Trip to West Branch

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Last weekend we went back to West Branch and had so much fun visiting with everyone! Grace is getting so big and talking so well. She and Ethan have quite the relationship. They get along so well and Ethan treats Grace so protectively as if she was his little sister. They are too cute together. We picked strawberries together and headed out to see the pond. We all went swimming in the pond and even got to see the new TP that Grandpa Fawcett built. It was amazing and we're excited to come back and spend more time there! Back at home we have been busy playing outside in our pool, sand box, play house and garden! Ethan and Simon love to be outside as well as both Thomas and I. We bought a new patio table and some outdoor lanterns to create relaxing atmoshpere for all our friends that come over to eat and hang out. I have really been enjoying planting and replanting all of our perennials around the house and fixing up the outside in general. I never thought I would enjoy gardening as much as I do. Thomas built an amazing fence around our vegetable garden to keep the rabbits out. The most frustrating thing about the garden is that in spite of the fence that Thomas built, something was continuing to eat the garden. Arggg, so frustrating and after trying several organic and home made repellents, nothing seemed to work nor could we figure out what was eating it. Yesterday, I finally found the problem! It is a beaver or perhaps a groundhog that is hopping over the fence! I was so angry and tried to kill it with the hoe but it got away. This is to be continued...

Enjoy the pictures.

Step back into time...

Let me explain the title...I feel that Simon's Bday was a pretty big event and worth documenting, and I just never got around to doing it until now so it's now June and Simon was born in March but better a few months late then never, right?!? I thought I would jot down a few random thoughts and memories of the day and include a few precious pics of all the family and of course, the man of the hour, Simon Douglas. It turned out to be great weather and we had everyone over to our place for a brunch and cake. Mom Fawcett made the official bear cake much like Ethan's 1st Bday cake. Simon didn't hesitate to get right into it and rip the cake apart. He scarfed down the cake as quickly as possible without stopping to let us get any real great photos so we had to do our best. We also celebrated my Bday and my favorite cake was made as well! Simon went with the chocolate bear and I went with black walnut poppyseed cake! Yummy! I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend my Bday than with friends and family, sharing Bday wishes with my beautiful 1 year old son, Simon. Ethan was a great helper on that day and didn't at all hesitate to help Simon open his gifts. He was even ok with the reality that they weren't for him this time and that this new baby in the house was growing up and actually recieving toys that were pretty cool for him too. Once again we had a great time having the Fawcett's (Mom, Dad), the Vincent's (Troy, LEanna, and Grace), the Sanchez's (minus 2 because of illnesses) Jon and Hanna, Mom and Dad Shiplett, and Shelly all join us. Thanks to everyone for making it such a special day for Simon and I. We love you all!

It's been a while...

Ok Ok, so I am really bad at staying on top of things (as far as blogging goes) but I'm just not a writer! The words just don't seem to come and I end up sitting here trying to think of how to say something and before I know it, I've wasted nap time, the only time I really have to sit and write. What is a mother supposed to do. I've decided that this isn't a good excuse and the boys are growing at a rapid pace and I can't let my inability to creatively blog about our lives get the best of me. So, my pages may be short and directly to the point, but I figure it's better than nothing. I would love for the boys to look back and see that Mommy did make an effort to record those important dates and fun outings together. So...

Ethan is now 3 and loves bugs, sand boxes, his scooter, ice cream and pretending to be dinosaurs. He loves to talk and tell stories. His favorite stories to listen to are the ones about Freddie and Eddie, two pet dinosaurs who take all sorts of different adventures together. This always comes in handy at the grocery store when the boys are getting impatient. Ethan will sit still and listen to a story as long as Freddie and Eddie are the main characters and they're action-packed! He loves to read books and his favorite movie is Toy Story!

Simon just turned 1 and he is my shy, sensitive little one. He is very cuddly, on his own terms, and loves to copy anything big brother Ethan does. He loves Ethan so much, and consequently, this oftentimes causes some difficulty and conflict when Simon wants to be near Ethan and Ethan would like his own space. We have figured out a pretty good system and things are working ok for now. Simon can say Mama and Dada and just recently learned to point to things, especially animals. He loves dogs! He loves bugs as well!

Thomas and I are enjoying each other and love spending time as a family. Family life is great and we are looking forward to this summer, going to the pool, taking walks, getting back into running (maybe) and projects on the house.

I'll blog later, sooner rather than later, now to get back to baking a batch of cookies for midweek tonight and playdate tomorrow, cleaning up cheerios on the floor from lunch, killing the moles that are destroying my garden as I type, getting dinner made for the family and...well, I could go on...all of this to say I am blessed, and thank you Lord for this life you have given me...

Growing Up

Summer days are over and fall is settling in very fast. The cold temperatures hit us hard this weekend and we just don't feel quite ready yet. Ethan is getting excited for fall festivities including carving his own pumpkin and dressing up as a lion for Halloween. He is already talking about his 3rd Bday party and how he is going to request that his grandma Fawcett make him a Thomas the Tank Engine Bday cake. Ethan is really starting to communicate well. He is learning so many new words and is very social with his friends. He loves to make sure that everyone is involved and having a good time. Simon has almost reached his 7 month Bday and is growing very rapidly much like Ethan did at his age. He was 20lb 8 oz at his 6 month appointment and has started rolling over quite a bit. He started sitting up today, unassisted, and will probably be crawling before we know it. Ethan really loves his brother and is pretty good at being gentle with the baby. He really can't wait until Simon can wrestle with him though. We love you all and hope things are going well with you and your families.

Fun at Disney World

We had such a great time at Disney World this year. Ethan had a blast meeting the disney characters and riding his first rides. Simon did a great job and although was a bit young to enjoy much at Disney, he loved being carted around in his stroller all day and looking out at all that was going on. On the second half of our trip out to Florida, we stayed at a Disney resort in Vero Beach and spent some time at the pool and on the beach. Ethan loved playing at the "giant sandbox" and brought back some sea shells to put in his sandbox at home. They are both growing up so fast! We have started potty training Ethan and he is doing quite well. He has only had a few accidents and does great telling us when he has to go. It always helps to know that when he does go, there is a special treat waiting for him (monstor truck gummies). Simon is almost 3 months old and is smiling and cooing more and more. He has been an easier baby than his big brother, perhaps because he's had to be. Thomas and I have been doing a lot of work on the house and hopefully will have pictures up soon. We are so excited that summer is here and we can enjoy being outside, going for walks and swimming! Ethan loves anything that involves the water. We love you all and hope to see you soon!

Hello Flickr

With iphoto 09 there is no reason not to use flickr. Life is so simple I can't believe it. Well when it comes to using a Mac life is simple, raising kids ... a bit more challenging. So far round two for us has been much easier that the first time around but we are only four days in. I am sure there will be more challenges ahead. Jenn is doing great and currently is getting some much needed sleep. I am in bed wasting time on the computer in stead of getting the sleep I need.

Simon has been backwards with his schedule, and was awake most of the night last night. Though it appears that Tonight he is going to sleep well. Lets hope this trend continues. Well we all know that one night with a baby is never a trend so this is really just hopeful thinking.

The reason I am writing this post is to get you all our Flickr address so you can see some more photos we have posted there. Here is the address

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tfawcett/


hope you enjoy,


Thomas

Ethan Getting Excited

Here is a Video from the day before we went into the hospital on Thursday. Today, Sunday, Ethan is coming over to see Simon for the first time. Jenn and i can't wait to see Ethan again.