Nathan's Dance Moves

Several weeks ago after watching Aunt Susan and her staff at the middle school do a flash mob dance to Gangnam Style on emissourian.com's video (can be seen here) Tyler wanted more dancing so we pulled up the song on YouTube on the TV and I was able to get some video of Nathan's first dance moves. 

 

 

Okay, so the moves may not be that impressive, but Nathan does love music like his older brother. 

He often walks around clapping and says what sounds like "crap" but we are pretty sure he means clap...we hope. :)

The kid amazes us daily.  He also makes us smile, a LOT. :)  



Christmas Morning 2012

Christmas morning was so much fun this year with the anticipation of Santa's arrival. 

 

We were able to capture a glimpse of Santa's work before the boys woke up. 

The stockings were hung (and filled) by the chimney with care. 

Santa left a note, ate the cookies, drank the milk and gave the food to the reindeer. 

Tyler was so excited about the "new car" Santa brought. 

Even Nathan was excited!

Of course I was not able to capture both boys looking up at the same time.

When Tyler decided to go for some of the other presents and Nathan went to check out the drivers seat of the car.  I love his curiosity...most of the time.  

New toys!

Nathan was more into opening/eating the presents than I thought he would be. 

Look, Dad, I did it!

Tyler was a pro at opening gifts.  He opened most of the gifts under the tree. 

Grandma and Popo Zick arrived to watch Tyler finish unwrapping the gifts from his stocking. 

 

Then we had to go outside to check out the car and let Tyler attempt to drive.  Watch out!  Tyler is not a great driver yet as Christmas morning he would either floor the gas or steer the car but not both at the same time...which is pretty key to driving. 

The new car is pretty cool and will be really fun when it warms up a bit outside. 

I am not sure who was more excited - Jeff or the boys! 

Jeff and I joked that we never had a Power Wheel and always wanted one when we were little.  Yes, we are vicariously living out our toy dreams through our kids.  :)

While Nathan was napping and Daddy was getting ready for the rest of our Christmas Day chaos, Tyler and I snapped a photo with the self timer on the camera.  It is one of my favorite photos of us. 

 

Christmas is so awesome with our kids!  We feel truly blessed. 

More Christmas photos to come. 

 



Christmas Eve 2012

Our Christmas Eve was very fun!  My mom and dad were nice enough to have us over Christmas Eve night so we could enjoy Christmas morning at our house and spread out the Christmas craziness.  

 

Tyler gave Grandma a big hug to start to open presents.  He had been waiting all day and ever since Christmas has asked EVERY day when he can open more presents. 

Our little Nathan was even into opening gifts for a bit this year.  Christmas is so fun with kiddos! :)

Nathan even wanted in on the wine!

Ahhh...Jake and the Neverland pirates ship, Buckey!   Very cool, Grandma!

I am so so glad we made the rule that toys that Grandmas purchase stay at their house. 

Playing with everything on the ship before it was even out of the box.

Grandma and Popo know the way to Nathan's heart too - a new ball!

Nut head!

Uncle Kyle and Hadley had different Christmas Eve expressions.

Brothers! 

Tyler has to check out ALL of Nathan's presents. 

 

Aunt Maggie and Uncle Kyle got the boys these adorable backpacks.  Nathan had his on and didn't even notice.  He is ready for school! 

Okay, he might have to lose the bottle before he can go to school.  I have to get him using a sippy cup more often as it looks very odd to have a walking kiddo holding a bottle. 

Sweet cheeks Hadley was not too into Christmas.  Just wait until next year, Hadley! 

Popo made Tyler a very cool present.  A house out of a giant box.  Tyler loved it and played with it in the garage because it wouldn't fit in the door of the house. 

In his church clothes on the garage floor...perfect!

See you guys later.

We tried a cousins photo and this was as good as it got.  It does show their personalities though.   Tyler was over it before it even started and refused to smile.  Hadley was pretty expressionless but very still and calm.  Nathan was the little terror that wouldn't sit still for a second. 

I couldn't resit posting the photos of Tyler putting his hand in his pants.  Man, he is going to kill me when he is older for keeping these photos.  Tyler, you are all boy! 

 

I love this photo of Tyler and Hadley.  I think my boys are going to be very protective of Hadley when they all get older. 

 

Our attempt at a sibling photo.

Tyler was still not wanting anything to do with photos.  It was the presents are opened, sugar let down.  Nathan was just getting started. 

 

 

Ready, go!

They sure do keep us on our toes! 

 

It was a wonderful night of food, gifts and family.  We went to the Christmas Eve church service afterwards.  Daddy and Tyler enjoyed my favorite part - singing Silent Night with the candlelit filled church.  Nathan and I were watching on from the back of the balcony at church with Kyle and Hadley as Nathan and Hadley were two very tired babies. 

 

Luckily our boys went home and slept like champs so that Santa could come to our house...many more Christmas posts and photos to come!

 

 

First haircut

Nathan got his first haircut on Christmas Eve.  He was getting a bit shaggy!.  I held him while sitting in the bathtub and Jeff did the cutting.  It is so easy with boys! 

 

Check out those muscles!  And don't mind the spot of banana just above that grin.  ;)  

 

Nathan did great with his haircut and didn't shed a tear.  He was a bit curious about the clippers but once we gave him the distraction toy of a rubber duck, it was easy street from there. 

 

Happy first haircut, Nathan!  You are a handsome little man.

 



Christmas Crafts @ Playgroup

Our Friday playgroup had a special Holiday Crafts event a few weeks ago.  Since Tyler loves to paint, color and get messy I thought it would be perfect. 

 

Christmas stamps.

This little man makes it next to impossible to take photos, help with crafts and keep an eye on him so he cannot escape.   Whew!

Nathan's little hand wanted to help with stamps too!

Tyler's favorite craft was making the pinecone birdfeeder.  He loved covering them with the birdseed.  I remember making these too with peanut butter.  Since peanut butter is such an allergy risk they used shortening.  Yuck!  It will fatten those birds right up! 

Tyler's finished product right next to the Mizzou birdfeeder outside.  The birds had a good majority of the seeds gone within the first few days. 

 

We also got to make a snowman out of shaving cream and glue, a Christmas tree with tissue paper pieces and there was a craft station to make noodle and cereal necklaces.  Tyler was not into making a necklace at ALL!  (I think we ended up with three noodles on a string.) 



Church Christmas Program

If you remember Tyler practicing for the church Christmas program in an earlier post, you would never believe after that video that this was his expression throughout the entire Away in the Manger performance:

 

Shy, quiet and looking down at the floor most of the time.  I couldn't believe it!  Where did this kid come from?  I am pretty sure he didn't sing a note. :(

It might have been my fault as I told him if he stayed quiet during church he could have a cookie afterwards.  I guess there is a first time for that incentive working. :)  I also told him to sing loud so Daddy and Grandma could hear him.  He obviously missed that part of the instructions.   

This was his class Preschool - Kindergarten.

This is what I was picturing would happen...only by Tyler.  Too funny!

 

Zach performed on his big 'ole baritone saxaphone at church as well. 

 

Thanks to everyone that came to see Tyler's performance standing ability.  Ha!  Maybe next year...

 

 



Elf on the Shelf, Part 2

Red, our elf, has not been forgotten.  See the introductory post here. Tyler searches for him every morning.  Thankfully, between Jeff and I, we have remembered to make sure Red has found a new hiding spot.  I have not been as thorough at photographing his shenanigans. 

 

Here are a few:

 

Hiding in the Christmas tree.

In Tyler's stocking.

On the Christmas card wreath before it was filled up with cards. 

The envelope Red was holding had magic seeds (sprinkles) with a note that instructed Tyler to plant the magic seeds in sugar and wait two days. 

Preparing the sugar...

...to plant his "seeds."

Red was up hiding above the cabinets. 

 

Look what the magic seeds and sugar turned into! 

Thank you Schultes Bakery! ;) 

Red was a bit lazy and called Santa.

When I asked Tyler what Red was doing this morning, Tyler exclaimed that he was getting ready to have pancakes! 

Red got a bit crazy with Tyler's precious Curious George. 

I think George looks a bit Amish. Ha!

 

Another adventure Red had included taking a bubble bath in marshmallows. 

Tyler didn't quite get it. :(

We are also doing our 12 books of Christmas (all Christmas themed books) this year and Tyler loves picking a number out of the bowl and finding his book for the night.  I rewrapped a lot of the Christmas books I had from last year but I think he may remember if I want to do it next year.