Time with Daddy...

Anytime John goes into the garage for some reason or another, these boys are hot on his tail.

They love spending time doing, big boy stuff...tools!

Bradley loves the vacuums!

 John cut some blocks of wood up and drilled some holes for Jackson to try and screw screws into.

They feel so grown up!

Kitchen Highway...

It has been quite nice outside lately, but now the storms are rolling in and keeping me and my very busy boys inside. While I am quite large....9 months pregnant; I have been trying to find fun things for my boys to do without me chasing them around, or getting up at that.

 I found this cute idea on Pinterest where you buy road tape and create a little city on your floor. Being the thrifty gal that I am, I decided to buy the cheaper, masking tape and create a little highway for them in our kitchen/dining area, complete with parking spaces and intersections.

 They loved it and played for quite some time, I was very glad that they took to it...you never know with kids.

 They made siren noises...

 Garbage truck stops....

 ....and tried not to crash, well maybe tried not to crash!

Cheese!

I can't get Bradley to smile while the camera actually takes the picture, but rest assured he did have a great time!

Monster Truck Monster Jam...

We saw this great Monster Truck Monster Jam coming up and thought that Jackson would absolutely love it! So John decided that Jackson would be just old enough to come and enjoy it. HE LOVED IT! John was smart to bring ear plugs, as they said it was deafening loud! Jackson couldn't stop talking about how cool it was and how the trucks would smash the little cars. We often replay it with our cars at home.

Unfortunately, John didn't get a picture of him and Jackson. But look how thrilled he is to go to the Moster Trucks with just Daddy!

 Bradley and I stayed home, as I didn't think Brad would have the attention span for the whole event. Looking back we are sure he would have struggled with the loud noise and long lines too! Better luck in a couple of years!

  A Bull Monster Truck

 4-wheelers

Bradley was excited to see that they caught a picture of his main love, a puppy.

Motorcycles

Workers for hire!

We are not responsible for any unclean or broken dishes, water on the floor, counters or walls; must remove all sharps before service...They are real cheap but worth every penny for the entertainment!

 "Helping" to do the dishes. 

John actually said that Jackson did a fairly good job at it, he may be hired in the near future if he keeps that up!

 Bradley loves that sprayer and was good to keep most of the water in the sink...kind of.

What cute little boys we have!

Silly Boys!

I think they have been hanging around Mommy a little too much these days!

 Several times a week Bradley in particular comes up to me, sticking out his belly and says in an aching voice, "Mom, there's baby in my belly!"

Here he is telling Daddy that there indeed is a baby in his belly.

Can't forget the side profile.

 Jackson also gets into the action and then as if he is sharing a big silly joke exclaims that it is a puppy, not a baby. Funny boys!

Bradley has affectionately called his teddy bear that Grandma Andersen gave him over a year ago Baby. So, it's only fitting that this was his "Baby." I think these boys are very excited to have a new baby in the house.
In pregnancy news, I am still contracting like I need to have this baby any day, but alas she still has several weeks to bake properly. My sweet neighbors and family have helped immensely by watching my boys for doctor appointments, taking them for play dates and even bringing over dinners! My sweet husband has even made time to come home "early" (especially for busy season) every day to help my wrangle the kids for dinner and bedtime and then works from home until late in the evenings to make up for it! Those of you who know how busy season is for a CPA can understand how much of a sacrifice this is. I am so grateful for the show of service and love at this rather unpleasant time which unfortunately is apart of all of my pregnancies.

Tid bits and -isms...

I love the stages of the boys lately. Especially when they say those darned things that make you split a gut. I have written down some of these gems, but I only wish you could hear them express it themselves...priceless!

Jackson (4 yrs. old)

Minivan=Vinni-man

When upset at his brother= He will generally come to me and say, "Mom, that Bradley is a, is a STINKER!"

Seeing a tough man with long flowing locks: loudly states "Mom that lady is a man!"

Seeing a very large woman=excitedly states "Mom, she has a baby in her belly too!"

Asked at Preschool, What my mom and dad do for a job= "Mom takes care of Brad." "Dad keeps his work clean so I can go trick-or-treating."

Asked at Preschool, How old is you Mom?= 4!

The Hulk=Captain Hulk

Favorite Blanket=blank

Introducing self to a new friend=Hi I'm Jackson, do you want to play?
After seeing a "punk" dressed kid with a bandanna on his head= excitedly states, "Hey Dad, Look; it's a pirate!"

Bradley (2 yrs. old)

Jackson=Saxson

Downstairs=down-down

Hold this for me while we go down the stairs= a wa-wa

Favorite Elephant=Buuurrrr (the actually sound an elephant makes)

Favorite Puppy=Woofie

Please=peez

Sister=sisser

More=mmmmrrrr

Favorite Blanket=bank

Minivan=new car (He will actually tell anyone that is holding his gaze for too long that he indeed has a new car, although it is not technically that new anymore.)

*Bradley is fortunately and unfortunately starting to pronunciate more, but I just had to remember these cute little tid bits before they escape my mind.

CHRISTMAS!

We had such a great Christmas, full of visiting family, festivities and presents. We had a fun dinner at my side of the family's on the 23rd, a Riggs family party on the 24th and brunch with both sides of the family on Christmas followed by dinner with the Riggs that evening. We are so blessed to have such fun family traditions for the Christmas season. 

The boys woke up at their usual 7:00 am and jumped into bed with us hoping to watch cartoons, completely forgetting that Santa had come last night. So John and I enjoyed our extra few minutes in bed and then mentioned that something happened last night. Jackson immediately grew excited and started running for the living room. 

 We must have had some good boys this year to haul a load of gifts like these!

It's hard to see, but every year we get the 12 days of Christmas, where every night we open up a piece of the nativity, you can barely see the almost complete nativity on the floor, the boys opened up baby Jesus first, hoping that they can remember what the season is actually about!

 Bradley LOVED opening presents, almost to the point where you thought he didn't even want the things inside the wrapping paper. He would go from person to person to help open gifts.

 Jackson on the other hand was unbelievably excited and happy for everything that he opened. What a cute little boy!

John was on battery and building duty after the aftermath. Bradley's favorite Santa find was his remote control "Choo-Choo tracks." He was really quick to pick up on how to operate it and even flew it down the stairs, putting a hole in the wall at the bottom. Jackson's favorite Santa find was his action figures, including his Batmobile!