Locked In

Somehow after nap Max locked himself in Grandma and Grandpa's room.  We tried to use the pin to get the door open but when that didn't work, they had to take off the lock itself and pry it open.  After about 10 minutes a crying boy emerged and was happy to be rescued.

It took a Daddy and a Papa to free the 2 year old.  

Holiday Hoopla 2011

Friday night we went to Holiday Hoopla.  As always it was way crowded but lots of fun.  Caboose Stop had the best window display, Scratch had the best cupcakes and Cedar Falls had the best fireworks.  

 Boys by Caboose Stop

2 very wiggly boys trying to hold still for a family picture!  It was a beautiful night.  

Wicked

Tonight, Sarah and I saw the Broadway play Wicked at the D.M. Civic Center.  It was very amazing, the cast, the set, the singing all of it was great! 

 Opening screen.  Just like the map in the book Wicked.

In front of the Civic Center.

Operation Christmas Box

This year instead of exchanging gifts with my brother and sisters-in-laws we decided to pool our money and do something good with it.  In comes Operation Christmas Box.  This was the perfect idea and a great thing for our children to understand the concept of giving back.   We met my brother Andrew and his wife Whitney at Dollar Tree (didn't get any pictures there, blast.)  We all discussed how we are picking out things for a little boy who doesn't have much.  The boys were very eager to pick out everything that they would love which is what we wanted.   They had the occasional "I want this" moment but it was a great teaching opportunity; some people don't have much and we have lots of we are going to give all these things to them.  It was a lot of fun to pick out things and pack them up.  

 The boys putting the stuff in the box.  You are suppose to fill a shoebox with almost anything.  We chose a little boy age 2-4.  

We picked out crayons, pencils, colored pencils, notebook, coloring book, scissors, combs, soap, washcloths, toy cars and trains, jump rope, books, harmonica, action figures, slinky, bouncy ball, socks, toothbrush, toothpaste, flashlight, candy and cookies.  Along with $7 for shipping, it was very practical and fun to do.  

The boys putting their small box into a big box.  The collectors said they have already taken 36 full boxes to WDM.  That's AMAZING!  

New Carpet

Check out our new area rug.  Isn't is beautiful.  I'm so happy with how it looks in the living room.  Thanks Riley's Floors for doing a great job of binding it.  

I stomp around in my black boots....

Wordless Wednesday

Max sleeping...

Sunday we drove back to Pleasant Hill at nap time (on purpose).  The boys slept almost the whole time which was perfect.  The following picture is how Max slept the whole way home.

  

Date Day

 Since the move I knew I wanted to start giving the boys more one on one time.  I loved the thought of going on a date.  First we talked about how a date is when two people go out and do something fun together.  We went to Messy Mornings at the Hearst Center, to the Caboose stop and then picked out a treat to share.  It was great fun, and the perfect time together.  I love Emmeric, I love all his questions, his enthusiasm for everything and his willingness to try.  

 Shaving Cream.  It was Emmeric's most favorite thing.  He made all kinds of tracks with all kinds of trucks.

He painted a wonderful picture.

 Mommy and Emmeric at the Caboose Stop.

The bracelet we made together at Messy Morning.  I love all the animals and stars.  :)

Grimes Fire Station

Halloween night we went to Grimes to see Ed's friend and co-worker, Zach at the Fire Station where he volunteers.  They were having trick-or treating; so not only did the boys get a ton of candy and glow sticks they got to sit in a fire truck, ambulance, walk around the station and try on Zach's bunker gear.  Emmeric was very into it.  Thanks Zach for letting us stop by and for showing us around the station.

My pumpkin Firefighter!  P.S. Both boys are so cute in this picture.