indianapolis children's museum

We took our first trip to the Indianapolis Children's Museum, which is supposed to be the best in the country. We got a late start so we weren't able to spend much time there, but the boys had a great time. They explored the Bob the Builder exhibit, saw a life-sized Spider Man shooting his web, and played in the sand table. Ty's favorite was the race car and the gigantic (stuffed) polar bear; we couldn't get Drew out of this bulldozer. He loved it! The seat was bouncy so he had a great time hopping off of it and back onto it. I think he played in there most of the time!

I actually thought it was kind of lame and was quite disappointed until I found out that we missed an entire floor that is perfect for my kids' ages with a tree house and carousel, and the dinosaur room with rain, sun, and life-size dinosaurs. We're looking forward to going back. :)

gloves

This was Ty's idea...He thinks it is so fun to put on mine or Corey's gloves because they're so big on him. He puts the gloves on and then talks super expressively--hands flying everywhere, throwing in a "because...like..." here and there just to keep talking. It's pretty funny. And, of course, little brother had to have his own pair. :)

Kiawah Island

In the beginning of January, we were able to take a much-needed, vacation with our friends, Brad and Codie. It was kind of a post-graduation celebration/super fun vacation. We went (sans the kids!) to Kiawah Island, South Carolina for 5 days, and stayed in an amazing, 5,000 square foot house. It was such a treat! We had great, uninterrupted conversation, went sight-seeing in Charleston, and got to sleep in, which we hadn't done in, um, 3 1/2 years (to be exact). :)

me on the front steps of our house

the four of us on the beach (it was cold, but not as cold as it was at home--high 40's instead of single-digit temps! )

gulf course on Kiawah Island where "The Legend of Bagger Vance" was filmed

our reflection

Brad and Codie on old-fashioned trampoline thingy

the French Quarter in Charleston

we toured the U.S.S. Yorktown, a battleship from WWII

Corey and me

after 13 hours of driving, we made it home (well, to KY where all of our kiddos were)

Drew turned 2!!!

My little peanut turned 2! In the beginning of January, we celebrated Drew's SECOND birthday with a Spider Man-themed party and all the grandparents. It started out really well. Everyone was enjoying themselves and having lots of fun...


until things turned sour...Drew spotted the cookies before we sang "Happy Birthday, " and he wanted one. I made him wait (JUST FOR A SECOND so that I could get a cute picture of him as we sang to him), but it was too late...he melted down...and wouldn't blow out his candles... so Ty did it for him...
and then I made everyone sing again so Drew could blow out his candles properly and look happy for a picture. Then he got a cookie...and cake, and he was good to go after that. :)

making snow angels

Before the first snowfall, Ty's new favorite thing to talk about this winter was making snow angels. We had read about it in a book so he couldn't wait to try it himself. Since we were on our way to church the first time it snowed, I told him he could make one as soon as he got home, and he did. This was another day, and this time, his little brother tried to make one too. :)

Drew attempting to make one too :)

little picassos

I don't know why we have waited so long to paint--it is so much fun! Ty got the paint last year as a birthday gift (Thanks, Kat!) and with new paintbrushes for Christmas and Daddy's old t-shirts, we we're ready to go! Here are my little Picassos hard at work:

Ty's first masterpiece (doesn't it look like a rhino?) :)

Drew painted himself too

Drew's first masterpiece (a butterfly, perhaps?)

more from Christmas '09

Of course I couldn't choose only 10 so here are several more to wrap up Chrsitmas 2009:

watching a car race around the new track

love this smile

Drew got into unwrapping this year

momma encouraging Drew's new unwrapping skills

safety glasses to go with new tools

getting a kiss from Nonna

and a kiss from Mimi (with candy cane on his mouth)

Drewzers lovin' on his doggie

Mimi's gift from the boys

the boys with their poppa and nonna