First Day-Care Project

I was super excited to receive this Christmas gift from the boys.  It's their first day-care project.  Brian and I absolutely love it and they are hanging on the fridge proudly.

Daddy's birthday in Smithville

Our annual visit to Smithville for Daddy's birthday.  We walked around the shops, ate at Fred & Ethel's, and then watched the dancing christmas lights.  The boys did really well at the restaurant...we even had some people compliment how good they were behaving.  We were very proud of them - it was a nice bday present for Daddy.  We even saw Santa when we were walking around.  It was a pretty cold night so we didn't stay too long but it did make Daddy very happy. 

Not really diggin Santa this year....

Evan on left and Gavin on right.

Merry Christmas

 

Our first Christmas in our new house! 

Yes, that is correct, you do see a blow up decoration on the front lawn.  Brian and I have been debating it for years...but this year the boys decided.  They saw the Santa Mickey in Home Depot and my heart melted when I saw their faces looking at him.  Before I knew it, it was in the shopping cart and Brian was practically doing cart-wheels out the store.  I let my kids beat me down!  But this will be the only one we will ever have...unless we replace this one next year if they aren't into Mickey anymore. 

The boys had fun decorating their playroom

Building Gingerbread houses with MeMe on Thanksgiving weekend

 

Evan on left and Gavin on right.

Watching the trucks

When we were at the shore for Thanksgiving weekend we took the boys for a walk to watch the contractors work on our neighbor's house.  There were dump trucks, cranes, and bulldozers.  The boys were amazed and in complete awe.  I'm not even sure if they blinked while they watched.  It was so much fun watching them.  Brian and I smiled as we watched our lil boys. 

Two happy boys on Thanksgiving

Snugglin with my boys

Making ornaments

 

The boys feeling all grown up at the table making Christmas ornaments. 

 

Evan in the 1st pic and Gavin in the 2nd.

First haircut

Last Sunday we took the boys for their 1st haircut.  As we walked in there was another little boy getting his hair cut and he was screaming.  This immediately threw the boys off and they were clinging to Brian and I.  When it was our turn I took Evan over while Brian waited in the lobby with Gavin.  Evan started to cry right away.  When it was Gavin's turn he had this look on his face as if to say, "I don't know what's happening but I heard my brother cry so that must be what I'm supposed to do."  He started with a forced/fake cry which quickly turned into real tears when the stylist pulled out the scissors.  We love their haircut!  They look adorable...but yes, they look as if they are 2 years old.  They are seriously growing up too fast!

Daddy and his boys

Running errands

Halloween 2012

Trick or treating

Tonight was trick-or-treating, a few days late, as a result of the after-maths of Hurricane Sandy.  Brian, my parents, and I had a ball experiencing it all through Evan and Gavin's eyes.  We only went to about 8 or so houses but it was just enough for the boys.  At the first house Gavin got a kit-kat and he held it the whole time we walked around.  Evan held his pumpkin bucket proudly as we rang the door bell at each house.  Once we got back to the house Gavin immediately sat on the kitchen floor to sort through all his candy.  Mom and I laughed because that's exactly what I would do when I was little!  Evan loved to run to the door when the trick or treaters rang the bell.  Gavin spent the rest of the night sorting his candy while Evan kept handing his pumpkin bucket to each of us.  They really enjoyed themselves!!  It was so much fun.

Halloween Party at Melissa's

Today Melissa had a Halloween party for the kids at day-care.  She had lots of special treats for them and the played around the house in their costumes.  The boys had a ball!  They got to play with some other kids that aren't usually there on Wednesday's.  (She invited all the kids to come today for the party.)  She sent them all home with a halloween pumpkin filled with treats...as well as a sugar rush!  Oh boy.  Haha!  We fed them a light dinner and put them down a little earlier than normal.  They definitely didn't fight us at bed-time tonight.  Being that trick or treating is post-poned this year, due to Hurricane Sandy, I was very happy that they got to celebrate Halloween anyway. 
Evan is the monster and in an orange shirt.  Gavin is the monkey and in a white shirt with orange sleeves.

Front yard

Another thing we've been brave with this weekend is allowing the boys to walk from the house to the car when we are going out.  We have always carried them to the car, one-by-one.  Now we just walk out the garage door and have them walk with us.  They are so proud of themselves.  We've also played on the front lawn a couple times this weekend.  It feels so awesome to let them experience a little bit of independence.

Steps

This weekend Brian and I have been more brave with the boys.  We've been allowing them to try new things.  Here is a clip of them climbing the steps.  We tried it for the first time on Friday night and now we do it every time we all go upstairs.  They are acting like pros already!

Shopping with Gavin

Is this Evan or Brian?

Looking out for his bro

Lately Gavin has been so aware of his brother's needs.  I watch him and my heart literally skips a beat as I observe.  Gavin will go pick up his sippy cup and automatically grab Evan's too and walk it over to him.  Evan just looks at him, grabs it and takes a sip.  He will also do this when he picks up his blanky or his binky - he'll grab Evan's too.  It's as if Gavin thinks if he's thirsty or in need of some comfort items his brother is too.  The funny part is that it seems as if Evan just accepts the items and thinks "oh, ok, yea, I was looking for that."  Their bond is so deep, a bond that even Brian and I will never experience ourselves.  Our 2 sons have an amazing connection and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life savoring every moment.

Snuggles with Gavin