This is a look of concentration!!!

and, a happy look of SUCCESS!!!

The little boy is interested in potty-training! He's had at least one success each day this week! Not bad for a 22 month-old boy...then again, he aspires to be a BIG boy...just like brother! Go Drew!!!

Got Meat?

Grandpa, can you please come over and barbecue MEAT for us??

OK, so I guess this was a good hint to make more dinners with straight unadulterated meat for my lil' carnivores...it's almost reminiscent of Larry's grade school writing, "I love mommy, I love daddy, I love Lou, but most of all, I LOVE MEAT!"

The boys JUMP to put on their hoodies, brave the chilly winter air, sit on their lawn chairs FAR from the HOT barbecue, and watch grandpa work his grill magic!

Future Garage Band

The Things I Get To Look Forward To...

World Fishing Network, and now, my future Arias Rock Star Band!

The guys had a blast rocking out with Guitar Hero...Dave on the drums, Vince on guitar, and Drewby on mic. I really don't know WHO had the MOST fun???!! They even made it through one song without getting booed off the stage.

Hmmm...sure looked like fun...wonder what I can play... :)

WFN, Seriously???

Yes, this is a shot of the TV screen...of...the World Fishing Network. Somehow, one weekend, Vince flipped to this channel (could it be just because it came in hi-def??) and Dave was INSTANTLY intrigued...and the guys weren't even successful in catching anything! Some kids adore Spiderman, the Transformers, Disney channel...Dave has found HIS channel...WFN! If I need a bit of time to get dinner started or jump in the shower, this is THE show I know will capture his attention and KEEP it! Go figure!

Family Photo From Christmas 2008

The Rooster LOVES Snowman Friend!

Who knew one stuffed, singing snowman could bring THIS MUCH glee to a little boy?? Drew adored his eye-level friend, clapped as he sang, gave him hugs and kisses, declared that the snowman bit his fingers, and pulled him all over the house!

I'll have to upload pictures of his new best friend from Gramma and Granpa A...ELMO!

Mondays with Grandpa

Drew loves Mondays...Dave goes to preschool, Mom goes to volunteer in Dave's class, run errands, and head to the gym, and Drew gets Grandpa ALL to himself! They read TONS of books together, cook in Drew's kitchen, vroom cars, eat lots of snacks, and other secrets I'm sure they're not ready to divulge! Here, grandpa was making a trellis for my sugar snap peas...Drew knew he was outside, so he found a stepstool, brought it to the window, and sneaky-peeked! :)

Yes! My sugar snap peas started producing before dad's! Ito Garden Competition 2009 continues!!!

Gingerbread House Making 101A

Dave was VERY excited to help mom create his first real gingerbread house. I put on the frosting, and he did the candy! He had SUCH concentration putting each piece of candy on...and LICKING his fingers with EACH piece! Little brother wanted to get into the action SO badly...he was scaling the counter to get at the house. Unfortunately, Dad had to take him for naptime so our project could get finished! Sorry Drewby! Maybe next year!

Dave made his very own graham cracker house after we finished this one. And, about 10 seconds after he finished decorating it, a "wrecking ball" knocked it down. (At least, that's Dave's story!) So, he had to eat ALL the frosting!

On New Year's, as we were taking down all the Christmas decorations around the house, the gingerbread house came down. Dave nibbled on a few candies and icing, and threw the rest away. I think he went in search of a tangerine instead. Drew, on the other hand, found a wall (or maybe it was part of the roof?), and ate the ENTIRE thing! Actually, he tried to finish it in one day. It finally became time to brush teeth, and he was REALLY upset about having to put the roof down. Finally, Vince had to convince him to put it in a baggie and put it on his dresser, and that he could have it when he got up the next morning. Of course the sugar fiend remembered it as soon as he awoke!

Happy New Year!

The creepy crud bug has finally left our house...except for the lingering cough. November and December did not have many updates due to a "lack of quiet time" around our house. I look forward to being more diligent about keeping up with the blog this year...as long as kid #2 can nap solo for more than 30 minutes! :)

First, an update of some December highlights...