The End is Near

of 2010 that is. We all tend to take these last couple days of the year to reflect on the past 12 months and to get excited and make promises for the new year. I am no exception. We have had such an amazing year, and one of my downfalls is that I haven't blogged about it nearly enough (now a promise for the new year). Here are some of our highlights:

1. Spencer arrived! (definitely the biggest highlight!)
2. We gained two sister-in-laws/aunts
3. Uncle Brandt took a job in Portsmouth, NH
4. A family ski trip to Breckenridge
5. A Kyly & Tim only trip to LA to visit Mike
6. We finished the basement -- ahhhh, a toy room for Anderson/Spencer!

When I think of 2011 the first words that come to mind are ORGANIZE & ENJOY. I realize that while raising kids my house will never be as organized as I would like, however, I can keep trying to get close. More items keep coming in before I'm able to remove/store old ones. Another word for 2011 - PURGE. Since I won't be pregnant in 2011, I'm hoping to ENJOY more adult activities - like traveling and wine. We have a couple trips in the queue, starting with Chicago in January. Of course, I also need to be sure to sit back and ENJOY my boys as well. Plenty of walks, books, snuggles, tickles, watermelon and swims are in the plans. I would also like to learn at least 2 new things in the new year. My thoughts so far are crochet and pie-making. (sad I know, I've never made a REAL homemade pie)

Here are some pictures from December -- we had such a great month! See the college for all our Christmas pictures!

Happy New Year!

watching the trains at union station

the horse parade downtown

spencer is 4 months!

3 months

And 2 weeks!

look at that happy boy!

aj wanted in on the pics (he's counting spence's toes)

Anderson is 2!

Happy Birthday Anderson!

Pictures of AJ eating some cake, well, maybe he is playing with it instead of eating.






Here are some of Anderson's "faces".

Happy face

Ornery face

Mad face

And last, but not least, Silly Face! (check out those teeth! I mean gums!)

4 of 4 -- Whew!

So I finally made it through my 4 part series -- definitely NOT in a timely manner. However, we are finally caught up and that's what counts. Here are some fun pics from the fall!

too many friends in one boat

uncle tyson w/ spencer at his first wedding

halloween breakfast

anderson and simon

spencer and oliver

3 of 4 Plus Halloween

Ok, so this series post I was suppose to do totally didn't happen. Boo. So a month later I'm telling you all about the pumpkin patch - which takes us nicely to Halloween.

We had so much fun picking out pumpkins this year - and it was awesome weather! He had quite the crew too - Grandma & Grandpa Pyle, Grandma & Grandpa Bateman, Grams, Uncle Tyson & Aunt Ashley and Uncle Austin & Aunt Holly. Whew! Anderson ran around inspecting pumpkins trying to decide on the best one, while Spencer took a snooze on mom. It was really funny to watch so many adults aimlessly follow a toddler around. Ha!

look at all these pumpkins!

down to the final 4

oh but this one is SO nice!

the only family pic where everyone is looking at the camera

Halloween also had great weather, so Grams and I took the boys down to Mass St for some trick or treating (Tim was out of town). Anderson was cool with putting on his dog costume, but I wouldn't say he was really in to it. Spencer made a super-cute dinosaur.

Part 2 of 4 and 2 months!

Spencer turned 2 months yesterday. Crazy how the time is flying! My friend Debbie had these cool monthly stickers, so I had to copy her and use them for Spencer. However, they appear to be cooler in theory than in application -- most of the pictures we took had Spencer's hands in front of the sticker.



Two weeks ago my whole family was in town to celebrate my cousin's Jason's wedding and Spencer's baptism. After the baptism we all went out to the pumpkin patch too. What an awesome weekend.

My brother Tyson and his wife Ashley are Spencer's godparents. The ceremony with off without a hitch and Spencer was a quiet sleeping baby the whole time. He did get his "Simba" moment like Anderson. It was really cool to have so many loved ones there at church -- makes an already hormonal new mom very emotional. :)

the "circle of life" moment -- just wait, can you hear the music??

our growing family

Part 1 of 4

Ok, so I am WAY behind in my posting. This will be a 4-part series - Farm Tour, Baptism, Pumpkin Patch, and fun random pics. We've definitely been keeping busy this fall -- how can we not with weather this great!

A couple weekends ago we went on the Kaw Valley farm tour. There were about 15 farms in the region that opened their doors for two days and let people come see what they do. We fit in 4 stops on Sunday afternoon before the boys told us that was enough. Vesecky family farm (animals), Blossom Trial Bee Ranch (speaks for itself), Pendleton's Country Market (butterfly bio, pumpkins and games for kids), and Davenport Winery (grape tour).

who are these guys??

and why are they following me???

One Month

....and a couple days! Hard to believe but Spencer is already a whopping one month old! He's enjoyed lots of family, KU games and cat naps over the past weeks.

the first of many chair pictures

ready to cheer on the Jayhawks!

where you'll find Spencer most afternoons

Bath Fun & Breakfast Dates

First baths are pretty scary, both for momma and baby. Spencer was a champ and handled it like a pro.

the resemblance to Anderson below is crazy!

We frequently have breakfast dates with Anderson's buddy Cohen at the park. The boys enjoy donuts and running around while the moms enjoy chit-chat and sip on coffee (ok, and maybe a donut!).

Fall Has Arrived

And along with it comes football! Both boys are excited to cheer on the Jayhawks tonight!

Time flies

Amazing how quickly a week goes! Hard to believe how much life has changed. Tim stayed home Spencer's first week and my mom has been here for the second week. Needless to say I'm a little nervous-nelly about next week when I have the boys on my own. I'm sure we'll find our new "normal" in no time. Here are some pics from the past week!

Anderson sporting his 'big brother' shirt that Uncle Tyson made

Spencer sporting his awesome shirt

Anderson was very interested in Spencer's eyes and nose

cuddle time with dad

cheezin' it at the hospital