Poop happens!

Ok, so the night started out with this...

cute baby in the bathtub, right?

a few moments later we were evacuating the boys because of this...

not so cute, Alex!

and this is where the night ended...

(while mommy bleached and scrubbed the tub)

UGH!

It was a good day

Christmas was wonderful this year, and yes I am very sad it is over. Tyler got (almost) everything he wanted and Alex, well he was happy with the wrapping paper. Santa didn't forget Dan or I either, thank goodness. The best part of the day was simply being together.

My favorite quote of the day,

"But mommy, I wasn't this good to get so many presents!"

We may have over used that one this year!

Merry Christmas

Two Santa's?

The past week has been a busy one for the Bugbee's. Thursday night we attended the annual Karr Tuttle Campbell Christmas party. It was a lot of fun getting to know all the wonderful people Dan will be working with soon. The highlight of the night was when Santa arrived. Tyler was so excited that he literally could not sit in his seat. He was the first up and in line to sit on Santa's lap. Far cry from his 2 year picture when we had to sneak Santa in behind him for a picture. Tyler sat nicely and asked Santa for "everything on his list". Now, let me tell you, he really does have everything that is remotely "boyish" on his list! We will have to see what Santa does with that and how many "but I asked for ___" we get on Christmas day. As we walked away Santa says to Tyler that he has Lego's in his sleigh for him. Tyler got the most surprised look on his face, turned around and said in excitement "how did you know that?" I think any doubt he may have been conjuring in his head were promptly erased. Thank you "Santa"!

Yesterday was gingerbread house day. Let's just say that it lasted about 15 minutes and then there I was at the table by myself for the next hour and a half having been instructed to make it look like the picture. I think I did a pretty nice job, Tyler, well he was less than impressed.

Tonight we had a fun night out with the Foster's at Bellevue Square. We visited the Nordstrom Santa for the traditional Christmas present (yeah, the one where you force your tired, cranky kids to sit on some old man's lap and then you pay $25 for it). And yes, the question "how are there 2 Santa's?" came up. We quickly informed him that this was merely Santa's helper. He he replied "I know, cause he doesn't look like Santa".

Afterwards we headed outside to enjoy the only snow we may see this year at Snow Flake Lane and then dinner at Red Robin. All I could think the whole time was how wonderful it is to have a family together again. It is the greatest Christmas present ever!

And we have a skier...

... well almost.

I have always told Dan that I feel like I missed out not learning how to ski as a child. We agreed early on that we would teach Tyler when the time was right. Well, this year was the year. Fortunately we have wonderful friends like Lauren and Jeff that gladly gave it the first go. We signed Tyler up for a lesson and sent him on his way. Low and behold he actually did quite well and finished his lesson telling Lauren and Jeff "I know how to ski now, so I don't need to go to lessons again." Now, why can't I learn that easily?

Ready...

set...

GO!

Perspective

Last week the boys and I took dinner to the White's. It was so fun to spend the evening with great friends and cuddling a really cute little baby William.

I like to think that Alex is still such a little baby. However, placing him next to baby Will I was rudely awakened to the fact that my little man is indeed growing up. It's going to be fun watching these guys grow up together.

When mom's away the boys will play

It's Christmas time around here

Ok, so I finally had to come to grips with the fact that Christmas is here. I love the holidays so much that I actually don't want it to come just for the mere fact that I don't want it to be over. I am dreading that horrible feeling you get the day after Christmas when all the excitement is done and you are left with a huge mess to clean up. I finally decided that I might as well get on with it and enjoy it while it is here. And enjoy I will! We are in full Christmas spirit around here!

Just because...

I can't get through a day without hearing these beautiful noises, why should you?

Seven months!

Alexander,

Today you are seven whole months old! Your momma is quite perplexed by the fact that we are already here. You are growing up so fast. Every day is a new day with you, never the same as the last. Now, with most things that is great but I would rather your nap schedule settle out here soon. You are still quite content to stay in one place and don't do much by the way of rolling around or scooting although I know you can. I think your crazy brother gives you plenty to watch and you figure you need not expend any energy with that sissy stuff. Believe me, I am content with the stillness because I know the endless movement will begin soon and then it will be all over.

You are taking to eating well and love your evening meals. Although, in recent days you have decided to hone in your taste and decided that vegetables really aren't that great after all. Cheerios are a hit though and you are getting very good at using your pincer grasp to pick them up and get them to your mouth.

Sleep, well, that is a whole different story. You go to bed nicely at about 8pm but continue to wake 1-2 times a night. I give in any time between 5 and 6 am, feed you and put you back to bed. You wake happy and refreshed around 8:30 am. There are never a lack of smile with you in the morning. For that, I can do anything.

You are a very social baby and will strike up a "conversation" with anyone who gives you eye contact. If we had a dollar for every time someone told us you were such a sweet baby, we would be rich! And we agree! My favorite new thing is the fact that you are beginning to notice momma and when I am not there. When I come in from a long day at work you hear my voice and start kicking your legs and screaming. When I get closer you throw your arms out and give me the biggest smile. Melts my heart every time! I like to think that it is more than you just wanting to nurse :)

Alexander, you have been a perfect addition to our family. We are so excited and thankful to be celebrating this holiday season with you. We love you little man!

Miss Claire Alyssa

This is what comes from having the best niece in the whole world!

Claire missed us so much while we were gone that she made us this wonderful card. We missed you too Claire, our number one blog fan! This post is for you. We love you so much!

I am thankful...

This year I am especially thankful...

For my husband who has served our country and returned home safe and sound. For my two beautiful and healthy boys. For my family and the support that they have provided for me over this past year and always. For my job that I love so much. For all that I have been blessed with! For all of this I am THANKFUL!

The Bugbee Family took a much needed break and headed down to Grandma and Grandpa Jan's for the Thanksgiving weekend. It was an amazing time spent with family, riding horses, shopping, running, playing with cousins, feeding with Grandpa Jan, going to the park, eating and relaxing (yes, there was time to relax in there!). There are no words to explain so we will let the pictures do the talking ('cause you know I took plenty of them!). Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for a wonderful time. We couldn't have asked for a better visit.

This picture pretty much sums it up. It was relaxing (ie. we didn't get out of our jammies) and fun (ie. we got to pick carrots and feed them to the horses).

Alex got to meet his Great Grandfather "Grandpa Jim"... while eating cheerios!

We played!

Mommy took lots of pictures!

We ate whip cream from the can!

Alex always had someone to hold him.

We rode horses. (Don't worry Alex was only on the horse for a picture. As you can tell, he was thrilled!)

We enjoyed the 75 degree weather.

And built cool stuff with Grandpa Jan.

Cousin Maddie and Grandpa Jan

Yes, by the end of the trip he was ready to throw my camera in the horse trough.

We may have even dirtied our hands a little, but don't tell mommy!

We got lots of loves from Grandma Jill

and Aunty Cate

And may have stolen food from our cousin.

Cousins! The only picture we got of all 3 in the 6 days we were there.

Love you little man!

We love our stylin' cousin Maddie!

If only he was this cute on the airplane ride!

Despite the fact that the flights were not much fun with an almost 7 months old and the nights were a little hairy in a strange place we enjoyed every last minute, as you can tell. Our saving grace was 3 hour long naps! Believe it or not, we can't wait to do it all again!