Ethan has been paying more and more attention to families lately…especially to babies. He’ll say things like “Awe, Mommy, look at that cute little baby…we should hug him!” or “Mommy, I want that cute little baby girl…can we have her?”

But the best so far was a conversation with daddy before bed…

Ethan, how many kids do you want when you grow up?

I want 8! Lots of boys and girls and it will be WERY (”very”) fun!

8, wow! Well, one day you’ll get married and…

Whoa, whoa…married? A girl??? EEEEWWWW! No, thanks, Daddy! I just want lots of kids right now, ok?

…but hey, holidays are like that, right?

All of us on Christmas day!

Christmas was a (wonderful!) whirlwind of family and friends

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years, loved ones! We’re so thankful to the wonderful friends and family surrounding us…and hope that this next year is the best for you each

ps - pictures and stories to come…

Ethan was trying to convince us to go pick up his cousin Titus and even though we tried to tell him that Titus isn’t even in the country right now, he decided to take a vote:

That a good idea, Mommy…Daddy? (no response…we were trying to ignore it away…)

That a good idea Eli? (in a very odd baby voice Ethan says…) Yep!

That a good idea me? Yep…sure is!  We agree…Let’s go!

An exchange between Phillip and Ethan while at the park:

Ethan, do you know who made today?

(without missing a beat) Yeah! Jesus made everything for me…for me and Eli!

Phillip was listening to Ethan play in the bathtub tonight when he heard this little exchange between two of Ethan’s dinosaurs:

Hello! I’m Dino…what’s your name?

Hello! I’m Lance!

Phillip:

Lance? That’s an interesting name…where did you hear that? Is there a Lance in your class?

Ethan:

(rolls eyes) No, Daddy…dinosaurs can’t go to school! Jeesh…

The day of the Juvenile Diabetes walk was full of people and excitement - we basically walked the 5k in a herd because there were so many of us…but that’s a good thing, right??

Our entire little family completed the walk together and enjoyed the festivities afterward of free food, live music, bounce houses and other activities.

And drum roll please….we raised….
$1,055…$555 over my original goal!!!!

WHOO-HOO!!!!!!

Here are a few of my favorite moments of the day:

He walked off and on for the 3 miles…

…and he did this for most of it.

Phillip getting into the spirit of things!

He totally takes after his dad.

This is what it looked like in front of us…

…behind us - quite a turn out!

Yes, I was a little tired, but I couldn’t resist - I remember how much I loved piggy back rides as a kid

Getting his second burst of energy right before the finish line…

We made it!!!

Feeling accomplished!

While we all chowed down on the complimentary Cousins BBQ, Eli preferred this spoon.

Ethan’s favorite part?

Guess.

So thank you all for your support - both in good wishes and donations!

And to all the kiddos out there with this horrible disease, we’re thinking of you and doing what we can to help.

I know, I know…it’s been waaaaaaaaaaay to long. So, to make up for my neglect, I hope you enjoy this photo palooza…

“Hi, I’m 6 months old…and in a basket!”

Peek-a-boo! And yes, those are teethers you see!

To our (and his) amusement, he’s discovered his tongue

Look at that adorable crooked grin and that big ‘ole dimple!

Our blue eyed baby

They’re brothers…and best friends already.

Ethan all cowboyed up for a birthday party

Our biggest monkey, doing his now favorite thing with his daddy. He can climb up to 30 feet by himself now!

Just hanging out…(ha ha :P)

Wrasslin’ brothers.

Just so stinkin’ happy!

Eli chillaxin’ at the dedication of his Paw Paw’s new truck.

Ethan pouting during a potentially cute picture with my parents…he wanted to go play with his cousin Jessie. lol

A random, yet cute picture of Eli and his Ma.

Our little guy all tuckered out after the bell/truck event.

Our friends, the Fites and all our cute kiddos.

Pooh baby and Christopher Robin

Isn’t he purdy?

Kung Fu Ethan…ninja style.

This is his “thinking face”

And this is his “hottie face”

How’s that for catch up??

If I was asked to show just one picture that best showed the men in my life, I think it just might be this one:

It was story time in our house tonight and Jonah was the story of choice once again. However, this time, Ethan added his own special touches at the end when he retold it to me and Phillip:

Then whale threw up Jonah and Jesus on beach - YUCK!  BUT! There was alligator in whale belly, too and the alligator ate Jesus and Jonah! Jesus say “Don’t worry, Jonah, I got him!’ And Jesus fight (he was very animated during this part and was flailing his arms all about) alligator and then they ok. But then, shark come and ants, spiders, roaches and tigers come. But Jesus say  “Give me your sword!” and he fight them ALL!!!

Then they ok. But tired…so they take nap.

Then, they tell people not be bad and to be good girls and boys.

A little more action in Ethan’s version, but he’s getting the basics…kinda.