Chopping Down The Christmas Tree

I really wanted a white Christmas tree this year... so I spent a couple of weeks begging Cameron to invest in a white tree. That didn't go over so well. Something about me changing my mind every other day regarding my style and what I like. Hmmmmm. I plead the 5th. His peace offering was chopping down our own tree and I'm glad we did. Turns out we created a lot of fun memories, probably more than I would have pulling my fake white tree out of a box. 

A friend recommended Frosty's and it is such a gorgeous, family friendly farm. We'll be back. 

A few things I want to remember: 

-how Weston was so afraid we were lost as we wandered in and out of the trees

-how Cameron and I seriously examined each branch of each tree to make sure it was the right one... like we were choosing a house or something. 

-how much the boys loved the scalding hot chocolate

-how Cameron and I found "the perfect tree" right after we chopped ours down

-our new favorite breakfast joint, The Los Gatos Cafe

The Bun Is In the Oven

Here we go again.... round two with the bun in the oven costume. Our timing is really great apparently {round one here}. This little babe is making it's appearance the beginning of May and we are super excited! 

Trick Or Treating {2012}

Halloween is for sure the best holiday. Well, next to Christmas of course. Weston wanted to be a train engineer since July {because that's when I start talking about Halloween}. I kind of tried to change his mind a few times but it just wasn't happening. He was so happy with his costume and that just made me happy. Holden was the cutest little Max {from "Where the Wild Things Are"} and surprisingly kept his hat on the whole time. It's fun to raise a second child cause they seriously just do everything the first does. Holden was so into trick or treating and raced up to every step as fast as his monster legs would take him. Weston was completely obsessed with the night too and I can hardly wait till next year. 

We're missing Conner and Haley in this pic but we got most of the littles to sit still for about 10 seconds. We've been soooo lucky to have such good friends in the neighborhood.  

{Top: Weston, Conner, Ava, Brayden}

{Bottom: Evan, Holden, Lucas}

Holden: 18 Months

Holden is my little trouble maker these days. He's into everything, climbs up on top of everything, and does anything in his power to keep up with Weston. He's never far from Weston's side. He's been loving nursery at church and I think he's loved having Weston in there with him. Holdie loves: sweets, trains, trucks, swings, wrestling and sword fighting, cheddar cheese, olives, homemade smoothies, music and dancing, Gymboree, yelling "no," standing on the kitchen stool, and orange tic tacs. Holdie is not a fan of t.v., being snuggled,  eating meals, having his ears cleaned, reading books, going to bed, and pretty much sleep in general. I'm hoping the sleep thing turns around reaaaaal soon. We love you Holdie! 

Neidig Family Photos {2012}

We took advanatage of all of my siblings being in the same place and my mom organized family photos. The photographer said we were the tallest family she's ever photographed. Well, the tall family was just glad she brought a stool so we all weren't stuck with double chins. 

The grandparents and grandkids shot didn't go quite as planned.... but it sure was funny watching it take place.

 

Family Photos {2012}

Keeping with tradition, we had our family photos taken while we were visiting family in Utah. Jylare took our photos up the canyons and the colors of the leaves kinda made up for the horrible mood the boys were in. At one point they were both laying on the ground screaming. Um, ok. We didn't even get any individual shots of Holden cause he was crying most of the time. Only makes for more 2012 family picture memories :) 

 

Pumpkin Patch {2012}

We had a blast at the pumpkin patches this year.... although I think we went less times than last year {if that is even possible}.  Probably a good thing since I'm probably a bit too obsessed. We made the rounds between Joan's, EJs, and G&M's. Then we hit up a patch in Utah and Arizona while we were traveling. Cornbelly's in Utah is still the best... now if only they could add a fourth pumpkin patch in Livermore and call it Cornbelly's. 

Holden: 16 Months

This face, accompanied by a grunt, is what 16 months is all about. When he wants something, he wanted it 5 minutes ago. When he's annoyed, he's really annoyed. This face.... it happens a lot. 

But really, Holden is the sweetest thing with the sweetest personality. He's so chill. But then he can just flip a switch and within seconds he's grunting and squealing till I can figure out what he needs. At least it's entertaining. 

He's pretty verbal and says lots of words that are pretty intelligible. His fav things to say are: let's go, thank you, airplane, ewwwww {for anything that he thinks is gross}, all done, popcorn, pumpkin, no, hi, panting for a dog, meowing for a cat, and growling for every other animal. He signs milk consistently and sometimes eat and help. My favorite thing he does is say ewwww and wave his hand in front of his nose every time he poops. Maybe he'll be easier to potty train?? {fingers crossed}. He loves his brother, loves to be apart of everything, loves to snack, hates to eat meals, hates his ears cleaned, loves the hose, loves books, is a big climber, hates being dirty, loves balloons, loves to dance, and still has some separation issues. Love you Holdie. 

The Side Part

We've been trying really hard to get to church on time and let me tell you, it's near impossible. Well, I know it's possible because it seems like everyone else is on time but us... but that's not the point. A few Sundays ago I rushed Weston out the door while Cameron finished getting Holden ready. We had a few minutes to kill so I took a few pics of Weston with his new side part. I thought he looked really sweet. He sat on the steps and watched his friends ride their bikes. Broke my heart and made me so proud of him all in the same moment. Love you Weston. 

Summer's Over, Technically

It's a bit bittersweet when summer is over. Although it still feels like summer here so I don't know why I'm saying it's over. We're still night swimming and sweating all day long. I've loved this summer. As much as I love teeny babies, I've really liked my boys getting older. It's so fun to do activities with them and they just love to be out and about. 

This was probably our last beach trip of the summer. Some of my best beach memories: 

-Safeway sandwiches

-peanut butter M&M's ALWAYS for the car ride down, which begins around 9:30. 

-Weston STILL loves to be buried. He giggles and laughs the entire time... especially when Cameron does a "foot check."

-the boys still don't like the water. They will tolerate it for about 5 seconds if we are holding them in the water and then they both start to freak out. 

-Weston loves to play "the waves are getting you game"

-Holden gets what to do now at the beach. When we were in Hawaii about 4 months ago he kind of just held a shovel and grunted. Now he does his thing and he loves to dig in the sand. 

-being stuck in traffic one beach day, going home, cause their was an accident in the Santa Cruz mountains. Ugg. 

-the boys find and pet every dog on the beach

-Holden learned how to put on his own crocs

-the boys love to eat snacks the entire time at the beach. For sure Holden is scrounging around in the bag for a snack at any given second. Which then means everything in every bag is covered in sand, including all the snacks. At least he's consistent. 

Can't wait till next summer!