Happy New Year!

New Year's Eve is a time to reflect back on the past. Here is a quick flashback to New Year's Eve just three short years ago:

We were all dressed up and ready to go out. Ready to stay out late and ring in the new year with drinks and toasts. Just three short years later look at what we did to celebrate the evening:

Party with the toddlers!!

Not sure if you notice, but it was a little after 8pm when we snapped these pictures with our neighborhood friends. Not long after the pictures, we all packed up our sippy cups, grabbed our strollers, and walked home. Things have definitely changed a lot... but I wouldn't have it any other way! In fact, we got home in time to put on our jammies and have a treat before bed time:
Happy New Year!!! I snapped a few shots of my men making breakfast. In their Elmo pj's. Aw:

We had a nice relaxing morning together. Teddy chilled on his new Elmo blanket (in his new Elmo PJ's and his Elmo slippers).

We hope the new year brings you all health, happiness, and joy!

The last of the 2 Year Old Birthday Celebrations!!

Finally it was time to celebrate Teddy's birthday with his friends and family in Roswell. Yes, I have admitted I went overboard on the party. I have found a way to deal with stress... it involves obsessing and cooking a lot. Luckily Teddy and Shae seem to enjoy this! Here's the invite to the Sesame Street (heavy on the Elmo) themed party that was brought to you by the letter "T" and the number "2":

Welcome to the party!

Teddy was excited for the guests to arrive. Here he is, wearing the same shirt cousin Jack wore just three years ago on his 2nd birthday:

I had fun decorating for the party!

The food:

I had fun making these cupcakes:

The party favors included Sesame Street books and Elmo and Cookie Monster cake pops:

Highlight of the party..... the Elmo appearance:

We put him to work making bloody marys. They are red after all:

The house quickly filled with guests:

Elmo, you shrunk:

Cake time:

The birthday boy was excited to "eat cookie"

Lots and lots of presents! What a lucky boy:

Happy 2nd Birthday Teddy!

Teddy is 2... the third celebration! and Happy Chanukah!

We got home just in time for Teddy's actual birthday. For this celebration I made a cake:

I think he liked it:

Poor little man was so anxious to eat his Elmo cake, but he waited patiently all day long. We started the day by making special birthday pancakes. The big two year old even helped stir:

Birthday pancakes are not complete with out candles:

Yummy!

Then it was time for Teddy's last monthly photo with his bear. I originally was only going to take them for one year, but couldn't stop myself at 12 months. I can easily stop myself now. Look how grown up he is!!!

We went to Uncle Hal and Aunt Jenn's house to celebrate the last night of Chanukah along with Teddy's birthday.

Teddy and Jack helped in the kitchen:

The Hoscheks with the birthday boy:

Lighting the menorahs:

Teddy helped by feeding the hungry baby:

Presents, presents, and more presents. By the way, this is my mom "scaling back".... yeah right!

Finally it was time to light candles and let Teddy eat his Elmo cake:

He was a little bit excited:

Mmmmm

And when he finished what was on his plate, check out what Teddy did next:

Cousin Maggie with her new leopard presents:

Playing with cousins:

When we got home, Shae put together Teddy's new car ramp:

I would say Teddy had a great birthday!

The next day Teddy had a special message for Aunt Shelley:

On Friday Teddy and I went to a "Noon Year's Eve Party." It was really cute- we counted down from 10 to 1 at noon. The kids had snacks, toys, and noise makers of course. Teddy loved it:
My friend Aghigh was in town for the holidays as well and we were excited she visited us:
She brought Teddy some Legos and they came with stickers that are eyes so you can make different animals. Teddy was so funny- he immediately took the stickers and stuck them on his own eyes. Silly boy:

Friday night of course was the bowl game. Shae was excited to watch the Hawkeyes. Teddy "wouldn't go to sleep" so Shae conveniently had a buddy to watch the beginning of the game with :