Spoiled! ... in pictures

This little beauty here was a pre-Christmas present. Somehow the boys got it in their head that they NEEDED a robot cake. I was dying to try this new peanut butter cake recipe (dense, but fabulous) and this was our end result. Thankfully, the boys aren't too judgemental about their mother's limited robot drawing ability = )

Here's a link to the cake recipe if you're interested:

http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,176,130179-249198,00.html

We started our present opening festivites on Wednesday evening at our house since we would be out of town for the rest of the week through the weekend. It was all the boys could do to wait until after their dinner and bath, but I think the wait was well worth it. They loved everything that Santa brought for them = )
Thursday we headed out to Pratt to celebrate with Corey's family. After a shaky start due to the weather - driving 4 hours in 45mph winds, sleet and snow is not my idea of a good time - we finally arrived safe and sound and had a great time with all of the Hubers. Below is a pic of the boys with their fave cousins Paige and Hunter = )

We continued our tour of Kansas with a trip to my grandma's in Russell. The boys were spoiled even more and as always loved getting to hang with gwamma, papa, aunt Tracy and gweat-gwamma! The matching shotguns were the hit of the day to say the least! They love them!!!

While we were heading down south and west a blizzard struck Lawrence. The last weather report we had watched said we shouldn't get more than an inch, so we decided against kenneling our dog Katie so she could enjoy the comforts of her own backyard. Well, thank goodness we have wonderful neighbors that called us to see to see if we stayed home or not! Poor Katie's house was snowed over in the storm!!! Here's a pic of the aftermath. We cannot thank the Scott's enough for digging her out and making sure she could get to her food and water. It is a blessing to have such thoughtful people in our lives = ) Below is a pic of Riley sitting on top of the snow covered dog house!

Once we finally got all unpacked, the boys could not be stopped from getting on their snow gear and having a ball. Here's Riley making his first snow angel of the season.

Gage washing down a candy cane with a snow ball -- "It tastes good!"

After all that fun in the cold, the boys couldn't wait to jump into their nice new flannel jammies after a warm bath. Gage is enjoying his homemade snow ice cream while Riley, ever the ham, strikes a pose even Madonna would be proud of = )

Lastly, here's Katie with her own Christmas present. Typically, she is all about ripping up and destroying any toy that she is given. However, this little guy she has adopted as her baby. She had started to chew on it pretty roughly, then set off a sensor inside that makes a tiny "rawr" sound. She immediately backed off, came back for a few sniffs, then ever-so-gently picked it up by the scruff and has done so ever since. It is the first thing she searches for when she comes in. It is sooo cute!

I hope each of you had wonderful holiday celebrations as well and safe travels to your destinations. I am home this week with the kiddos and am so looking forward to it! We've already had a couple of fun-filled and I can't hardly wait to see what else my little rugrats will do = )

Weekend Fun plus More Yuck! ....

We started off the weekend to Shear Madness in Olathe. This place is amazing, although, you do pay a little for this amazingness -- but all in all, it's worth it. You see, since the boys have been born, I have always cut their hair myself. I do a fair job, but I'm definitely no professional. Part of the reason we have never ventured out to have their hair trimmed is the thought of trying to get these 2 rambunctious balls of energy to sit still long enough for the event to actually occur and potentially be worth the stress and money was unfathomable. But, as Riley and Gage are maturing, our trips out into public are slowly but surely becoming not only more tolerable, but actually enjoyable. Finally! Anyhow, I had heard of this place from another mom and thought it was time we gave it a try. It was really cool. They have various cars that the kiddos can sit it in while getting their hair cut and also a great play area with toys that they can enjoy while waiting. Of course, the entry is also the equivalent of a mini-toy store with everything eye level and overpriced, but I gotta say, it's effective! Anyhow, the boys did really well. They have never remained that still for that long for my barber adventures that's for sure! The results were pretty good and I'd have to say that even though I ended up paying more than I would have liked, it was worth it = )

Gager in his race car. He had a great time making race car sounds and "driving" all during the appointment. We'll forgive him for choosing a Tony Stewart car. This time...

Here's Riley cruisin' old style in a 50's Chevy. It even had little foot pedals inside to keep him busy and burn some excess energy. Bonus!

After that adventure, we headed back to Bass Pro Shop again as it was just down the road from the hair place. Since the boys have been relatively good, I caved to standing in line again to visit Santa. It was worth it. The boys really enjoyed their second time around with the jolly old fellow much more than the first. I even got the photo for the Christmas card I was hoping for = )

With each visit to Santa, the store offers a ticket for a free kids meal. The boys were ravenous after our long morning of errands so we decided to give it a shot. The food was pretty darn good and with the kids eating free it was actually quite affordable. Another bonus!

Riley thoroughly enjoying his meal -- and being quite dramatic in the process!

(yes, I know what you're thinking - - and yes, I do take my camera everywhere and photograph everything! you just never know what you might catch and in the ever immortal words of Aerosmith ... "I don't wanna miss a thing!")

All of the excitement proved too much for the boys on the car ride home and I got the pleasure of snapping another peaceful shot. Love these!The next couple of shots are pretty random, but I thought they were cute and wanted to share ...


After Riley and I's bike ride, we stopped to play outside a little while. Here he is making making "snowball soup" in the ditch in front of our house. Love the imagination!

One of Riley's close-up pictures of the Christmas tree. He loves it almost as much as I do!

Another of Riley's shots. I am so glad he took this one, though, as I have a story I've been meanting to tell about this particular Santa. We have several strewn thoughout the house and little Gage likes to go around and talk to each of them. However, according to him, this particular Santa is not a Santa at all ... to him, this particular figurine is God. That works for me. It gives us just one more reminder of the real reason for the season and a great chance to talk more about all of our blessings = )

Well, this week was already looking pretty busy and hectic with the last of the holiday prep needing to be attended to, Christmas parties, work, jewelry orders, and just life in general. Then, Tuesday morning we get the dreaded call from pre-school: Gage is sick. Great! It's the flu. Again. Yuck!!! Let's pray it leaves us as quickly as the last round and that the rest of us manage to stay healthy! Good tidings and good health to all!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas ...

Just gotta start off with I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR! Ok, now that we have that proclamation out of the way, here a few snapshots from the season that make me smile:

Gage helping me decorate the tree. I LOVE our Christmas tree. Many of the ornaments were handed down to me from my grandmother. It helps me feel closer to her to see them and reminisce about all the wonderful times I've enjoyed with her and my grandpa over the years. It's also, if I do say so myself, just about the prettiest darn tree in town = )

On Saturday we ventured to Bass Pro Shop to visit Santa, do a little shopping, and get some more ideas for the kiddos wish list. During the trip, Corey was the boys hero when he wrestled this large brown bear and walked away the victor = )

Top item on Gage's wish list is a quad. We had to practially pry him off of this one. Well, we'll find out for sure if there's really a Santa, 'cuz it would definitely be a Christmas miracle if this showed up under the tree! Maybe next year, kiddo ... keep on dreamin' big, though!

Oh the boys were so excited to meet Santa. They did so well and even told Santa what they wanted for Christmas. However, I think seeing about 500 people staring at them kind of freaked them out a little and this is the best picture we could get. Riley kept being shy and looking away, while Gage forced a "cheese" but not much smile to match it. So much for my dreams of the perfect Christmas card! Oh well, I love it anyway = )

Here's another one of my favorite things about this time of year, getting to display this beautiful piece that my grandpa handcrafted (and Corey puts much TLC into each year.) The first night it was out was kind of tough, though. Riley was extra excited about it and asked several questions. When I explained that my grandpa made it, he wanted to know where my grandpa was. I explained that he is in heaven and went there when he was just a baby. He immediately broke into tears and sobbed he didn't want my grandpa to be in heaven, he wanted him here. I agreed with him, but tried to console him by explaining that he needed to be up there to help take care of Gracie. That, coupled with an extra long hug, seemed to help ease his sorrows a little.

Then, Gage beaned him with a snowball and it was on! Here they are running in the first snow.

Gage hanging on the tree trying to shake the snow off ... silly boy!

Riley getting ready to peg me with a snowball. So ornery!

Gage - busted trying to sneak up on me. Check out that look of determination!

Catching snowflakes = )

After exerting all that energy playing in the snow, the boys needed to refuel. Here Gage is working on his 3rd bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup! (which he followed with 2 bowls of cereal and an apple ... talk about a hungry boy!!!)

Well, that's it for now, just wanted to share a few of my faves. Let the festivities begin. Fun, fun, fun!

Deep Thoughts by Riley and Gage ...

Riley - Mom, I need a new helicopter.
Me - You already have two.
Riley - Mooooom, those don't have two spinners! I neeeeeed one that has 2 props that go round and round and round ... and maybe even shoots bombs. Yep, that would be cool. That's what I need.
** and then he was off on another mission. he definitely is getting better at articulating what he wants!

Riley - No! I am NOT mature! That is for babies!
** his response after I complimented him for getting a super report from his pre-school that mentioned how mature he has been in class all week. how's that for irony = )~

Riley - I can't talk about this anymore. My words keep getting all tangled. I am done.
** said in exasperation after trying to teach Gage our street address on the way home one evening. Gager was in a super-silly mood and I'm pretty sure was intentionally messing up. gotta love the brotherly love!

Gage - It's good! It tastes like chicken!

** his response to his pre-school teacher's plea for him to put the boogie he just picked into a tissue instead of his mouth. yuck!

Gage - Thank you for .... Ben10 Alien Force, Ben10 Alien Swarm, Little Ben10, Big Ben10, Movie Ben10, Cartoon Ben10, Real Ben10 and Kevin (Ben10's friend)

** heartfelt thank you to God during his bedtime prayers = )

Me - You are such a crazy little Spider Monkey! (said after watching him climb up, jump off, and bounce off of almost every piece of furniture in the house)

Gage - [stopping still in his tracks] No, I'm not Momma. I'm not a Spider Monkey. I'm a widdle boy!

Ahhhh! Gotta love what comes from the minds and mouths of 2 & 3 year old boys!