Christmas 2009

I never knew how much fun Christmas could be until this year! We had so much fun with the endless entertainment brought to us by Chase. He really did not have a clue what was going on! When he woke up he was very suspicious as to why we were all so excited to be out of bed...this is most definitely not usually the case

The sled was a last minute Christmas Eve purchase, it ended up being the hit of the morning

But he really didn't know what to do with it, so he did this...I LOVE THIS BOY!

Favorite thing #2, a tube full of candy (which he still doesn't know is candy) with a Santa on the top, it has a button you push and the propeller spins. This could entertain him for hours.

Favorite thing #3, a head lamp from Daddy, what 1.5 year old doesn't need one?

After playing with 3 new things, he was simply done. He didn't even look at the rest of the presents until 4:30 pm.

After breakfast at the Van Bibber's we went sledding! He is fearless. He loved everything about it!

All of this fun was exhausting! While we missed our families like crazy, we had such a great weekend together with our little family and Nate's cousin Adam and his family Andrea, Caroline, and Olive...and of course our favorite Van Bibber family. I can't wait until next year!!!

Merry Christmas!

To all of our family and friends that we are missing at this time of the year, Merry Christmas!

what was I thinking?

Somehow, sometime last night I signed myself up for a half marathon? Seriously, I did! The thought of running in this super cool race with some of my very favorite people got the best of me. Who wouldn't want to run a race titled, "Covered Bridges Half Marathon"? So with a bit of luck on June 6th, I can say I did! Now I just need some running shoes....

the boys

It snowed!!! We have had an unusually warm fall in New England which we have all been grateful for, but we were ready for some snow! Chase has been completely entertained by everything about the snow. He loves to tip his head back and let the snowflakes fall on his face, watch his daddy throw snow balls for Macey to chase, and he loves knocking the snow off of the fence. Cute.

I'm clearly behind, I realize Halloween was well over a month ago. But seriously, he made the cutest cowboy...ever.

And last but certainly not least....this. I don't really know what to say about these two? It started with growing a beard, and ended with this. We could not look at them with a straight face for THREE days. That's right, these crazy guys wore these things for 3 days.

thankful

Today I am thankful for these moments. Our little guy is our most treasured gift. We have had our fair share of ups and downs this month, and through these hard times I have been reminded of how blessed I am to be a Mother. I hope I don't take these moments for granted, because they are certainly the best moments yet. I love you, Chase!

life

over the past 2 months we have had, my brother and his family visit, Nate's sister and hubby visit, Nate's mom visit, and my mom....and much to my birthday surprise, my sister visit!!! Our home has been full of a lot of laughs, love, and memories.

My mom kind of took over for me while she was here, and boy oh boy did Chase ever have a good time! He had his nightly bubble bath, which he kind of had a love-hate relationship with? Now anytime he walks past the bathroom he yells, "bubbles!"
Thanks for all of the bubble baths, and and so much more.

He is so much fun, and growing up way too quickly! I just love that he has an opinion...most of the time! He picks a random thing that he just must have, this night was his UofU hat. He was all ready for bed, and insisted on wearing his hat. He is already a die hard UofU fan!

My Dad is amazing! He planned a surprise trip for my sister, Shauna to come for my birthday! I had NO idea, when she came walking through the door, wow! Thank you, all of you, who made it possible for my sister to come! Time with my big sister was just what I needed!

grandma time

I am such a lucky lady! I have the most wonderful family who are willing to travel across the country when we need them. My sweet mother-in-law just spent the past 10 days here with us, and we had the best time! I cannot thank her enough for her love, support, and friendship she has shown me when I have really needed it. While I may have tears in my eyes right now, I am so grateful for the memories of this visit with her.


Dear Dena,


Telling you thank you is simply not enough to show you how grateful I am for you, and for all that you are for my family. We had such a wonderful time. Thank you....for everything.


lots of love,
Di

bed head

that must have been one awesome nap!

family fun

My big brother and his cute family came to visit!!! We had SO much fun, and the time went entirely too fast. I loved watching Chase with his cousins, it was adorable to see how much they love eachother. It meant so much to us that you would make the long trip across the country to see us! We love you guys!!!

Chase was snuggling with his Uncle Randall and was fast asleep in no time!

proud mama

Days like these are the days I am pretty sure I have it all figured out.
Then the very next day Chase spent the majority of his day with a bucket on his head. I am reminded I really don't have it figured out at all, but that is what makes everyday so much fun. Reading books or running around with a bucket on his head, I am one proud mom who is enjoying every second with this crazy little ball of love.

i love you Chase, thanks for letting me be your mommy!

little helper

I'm beginning to think we have an unusual amount of lawn mowing pictures on our blog, but these 2 are just too darn funny together. Chase has quickly decided the real lawnmower is WAY better than his bubble blowing lawnmower. He has also decided that he needs to help push it in order for the lawn mowing to actually happen. This has proven to be a very difficult task for Nate (and Mike). We squeezed him into the baby bjorn that he outgrew months ago, and we had one happy Chase, and one proud daddy!

celebrate

today is a day for a big celebration! my sister has finished her last round of chemo! she has been so brave and strong in her year long fight against breast cancer. i am so proud to call her my sister.

i love you Shauna, and wish more than you know that I could be there with you tonight to join in the ice cream celebration. even though we are not there, we will be celebrating right along with you in Vermont~ you are amazing, thank you for being my big sister!

so here's to you, Shauna!

xoxoxo

di

i miss them

tonight I am sad. I just miss my mom & dad. we were so lucky to see my parents on Monday...for a very short 6 hours in Boston. I know I should be grateful for the time I did see them, but 6 hours over the past 5 months was just not enough. I need more!

good times

After dealing with a lot of drama at the boat shop, waiting for warm weather, and trying to get these busy boys away from the hospital before dark, we finally were able to get the boat back out!

Nate was one happy man skiing behind his boat!

Chase was just as happy as Nate, when he wasn't helping Uncle Tim drive the boat, Auntie Kim was feeding him.

Good times

just like daddy

Trying to be like daddy is exhausting! I couldn't love these boys more if I tried! xoxoxo

rocking chair

this is one lucky boy! his very talented friend Greg, made him his very own rocking chair! we are so lucky to have such amazing friends in Vermont who have loved Chase just as much as he loves them! thanks Greg!!!

goose egg

I do not deserve a gold star today. I was playing with Chase and was running behind him into the family room, and well...the picture speaks for itself. He was trying to run a little too fast and fell flat on his little face. He was so sad, and so was I. Can't I just keep him in a bubble or something? :)

birthday boating

Happy Birthday! For Nate's 31st birthday we took the boat out on its maiden voyage...that only lasted about 40 minutes until the boat started to smoke---a lot! We're still not really sure why, but we still managed to have such a great time. This is Nate when he made it back after being towed in by another kind boat. Saying he was sad would be grossly understated, poor birthday boy. But he is getting a new iphone for his birthday, since our iphones never recoverred from their dip in the atlantic last month. That will be sure to make him happier!

Mr. Independent! He doesn't really think he needs our help with anything anymore. He walked straight into the water until it was coming in his mouth, without any hesitation. He is our fearless little guy-we just can't get enough of him! xoxoxo

Yep, it is official...fall is making its way to New England. I was SHOCKED to see red leaves already, didn't the snow just melt? Sad.

Despite the boat dying, I had so much fun playing with my favorite boys on the beach. I could really get used to days like this!

Happy Birthday BABE! I love you!!!