Our baby is 2!!

 Our baby boy August turned 2 this week.  So crazy how time flies.  So I thought I would do a little post about him and the things he likes right now for memory sake.  He loves to be outside, which of course right now isn't so great with all the snow. But mostly he loves going down slides and going on the swings.  Both of which took his older siblings much longer to enjoy than 2 years.  In fact neither of the other 2 like swings much still. 

 But our little August is fearless.  He climbs, he slides, he does it all!  He also loves to wrestle with anyone lying on the floor- just a cautionary tale for anyone that may happen to visit......
And he also loves to chase and be chased around the house.

 August is also very loving!  He will hug just about anything we tell him to. 

 He love, love, loves his brother and sister.  And he will mimic just about any and everything they do- like it or not.  In fact today we were dancing in the living room to music and all of a sudden I hear, "shake your booty, shake your booty!"  A line he often hears Ruby say.  He has also taken a shining to "Monsters" like Ruby.  He is always saying, "Oh, Oh no, a Monster....hide, a monster."  And he loves to play hide-and-seek.

 We are finding he is a pretty happy go lucky guy except when he is sick, then watch out- grump city.  But he has inherited Ruby's stubbornness, something we are hoping will only be a phase.  Fingers crossed.

 His favorite foods include grapes and strawberrys, cheese and fruit snacks.  He also loves to play with all Ruby's princess things.  And barbie is probably his favorite toy right now.

 Lately he has been talking up a storm and is stringing more and more words together.  His newest phrase is, "I wike this Mama, I weally wike this." 

 And of course not to be forgotten he has a stuffed wolf that he loves.  He loves it so much he has almost bitten the nose right off it.  I don't know what we are going to do when it comes off. 

Anyway, we love our little pumpkin and all his crazy ways.  Can't wait to see what year 3 will bring!

Brrrr....freezing in Holland

 Last Saturday we went to the town of Holland to check out an ice-sculpture contest they were having in their downtown area.  We thought that sounded kind of cool, so we bundled up, packed the kids in the car and headed out.  Some of the sculptures had been done the day before, so they were a little melty, but some were still being created which was fun to see.

 That being said, it was seriously COLD out there.  I mean cold.  The wind was whipping up and it was chilly.

 So as cool as the sculptures were, it was sort of a peek and dash situation.  There was no lingering longer to watch.

 It was suppose to be a little warmer that day, but it sure didn't feel like it when we were out.  But it was fun to get out and stretch our legs a little and see something different.  And of course the kids were rewarded by stopping at the toy store there!  Leave no toy store left unexplored is there motto!

 But we also went out to see Lake Michigan.  We had been told that the lakes look neat when it's winter too.  So we drove out there to see. And it was really interesting and beautiful.

 All the ice and snow mixed with the sand was really cool. It was kind of like being in the arctic (not really) with all the ice chunks in the water. 

We even saw some people out ice fishing on one of the inlets that was completely frozen over.  That was fun. The kids got out for a minute, but quickly did an about face when they realized how cold it was with the wind.  ha, ha. 

*I just have to add this story because I want to remember it along with this day.  While we were driving out to the lake, a song came on the ipod and Zack said, "when I hear this song and drive through the snowy forest like this it makes me want to rock out in a sleigh!" 
Me:  "What?"
Zack: "You know, it's just like a really good sledding rock song!"
At this point I was busting up laughing so hard.  Even as I type this, I'm laughing to myself.
Me:  "Ummm.....I didn't know there was such a thing as wanting to rock out while riding a sleigh."
Zack: " Oh yeah,  don't you ever just get that feeling.  I think I'm going to make a new genre of music, Sleigh Rock.  Get a band together and make some songs.  The first album can be called "Sleigher" get it?  Ha Ha Ha Ha"
Me:  "Oh my gosh, you are so strange.  Never have I heard of someone wanting to rock out on a sleigh.
I seriously laughed my head off for a good 10 minutes.  I couldn't stop.  It was so ridiculous!  Oh how I love that strange man of mine!!  ha, ha ha