Downstairs

Over a year living in our house, we are really loving the downstairs.  A few weeks ago, we went to IKEA in search of the perfect toy storage for our play area.  And last weekend, we decided (on a whim) to paint a few walls.  I was hoping for more of a change or 'accent' wall effect, but we used what we had since we have a ton of paint.  Ethan was very into helping during the painting, and he didn't do a bad job :).

He's a cute helper!

Look at that tongue out concentration!

 Here's the after!  I really like how it turned out.  I put an IKEA curtain rod above the storage with little clips to hang Ethan's artwork (and someday soon, Nora's).  He thinks it's pretty cool to see his stuff up there.

Too many toys! (But there are lots of empty spaces)

Quite some time ago, I bought a couple pieces of wrapping paper from a store in downtown Decatur for $4 each.  One was a world map, the other was the alphabet.  I had Jared cut some plywood that we had to size and I mod podged the paper to the wood.  It was my first mod podge experience, and I didn't do a very good job.  Too many wrinkles and bubbles, but don't look too closely!

I think they add nice color to the walls :)

Like I mentioned before, we are really enjoying the downstairs.  Nora, especially likes it down there.  It's mostly wide open and with her new walking abilities, she can go and go.  And there isn't too much that is off limits for her.

Camping in the tent, with plenty of food

Showing off her walking, bending and picking up skills.  Yes this is a bathroom stool she is toting around.

Ethan has branched out when playing with his blocks.  He used to dump them and kick them and that's it.  He builds quite the structures with them now.

And gets a little OCD with them...

Intense.

Photo Friday...Week 23

Ethan might be the best hugger, ever!  He uses his legs and wraps them all the way around me.  Most of the time, it's so tight I don't have to hold him up.  He's the sweetest!

Giving your child a hug

Check out those toes touching!

Happy Valentine's Day!

So, today is Valentine's Day (as if you needed me to tell you).  I'm feeling quite loved today (and everyday)! We even met daddy for a lunch date at Culver's!
A couple weeks ago, I found{ this} and had to give it a try.  So...Ethan, Nora and I got busy painting and crafting to make a few special Valentine cards.  I think they turned out pretty cute and I think they were a hit with their recipients :).

Last night I was surprised by these...

Good Job, Husband :)

And this morning, Ethan was surprised by this:

Happy Valentine's Day to my 2nd Valentine!

Carefully removing his chocolates

Testing the roads!

Nora wasn't really surprised by anything, she got a sweet Minnie Mouse card that she refused to show me for a picture and I made her a special heart, hair bow.

Love my 3rd Valentine!

In other news...her pink, sparkley Toms (from her Birthday) fit!

We capped our morning off by meeting my #1 Valentine (13 years and counting) at Culver's for lunch.  He got coffee and cards from us. (And a pretty stellar dinner planned for tonight)

I have explained to Ethan, what Valentine's day is.  It's about love, and showing that love to others.  But most of all, it's about God's unconditional love for us!  "We love because He first loved us."  1 John 4:19

Photo Friday...Week 22

Standing Back to Back to Compare Height

Getting down on their level

Super Bowl...

...Collier style!
We had our own little family of 4 Super Bowl Party.  We even made some football game junk food!  Ethan was a little confused.  He kept asking what games we were going to play at the party.  He didn't like the answer we gave...at a Super Bowl Party, you just watch the football game.  So at halftime, he and Jared played their own football game!

Look at that determination (on both of them)!

Tackled!

Such joy!  Love this kid to pieces!

More joy! 

One more kid, I love to pieces! Who, by the way, is walking now! (I'll try to get a video up soon)

Snowy Visit

Saturday, we had a wonderful visit with Dustin and Amanda.  It also happened to snow a bit the night before.  Every time it snows (even just flurries) he wants to go out and build a snowman and sled down the hill.  We actually got enough to do both...even if the snowman was the tiniest little guy I've ever seen!  Dustin, Jared and Ethan spent at least an hour outside playing in the snow.  I stepped outside, briefly, to snap a few photos!

The boys collecting snowballs.

Ethan had so much fun!

Pulling the sled. (Max even joined the fun)

Good times!

After the boys made their way inside, we made some yummy popcorn!

And played some!

Nora and Amanda

Cutting up some veggies!

Photo Friday...Week 21

Nora doesn't have a lot of hair...but it's growing (finally)!  I love cuddling with this sweet girl after bath while she's enjoying an ice cold cup of milk :).

Doing your child's hair

Love her!

Thursday Night Golf

Tonight was Ethan's last golf class.  He almost cried when I told him.  He has really enjoyed this class and got so excited every Thursday morning when we told him it was golf night.  Tonight and last week they got to hit 'real' clubs and 'real' golf balls in the simulator.  He, naturally, thought this was awesome!

Check out this form...

Ethan and his new friend Zander (also happens to live 3 houses down)

This sweet girl is already into to golf!

IKEA

My parents graciously offered to keep the kids for a weekend, so we could plan a trip north to IKEA with Abby and Alex.  After Abby and Alex bought their house, they were ready to go, so we planned it for last weekend.  We left Friday afternoon and had a great weekend, with great shopping, great eating and great company.  It was so much fun!  Saturday was a long day browsing through IKEA.  The boys were done about 3 hours before we actually left the store!  But we rejuvenated them with a trip to Golf Galaxy and some Chicago style deep dish pizza :)!

After a delicious dinner at Giordanos...so good!

Abby and I with the big yellow letters :)!

Jared and Alex were probably regretting agreeing to this trip, right about now...they spent a long time in the cold trying to figure out how to fit everything in the truck.  You did great and we love you both!

Alex showing off Abby's collection of Swedish chocolate (And happy because we are finally leaving that place)

Thank you mom and dad for keeping the kids.  They had a great time and so did we!!

Photo Friday...Week 20

In the last few days, I've been giving the kids 'rides' around the living room (carpet only!).  Horsey or piggy back, they don't care!

Giving your child a piggyback

Ethan wanted to try taking a picture...this is the best one of about 6 :)