December already

Archie loves the swing down at Grandma Jakes- Kristen captured his tummy dropping pleasure perfectly.

I love my family! Sometimes it is challenging to be a mother or a wife or what ever it is that you being or doing. Of course it is challenging, if it weren't we wouldn't grow and learn. But no matter how many tantrums we go through per day, and not just from my 3 year old, or my 5 month old (yes I am including myself in here, not just throwing Ben under the bus) it is all worth it. I loved my family growing up- I had tons of fun with my brothers and with my parents, we traveled we played games we had special traditions and we still get together and have tons of fun- family is the greatest. I am now learning how amazing it is to be a wife and a mother and to be creating those priceless memories in my own little family unit. Annie is the happiest girl I have ever known. She will smile and giggle at you even when she is exhausted- she plays this game before she goes down for a nap; she likes to sleep on her tummy, so when you put her down, she rolls on to her back, then waits for the eye contact from the nap enforcer (mommy) and just laughs and laughs! It is as if she is saying that she knows she did what you didn't want her to do and it was funny. She'll cuddle and coo and make you feel like you are the only person in the world, she gives you so much attention if you give it to her. I LOVE being her mom!
Archie is our 'big boy' and he loves to remind us. He loves to cuddle after his naps, he is a helper in the mornings getting the milk, juice, cereal and bowls out for breakfast. He is very protective of Annie, calling her 'my Annie' or 'my little sister' so others know not to take her away. He has been going to Joy School and really enjoying that. I can't believe he is getting so big! He loves 'fixing' anything with his tools, loves playing with cars and trucks, loves to 'take care' of his little baby (which usually consists of putting her down for a nap and then getting her up and wrapping her in far too many blankets) and loves playing with his cousin Alex (although some days you wouldn't be able to tell that he loves her so much).
Ben and I have found that we really have to schedule just being together into our days. It really is only for a couple of hours in the evenings that we have time to watch a movie, sit and talk or do other necessary but boring adult things. So that time lately has been precious to me- I love my Ben. Well I have some pictures that I have been meaning to post, so here they are.

So Kristen is an amazing photographer- she so willingly took some family pictures for us and we thank her!

Just a happy Kate with her family.

Bananie and Mommy:)

My sweet heart.

My other sweet heart.

It was too cold for Annie's cute outfit so she wore her bear suit instead!

Family.

Just love this girl.

Daddy and Archie, buddies.

Annie propped up, this must have been around 4 months old.

I walked in Archie's room and he pointed up to his light fixture and said, "see what I did?"

Best friends in the making.

Archie 'working' and 'fixing', the mittens he has on are his work gloves.

A battle wound from a little accident at grandma's house- after the tears Arch thought it was pretty cool.

My little princess- I don't know what was wrong with her eye, this photo was from a month ago!

Handy dandy Archie and his tool belt.

In his new coat from Grandpa and G-ma, thank you!

His new clothes from grammy!

His morning of 'working' in the cupboards.

Happy Birthday Archie

Little baby boy Nov. 10, 2008

Little Baby boy not really enjoying his first birthday cake, Nov. 7 2009

Little toddler boy loving his pumpkin bread on his birthday date with mommy and daddy Nov. 6 2010.

Little Boy anticipating his chocolate cake with construction trucks all over it, Nov. 6 2011.
Daddy and Archie put the cake together (hence the digger climbing up the side of the cake...)

Whoppers make great 'rocks' or clumps of mud, and if you break them they make 'dirt' too.

Uncle Devin, one of the greatest Uncles in the world, definitely in our family. He is so patient and fun and does anything and everything he can for his nieces and nephews. He saved the day at the birthday party by helping Annie be happy- she liked looking out the window:)

Our family photo- if you can't tell, Archie is not very happy with being asked to sit and take a picture, this was the best one.

This is the pre-party celebration, happy Archie:)
We had an awesome party. Kristen decorated and made absolutely delicious cupcakes, we had spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread and sweet potatoes. For dessert we had cupcakes, birthday cake and incredible home made strawberry ice cream from Kara and Devin. We did a cake walk so everyone could win prizes and Archie got his favorite things: tools and trucks. It was the best birthday of his life, until the next one.

I can't believe he is already 3 years old. We've gone a lot of places and done a lot of things in his short little life, but certainly the most memorable moments are the times when we are just at home laughing and playing with daddy or cuddle time with mommy. Actually my favorite moments are starting to become the times when he and Annie interact and just make each other laugh, the longer they look at each other the more they laugh. It reminds me of me and Zach growing up, I loved (and still do of course!) my brothers- being a part of a family is the best. Here are some pictures- I try every time to get them in the order I want them to be in, so we'll see how it goes this time, I have never been successful. (After I wrote this I realized the pictures were above and not below, so I am still unsuccessful... no big deal)

Guess what we have?!

A potty trained boy!

I guess he has been going on his own for a while, but it is official now that I don't have to remind him all the time, and he just runs into the bathroom on his own to 'go'. Who knew the sense of accomplishment that comes from potty training is so strong for the parents, not just the child!

We also have a beautiful baby girl who calms us all and loves to smile ( didn't want to leave Annie out of the success:))

Love you guys!

Our Life

Things have been happening- we went to Denver, which was AWESOME, we moved, we have all started potty training (yes it involves us ALL), Joy-School started, Annie is starting to get a sleep schedule (which also involves us all, minus Arch)!Archie learns quickly which will be a benefit to him at some point, but is a hindrance to his mother currently.

Banannie in her cutie white dress from Grammy!

Another Banannie- I can't get enough

Archie hiding from Owie in the cupboard in our hotel in Denver, they loved to play together!

Archie riding Alex's bike and wearing Alex's helmet- meanwhile Alex came and asked me if she could ride her bike and when Archie was 'gonna get OFF?!' Poor girl, Archie is becoming a bit of a bully sometimes, he is bigger and more of a barrel-er, using his physicality to get what he wants...

Cutie naked babies, lying on the floor of our new apartment!

Picking blackberries with Alex and Kristen in cowboy boots.

Owie looking content but a little confused because Archie just stole his broom that he was playing with and when I asked him to give it back he screamed "NO!" happily and laughed and ran off... We love you Owen!

Photo Shoot!

Kristen came over and took some wonderful pictures, she is so great at this I LOVE the pictures she took, thank you so much! And for some reason I cannot for the life of me get the pictures in any order that I want them to be in, so they are mixed up but at least they are there.

The red boots and the boy.

They do love each other, sometimes it may not seem like it, but then there are these moments.

Archie lost focus for a sec and Annie began to slip and slide to the right...

Archie is trying but Annie was wiggly...

The first of a few pictures where Archie is getting a little bored :0)

Precious. She had a tight hold on those tiny little vines.

Tucked in the vines.

So cuddled in the green.

"Hooowwww loooonnngggg are we dooooooing this?"

Perfect.

I can't believe they belong to me.

Sittin'. (not really, she can't sit yet!)

Kristen is amazing, I mean Annie is beautiful, but this picture was all Kristen capturing a sleepy/grumpy baby at the perfect moments with the perfect light.