Wonderful Christmas

Christmas Eve Aaron in his new Toy Story PJ's

Aaron with his top toys: Buzz, Woody and his mini recliner chair!
Sammie and her new riding toy! Boy was she excited!Christmas Morning cuties!

After a Christmas morning full of presents and cinnamon rolls the kids played till they were too tired and naps called out to them. After naps we went to my parents house for a nice dinner and more presents! Aaron got a Colts football helmet that thrilled him! It was so nice sharing the day with family.

My side of the family

The day after Christmas Jeremy's whole family came over for more food more fun and more presents! Aaron was so excited he didn't even take a nap. In the afternoon we all went bowling.

Jeremy's side opening gifts

It was a very Merry Christmas. I can't believe it's already over. I already talked our garbage man into taking our Christmas Tree.

So onto New Years!

The Vance family of 4 had a very merry Christmas!

Chilly Willy

We woke up to snow today. And not just any snow. The kind of snow that is perfect for making a snowman. Jeremy and Aaron named him Chilly Willy.

Aaron did a great job helping roll 3 BIG snowballs for his first big snowman. He wanted him to talk like Frosty!

It was a fun snowy Saturday morning. Sammie enjoyed watching Willy being built. She kept saying "ball, ball" over and over.

Daddy's Shoes

After coming home from the library and lunch with Grandpa, Aaron decided he wanted to walk around in daddy's shoes. He was proud of himself for getting them on and walked around the house giggling and saying "I'm wearing daddy's shoes." Notice his Colts jersey in honor of tonights game! Go Colts!

Samantha and Aaron now chase each other around the house. She loves the freedom of being able to walk without assistance!

First Snow!

Aaron has been talking about playing football in the snow for a few months now and today he got his chance! He was on cloud 9 as I put on his new Spiderman boots and snowpants. He had his football tee in one hand and football in the other. He kept jumping up and down with excitement until I opened the door.

Sammie wasn't too sure about the snow at first but once Aaron shared a little with her to taste she didn't want to go in and wanted to follow Aaron around as he marched around while I sang "Frosty the Snowman" (his new favorite show).

We ended up going outside 3 times today and even built a little snowman. When Jeremy arrived home we were waiting by the driveway to throw snowballs at his car. Aaron thought it was great!

I sure love my family!

Fun in the Leaves

I took these pics late last week before the weather turned cold. I raked a big pile of leaves and the kids had a blast in them!

TRICK OR TREAT

We had a good time trick or treating on Saturday evening. Aaron started out getting a sucker so he was on cloud 9. We brought Sammie to the neighbors house's then she stayed home with Jeremy and helped hand out candy while I took Aaron house to house. At first he wasn't too sure about it but once he got the hang of it he would run up to the houses and pick out "one for Aaron" and put it in his pumpkin. We made to quite a few houses before he wanted to go home! He loved looking at the pumkins, lights and "lots of people!"

My beloved Grandma

Grandma and Aaron at 3 months

Grandma giving Sammie kisses
My wonderful Grandmother passed away early yesterday morning. She was 87. She led a long life full of fun and adventure. She had 11 kids who had a bunch of kids who had a bunch of kids. She was beloved by all!

I'll miss you Grandma. You are a part of me always! Ich Liebedich.

Pumpkin Patch

Aaron's BIG pumpkin
Mommy's Little pumpkin

Pumpkin Patch Kids

I took Aaron and Samantha to the Kurtz Farm pumpkin patch this morning. It was a perfect fall day. Aaron couldn't wait to pick out a "big" pumpkin. He loved the little hay ride out to the pumpkins and had a blast choosing which one would be "Aaron's". He even picked one out for Sammie.

After getting our pumpkins we went out to the Pizza Hut buffet for lunch with our neighbors. It was a great morning.

First Steps and Cake

Samantha took her first step yesterday! We are so proud of her! I was walking her around the basement for the hundredth time that evening and I let go of her hands and put mine in front of her and sure enough she took a step towards them. Way to go sweetheart!

This morning while I had my head turned(after telling Aaron no he can't have any cake) I find him very quiet in the family room. He had taken the cake out and was stuffing it all in his mouth! Mischievous but oh so cute!

Bowling Alley

We went bowling for the first time with Aaron and Sammie last night.

Aaron has his own little bowling set down in our basement so he was extra excited to go to a real bowling alley. He took it very seriously and got a 29 for his game! He insisted on carrying his own ball and didn't want our help.

Fall is Here

The kiddos watching the leaves fall

Yesterday we enjoyed playing outside after nap time. Sammie and Aaron enjoyed playing with the leaves that are starting to fall. Sammie tried to eat them and Aaron threw them up in the air and tried to feed them to Sammie because it was funny!

The weather was perfect. About 70 and sunny. I love these days. We took a walk in the evening to the store which Aaron loves because it means he gets a cookie!

Sammie is loving being more mobile and enjoys getting anything and everything that her big brother has!

There is something about the air in the fall that makes you want to breath in deep and smile.

Fun Busy Day

Today we went to Jeremy's co worker Don's lake house for the afternoon. We took a nice long boat ride where Aaron got a chance to drive. He did really well and was really serious while at the wheel.

We stopped by a nice restaurant on the lake and enjoyed a nice lunch compliments of Don. He took us around Lake Wawasee and whenever we hit a good wave Aaron would laugh with glee at the spray of the water. Samantha ended up falling asleep on the way back to the lake house. The choppy waves lulled her into sleep.

Thanks Don for a great afternoon. Aaron is still talking about his boat ride.

I tried my hand at the jet ski before heading home. I had a blast.

We got home just in time for Notre Dames kick off. It was a great game by ND! They shut out Nevada 35-0. Aaron ran around the room the entire time kicking his football during punts and kickoffs and throwing his football and then diving to catch it. When ND scored a touchdown so did Aaron. It was a lot of fun to watch both the game and my little man. Samantha rolled around the ground the entire game happy as can be.

It was a nice day but everyone was exhausted by nightfall. Well all except Aaron who was like the energizer bunny all day.

History Lesson

Before bed tonight Aaron curled up by Jeremy as he read him some Notre Dame Football history. It was so cute!

Sammie helping mommy cook!

Sammie crawled for the first time today! We are so proud of her. She was getting so frusterated.

Way to go sweetheart!

Perfect Sunday

Today the weather was nice and cool. We enjoyed a walk in the morning and took a bike ride to the park after naps. Aaron ran around the park acting like he owned the place. I love watching him run and how excited he gets when he accomplishes something new. Sammie just wanted to get down and play (and eat wood chips of course!) Sammie banged some pots and pans together today while I was in the kitchen cooking dinner. I can't wait to teach her how to cook. I'm such a lucky mother to have such great kids. I love my family so much.
Tonight Aaron brought the classic book "Goodnight Moon" to bed with him. I could hear him upstairs reading it as I laid on the couch downstairs.

Samantha Vance is 9 months old

Hard to believe that Samantha is now 3/4 of a year old.

This evening when the kids and I were waiting out front for Jeremy to come home Aaron and Sammie played ball together. Well Aaron would give her the ball and she would clap it with her hands then let it go. Aaron thought it was great to have a playmate.

She is rolling all over the place and loves to hold onto things and stand up.

This evening we went as a family to Lakeside Rose Gardens and took some pictures and just had some nice together time. It was a beautiful evening!

I take Sammie in for her 9 month appointment on Thursday so I'll update you on her stats then!