Today the boys went to one of their friends birthday parties. It was an Indiana Jones Birthday party. The boys had so much and came home with these cute hats...I just had to take a picture! We ended up going to a movie with my family afterwards and the boys had their hats on...so many people couldn't believe how cute it was. We couldn't either...cute party favors! What a great idea! Bradley told us he was Indiana and Cole was Jones!
Christmas morning we woke the boys up at 8:00 a.m. I think they would have slept a lot longer but we had breakfast at my parents at 9:30 a.m. When we finally got them up...Cole remembered what day it was and ran out to the family room! They had so much fun opening their gifts from Santa and got spoiled from their Abuela and Grandpa who live in Maine! They also got some fun games from their Uncle Steve, Aunt Amy, Justin, and Jasmine! After opening all their gifts we went over to Nanny and Papa's for a yummy breakfast with my whole family. We laughed a lot and opened more presents from Nanny and Papa and their cousins! We came homeso the boys and Dennis could set up Cole's new Thomas train tracks - they played with their toys all day long. We had dinner at home and then played the game Sorry, Candyland, Hungry Hippos, and Chutes and Ladders (thank you Steve, Amy, Justin, and Jasmine)! We didn't go to bed until 11:30 p.m. The kids were exhausted (and so were we). It was a wonderful Christmas! It was a Christmas where we truly remembered how important family is and how grateful we are for all of ours...we are spread out all over so we don't get to see everyone as often as we would like, but we have the best support and love from everyone! Thank you to everyone in our family...especially for how wonderful they are to our two boys! Merry Christmas!
My Uncle Heinz passed away tonight. He was a wonderful uncle and I have very fond memories of him. He will be greatly missed. We love you Uncle Heinz.
Heinz Karl Drawe
Heinz Karl Drawe 1932 ~ 2008 Heinz Karl Drawe, age 76, passed away in Bountiful, Utah, on December 24, 2008, of complications associated with Parkinson's disease. Heinz was born to Wilhelm Gottlieb and Anna Marie Mueller Drawe in Herne, Germany, on April 12, 1932. He grew up during a tumultuous time in Germany and experienced the struggle and heartache of a war-torn country at a young age. Heinz immigrated to Alberta, Canada, at the age of 19 with his good friend Dick Holtkamp and quickly learned to adapt to a new language and culture. He soon met and married his wife, Lorna. They had six children together and were later divorced. Heinz served in the Canadian Army as a paratrooper and a dental hygienist and with the United Nations Forces in Egypt. After leaving the service, he became a painting contractor. He enjoyed music from a young age and for several years was a member of and soloist with the German Chorus Harmonie. He also sang with the Jay Welch Chorale, where he met his sweetheart Patricia. They were married in 1981. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. It was a proud day for Heinz when he became an American citizen. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints he served faithfully as a teacher, ward choir member, and devoted temple worker, among other callings. Heinz's hobbies included oil painting, writing poetry, and snow-blowing neighbors' driveways. He liked to collect clocks and music boxes. Heinz asked that many thanks be given to all those friends, neighbors, and ward and branch members who visited him faithfully and helped buoy him as well as Pat through these last few years. Thanks also goes to the vigilant staff of Welcome Home Assisted Living who patiently and kindly cared for Heinz and provided such a comfortable home-away-from-home for him. Appreciation also to Silverado Hospice.
This Christmas Eve we stayed home all day...in our pajamas... and watched movies by the fire. When it got closer to the evening we made and decorated sugar cookies for Santa, put reindeer food outside (they have to eat too of course) and then off to bed! Cole fell asleep a little early so Bradley had to put the cookies that they decorated out for Santa. It was a wonderful day!
Cole and Bradley got to go to a FUN sleepover at Nanny and Papa's house last night! They loved every minute of it. They were there to celebrate their cousins 9th birthday. So Nanny and Papa had 9 grandchildren over for the whole night (wow they are brave)! They played games, set up train tracks, watched movies, ate cupcakes, went sledding, took a walk....and then got clean! This is the only picture I have so far- two smiling clean boys! Thanks Nanny and Papa!
Every year we meet my whole family at the Country Club for a wonderful luncheon with Santa and Mrs. Claus! We ate a delicious lunch and then waited for Santa and Mrs. Claus to land their helicopter (yes- helicopter) so they can come in an meet with each child. We were so surprised but Bradley did it! With a smile! They had so much fun with their cousins and of course Nanny and Papa! They were lucky enough to go to my brother's house afterwards and play with their cousins for a few more hours...what a fun day! Now we truly are ready for Christmas!
Oh...it is always a treat to watch Bradley in action at school...or at church...wherever. He really likes to put on a "I am shy" show. We managed to get a smile out of him before the program started and when his papa was holding him at the end. Of course they had to put him right in the middle of the whole class. He did no actions and sang no songs and in the meantime he managed to tell his teacher I didn't even bother to show up(which he knew I had because he waved to me when I walked in to the room before the program started)...yes he is something else. But we adore him and his personality!
Ok...my friend Andrea tagged everyone to see their tree. So here is ours... let's just remember that I had a 4 year old decorating my tree and putting up everything where he wanted...and I wasn't about to
change it -he notices!
So here is the tree...
Today..Cole lost his first tooth! He is so excited (seriously..this child does not like taking pictures...so to get one of him with a natural smile is next to impossible)! He lost it before church today and I am pretty sure he told everyone he saw. We have a little pillow with a pocket in it- he put his tooth in there so the tooth fairy will come tonight! This is a first for us as parents too...how exciting! Oh and if you read his school program posting..this is why he was pointing to his tooth the whole program..it was loose and I guess when they lose a tooth they get to write it on a wall at school.
Today was the first really BIG snow storm we have had this year (which is so strange)! We decided to have a great time with it. Today the boys played outside, made snow angels, helped Dennis shovel the walks, and made a snowman (I would have taken a picture if it actually looked like something...but it was really just a half eaten carrot..I guess Bradley got hungry..in the snow)! They then got in a hot bath, ate dinner, and made a gingerbread train! We had a great day!
Cole had his Kindergarten Winter Sing today! Nanny and Papa came to watch. He was so excited. He did EVERY action and EVERY facial movement (he is a little dramatic) It was so fun to watch. He kept pointing to his tooth the whole time...we had no idea what he was trying to say (stay tuned). He did such a good job and we are very proud of him!
My twin nieces (Madison on the left and Sadie on the right) turned one on December 7, 2008. They had a big birthday party. My boys LOVED every minute of it and they adore their twin cousins. The funniest part of the night came when they each got their own little cake- after the candle was blown out they went right after that cake. I have NEVER seen a 1 year old (let alone two) eat a cake like this. I think they ate the whole thing in under 4 minutes! :) I just had to post this picture. We were all laughing so hard! Happy Birthday Girls!
We put up our Christmas Tree today! The boys slept over at their grandparents last night and got home around 3:00 today and then it was time to decorate the house! Bradley was so excited- he put on every ornament. Cole was much too tired to participate- I guess he played A LOT last night! We had a fun night getting everything up and now we can enjoy the holiday!
We had a GREAT Thanksgiving! We hope you all did too. We went up to my parents house in Park City and had the WHOLE family gathered (all 22 of us). It was so much fun. The boys had so much fun with their cousins. They played dress up, went exploring outside, watched a movie, played with train sets, and ended up sleeping overnight with their grandparents and 4 of their cousins! What a day! It just reminds us how thankful we are to have two great boys and a large loving family surrounding us!
Wow! It is ANOTHER boy! That makes 3 for us! We finally found something we are good at.... While we were hoping for a little girl to bless our house (and hopefully calm it down a little bit) we got a surprise and have a boy on the way in May! While the sadness lasted for about an hour (ok 8) I had quite a few wonderful people (Karen, Kim, Teresa, Sara, Marianne, etc) give me some great words of wisdom that completely lifted me up and I can't tell you how excited we are for this little boy! What a blessing! We have already started planning all the fun stuff we get to do with this little boy and Cole and Bradley are excited that they have someone else to play ball, Ninja Turtles, Pirates, trains, etc with. I was so nervous to have another baby- so much anxiety for the past 4 months, but since finding out this was a boy all that went away and I feel complete calmness and peace...so for me I think it truly is a blessing! I guess I just needed the comfort in knowing what I was doing! I know what a blessing it is to have a healthy baby boy on the way- I am so grateful! While this pregnancy has already given me some grief we are hoping that this little boy will be our "ZEN" baby and bring calmness into the house (is that possible with 3 boys)?! I also just need to say that I have the MOST amazing husband...hopefully I am lucky and my boys will turn out just like him. He is so fantastic! He is my best friend and I can turn to him for anything. I can't imagine a life without him..he makes me smile daily and we laugh all the time! Cole and Bradley adore him...when he leaves for work they run to hug and kiss him and watch him as he drives away. As soon as they hear the garage open at night they run to him again! They often want to call him at work and tell him about their day! It is so cute. Life is good....a great family and another baby boy on the way...what more could I ask for...a life spent with boys...which makes me the princess..right? Just how it should be! :)
Can I just brag for a minute? My kids have been so sweet. They have had to deal with me being out of commission for awhile and they have not complained once (not to my face anyway)! There have been some fun things we have had to miss out on and days where they stay home all day with me...a little bored..but they have been wonderful. Yesterday Cole came and told me that he made the beds and cleaned up the cushions on the couch so I wouldn't have to do it (he is so worried about me) and today Bradley went outside and started shoveling the snow- and said he couldn't come back in until it was ALL DONE! Sweet!
Bradley ran into my room yesterday and said "It's snowing! It's snowing!" He was so excited. He asked if it stuck to the ground could he go outside and play in it. Well it didn't stick to the ground yesterday but when he woke up this morning he saw that there was A LOT of it! He waited for Cole to wake up and then we got them dressed and out they went! They are LOVING it! Winter here we come......
