AJ's 2nd Birthday! Ka-Chow!!!

Our "Little Man" turned TWO last Friday! As obvious from the pictures below he is OBSESSED with Cars (the toy and the movie). I decided to test out my Martha Stewart skills this year by decorating car, cut-out cookies for AJ to take to his friends at the babysitter's. FYI - Lighting McQueen's (the main character of Cars) race car number is 95. AJ enjoying his present from Emily - his babysitter. She got him "Mack" - Lighting's trailer.

AJ also received more "choo-choo's." Brian and I got him Grand Central Station for his Geotrax train set collection. He plays with it everyday!

AJ's new beach towel for the summer - Cars of course!

AJ getting reading to blow out his candles on his "Cars" cake. He was so cute trying to blow out his candles (with mommy's help). Aunt Aimee got the action shot. I'll post it when she sends it to me! Notice the tatoo AJ has on his hand - Doc (his favorite character).

A little bit cleaner this year with the cake. Utensils are a wonderful thing. YUM! YUM!

Of course AJ didn't want to wear the party hat with Mater on it, but Heidi enjoyed putting them on all the stuffed animals.

Baby Wesley joining in on the fun!

Hanging out with Uncle Eric at the end of the party. I love the tractor sticker he has stuck to the bottom of his pants, and of course the trains in each hand.

AJ in action enjoying his presents. What a fun day! Thanks to everyone for coming and celebrating with us!

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.