Halloween 2013

Our little guys had quite the Halloween this year filled with candy, costumes, running from house to house, and playing with neighbors. We had a Batman and a Puppy. Liam was supposed to be Spiderman, but he fell in love with this Puppy costume he found at my sister's over a week ago. He has barely taken the thing off. Here it is two days post-Halloween and he is still wearing it. I managed to sneak in a wash, but the thing comes to bed with him so he can hug it. Man, he loves his puppies. I hope you all had a happy and safe Halloween. For us, it gets a little more fun each year. Braden did pretty well and Liam got a little chilly and only wanted to go to a dozen houses or so which was perfect for him. We didn't manage to capture a family photo, but the little ones are the only ones anyone wants to see anyway!

 

 

Braden also had a preschool program that day, so we got to go see him and his classmates sing in their costumes. Boy are they cute!

 

Also, earlier in the week Bapa Sullivan had a pumpkin carving  and spaghetti party. All 10 cousins were there for the fun. It's always awesome to see them together as they range from 20 to 2. We had a super fun Halloween week. I also dressed up about four times at the Y for our big Jillian Michael's BodySHRED launch and I always like to dress up the week of Halloween to make class festive along with Halloween songs. I think we will all sleep good this weekend now that the festivities have calmed down. On to November now- can't believe Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away. This year is flying by!



Fall Fun

Fall is absolutely gorgeous in MN. Although I am a Summer gal, it's impossible NOT to love fall with the awesome things that come along with it like: colorful mums, apples from the orchard, red and orange leaves, boots & jean jackets, pumpkin flavor anything (chai tea or coffee), pumpkins and the cool running weather. I had to take a picture of all my favorite fall things on display.

As for activities this Fall, we have been keeping busy. I took the boys to an apple orchard, we had a family wedding, Joe took the boys hiking, we took a train ride on the Osceola Railway, we have spent many afternoons at parks with the 70 degree fall weather, we have visited the Humane Society a couple of times to play with the animals and the list goes on. It has been an adventurous fall as the boys get older and more and more fun. I am keeping us all very busy in fear of what is to come this winter when we are a little more cooped up. For now, I'm hanging on to fall for dear life.

 Jess & Adam's wedding

 Osceola Great Norther Railway

Fun at Afton Apple

The chillier weather is starting to set in now. I am relishing the colorful trees while they are here. I hope everyone is having an amazing fall just as we are!

Liam: 2 years + 1 month

I'm a little late on Liam's monthly update. It happened to fall on the same day Braden turned four. Better late than never, so here it goes:

Liam Jude cracks us up. What is he up to this month? He is pretty hilarious, as you can tell by some of these pictures he is quite a ham. As I type this he looked over and said, "Hi Mom". He can speak like crazy now- using huge words like "awesome" understands everything. He often asks me what things are or what is that kid doing? Lots of questions! I love how the number of verbs he can use has multiplied by hundreds in the last month. During meal time he will say, "my toys stay right here, Ok brother?" Clearly, he is worried his brother will take his toys. The toy stealing happens a ton in this household by both boys!

 Liam is the guy that can play toys on his own, but if I leave the room he will come and find me within five minutes. He does do some independent play, but doesn't like to be left out of sight. He has been trying to learn how to bike, getting a little better each week. It's still slow, but he can reach the pedals and turn and go for a minute and then hits the breaks to stop. That's about as far as we have gotten, but Mom has been trying to be patient and we just need to practice, practice, practice.

Liam is our good eater. When Braden leaves food on his plate, Liam will ask if he can have the leftovers. :) Liam is somewhat of a brute - even by looks he is shorter and stalkier. He is constantly dancing around, jumping off things and talks to himself. I would say he is quite jovial. The Irish temper has decreased slightly. He seems to shake things off a bit more, but saves the crying for when he's really mad now. I do hear "Braden hit me" quite a few times a day though. He also is a very stubborn and take-your-time kinda guy, perhaps like his Dad a bit in that. Ha.

Every Tuesday, Liam and I have the day to ourselves when Braden is at school. We go to parks, run a couple of errands sometimes, or just play. It's really fun to watch him on his own when his big bro isn't influencing what he does. When big brother is around he just wants to do everything he is doing. When by himself, he could stay at the park all day going down the slide, or watching the ducks on the pond and enjoying nature. He always makes me laugh, especially with his silly faces or silly dances.

Liam is really into books lately. He opens them and talks about what is on each page. He is also our guy who could stay in the bath all night long if we let him. Liam is growing and growing. He is a blast to be around, that devious little laugh gets us all the time! Can't wait to see his new tricks in the next few months. Two is a ton of fun!

Braden is FOUR!

 

 

Low and behold, our oldest guy turned four on Sunday, the 22nd. I can't believe that
just over four years ago we had no idea if we were having a boy or girl, or what parenthood would have in store for us. It has been an amazing journey. One that I can't even explain in words. I have learned more in my job of "Mom" than in any job I have ever had. I would like to write Braden a note, so he can someday read this and see what life was like at four through my eyes.

Sept. 22, 2013

Dear Braden,
  Today you are four, which means that four years ago today you entered this world and into our family.  What an amazing day that was, a day that we will never forget. Our family of two became three. You entered this world pretty gracefully and I would say you are still just as graceful. You catch on to things so quickly- both physically (the way you can throw or hit a baseball) and mentally (with the way you can recite a lyric or the Brewers line-up after hearing it only once). Before you entered the world, you did flips in my tummy at bedtime and bounced around when you heard loud music. I laugh because this still holds true at age four- you bounce around when you hear music and at bedtime you are running around asking for more books or jumping on the bed. :) You are full of life and energy! You don't miss a beat with all of your questions and eagerness. I admire that.

You have been in our lives for only four years now but it also seems like forever you have been with us. I cannot imagine life without you. I look forward to your "hey Mom" every morning when you run into my room. I adore your smile and laugh. I am so proud of the little man you are becoming- the way you say please and thank you, the way you hold the door open for people when we are out and about, and how you greet people with a big "Hi"- ok, well this is usually people that you know but I can respect that you don't like to talk to strangers. :) Although you are at the stage in life where you still need my help, I try to give you independence to learn and grow on your own. I love how you like to be around people and you don't want to miss out on the fun. You are always up for any adventure I throw your way and you always show your excitement.

I can't explain in words how proud I am to be your Mom. I don't probably tell you enough how proud of you I am, often I stand back and watch you with a big smile (you have no idea I do this). I am not one to brag about my kids out loud, so I will do it in writing. I love how when we go to parties that you immediately blend in and only come to me when you need something. It doesn't matter if you are hanging out with a 10 year old or a 2 year old, you just blend right in. You are so easy to be around. I love your laid-back manner, although sometimes I hurry you through breakfast when we are running late, I still appreciate that you take time to play and that you are enjoying life. I wish I could protect you from all that is bad in the world, but I know that no Mom can do this. I wish for you to stay strong and true to yourself. To be kind to others always, to follow Dad's advice on being a leader and not a follower and to respect people. I want you to have your own opinions and make decisions, but not to affect other people's opinions or decisions. I hope you stick to your passions and are always confident in who you are and how much you are loved. You are an amazing, special boy and we are so glad to have you as ours!

You are our first born, our oldest "little" dude. I love how you show your little brother how to do things and help him. When you ask him to come with you to go get your toothbrush (or whatever else), it shows me that you always like company and you like being connected. I know it's easy to fight with your brother, especially when he takes toys or he has something you want, but he's your only brother. I want you to always remember that family is your rock and your foundation. We are always here for you. Life will have it's ups and downs, but family will support you through it all. I want us always to be grounded and focus on what is important in this world. I can speak from experience that life can change in an instant. I don't want us to have any regrets- I enjoy all our memories and look forward to making them more and more with you each day!