Thanksgiving in PA (part 1)

We spent the week before Thanksgiving with Ryan's family and really had a wonderful time! Played outside, visited friends, and cuddling with Grandma and Grandpa's new puppy Woody. It was really a nice visit and I will be up there again very soon.

This hat has been part of the camp for years and was worn by both Ryan and his brother. The idea that Ian put it on at all was amazing but he also wore it almost all day the next day!





Here is Declan and Ryan's brother Zach showing off their tatoos! Declan did his himself so he could be like his cool uncle!















Declan wanted to be streched so he could be as big as his big brother!

Ian and Uncle Zach doing a little creative expression with play dough.

Declan was feeling like being unclothed for a little while even though it wasn't that warm! He is definately an Alaska boy!

Happy Birthday Little D!

So I've been slacking a little on the blogging front only because I'm in PA visiting family, but it's no excuse! I thought it fitting that since today is Declan's second birthday I would do a "Declan Tribute"! I love my little D and I'm so blessed to have him in my life!

We got some snow and Declan lost his "glue stitches"!

So today we woke up to about 6 inches of beautiful snow! I'm so happy I got a taste of some Alaskan snow before leaving for PA! I mean, I'm sure there will be plenty to come back to in January but I was just thinking it was going to happen sooner. I was also unable to talk the boys into playing out in the snow, but I'm sure they will at Grandma and Grandpa's!







Declan also lost his Dermabond or "glue stitches" on his left eyebrow. I'm so happy it's healing so quickly! He was really funny about the whole thing. He's such a tough little guy, scars and all!!



This is just a random shot of him dancing, as usual.

Our first real snow and playing outside!

So we finally got some snow and as the true "Alaskans" that we are now we needed to play outside. It may look a little pathetic to try to sled on such a little amount of snow, but it made the boys day! We are defiantly due to get more snow in the next few days but we just couldn't wait. This is also Declan's first real experience with snow. I love that he kept calling it ice instead of snow, which actually is a little more accurate at the time. As I'm posting this there is much more snow coming so I'm sure there will be more productive sledding going on! Ian...well to put it nicely, took a little more "encouragement" to get him outside and stay outside but he had some fun once he got into it.




Ian and that not so thrilled look when he first came outside.


Declan trying to eat the snow that was on his hat! So cute!


Joshua, Declan, and Brianna on the sled. Ian was still trying to decide if he really wanted to be outside.



I also was able to catch a few of the fun things on video so I hope you enjoy.

Keeping the boys busy!

My goal in life lately seems to be the task of keeping the boys busy! I love that Alaska has stuff for kids to do inside when the weather is not so "kid friendly" or really "mom friendly". I will be the first to admit that I would rather be inside when it's cold than outside, but only when it's cold with no snow! And yes, we still have no snow. With my upcoming trip to Pennsylvania closing in, the thought of possibly not seeing any snow before I leave is getting more and more real. : ( Luckily I'm going to PA where I'm guaranteed to see snow at some point! I'm just so excited to be going back east for the holidays! Apple cider, pumpkin pies, and most importantly FAMILY! I'm sure I will be posting plenty of busyness while I'm there! After all, it will be with my boys and what they do best is busyness!

Here are some fun pics of my boys at the House of Bounce in Eagle River! Love it!

Happy Halloween!

So for Halloween we went to our church's Harvest Fest and Trunk or Treating, the boys had a good time and we didn't have to freeze outside walking from house to house. I even dressed up! When I came downstairs and Declan saw me dressed in one of Ryan's old uniforms it totally through him for a loop. He just hugged me and said "Dada!". It was actually kinda sweet.



These were something Ian picked out for his prize at one of the games. I was shocked that he put them on and let me get a picture. Shortly there after he broke them into pieces never to be bothered again! I love my boys!

Today Declan kept saying something over and over and it wasn't until Ian was correcting him that I realized what he was saying. I finally was able to catch it on video after a try or two. Just in case you can't catch it, he's saying "ARRGGG Baby" instead of arrrrggg matey. So cute, yet it was driving Ian crazy!