Enjoying Winter Break

One huge bonus of being a teacher, the long winter break we get!  I have loved staying home with Beau for the past 1 1/2 weeks so far.  Sleeping in together and playing together all day long has been simply amazing.  Joe did capture what our sleep habits have looked like and the late night snacks we have spoiled Beau with during vacation :)

First Snowman and Sledding of the year!

While Brook and I did a little after Christmas shopping, Joe, Uncle Josh and Beau built their first snowman together (well first snowman for Beau).  I think they did a pretty good job to say the least :)

Family Dinner

Since we have moved into our new house, Joe and I are constantly having friends/family over for big dinners.  We love having a house full of people and entertaining :)  Since most of us have had a nice break off from work due to the holidays, we had a family dinner the other night with our cousins and my sister and her family.  It's nights like these that we will cherish forever!

Christmas 2013

This year was a busy Christmas (as usual) but filled with many family events.  Joe and I truly love spending time with our families and feel so blessed to have them here by us.  Beau was at the perfect age for Christmas this year and thought all of the presents were his, as he tried opening everyone's gifts.  One thing is for sure, Beau is spoiled!!  Even though Beau did enjoy his presents, we made sure to keep the true meaning of Christmas close to our hearts by attending our Christmas Eve service at church.  Beau was barely hanging on since the service was at 11pm, but he made it through.  Holding Beau while singing Christmas carols was the best way I could have spent my Christmas.  By far, Beau is the best gift I could ever ask for! 

So excited to open presents!

Loving the laughing monkey from Aunt Candi!

The only way Beau would smile for the camera, was if Uncle Austin held him in the air :)

Joe helping Banx and Beau open presents

So excited for their bikes!

Loving Trevan at Grandma Betty's

Needless to say, Beau slept HARD after all of the Christmas activities :)

Santa!

This year Beau was much more excited to see Santa than he was last year.  At church, they had Santa come to see all of the younger kids.  I had a meeting that night, so Nana and Joe had to take Beau.  I don't think he minded at all though :)  Joe told me that Beau was just in awe and didn't really know what to think when he had to sit on Santa's lap.  Beau did tell Santa that he wanted tractors and legos for Christmas...good thing Beau was good and got his wish :)

Rough Sleeper

For the first two years of Beau's life, he has been the BEST baby and sleeper I could have ever imagined.  He has always slept 12-13 hours every night AND two naps everyday.  This summer we switched him over to just one nap (so my schedule with watching Banx would be easier).  And now that he is two, he must think he is tough stuff because he does not want to go to bed at night!  He always wants to stay up and hang out with us which I don't mind, but then in the morning he is a total bear-cat!  We have been trying everything to get him back on a normal bedtime schedule, and so far, no luck.  So at nights when we go back into his room to check on him, we often find him sleeping in random spots...just like when we found him asleep in his rocking chair.  Priceless :)

Mickey Swippers

Lately, Beau has been all about his "Mickey Swippers".  He wants to wear them EVERYWHERE!  Sunday he kept throwing a fit because he wanted to wear them to church, but we had to put a stop to that one.  It is so sweet to see him so passionate about his shoes---he definitely gets that from no stranger :)

Baby Powder War

This week, Beau discovered what a mess baby powder can truly make.  He had climbed up on his hamper, onto his changing table, and grabbed the FULL bottle of baby powder.  He threw it on the floor and then continued to dump baby powder all over his room, the hallway, and our bedroom.  Not only did this happen once, but three times now!  It doesn't matter where I hide the baby powder, he always finds it!

Tractor Ride

Last weekend Joe had to get the tractor out and do a few "honey-do" things for me in the backyard.  I thought Beau was napping, but as soon as he heard the tractor, he was up out of his bed and glued to the window asking to go ride with daddy.  I could not say no to him wanting to spend quality time with Joe!  We bundled Beau all up, and let him "help" daddy in the tractor.  Within 15 minutes, Beau had finally crashed and passed out on Joe's lap.  Beau didn't even wake up when Joe dropped him off at Scott and Michelle's so he could finish working. 

Breakfast of Champions

Lately, Beau's favorite meal of the day has been breakfast.  He LOVES it when Joe makes eggs for him---and now he loves waffles too :)  It amazes me that my little "baby" will eat a whole sausage and egg mcmuffin...and still be hungry! 

Kyle's 30th!

Our good friend Kyle had his Golden birthday on the 30th.  To celebrate in true fashion, we went to Des Moines for the evening.  Kyle had rented a Mercedes party bus for the night, and it was a night to remember to say the least!  Cheers to making it to 30 Kyle! :)

Chicken, Chicken

For Beau's birthday, Aunt Candy gave Beau this dancing chicken.  His reaction to it is quite hilarious!

Family Band

 

During Thanksgiving, my cousin Caleb, gave Beau his harmonica to play with.  Joe and the twins always joke around that they are going to start a band.  Well now, they have a harmonica player!  

Mickey Mouse Fans

Even though Beau still loves Barney, Mickey Mouse is still one of his loves!  Joe and I got Beau new Mickey slippers, and it's all Beau wanted to wear all weekend---even without clothes on :)

Grateful for 2013

This Thanksgiving was a little emotional for me.  A lot has happened in 2013 that I am so incredibly thankful for and it just consumed me over the long weekend.  I know I can't list everything I am thankful for (that would take hours to write!) but here are a few:
-I am so thankful for having my own family with Joe and Beau.  Beau definitely has been Joe and I's greatest accomplishment in life and I couldn't be more proud as a mom!  Even though it has not worked in our favor to expand our family, I know how blessed we are to have such a healthy, happy son.
-I am so grateful for having amazing families!  My parents and Joe's parents are always there for us helping us in anyway possible.  Anything from helping build our house, watching Beau, or just a shoulder to cry on, I can proudly say I am so thankful for all six of our parents :)  I am also extremely spoiled with having the best sister in the world.  Even though our age difference kept us from being best friends while we were younger, it is safe to say my sister is my absolute best friend and definitely my better half.  She is always the voice of reason (OK, so maybe not when she's hormonal and pregnant ;) hehe) and is willing to listen to me at any point.  Joe is also blessed to have a brother who is amazing to both of us!  Josh would do anything for Joe and the same goes for Joe.
-Joe and I are so grateful to live in a new house.  Even though it consisted of Joe working many late nights and being gone from Beau and myself, his hard work with Scott has given us a beautiful, large home to live in.  I will forever be grateful to both Scott/Michelle and Joe for this.
-Last, but not least, I am so grateful for my husband.  Through everything we have gone through as a couple, Joe has always been by my side.  I have never met anyone who has spoiled, catered, and adored me as much as Joe. 

While spending time with my parents over Thanksgiving, I realized how blessed we really are.  It truly does not matter how much money you have, what your house looks like, what kind of clothes you wear or what you drive.  The only thing in life that matters is family.  We are so grateful for each of our family members and so blessed to live fairly close to all of our families. 

I learned in one of my Master's classes last week that the most important thing to teach your children is to "have an attitude of gratitude everyday".  I couldn't agree more with this!  It is my number one priority right now with my students at school, as with Beau.

Naming Body Parts

New Love = Cheesecake

1, 2, 3, SIX

We tried catching Beau counting to ten on video,  this isn't his best "performance" but it does prove he is a smarty pants! :)

Two Year Updates

Lately, Beau has been able to count to ten!  We honestly couldn't believe it the first time it happened.  At his 2 year check up, Beau was LITERALLY off the charts for height, 96% for head circumference, and jumped to 84% in weight!  He is over 36 inches tall weighing in at 33 pounds :)  He is a growing boy, that's for sure!

Here are some of the things Beau can do at age TWO:

-Count from 1 to10
-Tell you how old he is "I'm twoooo"
-Let the dogs in and out to do their "duties"
-Feed the doggies
-He sleeps in a big boy bed now!
-He lost his binky the night of his birthday and has NEVER asked for it since
-Best friend is still Bryce
-Can do half summersaults
-LOVES his tractors
-Newest love, reading books...and lots of them!
-Always requests juice as soon as he wakes up
-When he is in trouble, he cries for Nana....not fair!
-Loves to tell me that he wants to see "Brookie, Ausin, and Banxie today"...he truly loves them!
-Unfortunately, Beau still loves Barney! haha
-I'm sure I am missing some things, but he is growing up so fast I feel I can barely keep track! :)

Sleepover Again at Aunt PP's

Last weekend, Joe and I had Banx overnight Friday and most of Saturday morning.  We LOVE having her over.  She is so well behaved and polite.  I must say, I have the best niece ever :)  Her and Beau are as close as cousins can get and I love seeing their relationship grow.  I know they are going to be VERY ornery together when they are older...yikes!

Saturday night, we took my mom and step-dad out to eat for my mom's birthday.  The kids were crazy at dinner and certainly the entertainment of the night!  And to show up in class, Austin drove us in the RV...who wouldn't want to go to dinner in a RV??? :)  We hope you had a great birthday, Nana and we love you so much!

  

"Uncle" Clint and Tara Date Night

A couple of weekends ago, we had Clint and Tara over for dinner.  Beau just adores Clint and just loves dancing with Tara.  I love seeing how close they are with Beau and how they treat him as immediate family.  I know I say it too much, but Beau-man, you are loved by so many people!

Halloween 2013

This year was very interesting for Beau on Halloween.   Last year he was obviously too young to understand anything or realize what scary costumes were.  This year, he definitely got the picture!  While trick or treating at Mary's (his daycare provider) he was swarmed with several kids who were dressed in scary costumes, and before we knew it, Beau was on the ground crying because he was scared and thought he lost us!  Poor little guy :(  So when we tried going to other houses, Beau HAD to be held and wanted nothing to do with the trick or treating.  Maybe next year will be a better year :)

Dancer

Lately, Beau has been a wild child when it comes to music and dancing.  Maybe we should sign him up for gymnastics after all?? :)

Beau's New Toy

For Beau's birthday, Grandpa Scott,Grammy Chelle and Uncle Josh gave him a new toy....his very own motorized tractor!  Needless to say, Beau is loving it!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Beau-man!

I cannot believe Beau is two already!  Honestly, where has the time gone??  We had a wonderful day Sunday and Monday celebrating with family and friends.  I always say this, but Beau is so blessed to have so many people in his life that care about him and love him.  Joe and I have amazing family members and wonderful friends who treat Beau as their own.  I hope Beau always realizes how blessed he is!

Of course this year his birthday was a tractor theme.  Not only was his decor and cake tractor theme, but most of his presents were as well.  He was so overwhelmed with all of his new toys that he didn't get to really appreciate all of them at once.  So don't worry all of you who were there, he absolutely LOVES all of your gifts and is playing with all of them!  Thank you to everyone who came and celebrated his special day with us :)

True football season

Friday night, we took Beau to another Osky football game.  This time, the weather was prime for football.  Beau was a champ though and didn't mind the cold at all.  What he really enjoys watching, is the band performing at half-time.  He clapped when they were done chanting "yeah, more!!!".

2 Year Pictures!

Beau's 2 year pictures are up!  As always, we are so pleased and amazed with the work Amy does.  Now is always the hard part, picking which ones we want! :)  Here is link ...

http://amydoerring.com/index2.php#/proofing/

password : beau

Dancin' Machine

Saturday night, we had Clint and Tara over for dinner.  Scott and Michelle ended up coming over too on their way home from the lake, so Beau instantly started showing off for everyone!  We started playing music in the living room, and Beau was dancing ALL NIGHT LONG.  He wouldn't stop.  So you can only imagine how happy he was when we finally made him go to bed.  Here is a video toshow his dancing skills :)

Brushing Teeth Routine

You always hear that your toddler will start to copy-cat your actions/words and follow you.  This is so true for Beau!  One habit he has been faithful about following, is our morning/night brushing teeth routine.  I used to have to tell Beau that we needed to brush our teeth.  Now, he honestly knows to do it on his own and even is pretty good about brushing them all by himself!  He even makes sure he puts his baby tooth-paste on his toothbrush first.  Occasionaly, he does grab my toothrush or Joe's and uses ours instead.  Oh Beau-Beau!  It's the little things I tell ya!

Pumpkin Farm 2013

It has quickly become a tradition to go to Bill's Pumpkin Farm every year after my Parent-Teacher Conferences.  This year, Joe was able to come with us which made him one happy camper!  He truly loves spending time with Beau and our niece, Banx.  He's always saying how much fun having a bunch of kids will be, and I have to say, I couldn't agree more!

Beau of course remembered some of his favorite things at the pumpkin farm such as the wooden car, the goats and the corn-box.  It will be so much fun to see how much he changes here every year!