Camping in Blanchard Springs

A month or so ago (i know, I am a little behind on my blogging these days), we took the boys camping in Blanchard Springs, AR for the weekend. Well, we intended to stay the weekend, but managed one night and day. THe boys had a blast and were pretty well behaved, but we were just a little exhausted from all the extra work that goes into camping with 2 small children. We are looking forward to meeting Bob, Maggie, Molly, and Lou in a few weeks for a repeat trip and hopefully stay longer with the extra entertainment and help for the boys :) Here are some pictures to capture the trip!

Chris' Birthday Celebration

April 3 is a special day -- it is Uncle Chris' Birthday. On April 29, 1998, Uncle Chris was taken from us. For the past 12 years, Chris' birthday has been one of a silent remembrance. But this year was different. Daniel was sitting with Noah on the couch and was telling him that it was Uncle Chris' birthday. Completely innocent, Noah asked if we were going to his birthday party. From that moment, it was settled. Every year, we would do something as a family to celebrate Chris' birthday. We spent the entire day outside playing at the park, taking a hike in the canyons behind our house, and ending it with a party at Chuckie Cheese. Here are a few photos to remember that beautiful day filled with love, happiness, innocence, and family. We love you, Uncle Chris! We miss you!

Making a wish on a dandelion


Playing in the park


In the canyons




Watering the flowers


Taking a break to drink some water


At Chuckie Cheese!






Happy Birthday, Uncle Chris!

Noah is 3!!!

At 3 years old, Noah is a super big boy! He sleeps in a big boy bed, he drinks out of big boy cups, he uses big boy silverware, and he uses the big boy potty (at home and in public!). Where did the time go????


For Noah's birthday this year, we had a choo choo train party. He is obsessed with trains and cars and he picked out the theme for the party (based on a short list I offered him, of course). We had train hats and whistles for all the little guests, cupcakes, train coloring sheets, and a train pinata. Thankfully, the stormy weather held off long enough for us to have the party out in the backyard (but it was really cold). No one seemed to mind and the kids just ran around, played soccer, played tball, played in the sandbox, and blew bubbles, while all the adults had a good time catching up with one another. Me Me & Pop Pop, Grandma & Grandpa, Uncle Tony, and cousin Tyler ALL made the trip to see Noah on his birthday. It meant alot to me to see all their faces and support my big boy. ANd I know it made Noah super happy to have a day dedicated solely to him. I mean, what 3 year old doesn't wish that could be everyday of his life???






Me Me, Pop Pop, Uncle Tony, and Tyler stayed for several days and the boys just played and played together. Of all the children that Noah plays with, I have never seen him play as well with anyone as he does with Tyler. They are like 2 Peas in a Pod. I wish we lived closer to one another so these boys could see each other more often :(





But to share more about Noah (since this post is ALL ABOUT HIM): He absolutely loves candy, desserts,and chocolate (totally blaming this on Daniel), he rides his tricycle at mach speed (and practically barrels into David if I turn my head for an instant), he loves to have books read to him, loves playing with David and will drop whatever he is doing to be with him, he loves cars and trains like no other, and he loves to color, paint, stamp, and practice using his safety scissors, or doing anything crafty (not sure where he inherited this from because he definitely didn't from either of his parents). Noah is a super sweet boy who still loves to sit in your lap, hug you, and seek your attention constantly. He talks SOOOOO much and I am constantly having to remind myself that he is ONLY 3 when I think I can just talk to him like an adult. Although he is the big brother and has had to adapt to no longer being an only child, he still finds his sweet ways to show his love for David by bringing David his "Elmo" or paci when he is sad, sharing food off his plate that he knows David would like, jumping up to pick up David's cup or fork off the floor at the table, and giving him hugs before bed. We love him soooo much and can't believe how quickly he is growing up!



Oh yeah, Go Red Wolves!


HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY, BIG BOY!!!

Noahism...

We were driving home from ChickFilA last week and I could hear Noah gagging in the backseat. I reluctantly turn my head, thinking he is puking everywhere. Instead, he has his hand in the back of his mouth, gagging himself.
Me: "Noah, what are you doing?"
Noah: "Trying to find where the food goes, Mom"

Pitiful

This picture is the epitome of pitiful :( Our house has had its share of RSV, ear infections, tubes in the ears, complications from the tubes, etc. This is a picture of David after an attempt at eating yesterday. He has not eaten much of anything in the past few days thanks to his high fevers, but we have become short order cooks around here and managed to try about every food we could think of for him during this meal. It included cheese tortellini, ham, hotdog, chicken nugget, strawberries, and finally a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. After nothing worked, the sandwich seemed to do the trick and we managed to finally get some food in him. The rest stayed on his plate or was thrown to the floor. I felt somewhat guilty taking his picture, but also couldn't help but chuckle about how much food landed on his head and face :)

We hope he feels better soon!!

Just Can't Get Enough

I just can't get enough of this guy! He makes me laugh, he makes me cry, he tries my patience, he plays hard, he cries hard, he laughs hard, he asks why ALL the time, he is super sensitive, he is a serious chatterbox, he loves his little brother with all his might, and he marvels at the simplest things in life that I barely even notice at times. His name is Noah Christopher Feig and he will be three years old in less than a month! Words cannot describe my love for my boy who is growing up before my eyes :(


Enjoying some hot chocolate (which Noah informed me should really be drunk through a straw....apparently he drinks hot chocolate at school and that is how they serve it...so much for me witnessing that first, huh?)


Say cheese!


Decorating cookies at a Valentine's Day Cookie Decorating Party....another parent caught Noah eating a bowl full of the icing, instead of decorating the cookie....I blame this on you, Daniel!


More evidence of a sweet/chocolate lover....notice the ring of chocolate on the chin!


Loves loves loves his new 1$ shades from Target. If you haven't discovered the dollar aisle at your local Target, check it out! He doesn't seem to want to take this things off....


That's my big boy!!

Guess who is 15 months old?? David, David!!

I seriously can't believe my baby boy is 15 months old! David (or Dave as Noah sometimes calls him) has grown into a talking machine (definitely takes after his older brother), a silly boy who loves to spin in circles, an adventurous boy who climbs on anything he can (and shouldn't), a picky eater, a boy who loves to bring me books to read (especially "The Little Blue Truck" {thanks, Robyn}, "Good night Moon", and "Good night Gorilla"), and a snuggle bug who still loves to cuddle.

At 15 months, David weighs 20.4 pounds (I know, he's a little guy and we have started some supplements for him). His big brother always enjoyed eating but we haven't quite had the same kind of luck with this little guy. So, we are working on it. It's funny because Daniel and I would always comment on how other children were picky eaters and it should be as simple as putting the food in front of your children and making them eat it. No biggie. Well, we now understand all those parents who struggle with children who don't really care for food. Boy, were we living in a dream world....David simply eats to live and definitely does not live to eat. He eats just enough to take off the edge and wants to get down and "play." He is in the 2nd percentile in weight and 40th in height. He has maintained that growth pattern over the last 6 months and has not continued to drop, so we figure he is just going to be a small fry for now :) A cute one at that! Don't you just want to squeeze him?