Wags

Wags the dog is the mascot for Tyler's preschool class. He gets to go home with each child for a special visit. We've been anxiously awaiting our turn and finally Tuesday was the day! Tyler was SO excited to have Wags for 2 days. The first thing he did was show Wags around our house and introduce him to Calvin and me. Whatever Tyler did and wherever he went he made sure to have a place for Wags.

Wags got to watch Tyler play basketball...

video games...
put together a puzzle...

and watch morning cartoons.

He even included him in a game of catch with his brother Calvin.Tyler was most excited about sleeping with Wags while he was visiting. However, the first night Wags was here we had a babysitter and at bedtime Calvin was sad and having a hard time settling down so Tyler let Calvin sleep with Wags. When we found him in Cal's bed the next morning my heart melted! What a sweet big brother! The second night Wags did sleep with Tyler and he slept in extra late. Thanks Wags!

Cousins

Earlier this month Jim and I watched our niece and nephews for a day and night while Mark and Shannon were living it up in Vegas. The kids were all so excited to hang out with each other for the day! And for having an additional 3 kids in the house, it was pretty easy. The hardest part was meal times. We went through a lot of food and dishes! We played video games, board games, lots of basketball and even got to get outside and play at the park. Tyler and Calvin were thrilled to wake up the next morning and have their cousins be there. When it was time for them to leave they both cried. So cute! We definitely can't wait to have them over for another sleepover soon!

Daily Stretches

Before Christmas Jim threw his back out pretty bad. Now he's even more diligent about doing stretches several times a day than he was before. When he stretches at home it's a family affair with Ty and Cal always joining in.

Buffo Court 2.0

Jim upped his game a little bit.This court sponsored by Duct Tape.

Buffo Basketball Court

Lately Tyler has been spending a lot of time down in the basement playing hoops. Jim and Tyler play a "championship game" to 10 every night and Tyler will spend hours a day downstairs practicing, usually while wearing one of his Timberwolves jerseys. The other day Jim took some black electrical tape and made a makeshift court for Tyler, much to his delight. He loves trying to make 3s and standing at the line to practice his free throws. Jim has even given him some dribbling and shooting drills to run. Looks like someone might follow in his daddy's footsteps :)

Pre Christmas Getaway

The Tuesday before Christmas our dear friends the Dyers invited us to spend the day and night with them at their cabin in Wisconsin. Tyler and Calvin were so excited! After school the boys and I headed up to meet Christa, Anna and Emmett in Turtle Lake. Their cabin is beautiful! It's right on the lake and has the most beautiful views. Once we got there and got settled in we bundled up for a nature walk. Calvin wanted to hold Anna's hand the whole time, so cute! The rest of the day and the next morning passed in a blur. The kids made cookies, watched a Christmas movie, colored, played trucks, played hide and seek and put on a dance performance for us. Meanwhile, Christa and I got to drink wine and catch up with each other. We had such a great time and are so grateful we got invited. Thank you Christa, Anna and Emmett!!

Christmas Day 2011

After our leisurely Christmas morning we packed it up and headed to our cousins house in Farmington. I can't express enough how much fun Ty and Cal have with their cousins. It reminds me of when I was growing up and we would go off on our own for hours, playing and having fun. While the kids played the adults munched on some yummy appetizers and just enjoyed hanging out together. Later that day Shannon, Kaitlyn, Jim and I played their fun new game Brain Quest. I love that Kaitlyn and Nick are getting old enough to play games with us. The kids had a blast opening presents with each other (as you can see). When we celebrate with Jim's family we typically open presents in a free for all fashion. They say "Go" and everyone opens their gifts as fast as they can. I come from a family where you sit in a circle and open gifts one at a time so this method has taken a little getting used to. However, this year Mark lobbied for me and we switched to my way for gift opening. Victory! Thanks Mark :) I'm so glad we did this because the kids had reactions to some of the gifts that I wouldn't have missed for the world! Nick was over the moon for his signed Ricky Rubio jersey and Ryan was shocked to discover the biggest box was for him and not for his mom as he'd been told. Inside was the guitar he had wanted so bad.
After gifts we enjoyed a delicious dinner. The kids had pizza but, for the adults, Jim's dad made a paella of chicken, Italian sausage, shrimp and clams. So yummy! At the end of the evening we all hated to leave. It was such a fun and relaxing Christmas holiday. We are truly blessed.