Happy Holidays

Although it's a little delayed, we still wanted to wish
Happy Holidays to all our family & friends.
We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and
look forward to a happy & prosperous New Year!!

Our Little Family

We've been planning to get family pictures done for such a long time. We honestly do not have any pictures with all four of us in the shot since Brooklyn's blessing nine months ago!

Now that Brooklyn is getting so mobile we figured we better do it pretty soon before she crawls (or walks) away and doesn't hold still for the picture. We were surprised though, Brooklyn loved getting all the attention and was such a poser! I'm so glad she wasn't afraid of the camera or the photographer :)

Boston on the other hand wasn't too thrilled to do pictures. He has done this a couple times before in a studio, but wasn't in the mood to smile or let go of Chris' hand. Luckily the photographer had a couple tricks up her sleeve to entertain him and make him happy :)

And finally, our little family of four :)

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Just wanted to share some pictures from Christmas Eve...

We went to a Christmas Eve church session tonight, so we got the kids all dressed up in their holiday outfits. I made Brooklyn's dress from some leftover fabric from one of my projects in school (I'm kind of proud of my project so pictures will eventually come later- I entered the dress into a contest so technically I'm not allowed to post anything to the public until after judging- so perhaps sometime in March... if I remember) Anyway, I also made a little black vest for Boston with a red hankie that matches Brooklyn's dress, but he didn't wear it tonight.

During the church service Boston was a little wiggly, so Chris told him to count the ceiling fans. He began with "one... two... two... two... two... two... etc." Although we're still working on the numbers concept, I know he CAN count past two! He also felt the need to say very loudly so everyone could hear, "over, its over" at the end of every song :)


Brooklyn's Christmas dress
I'm getting so excited for her to start walking,
she is getting pretty brave and has been making
small attempts to take 1-2 steps without holding
any fingers! Won't be long before she's running
after Boston :)


Brooklyn & Boston - they have a hard time sitting
next to each other for pictures!

After the service we went to grandma & pop-pop rusch's house for dinner and to open one present. They both opened a gift of pajamas (yes, that was planned- the sooner pj's are on, the better!). Boston was so excited for his new pj's- they are 'Buzz Lightyear' and have a wing-like section attached between the arms and bodice for flying. He kept showing us how he could flap his wings and fly just like Buzz!


Brooklyn's big blue eyes :)

Boston in his new pj's...

riding a stick horse...

and wearing an army helmet - yep, it's normal :)

Caught Red Handed

The kids and I were at my mom's house this morning- I've been sewing stockings for our family and was using her machine to embroider names. For the most part, Boston stayed in the living room watching a Christmas movie while Brooklyn and I spent time in the sewing room.

I had told Boston earlier to not touch any of the presents under grandma's tree- I really wasn't worried since he hardly notices the presents under our tree at home. However, grandma happened to have 'Thomas the Train' wrapping paper that caught his eye. At one point I went into the living room to check on him and found wrapping paper scattered all over the floor - and four boxes that at one point had been nicely wrapped (sorry Brooklyn & Alex).

Among my scolding, I told Boston that this was going to put him on the naughty list and HoHo (Santa) wouldn't bring him any presents - that made him pretty sad and he almost started crying. I felt so bad, I explained that we would just have to make some cookies for HoHo and he would like us again- that made him smile (I think it was more the thought of cookies that made the tears go away!)



Needless to say, the situation kind of put me in my place - I had to remember that my son is still just a little guy and he was only acting like any curious two-year-old would. This is one of those things where in the moment it's not funny... but only a couple hours later I find it hilarious :)

Tis the Season

We've had a busy month with another school semester ending (Hooray- one more left!) and trying to get everything in order for another joyous holiday season. I just thought I'd share a few cute pictures we've taken lately- enjoy!

Also, Happy Holidays to all our family and friends!

Santa's Little Helper


Boston's HUGE candy sucker

(he actually ate the entire thing!)

Brooklyn crawling on Daddy

I think it's adorable when I catch Boston sleeping

in this position - precious babe :)

We call this "chubby bunny"

Found a fun way to play peek-a-boo

Our Christmas Tree

It's Getting Closer!!

We have a family tradition on Thanksgiving day to help Grandma & PopPop Rusch decorate their home with Christmas ornamentation- okay, so really it's Daddy and PopPop that haul in the Christmas tree and all the heavy boxes and Grandma and the kiddos do the fun decorating!

I was expecting Boston and Brooklyn to be really excited to see all the lights and santas and ornaments on the tree- but to my surprise, neither of them hardly noticed at all!

Brooklyn crawled right past the Christmas tree at least ten times and never noticed anything - Boston recognized a few pieces from last year, a small santa and elf in a sleigh being pulled by a reindeer, it's definitely his favorite to play with. He did however notice all the Santa Clause pieces- he calls them "ho-hos" and so far he's counted ten ho-hos around the house! There's even one on the front porch that he makes sure to say hello and goodbye to!

There is one stuffed Santa that sits up, I was able to get Brooklyn to sit by him for a picture without crying, but Boston didn't want anything to do with it except take it for a short ride on a stick horse! I did convince him to sit next to Brooklyn for a moment- maybe some day he'll get to see the real Santa Clause!

Time Out!

I would love to say that we never have to put Boston in "time out," but I can't. It doesn't matter whether we put him in a corner, sit him on a cushion on the couch, or even put him smack dab in the middle of the floor - for some reason none of the things we try seem to make any effect on him... except the stepping stool. We got him a stool for when he needs to stand on it and reach things on the countertops, but it has turned into the time out seat. We placed it in the hallway so there's no distractions and it has seemed to work the best - until little sister comes along!

Brooklyn's doctor said she shouldn't be climbing or pulling herself up to things until she's about nine months... what do doctors know? For a seven-month-old she has no fear. She is already climbing stairs, pulling herself up to everything (and just letting go!) and thinks that the time out stool is the coolest little perch. Again, I'd like to say that she'll be an angel and we'll probably never have to put her in time out, but I doubt it! Needless to say, I think we're going to have to find a different time out spot for her when she gets older!





She looks innocent now but don't let that angel face fool you!
She's got the twinkle in her eye!

Some Tricks - Lots of Treats!

The kids had a great Halloween! We took them downtown in the morning to do a door to door 'trick-or-treat' to all the vendors. It was fun to see all the other costumes and it gave us some ideas for next year. Boston seemed somewhat confused to see other strange creatures running around, there were a couple that scared him, but otherwise he did really good. It took us a while to get him to say the words trick-or-treat, but when he finally got brave enough it was so quiet that people still couldn't hear him, but he did make sure to tell everyone thank you for the candy. Brooklyn made it about three blocks before she fell asleep, then woke up again on the last block before we were ready to leave. We were surprised that the "Yoda" costume was such a big hit- it seemed that everyone was commenting on our little star wars guy!

That night we drove the kids around to a few houses of family and friends that we knew wanted to see the kids in their costumes. This wasn't as enjoyable since the kids didn't like getting buckled in and out of their seats so many times- but they liked visiting different houses and showing off their cool costumes! We came home with a bucket-full of candy, of course most of it will be eaten by mom & dad, but Boston was proud of the stash he collected!

A Bathroom Full of Fun!

I'm sure if my kids were any older they would hate that mom is telling these stories and sharing naked pictures- but doesn't everyone do it? I decided to give both kids a bath at the same time the other night, but not in the same tub. Boston likes to take his baths in our big bathtub, but it's hard for me to get Brooklyn in there without him acting crazy. Besides, baths are for splashing and having fun, not sitting quietly and patiently waiting for your sister to finish so you can play with all your boats and other toys!

So I put Boston in the big bathtub and Brooklyn in her smaller infant tub- thinking that although with the two of them apart I would have to drain two tubs, there would be less of a mess. Not really. Boston decided that after mom got him cleaned up he needed to jump around and stomp on his toys (not very safe I know, but maybe he'll eventually learn!) like a big monster in the water. Plus, much to his delight, mom left a cup in the tub with him so he figured it was fair game to fill it up and dump water out of the tub!

Boston wasn't the only culprit though, Brooklyn did her fair share of getting water on everything. She's really starting to like bathtime, and now that she can sit up on her own she likes kicking her legs in the water and making big splashes! So obviously with two kids doing the same trick, I figured what the heck, just let them have fun - towels are made for a reason!

But the story doesn't end there... when Brooklyn was finished I dried her off and took her to their bedroom to put on pajamas. Chris helped Boston out of the bathtub and brought him to the bedroom- then they both continued to tell me that Boston had left me a present in the bathroom. Immediately I thought more water had escaped from the tub - nope! Boston decided that he couldn't wait to go potty, and since he was already surrounded by some type of water bowl, he might as well poop. Yes, I said poop. Boston left me a great present in the tub- thanks buddy!

Pumpkins!!

Halloween is getting closer - we figured we'd get in on the festivities and carve some pumpkins! Boston was excited to help pull the "guts" out, but lost interest after that. Brooklyn just sat on the table with us and supervised. Daddy has carved pumpkins before, but this was mommy's first time ever! Mom is going to try some new recipes for baking pumpkin seeds - the cravings for pumpkin pie are getting stronger... mmm!

Birthday #2

Boston turned 2-years-old on Saturday! Holy cow- I cannot believe he is getting so big so fast! He is getting so smart and has his own little personality that is so much fun! He had a busy day with off-roading with daddy in the truck, going out to lunch and getting a balloon, a quick nap, and party time with family! He got so many new fun toys - now he won't have to share the old toys with Brooklyn anymore! Overall, it was a good birthday!


Daddy helping Boston open the big boxes


Playing with the doodle pad - mom thinks it's much
better than drawing on the walls!


Boston's birthday cake - made especially for
him by mommy


Brooklyn crawling around during the b-day party.
The string belongs to Boston's balloon, but she
seems to have more fun playing with it!

Water & Sun

There was actually one warm day last month in September, so Boston & Alex took advantage of it! They played in the water outside and even ate a picnic lunch - what a day!


Bouncing on the big ball

Playing in the swimming pool

Taking a break to eat a quick snack!

Just Playing

Brooklyn playing in the bouncer


Brooklyn pulling daddy's hair


Boston wearing mom's glasses - smarty pants!

Boston & Brooklyn in August at my grandparent's
ranch - perfect little spot for taking pics.

Family Pictures

Family pictures taken in August '09

Brooklyn, Mandy, Chris, Boston

Cowboy Boston

Great-Grandkids


Jumping on the air mattress - it's
amazing how nobody ever gets hurt!