A lot of catching up to do.

It has been awhile since I have made a post, getting ready for Christmas was more hectic than normal. We had a wonderful Christmas filled with lots of family and friends. We started out in Waterloo the weekend before Christmas. We had so much fun with everyone and got very spoiled. Drew had so much fun playing with all of his cousins and Mark and I got a break. On Sunday we met my Mom in Iowa City and she took Drew and I back to Peoria so we could spend a little extra time. Mark met us on Christmas Eve. Peoria was filled with a lot of traveling to see friends and family. The weather made each leg of the trip longer, but we finally made it home safe the following Friday. We have spent the weekend getting all of Drew's toys unpacked and put together. He has been having a great time. We hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that the New Year is full of many blessings.

Drew got a new haircut. He looks like a big boy now. He did a great job sitting in the chair letting the girl cut it.

Such a big boy taking over Daddy's Chair. Just eating my snack on my new slide.

Making my 1st basket! I'm a natural.

It only took a couple times for Mark to show him how to climb up and slide down, but he already has the hang of it.

Drew loves his new sleeping bag. He was lounging around Friday night in front of the TV with the remote.

This gift was so big, Drew had to get on top to open it.

Drew's 1st Four Wheeler

Drew was trying to help Ella with her laptop. I'm not sure she appreciated his help. I think Drew was good practice for her since she will be expecting a new brother or sister tomorrow. She was a great help making sure Drew was not doing something wrong.

Drew and his cousins.

This was the 1st present Drew opened. He got the hang of it after awhile and was opening everyones gifts. He got sick of opening them by Christmas morning.

Drew and his friends Grace and Aidan.

Grace is such a trooper!

Once again the girls were willing to pose and Drew was probably running away screaming.

Drew, Camden and Samantha. Finally Drew has a boy to play with.

What a mischevious look!

Drew was still having a good time playing in moving boxes.

The following pictures are of Drew hiding in the refrigerator and cabinet, this is one of his new favorite things to do.

Finally Settled

We are officially moved and kind of settled in. All of the boxes are unpacked and we have almost everything in its place. I definitely do not want to move for a long time. We were very fortunate to have both sets of our parents help us on the move day and thankfully Drew's daycare kept him for the day. The move went very smooth and we are grateful for it to be over. Drew has offered many laughs during the process. He has been very interested in helping and loves to play in the boxes. These are both very common for a kid his age. We are also noticing how much he likes to organize things like Mark's shoes in the closet (see pic below) or our refrigerator. We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, it was great to see all of our family and we are looking forward to seeing more of you over Christmas.

Just playing on Drake's sled.

If only the professional pictures could have been this easy.

Drew's cousin Ella was trying to help dress him up to get a Christmas picture. They had so much fun playing over Thanksgiving. Ella also asked Drew to go shopping with her, we will see what he has to say about that when he understands better!

Just organizing Daddy's closet.

Moving Weekend

Just taking a break with Drew's Grandpa's

Drew had to show Mark how the drill works.

Mr. Blue Eyes

Drew had his 1st bloody nose last week. He fell in the tub.

Just trying to hide from all of the chaos of packing!

Getting ready for winter.

WE ARE MOVING!!!!

We are finally moving, the house is sold and we are pretty certain the buyers financing is solid. We started packing exactly 1 week ago and as of tonight the entire house is packed up. We have just a couple odds and ends left and a lot of cleaning, but the end is in sight. For a person who likes their life to be so organized, packing in 1 week has been a challenge. Drew has been a big help! He likes to take things out of a box, but is very good about putting or should I say throwing it right back in. This picture is from the last time we packed and thought we were moving, but it is too cute to share. I have taken a lot of cute pics of Drew helping us out so I will share once we get settled. I will send an email out next week with our new address.

I was in our bathroom getting ready and Drew walked in with Mark's hat. He had knocked it off of the wall and then put it on backwards and walked around the house with it. So sweet!

Our nephew's Foster and Carson put on a concert for us last Saturday night.

Our little Rock Stars.

Drew's cousin Ella had a lot of fun at the park with us.

Drew had so much fun at the park. Grandpa and him went down the slide over and over.

Another new toy from Aunt Jamie, Uncle Matt and Ella. They knew what they were doing with this one, Drew loves it. Unfortunately he has figured out how to push the chair against things to stand on it so he can reach higher. I haven't been able to snap a picture of this yet, because I have been either scared that he was going to fall or mad that he was getting into something.

It is a good thing that Mom likes to shop online. The boxes have offered hours of entertainment for Drew.

Drew has a new favorite stuffed animal. He pulled Snoopy out of his wagon on Tuesday and hasn't wanted to put it down. If you squeeze the stomach it plays the ABC's, he gets a little frustrated because he hasn't figured out how to make it continue to play. Thanks Aunt Kathy!




HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Des Moines has Beggar's Night and the trick or treat the day before. Drew didn't mind his costume this time at all. He was a pretty cute lion.

We went trick or treating with the neighbors, Drake (Dumbo) and Colton (Bulldog/Marine). Drew had a lot of fun with his friends.