Christmas Crazy

Wow, the last couple weeks are a complete blur! We have been incredibly busy! Between baking, shopping, partying, preparing for santa, mailing packages, working etc. we have been SICK and to top it all off our kitchen is under complete construction.

But alas, we managed to enjoy all things Christmas. Brock really enjoyed the preparations and celebrating this year. He has many many questions about Christmas, baby Jesus, angels, etc. He LOVES the Christmas stories, songs, tree and, of course, presents! His favorite story this year was of Mortimer mouse - this cute little mouse who at night resides in the nativity scene in someone's house - very cute!

Christmas baking is an annual tradition that I did with my mom and grandma and now we do with the kids. Even Theo got in the action this year - trying to devour an empty bag of chocolate kisses.


Brock intently worked on his ginger bread house for two days. When he learned we were going to do baking he could hardly stand the anticipation. This was the hardest part of Christmas with a three year old. Every morning for weeks, he would wake up and say 'Is it Christmas time'...then later he would say 'Actually, I think it is Christmas we should open presents'. I'm shocked that I never awoke to a living room full of opened presents.


We were at the beach for Thanksgiving and every year Santa surfs into Capitola village to visit the kids (wetsuit, elves and all). Brock sat on his lap and asked for a RC car. Then as soon as we walked away he noted 'that is not the same Santa as last time'. Geez Brock...could you just go along with the Santa thing...you are only three!! We sold him on the whole santa's helper idea.



Hanging out with friends - they all have matching jams. Brock, Theo, Annie and Millie.

When we went to pick out a tree, Brock wanted the smallest tree. It was about two feet tall. We talked him into a little bit bigger, but still small tree. We were okay with this since our house is a complete disaster with the construction.

Brrr...shoveling snow with no pants...must be those Alaska genes.

Brock wants Theo to do everything he does. Here they are playing in the fort together. They did this for quite a while...it was so cute listening to them 'talk' to each other.


On Christmas Eve Santa made a special stop at our house. Brock was in shock! He was so excited about his RC car. Santa should probably not have brought an outdoor toy to our house on Christmas eve. We had to listen to this giant, loud, dangerous car zooming through the house. Then Santa called to say this was a toy for outside only...we are learning :)

Opening his stocking! When it was finally Christmas it took Brock a while to have it all sink in...you mean, I can really open my presents! We opened presents for TWO days! I was happy that Brock also liked to give presents. He had fun handing presents to Ma, Pa and uncle Arthur. Later in the day we were outside playing with the RC car and it occured to Brock 'Mommy, we didn't get a present for Santa' - so cute.

Santa loved the brownies we left for him and those reindeer ate every last carrot!


Every boy needs a super hero costume. I made this mess of a cape and luckily Brock's aunt Cathy sent a really cool super hero costume that Brock loves. Now, I have time to sew a better red cape...one should not sew at 11pm on Christmas Eve!

Papa J got us this talking parrot and it was a HUGE hit! I think my child needs more social interaction because he became strangely attached to this talking parrot. He carried it around with him for days, talking to him, and even sleeping with him!

Theo enjoying his new blanket and book.

Papa J is stationed in Dover right now. He sent the coolest present! A video of himself reading two different books, along with the books. Brock loves to sit and listen to him read - turning the pages and everything. What a special gift! This is a program the military does for parents or family that are away from the little ones they love. What a great program!

Arthur was here for over a week - so Brock and him got some good lego time in. Thanks for all your help with the kitchen Art! We love and miss you!

Mr. T

On the same day that Brock turned 3, Theo turned 4 months! He has changed so much this last month!

- He started solids (so far rice cereal, carrots, squash, avocado and sweet potato) – loves it all!

- He is rolling (tummy to back) and scooting in circles! He might be chasing after Brock sooner than we thought!

- He now weighs 17.5 lbs and is 26 inches – big boy.

- He continues to be smiley and easy going and is SO in love with Brock.

- He loves to sit up with help. In fact, we can’t use his swing anymore because he wants to sit up and hang over the side – strange. I’m afraid he will flop out!

- He stopped sleeping through the night (darn!) – I knew it was too good to be true.

We are loving his little personality. Enjoy the pictures

He is a little orange in this picture from his carrots.



With every bite Theo snatches the spoon and tries to eat it - watch your fingers!

Brrrrr...

All week Brock has been 'plowing' our driveway and sidewalk - noises and all!



It has been snowing for a week! And until today it has been cold...really cold...zero degrees cold. We have had a lot of fun playing in the snow. We even got a snow day from work last Monday.

Brock's Photo Shoot

I went to download pictures the other day and it said I was downloading 80 when I thought there were only a couple. It turns out, the culprit below went on a shooting spree. Here is a sampling of his work...

Caught!

Picture of a picture of his cousins

Picture of the TV

Picture of his toy KTM

His foot and frisbee

Three Years Old!

A cheesy, teary and special post for my amazing three year old! On November 29th, 2006 Brock entered our lives with great furry and life as we knew it was changed in an instant. NEVER could we have anticipated or imagined the intense love and joy he would bring to our lives. We watch with great excitement and gushing pride as he accomplishes every challenge before him and look forward to seeing what the future holds. He exhausts and energizes us with his curious mind, amazing wit, fearlessness, and pure spunk. My dear Brock – we will do our very best to nurture you, to challenge you and to keep up with you! We will support you with all our strength and love as you grow into the awesome human you are certain to be. Our greatest wish for you – To just be you! To follow your dreams! To be happy! I hope you read this someday (when you can read) and know how much you are loved and know that we will do all we can to help you achieve your dreams.

Yes, I know – very deep for a three year old post! Brock had a great third birthday. We celebrated for about a week with the grand finale being his birthday party. Six toddlers, 4 babies, lots of parents, pinata (yes, very scary), bean bags, prizes, good food and cup cakes equals one awesome time! Thanks to all of our friend and family who made number three so special! Here is a little bit about Brock at age three...


This summer Brock developed some seriously good Frisbee skills. It is strange because although he appears to be right handed he throws the Frisbee lefty style...and it is impressive!

Although Brock has never been into sleeping much he sure is cute when he does!

Brock has very refined tastes for a three year old - some of his new favorites pomegranate, artichoke and onions.

Brock takes his big brother role very seriously! He is incredibly loving with Theo and he is always trying to teach Theo things. This little bond is so fun to watch! Theo returns the favor by laughing and smiling at Brock constantly. The other day Brock was playing peek a boo with Theo and I have never heard Theo laugh so hard - too cute!

Brock really enjoys playing with Play Dough...he sculpts animals and makes food.

We started to read to Brock when he was just a day or two old. Now he is a lover of books! He loves to read and can now point out if you skipped a page or even a word! How dare you!



The beach! Brock loves water whether it is the beach, river, lake, hose or bath tub! He is not concerned with the temperature...in fact, one of his favorite things is to turn the water in the shower to cold after it is nice and steamy...brrrrr! He thinks this is so funny!

Mama found a HUGE bin of legos for a couple dollars at a garage sale. Brock is quite the builder. He is so creative and often brings me things he has created with legos and they look surprisingly like the real thing.

Hiking at Nicene Marks redwood forest. Brock loves trails and hiking!

Brockisms

This will be a lesson in breast feeding for some of you. The other morning I got Brock set up with his cereal at the table. Then Theo called for attention so I went back to his room to change him. Meanwhile, Brock yells to me, 'mom, I'm freezing some milk for the baby'. I just said 'okay' and didn't think much of it. About an hour later I opened the fridge and found this...

Brock found a zip lock bag which had been full of toys - emptied it - poured the milk from his cereal into the bag - zipped it shut - and placed it in the fridge. When I opened the fridge Brock proudly pointed it out and I praised him for such a sweet and thought out gesture. He just amazes me! He has seen me do this very thing time and time again - putting pumped milk in a zip bag and 'freezing it for the baby'. I do this to store milk for when I'm at work.
The real thing...just call me the Dairy Queen!


Another story - just moments ago I was sitting on the bed and Brock asked me to lift him up. I was holding Theo at the moment and couldn't so he quickly thought of an alternate plan. He ran to our office and began bringing in books to stack next to the bed. He proudly said, 'I'm building book steps to get in the bed'. And that he did! After a few trips back and forth he stepped on the 'book steps' and launched himself right onto the bed. Very impressive!

And another - Brock has a slight obsession with Yoda. I told him he looked like Yoda - he wanted to know who that was - Daddy looked Yoda up on the internet and an obsession was born. So the other day he was chatting about Yoda, 'Mommy, do you know who Yoda is?'...'He lives in Hollywood California'...'by the beach house'.

Brock was in our office and I asked him what he was doing. He replied, 'I'm on the internet - checking my email'

Happy (Late) Halloween

Brock loves playing in the leave and Theo seemed to enjoy it as well.


Our cute little pumpkin!

We grew one of our own pumpkins this year - we are very proud!

Brock and our neighbor Julee. Before going out with our friends we had to go to ALL of our neighbors houses. They were expecting us and spoiled Brock rotten as usual! We have the best neighbors!

Theo was the cutest little Tiger


Brock had a blast Trick or Treating with his best friends Snow White (Taylor), Cinderella (Annie) and Sleeping Beauty (Grace). They were absolutely adorable and had such awesome manners at each house!