Trip to the Hyun's/Washington D.C.

We decided to head to D.C. last weekend to visit my sister and her family, but had a minor disaster on the way out. Brian noticed that one of my tires was a little flat when we stopped for gas on the way out of town, so we filled it up and thought nothing of it. Too bad we hadn't realized I had 30,000-mile tires on my car - it's run about 45,000 miles. So, naturally we got a flat (not a blow out fortunately) in the middle of the moutains just inside Maryland at about 11:30 at night, and no we did not have a flashlight (lesson learned). We called 911 to have them send out a trooper, but by the time he got there Brian already had the old tire off. He did need the light to line up the donut though (thank God for a husband who knows how to do this stuff - I would have been crying if I'd been alone). We then drove the remaing 200+ miles on a donut going about 55 in a 70 zone. And of course holding our breath the whole time that the donut would hold. Luckily, it did and we were able to enjoy the rest of our weekend!

On to plan B when our plans fell through Saturday due to maintenance on the Metro to head into town - the playgroud, which the kids probably enjoyed more. It took a little convincing to get AJ to go down the big tube slide, but with a lesson from Megan and a ride with Daddy, AJ was soon up to the challenge.

Even big kids like to have fun. Angie and Brian going down the twisty slide.

Lot's of AJ and Megan pictures of course! The roller slide was a huge hit with AJ. They thought it was so cool that they could go down together!

On the teeter-toter - what happened to the long wooden ones like we used to play on?

Ready, Set, GO!

AJ and Megan say CHEESE! Yes, AJ loved playing with Megan's dollhouse. Why wouldn't he with all those pieces and parts?

"Pretending" to take a nap in Megan's big bed together. Naturally they took their real naps seperately, so they would actaully sleep!

The tub scene - classic.

Family shot during AJ's first ride on the Metro. My brother-in-law Dave was a bit embarrased that we were acting like such tourists. Love you Dave!

The group shot of the six of us that mom requested. Too bad Dave's eyes are closed. I love that you can see both the Lincoln and the WWII memorials behind us. I'd forgotten how big everything is.

Another family shot with the White House between our heads.

Can you tell that AJ was a "little" excited about the dinosauer exhibit we visited in the Natural History museum? He even picked out a dinosaur toy in the gift shop - go figure. We also made it to the American History museum and saw the Star-Spangled Banner display (loved it), and the Lincoln exhibit, which I would have enjoyed more if it hadn't been so crowded.

We had a wonderful time and can't wait to visit again! Thank you Angie, Dave and Megan for being such great hosts! We love and miss you!!!!

Nuge's Bandaid/Snow/Cheesy Smile

So AJ got this little Seamee Street Dr. kit, and loves playing with - he's always checking out mommy and daddy's ears. As the picture shows, I also found Nuge one day with the plastic bandaid wrapped around his paw. SO CUTE!! This is AJ's new favorite place to hang out and watch what's going on outside - especially when it's snowing.

AJ enjoying the snow. We took him out with us in the evenings when we needed to shovel the driveway. His favorite thing to do is throw snowballs, or at least watch mommy and daddy throw snowballs at each other. He thought that was quite hilarious.

This is the FIRST picture that I have ever gotten AJ to actually say "cheese." It's also cute because he's curled up with Nuge, Curious George and Little Blue (his blankie).

Christmas 2008

What a wonderful Christmas we had this year, especially with AJ being so involved and into everything. We spent lots of time with family and friends, and the rest simply relaxing amd cleaning-up. Here is the best family photo we got this year. It pretty much sums up AJ's view on any picture taken where he has to be held (no thanks). We hope everyone enjoyed their holiday and wish you all lots of love and happiness in the new year!!!! Our Christmas Extravaganza began Christmas Eve. AJ and I iced the cookies we made (well, he ate the icing), and then decorated them with sprinkles. I wish I had a picture to show you the mess he made when he dumped the entire container of the little ball sprinkles all over the table and floor. AJ was quite amazed by it and voiced his excited opinions about the incident (something like, "whoa, look at that, oh my goodness, what a mess, I didn't do it, etc.). Santa arrived during AJ's nap and he was THRILLED to discover what Santa had left! AJ was very good about opening all of his presents this year (and a few extras).

Cars, cars and more cars. Pretty much the theme for this year's Christmas. He loves the movie Cars too!

AJ on his motorized quad. We let him run it around the house a few times and then we had to be big Scrouges and take it down to the basement before any major damage occured to the house.

AJ, Daddy and Nuge after all the gifts had been opened. We had a wonderful, relaxing evening just the three of us and Nuge. Christmas is SO much more fun with a little one around!

We spent Christmas day with the Glandon's and McLaughlin's. Here's AJ checking out the load that Santa brought to Grandma and Grandpa's.

Making a mess with Grandma Bonnie with the Moon Sand.

This was the big hit - the frog tent. It stays at Grandma's, but AJ LOVES it! He just had to have his train tracks in it that Uncle Eric bought for him.

Aunt Beth entertaining AJ before the Chinese gift exchange. He kept running under her legs and of course she was being very dramatic and funny about it! We all loved watching and hearing AJ giggle.

Brian and Mike - the big losers in the Chinese gift exchange this year.

The next three days were spent with the Sauer's and both sides of Brian's family. Here's AJ and Heidi looking for trouble (they kept taking ornaments off of this little tree), but trying to appear innocent.

Ryan celebrating his 1st Christmas the best he knows how - with a bow!

AJ and Heidi testing out their new Aquadoodle mats. Very cool and easy for AJ to write on.

Heidi examining AJ with the new Sesamee Street Dr. kit they both got.

Wrestling time with Daddy/Uncle Brian.

The Three Muskateers - AJ, Kaylee and Heidi.

SUPER - AJ!!!!

Cape and all!

AJ received several of the GeoTrax sets for Christmas, so here he is enjoying them with Daddy, his Grandpa's and Uncle Eric.

Pre-Christmas Fun/AJ Being Silly

AJ is VERY excited about all the things that come with Christmas (except for Santa as you'll see below). He followed Brian around the tree the whole time he was putting on the lights. AJ watched and learned how to put the ornaments on, and then gave it his best shot by throwing them into the tree. Maybe next year!

Always a helper! I love Nuge's face in the background.

Medflight (Grandma Rose's employer) always hosts a big, family Christmas party. This was the first year we attended (AJ was in the hospital last year), and I'm sure it won't be the last. AJ had a blast! Here he is going down the big slide by himself.

Who says Santa needs a sleigh? The helicopter actaully circled around a couple of times as Santa waved out the window before dropping him off. AJ was giving him the hairy eyeball from the start as he walked by us.

Oh yes, the screaming child. AJ didn't want to be within a 10-foot radius of the man. But hey, he still got his gift.

Back to having fun in the bounce house.

More fun with the balloon dog.

So this year, we did quite a bit of Christmas shopping online and had quite the parade of packages on our porch for a couple of weeks. AJ found all the boxes, peanuts and paper quite entertaining.

Like I said, AJ is very into all things Christmas. The nativity gets rearranged several times a day.

AJ made this tree in Sunday school. At home, he then picked off all of the foam stickers and stuck them to the floor. Here he is peeling the stickers back off the floor and putting them back onto the tree.

Today I braved the mess and made cut-out cookies with AJ. He was very good about pressing down on the cookie cutters. While the first batch was cooking, AJ then pretended to make his own by rolling the rolling pin on the cutting board and then pressing the cookies cutters on it. He had so much fun! Needless to say, we had flour everywhere!

AJ resting his head on his hand like mommy does when she's tired.

New trick - making fishy lips.

So the laundry basket has always been fun to play in, but I've never seen AJ quite like this before in it. Do you suppose this was how it was in the womb?

AJ says, "Mom it's my turn to take the pictures now!" I actually think I heard him say "my turn" today.

AJ's pure excitement!

Thanksgiving 2008

We truly have so much to be thankful for this year (I'm just too tired to go into detail). Thanks Aunt Beth for having us - We had a GREAT time. LOVE TO ALL!

The fesitivites began with a cooking lesson for how to make Grandma Ruby's stuffing.

The main event - Thanksgiving Dinner!

So after dinner and dessert, and after the games had begun, AJ decided to help himself to a little more pumpkin pie (he's a fool for it). Too bad we don't have a picture of him caught in the act, but this is what was left.

Even Aunt Beth had something for AJ to push around - who cares if it's pink?!

But it was even more fun to be pushed in it! WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Okay so this was taken before Thanksgiving, but I just couldn't resist my two guys all cozied up on the couch together. Too sweet!