Pre-Dinner Conversation

OK, I'm prone to eaves dropping- especially on conversations that involve my sweet little son!!

Dave: Buddy, its almost time for dinner.

Bo: I don't wike dinner.

Dave: Little Dude, yes you do!

Bo: No. I don't WIKE dinner!

Dave: OK, its almost supper time.

Insert Laura rolling her eyes in the kitchen!!!

Bo: I WIKE Suckers!!!

Laura: Dave, Bo thinks you just said S.U.C.K.E.R!!!

Dave: Not suckers... um, dinner!

One word... enunciate!

Hanky-Pranky D-Dub Style!!!

This is a pretty cute house, don't you think?

We heard that this house holds the apartment of the newly weds, Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Anibal- and well, we couldn't KEEP OUT!

You see, my Dave (Jenn's oldest of three brothers) has a pretty lousy track record for pulling honeymoon pranks- most of which include an un-earthly amount of balloons (chest deep or completely filled rooms)! So Jenn & Jonathan were top-notch careful with their house keys for their new apartment from the time they received their keys, up to the day of the wedding... or so they thought!

Dave (aka: Mr. Sneaky-Sneakerson) had been prowling around, just looking for an opportunity to get his hands on Jenn's keys! One evening, when Dave realized that Jenn's keys may be home alone at his parents house, since everyone had gone out for a late dinner- Dave headed out at 10pm to see if he could make a quick dash off to have another set of keys made... but to no avail! Jenn was wise, and had taken her keys with her!!!

But on Thanksgiving, Jenn let her guard down (sorry sister, but I helped with operation key chain heist). Jenn, in her moment of weakness, left her keys hanging where they actually belonged- and Dave seized his opportunity!

I feigned a sincere need for a Cherry Coke, and asked Dave to run to Meijer since they were having a sale (it was a LIE, Pepsi was on sale... sorry, I had to come clean!) and while Dave was at Meijer, he had duplicate keys made! (J&J, how did you not realize that it took Dave 45 minutes to drive a mile and get two 2- liters?)

Once they shiny new keys were in our possession- we made our plan of attack, Muwah, ah, ah, ah!!!

Jonno and his super sweet girlfriend Abby, and Dave, Boaz and I planned to meet at the Anibal apartment bringing the rest of the wedding gifts (both Jenn & Jonathan's parents allowed and even trusted our plan... and handed over the wedding gifts) that wouldn't fit in Jenn & Jonathan's car for the drive home from their honeymoon... we also planned a little bit more...

After turning on the heat (43* is much too chilly to come home to after a week in the balmy Mayan Riviera), we began making ourselves at home...

OK, we carried in the gifts!

And since the fridge was barren (sniff, sniff)...

We bought a few necessities for the next couple of days!

And... well, the boys couldn't keep their hands off of some of your new toys...

They called it setting up/programming, I now call some of your stuff used- wink!

Uncle Jonathan, Boey found one of your golf clubs and made himself at home... thanks for having such cool toys at the house you have never lived at yet!

I must confess that we did strategically place a handful of balloons... among the freshly baked cookies, the candles and the rose petals... we hope that you didn't mind! Boey was actually on your side, I think, he popped at least 4 balloons in your honor, leaving less for you to stumble across later!

And *IF* there happened to be taunting-ish pictures found on Twitter... I had *NOTHING* to do with them... oh shoot, I was in one of them... um, welcome home! We missed you!

Boey's Party

On Saturday we invited both sides of our family over to celebrate Boey's birthday! We enjoyed dinner together- who can resist a single table of togetherness?

Boey received a train cake (baked with love by his Mommy) - and he could hardly keep his eyes off of it...

Or his lips for that matter!!! I laughed so hard when Boey started chomping at the edge of his cake (finger happily laced in his lap- mind you) before we even lit his candles!!!

Why couldn't Boey have participated in cake nibbling last year? 365 days late, but better than never...

Word to the wise, the bigger the nibble marks you leave on your cake, the bigger the slice you will receive!!!

Thank you to all of our family who joined us in our celebration! We loved having you here to celebrate with us! Boey is still talking about his party, he is still surprised by all of his new gifts (thank you again) and even his 'dead' balloons are still a thrill!

TWO

Ah, Boaz is officially TWO years old!!!

We started the BIG day out solidly caffinated day- at a Biggby Coffee shop! It was a great slow start to our day spent together!

Boey brought James (the red engine) and Thomas (the blue engine) and his birthday morning treat Harold (the helicopter) with him to the coffee shop!

My creative little man makes any situation fun...

Next we took Boey to look at some REAL trains...

After a nap, Boey opened his birthday gift from Dave and I... a play kitchen!!! I am so excited about this! Bo already loves it!!! In case you can't tell, this kitchen fits perfectly alongside of our fridge- allowing Bo to mimic (and still be within eye sight) our working in the kitchen!

Bo LOVES opening gifts! He's a gentle tearer who enjoys disrobing every little scraplet of the wrapping paper... and then he savors his gift, by looking at each detail! It is so sweet to watch him really enjoying receiving something new!

Bo's kitchen is now decked out with food and pots and pans!!!

Later that evening, we headed out for a birthday burger, a favorite meal of my little two year old!!! Bo fielded his own birthday calls as well... he's getting so BIG!

Happy Birthday sweet Boaz, we love you so much! You bring so much joy into our lives- we can't help but laugh with you, steal kisses from you while you are sleeping and thank God for every second that He has blessed our lives with you! Keep growing healthy and strong my little man!

Love, Mom and Dad

Hard to Believe...

While it may be hard to believe- it is still the truth, today is Boaz's last day of being ONE.

Today is the last day of Boey holding up a single chunky finger to proudly display his age...

This past year has been an amazing adventure for Dave and I, let me recount the ways:

*Since last year's birthday bash, Boey has grown five and a half inches taller and has packed on 6 pounds (can't ya tell?)!

*Last December Boaz tasted "ice cone" (ice cream) for the very first time... ironically- not at his first birthday party! He's hooked! More, more, more, more.

*December of last year brought Boey some good packing snow- so Bo experienced his first taste of winter wonder in Michigan!

*Boey also learned the art of tickling... himself!

In January, Boey began looking forward to Sunday School (such a blessing!) Now he asks to go to church and he talks about his teachers almost every day!

*By February, Boaz has become an animal sounds extraordinaire! More.

*Boaz was on the cover of Livingston Parent Journal last February... such a heart-breaker!!!

*Last February, Boaz finally hit the 20 pound mark, and was moved out of his baby car seat an into a BIG boy seat! Hooray! More, more, more, more, more.

*Boey made his first trek to the ocean last February- visiting Uncle Patrick, Aunt Beth and Thai and Emma (all of whom Bo still talks about!) More, more, more.

*In March, Boaz began his love affair with books and reading... I LOVE it! More, more.

*Boaz, last March, began participating in our dinner prayers- now he even prays out loud... so sweet! More, more.

*By March of last year, Boaz had officially made Lambie (aka: Sheepy, Sheepy-Peepee) his friend of choice! More, more, more, more.

*In March, Boaz went to his first hands on museum with Aunts Jenn & Rachel... and he loved it!!!

*In April, Boaz struggled between think he was a boy, and thinking he was a rooster... he's pretty convincing don't you think?

*It also became painfully obvious, last April, that we have a pint sized chocoholic living in our home (and eating most of our chocolate!!!) More, more.

*In April Boaz decorated his very first Easter eggs- such a crafty little guy!

*In April, Boaz began to look more like a toddler and less like a baby!

*Boaz also began doing some chores around the house last April- self inflicted chores... hmmm, I bet he'll hate these someday!

*April officially opened the Chalking Season for us!

*In May, Boaz visited an aquarium for the very first time- he barely blinked the entire visit! More.

*In May, most likely prompted by Bo's joy from the aquarium, Mappy purchased a fish for Boaz... it was nice while it lasted- which thankfully wasn't long!

*In May, Boey and I began gardening... More, more, more, more.

*May brought some Crayola love to our household- and Boaz began to fall in love with learning his colors and his letters- even SPELLING HIS NAME! More, more, more, more, more.

*In June, we celebrated Boey's half-birthday, and Boey received his very first haircut!

*Boey received a sand box, last June, from his buddy Jackson, for hours of sandy fun!

*In June, Boaz decided to brave-up and enjoy splashing in the water... More, more, more, more.

*July was a berry picking month for Boey and I! We picked (and snacked) to our hearts delight!

*Last July, Boaz's natural talent won him the standing of the fourth member of the band Julian Castle!!! More.

*In July, Boaz, nearly single handedly, made his Daddy's birthday dessert! Dang, this kid can bake!

*Boey enjoyed his first boat ride... with the warm July air tussling his hair! More.

*In August, Boey began potty training... OH YES! More, more, more.

*We visited one of the largest tree's in the US, the Angel Oak, last August... AMAZING!

*In September, Boaz began singing! His repertoire includes: Happy Birthday, Jesus Loves Me, and the Alphabet. More, more.

*In September, Boaz learned the rest of his "manner's vocabulary!" Please, thank you, bless you and even excuse me are all like second nature!

*In October, Dave went to Haiti, and Boaz talked about Dave the whole 9 days that he was gone! More, more.

*In October, Boey picked his very own pumpkin for the first time, Bo also dressed as an Elephant for the first time too!

*For the first time, in October, Boaz officially fell in love with trains!!! (Thomas the Tank engine definitely included!) More.

*In October, Boey was able to get up close and personal with many 'community helpers' vehicles... so cool!

*November brought Boaz out of his vegetarianistic strike with the new found passion for burgers!

*In November, Boaz took a pledge of honesty... no matter what!

*In November, Boaz learned how to give a gift- for the very first time!

*Boey was the cutest little Bible (ring) bearer for Aunt Jenn & Uncle Jonathan's November wedding!

You Know You Carry a MOM Bag When...

OK, so I definitely carry a LARGE bag- I have lots to carry! However, I was shocked today the the grocery store when I opened my bag to take out my wallet at the checkout... a cute little pair of shoes were lodged inside.

Hmm, the shoes have many companions:
diapers, wipes, hand sanitizer...
juice pouches, scooby snacks (fruit snacks' silly name) and a water sippy...
lip gloss (a few), hand cream and tissues...
a notebook, coupon catcher and a few pens...
a collapsible potty seat, an Altoids tin filled with vintage Micro Machines cars...
Tylenol, Benedryl, and two Epipens...
Ah yes, and my wallet is in there somewhere too!

Life to the Fullest

I believe that this weekend may go down is Webber history as one of our busiest (good busy) EVER!!

Let me recount the ways...
1. Visit with Uncle Topher after three long months of separation!
2. Eat Thanksgiving dinner (times two... but no complaints!)
3. Crack 'O the Morning shopping on Black (PINK) Friday!
4. Decorating the church for Jenn & Jonathan's wedding.
5. Rehearsal run through and dinner.
6. A very moving funeral.
7. Jenn & Jonathan's wedding- a funeral and a wedding in the same day made me feel like all I did was cry the whole day! Both were very beautiful!
8. Serve at church.
9. A family NAP!!!
10. Surprise party- but shhhh, don't tell!

Here are some highlights with pictures:

Three months is FAR too long to go without some Uncle Topher love! Yep, those boys were happy to be back together again... even if Toph brought home a 'caterpillar!'

Just before the tooting & laughing and the makings of other mischievous things began!

Sorry Toph, it looks like you're flying solo as the only liker of your 'stache!

Jenn & Jonathan were so sweet at the rehearsal! Boey was the Bible bearer at the wedding, and he practices his little heart out!

Bo and his cousin Julie proudly parading!

SO, the scoop in the aisle walking day of the wedding:

First of all, there is NO way to prepare on almost two year old for wedding day shock. Bo was a little bit shy the day of the wedding. Everybody oooh'ed and ahhh'ed over how adorable he was (like I can blame them!). And when it came time to descend down the aisle, Julie high tailed it down, but Boey's grip on the 10 ton (to a toddler) Bible began to loosen.

Bo was about 1/3 of the way down the aisle, with Dave coaching him from the back of the church, and I was coaching from a squatting position precariously perched between the Grooms parents and grandparents row and the groomsmen themselves... in a dress and heels... squatting.

As the Bible continued to slip, Bo gracefully spun a 360* looking for help among strangers. Dave moved in to help the Little Guy (who did, incidentally, dropped the Bible... then shrugged his shoulders- too cute!) and Jonathan (my hero!) walked half way up the aisle to offer Boaz a familiar face!

After the Bible was returned to Boey's arms, he gave it to Jonathan and then offered his well rehearsed 'high five!' Then Bo continues the rest of the way down the aisle- way to go!!!

Before the wedding began, though, Dave was still insistent n razzing his sister that he planned to wear his flippy floppies at her wedding. Classy... the suit, flip flops and McDonald's lunch really go nicely together!

And the Nut hasn't fallen far from the Tree!

Bo was happy to get half-way dressed while he nibbled at his lunch. Take a gander at the thigh region... not covered yet!

Thomas and James- his new train from Aunt Jenn and Uncle Jonathan as a thank you for standing in the wedding, joined in all of the festivities- even seeing Jenn in all of her beauty for the first time!

Boey thought he looked pretty snazzy too!

Technically, the mural of Bob the Ta'mo and Warwy the coo'cumba were the highlights of the evening for Boaz. We visited these guys at least 25 times throughout the day. In fact, Bo asked to go to Drama and Drampa's church this morning to visit them again... I said No... he said "maybe tomorrow!"

Dinner was delicious last night! Bo especially enjoyed the individually served finger foods... like butter cups!