Choo choo!! Look who's two!

Nolan had his 2nd birthday on January 11th. I'm gonna be all cliche and say it: I can't believe my baby is 2!! It really feels like yesterday he was just a little one, big blue eyes and all. He still has those same baby blues, but with it, a huge, guffawing laugh (just like dad), a teasing grin and oodles of personality. We love him so much.

Nolan is starting to talk quite a bit now. He echoes everything I say. When we ask him how old he is, he says "TWO!" He loves to ask for a "nack" (snack.) He loves smoked almonds from Costco, pizza, and anything with sugar. We don't give into his sugar habit very much, so he is kind of a small kid. But he packs a big punch :) He is so into trains, it is insane.

For Nolan's birthday, we kept it low key. We had his favorite food for dinner-pizza. We played all his favorite games (duck duck goose, hide and seek, redlight greenlight). Matt bought prizes for whoever won the games and Reagan threw a fit when she didn't win, so we shared the twizzlers and reese pieces.

Here is Nolan as he blowed out his candles--it was a boogar-y week for us!

Trying to get in the car portion of his shopping cart from G&G Rasmussen.

Playing with his trains! He hasn't let go of these trains.

Happy Birthday bubs!

Eight

On the 28th of December, Matt and I celebrated 8 years of marriage! We went on a traditional "date night." Our good friends watched the kids for us while we went to eat in Walnut Creek, then saw Harry Potter. It is hard to believe that we have been married for that long. Time really has flown and what a great 8 years it has been. We have shared many many happy times and even struggled through some tough times that refined us and made us even stronger. I am happy to be married to my best friend.

My sweet Matt as a toddler and I see where Nolan gets his big grin :)
A goofy missionary :)

Are you seeing a theme to these pictures? My favorite thing about Matt is how he makes me laugh...literally everyday. Sometimes he teases me and I roll my eyes at him, pretending to be annoyed. But deep down, I just love it. I love that he looks at the bright side of things and always has a positive outlook. Wow, we look young here. Many years ago, when we were dating in college.

After almost 2 years of marriage, life took us out here to Concord. Before the children, I must say we lived it up.

This is us the day after we got engaged and I am rockin my ring. I remember sitting in chemistry class in the Benson building and watching how it sparkled in the auditorium lights. Life was good :)

Thanks for an amazing 8, Matt. Love, wife

The Holidays

Our second annual Christmas just ourselves at home went by without a hitch. We ate fun food Christmas Eve (panko breaded shrimp from Costco, seriously it rocks), dad told the nativity in kids language, then had the Rasmussen traditional rice pudding with a nut. Guess who got the nut? Reagan did, of course ;) She got into the game really well, but it was funny because like most food we place in front of her these days, she didn't like the rice pudding. But we knew she had the nut, so we told her to look for it anyways. Matt and I each pretended like we had found the nut and we knew the minute she had found hers because (even though we told her to keep it a secret), she announced, "I know you guys don't have the nut--I know it!!"

She got to open the first present, then chose presents for all of us to open as well. She chose a present from my sister Lindsey, a Rosetta fairy doll. Nolan opened a present from Reagan, a Thomas Train car. And trust me, he has been playing with that car ever since. If that is all he received for Christmas, he would be the happiest kid still.

We then opened jammies, even mom and dad got some. Actually, I got a snuggie, it is so awesome.

Nolan clutching his train for dear life.

While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads, Santa came!!! Actually Santa had a rough night. He started putting together a bike and it took him about 3 hours since the directions were so awful. I'm afraid the words that came out of Santa's mouth may have landed him on his own naughty list.

Reagan woke up about 5am and we told her to go back to her room and play with the light on for another hour. I guess she made a detour because seconds later, she yelled, "A BIKE!" Thats when we knew Christmas morning was here to stay, so we got up.

Nolan bubs LOVES his basketball hoop! Good form, yes?

Playing all day long, in pajamas.

Dad with his loot. We played all day, took naps and then headed over to the Muhlestein Christmas dinner, it was really fun. All in all, a good Christmas, but I do admit to being happy about the new year. I am ready for it!

Matt got an early start to 2011.

We went to the Berrett's for more holiday fun on New Years Eve, then went home and went to bed. I didn't watch the ball drop or anything like that. It was nice. We were just so tired and like I said, I am just ready to begin a new year :):)

Dad let mom sleep in the next day and he made blueberry waffles.

Happy New Year!