Way Too Long

I could list a bunch of reasons and excuses for not blogging over the last year, but I won't. Instead, here are a few photos taken by our nanny Nicole over the last year. Enjoy!

Daddy's Boy

Harry is definitely a daddy's boy right now, which, given that he also constantly wants "up" (to be held) is not such a bad deal for me. He also, unlike his sister, is not shy of the camera so we're posting some of his best (and worst). He continues to add new words to his vocabulary, many times thanks to Annie who is always teaching him: "can you say, 'Um' and then say 'brella.' Good Harry - you said umbrella!" In typical (I guess) sibling fashion they are usually either having loads of fun together or are hitting and pushing each other; actually, its usually Harry hitting and then Annie yelling, "Mommy, Harry is hitting me." To which I say, "well tell him not to do that because its not nice." Annie: "I told him and and told me no." Mommy: "Well, tell him he is not the boss of you." Annie: "I told him and he said no." Mommy: "well just ignore him then." Then Annie steps as close as she can to Harry without actually touching him, i.e., just asking to be hit again, which of course, he usually does and then we start over again. Fun stuff. But really, they usually get along well and watching them laugh together is one of the best things I can think of.

Holiday Fun In Utah

Say "Cheese" Harry!

Annie and Jackie on Christmas Eve:

Again, jumping on furniture with Cousin Baylee (don't tell Nana):

Bedtime Stories on Christmas Eve:

Time to Dance to Jingle Bells:

(even Ma B has rhythm)

Look! Matching PJs:

Christmas Morning with some new toys!

Giving some hugs

Christmas dinner with Omi and Opi:

Howie and mini-Howie:

Playing together in their overalls

Pre-Christmas Fun

Jumping in the "Fort" together -- I remember when my furniture was for sitting on.

Getting ready to ski!!!

Bond, James Bond.

Can you say Elton John!

Annie taking a "rest" after organizing her guys

Annie the snow man

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow.

We've had snow on the ground for almost a week now, which is impressive for Boise. We bundled up both kids to go out and play on Sunday. Annie had fun sledding and eating the snow. Harry on the other hand started crying the moment we started putting his snow bibs on, refused to wear gloves, and was generally unhappy about the entire process until Grady relented and took him back in the house. After about a half-hour, Annie started asking me, "what's something hot we could drink mommy?" I knew she was fishing for "hot cocoa cocoa" as the answer, but she seemed compliant with warm soy milk. Harry whose a non-stop chatter box, repeating almost every word we say, has also started saying "no." Prior to this he just shook his head to indicate no, but now the way he pronounces his "no" is indescribable. It sounds like a cat in heat with a Fran Dresher like accent ("Nooooooo")-- if he weren't so cute it would drive me crazy. Bonnie built a "frosty" with Annie this week and also took the kids to sit on Santa's lap. Harry screamed the instant he sat upon Santa's lap and Bonnie didn't have the heart to listen to him while they took a photo so we just have one photo with Annie and Santa. Annie told Santa she wanted a car's car and that Harry wanted the moon. Santa might struggle with both those requests.

Having Fun with Deucey

Before the snow started flying down around here we hung out with the Dangs on a nice sunny December Saturday. Here's some photos of the kids playing. Both Annie and Harry adore Deuce, who is smack in the middle of them age wise, and have fondly nick-named him, "Duecey."