Poor blog how I've neglected you but life has been incredibly busy. You've fell down the important ladder.

Just a few pictures of some of the things that kept us busy this month.

Colin's class at his Christmas Program

All the classes who participated

Elias swimming for the first time at my work party

We saw Santa Claus at the FMG

We hosted several Christmas parties and had 4 family Christmas parties.

We've survived on little sleep, cut our first tooth, recovered from being sick.

Sorry, December, you weren't well documented but as you can see we were too busy being too busy.

Merry Christmas to all! Hope everyone's day was filled with joy, laughter, family and thoughts of the best present of all - the birth of baby Jesus.

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2: 10-11

We took the boys to see Santa Claus yesterday at the FMG with some friends. Both of the boys did really well especially considering how long we waited to see him. Then we braved the long lines again to get inside to see the trains which Lo and Colin loved!

Here are some random {phone} videos from the past few days....

Colin's first time hearing this book

Elias playing with Daddy

Daddy being silly

Last week's goals:

• Menu Planner: Dinner at Mom and Dads, Burgers, Chicken Alfredo, A Big Fat Who Knows, Thanksgiving, Dinner Out?, and Tacos
• Make Thanksgiving treat for the boys' teachers
• Finally mail out Elias' birth announcement to the White House
• Mail letter to Disney for the boys (http://pinterest.com/pin/197173289905449111/)
• Write note of Appreciation to someone
• Game plan for Thanksgiving Sales (can I hit any before work?) and Black Friday
• Go to bed before 11pm at least 2 nights
• Complete at least 1 pin Completed http://allrecipes.com/recipe/cheese-and-bacon-potato-rounds/detail.aspx and http://cookiesandcups.com/pumpkin-dump-cake/ Potato Rounds I'd make again. Pumpkin Dump Cake probably not. It wasn't bad (others enjoyed) but I wasn't wild about it.

This week's goals:

• Menu Planner: Dinner at Mom and Dads, Italian Crockpot Chicken, Out with Friends, Tacos, Chop Suey, Cheesy Crockpot Chicken, and Dinner out (go out of town?)
• Complete at least 1 pin
• Go to bed before 11pm at least 2 nights
• Put up Christmas Tree
• Create Christmas list and distribute
• Start creating list of who I need to buy for, what is already bought, and what to needs to be bought

2011 has proved to be a pretty good year for us giving us many reasons to be thankful. Some of the high-lights:

• The birth of Baby Elias. As I even just think about how much joy that little boy brings into our lives, my eyes are filled with tears. I'm so thankful for him, his happy personality, his charming smiles, and his sweet kisses.
• My silly smart affectionate 3 year old. I'm so incredibly proud of the little boy Colin is becoming. And try to remind myself that when he pushes back that he is learning to be assertive and voice his own opinion.
• My amazing husband. I've always thought he was pretty great but his greatness has gone up another notch. He really stepped up to the plate when I was pregnant and took responsibility to many things around the house. Now that Elias is here, he amazes me daily by how much he does; works 50-60 hour weeks at work, more than pulls his weight at home, is a fantastic father to the boys, is the early riser, and even does the occasional 4am feeding :)
• Our health. I feel so blessed to all be healthy. So many things can go wrong with pregnancy and despite the normal pregnancy pains, we were blessed with another healthy pregnancy. In a year where many friends and family members around us had cancer and other major health scares, I'm thankful for minor illnesses.
• The boys' school. There are no words to fully convey how much we love their school. They lovingly care for Colin and Elias when we can't. Their teachers spend their days teaching my boys, making fun crafts, singing silly songs. The boys get to play with their friends but most importantly, they are told about God's love through words and actions.
• Jobs. While we may complain about our jobs, the hours, our co-workers, the stress of it all, I am so thankful for what it provides. Without it, we wouldn't have a roof over our head, food on the table, etc.

There are so many other things to be thankful for: our church, our Salvation, the sunshine, our family and friends, etc. We have so much to grateful for.

Colin:

Monthly Theme: We Are Thankful

Weekly Theme: Thanksgiving

Monthly Concepts: Week 4

Author: Sutherland, Croll, Pilkey

Book: Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks, The Story of the Pilgrims, Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving

Baby Sign: N/A

Colors: Brown & Black

Character Trait: Manners

Woodland Focus Friend: Andre & Lyric AM Circle: Calendar/Weather/Shapes: Theme- Thanksgiving & Bible Focus- Give Thanks (Psalm 118:1)

Creative Arts: Thankful Holiday Headbands

Writing/Journaling: Name Practice & Free Writing

Science/Sensory: (PM) Science Center Open

Music/Movement: Sing & Dance and Christmas Music

Manipulatives/Blocks: Centers- (AM) Blocks, (PM) Puzzles, Cutting, Science, Math/ Manipulatives

Bible Focus/Theme/Zoophonics: Story Time & Zoophonics Review

Language/Cognitive: ""Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving" by Pilkey

Elias:

Monthly Theme: We are Thankful

Weekly Theme: The First Thanksgiving

Monthly Concepts: We are Thankful

Author: Tomie dePaola

Book: My First Thanksgiving

Baby Sign: Leaf

Colors: Black and Brown

Character Trait: Manners

Woodland Focus Friend: Andre and Lyric Sensory: Explore mashed potatoes Social & Emotional: Wear our turkey hat, look at yourself in the mirror Gross/Fine Motor: Work on pulling up at the toy cubby Music/Movement: Parachute! Language/Cognitive: Encourage infant to imitate the sound a turkey makes, "Gobble, Gobble

Here are some of the latest Colin-isms:

I'm driving the boys home from school and talking to Mike on the phone. I overhear this:

Colin: Elias, you are a child of God. Did you know that? Big Brother Colin is a child of God. Daddy's a child of God. Mommy's a child of God.

---------------

We are sitting at the table for dinner and Colin is talking about what he did at school.

Colin: We learned about proglams

Mike: Programs?

Kristi to Mike: No, I bet he means something else. Think what week it is.

Kristi to Colin: What did you talk about?

Colin: proglams and idinians

-------------

Last Week's Goals:

• Menu Planner: Dinner at Mom and Dad's, Breakfast,Crockpot Italian Chicken (Pin #1), Chop Suey, Bacon Parmesan Pasta, Burgers, and leftovers.
• Take computer in to get looked at.
• Try to avoid the grocery store Ran out of milk, so picked up milk and cheap, heck-of-a-deal butter
• Go to bed before 11pm at least 2 nights
• Complete at least 2 pins

This Week's Goals:

• Menu Planner: Dinner at Mom and Dads, Burgers, Chicken Alfredo, A Big Fat Who Knows, Thanksgiving, Dinner Out?, and Tacos
• Make Thanksgiving treat for the boys' teachers
• Finally mail out Elias' birth announcement to the White House
• Mail letter to Disney for the boys (http://pinterest.com/pin/197173289905449111/)
• Write note of Appreciation to someone
• Game plan for Thanksgiving Sales (can I hit any before work?) and Black Friday
• Go to bed before 11pm at least 2 nights
• Complete at least 1 pin

Colin and I made this Thankful Turkey craft today. The turkey is far from perfect but I love it. I love that Colin and I did it together. I love seeing my little boys' hand prints. I love hearing what Colin is thankful for. I especially love seeing Colin's handwriting on them. We have so much to be thankful for.

Last week's goals:

• Menu Planner: Dinner at family, Two Cheese Baked Spaghetti, Make Own or Stuffed Shells if Mike want to wait until 9:30 for dinner, Opposite Meal once Mike depending on when Mike gets home, leftovers, homemade pizza, something quick between work and church
• Try to create next week's menu with only food I have in the house.
• Try to spend less than $50 at the grocery store including formula Didn't do since I want to avoid the grocery store this week and had to buy 2 cans of formula.
• Go to bed before 11am at least 2 nights (still leaving this on here until we actually do it!) Actually did it!! But it's because I had two horrible sleepers this week!
• Complete at least 1 pin

This week my goal is using what I have. My goal is to not go to the grocery store unless absolutely necessary. I want to use what we have on hand.

• Menu Planner: Dinner at Mom and Dad's, Breakfast, Crockpot Italian Chicken (Pin #1), Chop Suey, Bacon Pgarmesan Pasta, Burgers, and leftovers.
• Take computer in to get looked at.
• Try to avoid the grocery store
• Go to bed before 11pm at least 2 nights
• Complete at least 2 pins

Pictures:
Colin:
Elias:

Stats:
- won't be very comparable as Elias went 1 day after he turned 4 months and Colin was almost 5 Months-

Colin: 18lbs. 26 1/2" long
Elias: 16lbs 3oz. 26" long

Elias Graham:

Today you turn 4 months old. How has it been another month already? I promise, Elias, that you were more excited about it but this picture was taken right after you had your 3 shots. Moving on from the unpleasant mention of shots and onto things you have enjoyed this past month. Your hands - oh how you love your hand! Your feet. Your Bumbo seat. Your exersaucer. You love sitting up and surprisingly can sit unassisted at times. You've really taken to Pat-a-cake. Like we do it a 100 times a day. Your favorite part is when "we put it in the oven for Elias and Me." You squeal and laugh when I put your arms on your chest and then point to me or Colin. You also love when Colin and I (well mostly just Mommy but it's unusual for Colin not to jump in or overtake the song) sing "If You're Happy and You Know It." You giggle when I stomp your feet, look a little scared when Colin shouts "Hooray" or "Amen!" but haven't got the mesmerized look that you give Ms. Kate when they sing it to you in Spanish.
I feel like I've spent a lot of this month thinking about your future, who you will be, what you will become. I've wondered if you will continue to be a happy go lucky kid. Will you always be the boy with the big smile on his face? I keep picturing you and Colin a few years down the road playing as the best of friends. I see you guys playing in the sandbox, crashing cars, running after each other in the yard. It warms my heart already just thinking of the bond you two already have. I wonder if you will be a quick eager learner like your brother or will you favor something else. Will you continue to love music and people and interacting with others?
Today we had our first snow of the season. It came quickly, boldly, yet beautifully gracefully. Colin was so excited to see the snow and of course, wanted to go outside and play in it. I told him that we'd have to go quickly because it wasn't going to last long. By the time we threw on our shoes and got outside, the big snowflakes had already stopped falling. We didn’t even have time to enjoy it or soak it in. It was just gone. And it struck me. 4 months ago, you came quickly, boldly yet gracefully beautifully into this world. But are we really soaking you in? Are we really savoring our time with you? Because, sweet boy, just like the beautiful falling snow that disappeared as quickly as it came, so are precious moments with you. You are changing so quickly and I desperately want to enjoy you before each stage disappears.
Baby Elias, I want to remember how your eyes light up and your sweet smile spreads across your face when I walk in the room or you hear my voice. I want to cherish the times you cuddle up in my arms lying your head against my shoulder or chest. I want to delight in the moments where you and Colin are playing and laughing together. I want to enjoy you being my sweet sweet baby boy. I hope you know how much joy you bring me daily :)

Love always,
Mommy

Last week's goals:

• Menu Planner: Dinner at Mom and Dads, Two Cheese Baked Spaghetti, Hormel Meal, Make Your Own as I work til 7pm and Mike goes to a meeting when I get home, Mexican Stuffed Shells, Leftovers?, and Restaurant as we will be out of town.
• Clean up coupon binder
• Go to bed before 11pm at least 2 nights (still leaving this on here until we actually do it!) Did once
• Make either a Halloween treat or art project with Colin and Elias

Another busy week with having evening plans almost everyday this week after work. So thankful that I spent some time making some meals for this week...

• Menu Planner: Dinner at family, Two Cheese Baked Spaghetti, Make Own or Stuffed Shells if Mike want to wait until 9:30 for dinner, Opposite Meal once Mike depending on when Mike gets home, leftovers, homemade pizza, something quick between work and church
• Try to create next week's menu with only food I have in the house.
• Try to spend less than $50 at the grocery store including formula
• Go to bed before 11am at least 2 nights (still leaving this on here until we actually do it!)
• Complete at least 1 pin

Here's a look into our week:

• Monday: Picture Day at school. Mike is going out with a friend at night
• Tuesday: I work until 7pm and then hustle over for a hair appointment
• Wednesday: Product Survey with Colin at 9am, then drop him off at school to be to work by 11am. Mike picks up boys before 6pm. I work until 7pm. Once I get home, Mike has to meet with corp people from his hotel chain
• Thursday: I have the day off. Mike has an all day sales blitz and then dinner with corp ppl afterwards. Elias turns 4 months :)
• Friday: I have the day off and we have Elias' 4 Month Dr's appointment.
• Saturday: I work til 4pm. Have church at 6pm

Somehow it seems less busy when it's on paper than it seems when I think it through.

I was terrible about taking pictures this Halloween. Here are pictures from both Mike's work party and actual Halloween.

Last week's goals:

• Menu Planner: Dinner at Mom and Dads, Beef Tips, Apple German Package, Leftovers, Pork Chop Apple Casserole, Halloween Parties, and Homemade Pizza
• Pick up last minute pieces to Colin's costume
• Be in bed by 11pm at least 2 nights (i'm going to keep adding this until we actually start doing it!) Did it one night!
• Make a Halloween Treat/Snack with Colin
• Catch up on folding laundry (it's embarrassing how many baskets of clean laundry are sitting out)

This week's goals:

• Menu Planner: Dinner at Mom and Dads, Two Cheese Baked Spaghetti, Hormel Meal, Make Your Own as I work til 7pm and Mike goes to a meeting when I get home, Mexican Stuffed Shells, Leftovers?, and Restaurant as we will be out of town.
• Clean up coupon binder
• Go to bed before 11pm at least 2 nights (still leaving this on here until we actually do it!)
• Make either a Halloween treat or art project with Colin and Elias

We have a rolling machine on our hands. A really cute one at that.

Untitled from Kristi M on Vimeo.

Colin's first time at a movie theater

Elias' first time in a high chair - not for food yet but just for sitting.

Last week's goals:

• Menu Planner: Dinner at Mom and Dads, Chicken Rice with Chicken, Apples and Raisins, Make Your Own since I work til 7p and Mike has to leave as soon as I get home, Quesadillas, Make Your Own again since Mike has a work function, homemade pizza, and ? perhaps dinner out
• Seriously mail out pictures! I still need to get cards but pictures and envelopes are ready
• Figure out Halloween costumes Elias is done. Colin's a WIP
• Complete 1 Pin
• Bake (2) Things Baked 1 thing
• Be in bed by 11pm at least 2 nights Was in bed 1 night before 11pm

Busy week, so another easy goal week:

• Menu Planner: Dinner at Mom and Dads, Beef Tips, Apple German Package, Leftovers, Pork Chop Apple Casserole, Halloween Parties, and Homemade Pizza
• Pick up last minute pieces to Colin's costume
• Be in bed by 11pm at least 2 nights (i'm going to keep adding this until we actually start doing it!)
• Make a Halloween Treat/Snack with Colin
• Catch up on folding laundry (it's embarrassing how many baskets of clean laundry are sitting out)

This picture makes me wonder when did Colin get so old, where did my baby Elias go, and how the heck did I get so lucky to call these boys mine?

This week's goals:

• Menu Planner: Dinner at Mom and Dads, Make Your Own, Tacos, Apple Pork Chop Casserole, Two Timin Pasta, Chicken Rice with Apples and Chicken, Homemade Pizza Made lasagna and had that the last two nights
• Make enough applesauce to empty at least 1 box of apples
• Complete at least 1 pin from my pinterest
• Mail out pictures
• Finally take fall pictures Tried but didn't like the results.
• Start looking into Halloween costume ideas Started but nothing finalized
• Household Project(s): fill 1 large trash bag with things to get rid of, rake/mow lawn and winterize, touch up dining room paint.

This week:

• Menu Planner: Dinner at Mom and Dads, Chicken Rice with Chicken, Apples and Raisins, Make Your Own since I work til 7p and Mike has to leave as soon as I get home, Quesadillas, Make Your Own again since Mike has a work function, homemade pizza, and ? (perhaps dinner out)
• Seriously mail out pictures!
• Figure out Halloween costumes
• Complete 1 Pin
• Bake (2) Things
• Be in bed by 11pm at least 2 nights

I didn't feel comfortable posting this on my regular blog since it isn't private. The other week I managed during the week, so I was able to be online during the day and spent some time watching the boys on the webcam. I ended up taking some pictures of the boys at daycare. Head here see the pictures. Don't have access? Just email or comment me and I'll add you.

Colin

Elias

Elias:

Happy quarter of a year, my love. How can it be that you've been here with us for 3 months. On one hand, it feels like it was just yesterday that I was enormously pregnant; feeling you move and groove, kick and jab in my stomach. But on the other hand being pregnant felt like a lifetime ago and it's hard to remember life without you in it. Hard to remember being a family of 3 when being a family of 4 feels so right.

I started working this month. To say I was dreading going back to work would be a vast understatement. I'm surprised how much easier it was on my heart to go back. What surprised me more was how hard it was on my heart to bring you to daycare. I don't think I even had put my shoes back on before I felt a tear rolling down my cheek. I quickly brushed it away so none of your teachers saw me crying, put on my brave face as I talked to Ms. Katelyn and Ms. Amanda at the director's desk and lost it again as I walked out the front doors. Elias, as hard as that first day was, each day has been a million times better. It helps when there aren't like 10 screaming crying babies :) You seem to like it there as much as I can determine from a 2 month old. You could take better naps but I feel that way at home lately too. But each day you come home the same happy, smiley, lovable little boy, so I take that as a sign you are thriving there. You do art projects, work on baby signs as well as both fine and gross motor skills. I know you are learning more than what I'd be teaching you. I try to focus on that instead of the fact that you aren't receiving 1 on 1 (or I guess 1 on 2) attention. It's all about trying to focus on the positives.

{Elias before school}

The hardest part of working is I feel I never see you. You get up between 8 and 8:30am most mornings. I get myself ready while you play on your mat and Colin watches TV, and then rush to get both of you dressed, bags packed and head out the door. I get out of work at 7pm and hurry home, read your AppleGrams, ask Colin how his day was while giving you a few cuddles, and we all head upstairs to change into jammies. When we come back downstairs, Colin finds his 3 books he wants to read which we read while I feed you your night time bottle. You usually fall asleep while eating and are in bed between 8 and 8:30pm which only leaves me like 30 minutes of quality time with you the entire day :( Continuing with focusing on the positive, you are sleeping through the night more often than not. We typically will get up once or twice and put your pipey back in your mouth around 5am but more often than not, you happily go right back to sleep. While I miss the quiet dark cuddle time, I do really enjoy the sleep :)

{Elias sleeping while Apple Picking}

You love being around people and hate to be alone. My social little boy. Mr. I-Want-To-Be-Included. When I need to get something done, I put you on your playmat or in your swing (which you don't love anymore but will tolerate) and Colin knows he needs to play or sit by you or you will fuss. The second you see someone, you smile and charm. Your entire face lights up when you see someone, especially your brother. I can tell you already look up to him. You follow his movement. You look around the room when you hear his {loud} voice. You smile and laugh when he makes funny noises. I love how much you love each other.

Baby Elias, it has been fun watching your personality continue to develop this month. You continue to be my joyful little boy. Your smile is infectious. Your laughter is contagious. You are the perfect amount of chubbiness and a fantastic snuggling partner. For 9 months, I wondered and pondered about you; who you'd be and what you'd like. My sweet baby, you have far surpassed any idea I could have had for you. I thank God everyday for you and for allowing me to be your Mommy.

Love Always,

Mommy

Colin whispers as if he is telling a secret: I said poopy today

holding back a smile

Mommy: What was that?

still quietly

Colin: I said poopy today.

watching Colin's "light" click that he is tattling on himself because we don't say poopy

Colin: I didn't say it here {he points on the floor} I said it at school. I didn't say it here Mommy. I said it to Bennett.

I.LOVE.THIS!

I can't believe I haven't wrote about this yet but Mike and I became the proud owners of a mini-van a few weeks ago. I truly thought I was going to be an SUV driver for the rest of my life but the mini had me at the automatic sliding doors.

Last week's goals:

• Menu Planner: Bday Celebrations at Mom and Dads, Burgers, Italian Chicken, Pork Chops, Chicken Parm Casserole , left-overs, and restaurant
• Begin a Rubbermaid for Colin's summer clothes Didn't do since it's been so warm here!
• Put Elias' too small clothes away
• Count/Roll up loose change and deposit into vacation account
• Complete 1 pin from my Pinterest Made the Chicken Parm Casserole. Mike really like. Me not as much.
• Mail out pictures
• Big Household Project(s): Clean up walnuts/drive-way, touch up dining room paint, fill at least 1 large trash bag with things to get rid of.

This week's goals:

• Menu Planner: Dinner at Mom and Dads, Make Your Own, Tacos, Apple Pork Chop Casserole, Two Timin Pasta, Chicken Rice with Apples and Chicken, Homemade Pizza
• Make enough applesauce to empty at least 1 box of apples
• Complete at least 1 pin from my pinterest
• Mail out pictures
• Finally take fall pictures
• Start looking into Halloween costume ideas
• Household Project(s): fill 1 large trash bag with things to get rid of, rake/mow lawn and winterize, touch up dining room paint.

Annual Apple Picking trip...

Day Two - we saw less "art" and more street performers and just spending time walking around downtown.

It's ArtPrize season here in Grand Rapids. I love ArtPrize. I love the hustle and bustle of downtown. The weather has been fantastic here the past few days and since I've been working all mornings, we've been heading downtown the past few nights.