Why I Love my boys! Reason #1

I have many reasons as to why I love my boys but this is my first documentation so it stands as reason #1.

Boys like to build.


This boy especially likes to build....


....and so it became Brad's mission to build the Ultimate Castle with the Mega Blocks.

He had his helpers who were more than ready to help. Colt lived up to his nickname "Colt the destroyer" and dismantled everything as quickly as Brad could build it. I finally took Colt upstairs so Brad could finish up.



This was Brad's final castle. It was ready for the boys when they woke up the next morning.



Brody & Colt enjoying the castle for a few minutes before it was dismantled.

16 months

Colt has passed his 16 month mark. It is so fun to watch as he continues to learn and grow. Here are a few of the fun things he is doing.

- trying to jump
- chasing Brody
- warming up to people (other than mom) a little quicker.
- letting us know when he isn't getting his way by throwing himself on the floor. (it's kind of cute to watch because he is so little and gets upset about the littlest things)
- trying to form words. He says some words but we can tell he is working on more. He definitely understands a lot of what we say.
- eating like a runner. He's never been much of a drinker but can eat twice as much as his brother.
- cutting his back teeth. (He hasn't been too happy about this)
- smiling at the camera when we want to take a picture, but always seems to move out of the way when the camera actually goes off.
- causing us to fall more and more in love with him every single day.

The rest of Christmas

The rest of our Christmas was busy and fun and hectic and a little exhausting. It seems we (especially the boys) had been going non stop all week.

We went down to my parents house where we joined my brother, sisters and their families. By the time we had arrived most of the presents were open so there was already plenty of toys around. Brody and Colt opened their presents and are now the owners of many cars, trucks, and other vehicles. Brad and I were also spoiled with our "stockings" filled with Starbucks cards, scratch tickets and chocolate.

Colt opening his present.



Cousin Gunner opening his present from us.



After spending a few hours at my parents we again loaded up the car to head to my Aunt Pede's. We had a baked potato bar for dinner (super yummy) and lots of other yummy appetizers. The boys opened presents from Mark & Pede and the adults did the traditional white elephant gift exchange. Brad and I were super close to getting a Best Buy gift card but walked away with more Starbucks cards. (not too bad)

The boys were pretty tired so we left pretty close to their bed time. It was a great Christmas but it definitely made for some tired boys and parents.

I did a poor job of taking pictures at my aunts house but got a few cute ones of a couple cousins.

Cousin Wesley with his safety goggles on.



Cousin Gunner saying cheese!



Brody playing with one of the new toys (it isn't his...but his cousins happily shared with him)

Christmas Morning

This year we were able to wake up at our house for Christmas morning.

Eating cinnamon rolls for breakfast (and no they are not homemade...just out of a can...maybe I will feel inspired to do that another year)




Brad's happy about his cinnamon roll and his latte.



Brody opening his gift from Santa (a Bob the Builder Lego set)



Colt checking out all the presents.



Santa knew Brody needed a helmet to go with his quad. (A few months ago Brad and his friend Kurt bought a quad for Brody...not like the ride on toys...but a real quad)



Even Mommy got a present...a nice new laptop.



It was a very fun Christmas morning!

Andresen Family Christmas

My parents hosted the Andresen family Christmas at their house on December 23rd. It was a great place for 7 grandsons since there were more than enough toys to entertain them. We had a great spread of food and desserts. And as we usually do we sang the Andresen version of Christmas Carols. This time it was very fun to watch the boys pile up on Papa Bob's lap to help him play the piano.

Colt helping Papa Bob.


Here is a video of Brody singing. You can't really hear him but you can kind of see his lips moving. What a great group of singers in the background! I'm surprised we don't have our own CD yet.



A few more pictures to enjoy!

A Bainbridge Christmas

Last weekend we went to Bainbridge Island to celebrate Christmas with Fafa, Grammy, Uncle Brian, Aunt Angie and Abi. We had a great time and delicious food as we usually do.

On Saturday we took the boys out to run a few errands (buying last minute gifts). When we got back they both took good naps which made it easier to stay up late opening gifts.

Brody getting ready to open gifts.

Colt getting ready.

Fafa, Grammy, Abi, Brody & Colt

Our family.


Brody and Colt playing with tinkertoys in their new matching dinosaur pajamas. (Thanks Grammy!)

A BIG Ouch!

Last Friday I was getting things cleaned up from breakfast. Colt was playing with his little people farm and Brody was running around the house. I still can't remember if he was flying his rocket or trying to chase Colt. I heard a very loud noise and looked to see that Brody had crashed into the wall. He immediately started crying. I picked him up to see blood coming from his forehead and one of the deepest cuts I have seen in person (not that I have seen that many but it was still very deep). I started to panic a little wondering what I should do. I quickly got a wet washcloth and put it on the cut mostly because I did not want to look at it.

I did not see what had happened but I am assuming he tripped when he was running around the corner and hit his head on the cupboard. Unfortunately the edging on this cupboard has a very straight edge which is how I think he got the cut.

(you can kind of see where the edge is. There is nothing else nearby that would have made such a straight cut)



I called Brad twice before he was finally able to call me back. I was trying to figure out how I was going to get Brody to the emergency room while keeping the blood contained and hoping he wouldn't pass out...and I also needed to get Colt in the car. The bleeding seemed to slow down quite a bit so I put Brody in the car and had him hold the washcloth on his head. I ran back in to get Colt. I didn't have any socks for myself and just slipped on some shoes (I was looking pretty stylish). I called Brad again to meet me at the emergency room (we are lucky to live only a mile away).

Soon after Brody was buckled into his car seat he said, "I want some music." It was then that I knew he was going to be ok. When we arrived at the ER Brad came out to get Brody. He looked at his cut and thankfully didn't panic or say anything that would stress me out anymore. Brody was seen right away.

Brad & Brody (you can sort of see the cut in this picture) Please excuse Brad's cheesy smile.


The doctors put on this numbing solution for 15 minutes while we sat with Brody and watched some cartoons.



They gave him some shots to numb it a little more and then started to stitch it up. It was one of the more difficult moments I have had as a mom. I tried my hardest not to cry and was thankful Brad was there to be right next to Brody. Brody kept saying "I'm all done, I'm all done." We had to keep distracting him to get his mind off of it. He was a champion and did a great job!


Here is Brody with his stitches. He was pretty tired after crying so hard and took a good nap that afternoon. I am so thankful it was an injury that could be taken care of so quickly. He is definitely back to his usual happy energetic self.



I am always praying for the health and safety of my family, but I know I also need to pray that God will give me the wisdom and direction I need to handle the many bumps and bruises my boys will have in the years to come.