, but in front of our kids as well. I am in awe of the fact that Adam has picked up these complements from Ray and I talking to each other. And he knows how they are used. After he told me I was beautiful, he asked me if that made me smile.

I love how his aim with everything is to make someone smile. I am blessed to have the two sweetest kids...just like their Daddy :)

Adam the Philosopher

We had some errands to run yesterday in Edmonton, so after Taylors morning nap, we got into the van and started the 1:15 minute trek to the city. Adam was chatting away to Taylor, when he asked me if we were going to see Spiderman. *You know, the 'running guy' on the treadmill on HWY 2? A few months ago he was dressed as Spiderman...this became the highlight for Adam of our long drives! Sadly they changed him to a hockey player for the Olympics...but he is still referred to as Spiderman!* I said "Yep, we will be going past him"

Adam then informed me that he wanted to go underground where Spiderman lived. I answered that Spiderman doesn't live underground (I like to think that I have some knowledge concerning boys cartoon characters!). He told me that before Ray and I were born, he (Adam) was Spiderman and that he lived underground, and then when he was born he became Adam.

I was quite impressed! So I asked him what was going happen when he died? Would he go back to being Spiderman?

This seemed to be something that he hadn't thought about yet. He was quiet for about 2 minutes (And for a 4 year old, that is an awful long time!) then he said..."I will come back alive again" I asked if he was going to come back as Adam or Spiderman? Another long pause...."No, I will be alive Adam"

So there you have it. I am not sure what you would call his theory...it isn't quite reincarnation...but hey! I had no idea that a four year old would even think about that stuff!!! So now I know...we were superheros...all of us...once upon a time :)

Four years ago today...

You made your way into the world. It was the day that our lives changed forever. It was the day that we began to exist outside of ourselves.

Adam is quite the character! He loves to pretend play, and I often catch him talking to himself in different voices. He loves to sing, and writes his own songs already. He is a dancer. He attempts to breakdance, but it never really works out right :) He loves to give cuddles and kisses. They are his favorite (mine too!) Whenever he catches me being sad he come up and gives me a cuddle and asks me if I am happy now. He loves Taylor. He tries to play with him, and gets so excited when Taylor does something new. He even has taken over bathing Taylor! He is very polite (most of the time!) and mostly well behaved. Although he does have quite the temper when he gets going (doors slamed, throwing himself on the ground etc). He LOVES shopping, and always asks if we can 'go to one more shop'. He has a collection of quarters for the gum machine...although someone always seems to forget to get some out when we go out...hmmm I wonder who that could be!

His favorite part of the day is when daddy comes home! He loves the 'fighting' game, where he and Ray wearing boxing gloves and hit each other. It normally ends with Adam crying because Ray got carried away...but Adam gets some fine hits in there too (normally around the ears while being on Rays back!)

And while I often refer to him as dork, dag, weiner, goofball, crazy, loopy, sillybilly. He is my boy. And there is always a point during the day where I find myself watching him in amazement. Yes, this time may not come until he is fast asleep, but it still comes. And in that moment nothing else matters

Every year at this time (ie Adams birthday) I find myself reflecting. As soon as I woke up this morning (and for once the kids were still sleeping!) I said to Ray "this time four years go, we were at the hospital!" Then we have a chuckle of how fast Ray leaped out of the bed when I calmly informed him that I needed a towel!

For me, Adams birthday is a mixture of sadness and joy. I can recall most things leading up to the birth. But I don't have 'those' memories. The memories of first holding him, when I first heard him cry, even checking to see if he had all of his fingers and toes. My memory is hazy from about 5 minutes before he was born, to almost 10 months later. And when his birthday comes around, I am reminded of the big chunk that I have missing. I know I was there, but at the same time I wasn't there. So I am a mixture of emotions today...however Adam only has one...GLEE!!

Catching Up

I know it has been a while. Now that Ray is around again it seems that my mind doesn't over-think so much...which isn't a bad thing!

We had a quiet Easter, had a 'party' in bed with the boys. Which of course resulted in our bed being covered in chocolate and drool (mmmm!). Then we went over to Jesse and Sarahs place for an Easter brunch and our egg hunt. We stuffed ourselves silly, and then the kids worked it all off outside for the rest of the morning. It was nice to just have a lazy day of it, and just enjoying being together.

Adam was back at playschool this week after spring break. He got to go on a Lion Hunt. Thankfully he told me they didn't find any Lions in town, but ended up playing at the park. He loves going, and thinking of himself as a big boy that goes to school. I don't even get a 'goodbye' when I drop him off! He doesn't attend a local dayhome anymore (he was going once a week), so I have lost my 'Adam free' day...now I will have to attempt the grocery shopping with both kids (something that my sanity has not allowed me to do in a while!)

Taylor is becoming quite the big boy. He took his first three steps on Tuesday night! He has tried it a few more times since, but I get so excited when he walks, that it gets him all excited, and he falls down giggling and has trouble standing up again! He is quite the character. His personality is really beginning to show through now (or maybe I am just beginning to pay more attention!). He is very curious, has to check out everything around him and is always busy with something. He wants to much to be like his brother. He watches everything that Adam does, and you can see the envy in his eyes. He has taken to eating Rays breakfast with him in the mornings...just like big boys do! It is quite the sight to see them sharing a bowl of mini-wheats.

Rays work has picked up a lot again...I think he got about six phone calls the other night about jobs! But thankfully he still makes it home at night (well most of them anyways!). He has even written a new song, about teenagers who think that they are cool. The idea actually came about on a date night that we had while walking around West Edmonton Mall. I like knowing that I can still assist in his inspiration! Although I am still waiting for a romantic love song (that isn't about large women!). I think I will be waiting for a while yet!

And me? I am just the same. I haven't been able to work on my two half-completed murals for months! With Ray working, and band practice, and now my babysitters going and getting themselves jobs out of the home, I have been slightly limited! I will get them done!! In time for the kids to grow out of them and want something else! I have been contemplating doing the murals on canvas and then framing them so that they can be taken when people move. that way I can work on them at home...although this will involve working on canvas the size of the wall, and at the moment, I have no where in my house to do that! I guess I will keep thinking!

Well the little Banshee is screaming at me for something (it is a very effective way to get someones attention!) so in order to save my hearing I will leave it there :)

What makes a man...

I remember when I was little and not being able to wait until I was 'grown up'. I was one of those girls that walked around the house in my Mums shoes, and of course when helping with the laundry tried on my fair share of bras stuffed with socks.

My kids seem to be following the same path. Adam loves to shave with Ray using his melted plastic fork/razor (Ray made it for him!) talking about how long his wiskers are getting. The other day while enjoying a drive out to see a job that Ray was quoting, the boys and I were waiting in the car. Suddenly Adam told me that he had to go pee. Now he just being a three year old, I wasn't sure how imminent this need was, and I didn't want to find out. We were parked in someone front yard, whom I had never met. Ray was inside somewhere. There were men working outside, so I couldn't let him pee on someones front yard, and I wasn't about to walk into someone else's house! So some quick thinking was required.

I looked around the van...I spotted numerous empty drink bottles, and I remembered Ray telling me some stories. I wont go into detail...but I think you can use your imaginations!

So not being able to think of anything else. I told Adam to pull down his pants, and that he was going to pee into the bottle. Excitement spread across his face! The deed was done, and I was so impressed that there was no mess at all!! Thankfully I used a bottle that had a lid! When Ray was done, and got back in the van I told him what had happened. He suddenly beamed with pride. And told Adam how big he was now that he had peed in a bottle.

Yes, my 3 year old has taken the first steps to manhood...peeing in a bottle :)

Mornings

I am not a morning person. I love my bed, I love the luxury of being able to lay in there in the morning and just relax. Now with two boys that doesn't happen very often! But thankfully Ray knows how much I love my mornings and he gets up with the boys when he gets ready for work, and gets some time in with them. But Ray has been away working these past three weeks.

So along with missing my snuggles and having someone to keep me warm at night, I thought I was going to miss out on that extra 15 minutes in bed each morning.

So I was shocked when, in the first week Ray was gone, Adam had to be woken up to make it to playschool on time, and Taylor was just perfectly happy and quiet (that NEVER happens!) in his bed. I got my time in bed!

That made my days start off a lot nicer, and we all know that when Mum is happy...everyone is happy!

Well the second week didn't start off the same way. Adam would wake up and go upstairs and put on a movie. Then Taylor would wake up crying, which in turn woke me up.

Now this part might seem really mean, but Taylor cries for everything...EVERYTHING! And the moment he is picked up he stops. So in the past nine months, I have become somewhat desensitized. I can easily block it out. I know that he is fine, he isn't hungry (he is not a breakfast boy...weird!) and he is safe in bed.

So I lay there in bed, in that awake, but not awake mode. Taylor screaming down the hall. Then along comes Adam, crawling in to bed saying "The sun is up Mum! It is morning time!" I normally respond with a grunt! Then off he goes into his brothers room, turns on the light and says "Good Morning Taylor-Bug" Taylor responds better than I do, with a giggle! Then they play. Adam puts toys into the crib (he used to climb in there, but since we have been putting the side fully up, he can't) and they play together. All the while I am lying there listening to my two boys giggling together.

I love waking up to that...actually sometimes I even fall back asleep :) Then once the giggling dies down, and they both get bored, I get myself up, and we begin our day.

I am so lucky to have two boys that love playing together. I am so lucky that they seem to understand that Mum needs to get out of bed in her own time. And I am so lucky that my husband understands my love for the bed!

Things I love

1. Laundry. Yes, laundry. I love how it is always there to do. It is always sitting there, whispering my name. Free time? Do some laundry! I also really enjoy how it seems to have doubled since Taylor was born. I find comfort in knowing that no matter what...it will always be there.

2. Renovating. I love it. Why else would I be going through it all again. And there is one thing that is better than just plain old renovating. Living in the house while you are renovating...add to that a crawling baby and you have bliss! The dirt, dust, paint, tools, screws lying on the floor, all adds to the magic. There is just something about being able to see the 'bones' of the house you are residing in, especially when you are lying in bed. Throw in a few safety hazards and I am one happy woman.

3. Drywall. Not only does drywalling pay our bills (most of the time!) but it adds a little 'something-something' to our daily life. We have begun to use drywall buckets as household decorations. I currently have two sitting in the entryway-complete with tools. I love going into the bathroom and seeing the paint sprayer in the tub soaking. It is a wonderful way to start the day. And my favorite. When Ray puts the drywall tools in the van, like last night when we drove home with a bucket full of putrid smelling water/tools. Heavenly.

4. Having a sense of humor. Without it...I think it is pretty safe to say that I would be locked up, and in a home with padded cells :)

While the cats away....

The mice get mopey! Ray is away working this week. So the boys and I have been trying to occupy ourselves! The first night we bought junk food to make ourselves feel better, and that didn't work. and then last night Adam was too tired to attempt anything with me, and I am guessing that he will be in the same state tonight.

Adam started playschool last week. My little boy is all grown up. He loves going. I have to wake him up each morning to get ready, and we are normally running a little behind because I am not a morning person! But I have never seen him get out of bed so fast! No dawdling, no whining. He eats up his cereal, and gets dressed, puts on his coat and boots and is waiting by the door before me! He goes twice a week, and he wishes it was more!

Taylor likes the fact that Adam goes too...he gets to play with all the toys! Now that we have Taylors sleeping and eating issues under control he is such a happy boy (and we are happier too!). He loves playing with Adam and tries to do everything that he does (which normally ends up with a bruise or two!). And Adam adores him. He is always trying to hug him, and share his toys. I can tell they are going to be trouble when they get older!

And as for Ray and I, nothing much has changed! Ray is working late in Lethbridge, and I am talking to myself at home. It is amazing how lost you can feel when your 'other half' is away.

Well the boys are currently trashing the office (just when I thought it couldn't get any messier!) looks like I wont be sitting on the couch during naptime!!

Lazy me!!

Ok...heaps of catching up to do!! We have had a few firsts since the summer ended!

Taylor is crawling

around everywhere! His favorite place to sneak into is the bathroom...of course! You really don't notice how dirty your floor is until there is someone crawling on it! He started a few weeks before Christmas, of course we already had the tree up, so we were always attempting to protect the Christmas balls! He is already trying to

cruise, he can pull himself up on pretty much anything, and gets a huge smile on his face...then of course gets so excited that he falls down! Thankfully he has a tough head like me!

Adam has become such a big boy! Every day he comes up to me, so he can show me how much closer he is to being as tall as me (and he is almost there!) He is such a great helper with his little brother...taking the nappies to the garbage, finding little things on the floor that Taylor can't eat! He loves helping Ray do

'hard-work', and has had lots of chances to do that lately. He spends one day a week at a day home, and never wants to come home after :) Every day he does something that blows me away.

At the end of August Ray and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. We spent a night away at the

same hotel where we spent our wedding night...even got the bridal suite

again! It was nice to get away for a bit...maybe more than one night next time??!!

We had a fun Halloween, even though Ray returned late to take Adam trick-a-treating (!). Adam was a Dementor (He loves the Harry Potter movies!) and for Taylor-bug we brought out

Adams old Octopus costume, Adam loved scaring everyone, and Taylor pretty much just slept, while we all ate ourselves silly with chocolate!

We had Thanksgiving at our house this year. I cooked my first Turkey ever...and it turned out perfect! I was scared that it would be like National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, and it would burst open! But it was yummy, we had Sarah, Jesse and the kids over, and Bon-Bon (a friend, and she runs the day home that the boys go to). We were all stuffed by the end of it, and the kids had fun ripping

apart the house!

We decided to keep Christmas quiet, and just have it at home. We has a night of nibbles at Sarah's' a few nights before...where of course I ate too much (She was forcing everyone to eat more!!) The kids got to open some presents, and had a ball downstairs together. It is nice that they are all at the age now where we know they wont kill each other when they are left alone!

This was the first year that Adam was really excited about Christmas, we tracked Santa as he made his way across the world, and he was in awe when he woke up with a present in his room (but a little scared to open it!...He got in trouble a few weeks before for opening presents that were under the tree!) Taylor really didn't care about anything other than the wrapping paper...but was trying to see what Lego blocks taste like...and he is still trying!

Ray was able to take time off work for the first time for Christmas since he started drywalling. It was great having him home, and his holiday was extended slightly, so we have been able to get some work on the house done. Our en suite

is now usable...not totally finished...but usable! We also got our entryway remodel completed yesterday! We have new stairs, and yes, it is just plywood showing now...but in time we will get tile on it!

So we have been busy working on the house, running after two kids, while trying to paint murals (I am painting one for my niece, and one for her friend...it is really hard to do it with two kids...especially when one is a banshee!!), drywall, band practicing, playing shows in bars...and still trying to be able to see each other in between!!