I asked Max to clean-up his toys and about 5 minutes later he returns and our conversation is as follow:
Max: Your Majesty, I have cleaned up the toys may I go play?
Mom: You got all the toys picked up?
Max: Yes your majesty.
Mom: Then you may go play, see ya later alligator.
Max: After awhile crocodile.
He was off down the stairs to play with dad.

Perfect Pair

I love it when Clu helps people with computers. I either learn new things about computers or get to see fun documents and photos. This is a quick glimpse at what we saw this time.

 Not sure where these two were going, but I think I know who to ask.

I know that this one is from their wedding, just a couple of years ago.

Rocking my bab(ies)

My mother often recites this poem to me. It is a perfect reminder to savor the good life of the precious little moments. 

Rocking My baby

Cleaning and scrubbing can wait til tomorrow
For babies grow up we learn to our sorrow
So quiet down cobwebs and dust go to sleep
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.

                               (Author Unknown)

Tali and I started rocking with a little leche, and

Max thought he would join the fun. We welcomed the company and I quickly called for Clu to take a picture. I don't want to forget this one!

Lego Master

Max has really gotten into the Lego building. Both grandparents have LOTS of legos at there house and he loves to play with them. This year he was blessed to get a bunch of legos of his own. He can't wait to show you all of his creations with big long descriptions about them. He will sometimes ask if I like his "imagining".

I had a huge imagination growing up and wanted to instill that in my children. A block can become whatever you want it to be by pretending...that is exactly what he has done:

P.S. Thanks Gpa & Gma and Nana Deb for the Lego loot!

virus

We had our turn at the 24 hour bug that was going around (Clu was exempt this time). I thought that maybe we would get lucky since we have pretty much been inside with Tali's dr. restrictions (no such luck).

Disclaimer: I am behind in my posting and this sickness was about 3 weeks ago and has passed our house.

HAIR

Having a little girl with hair can be lots of fun (if she can sit still for 2 seconds). Here are a couple pictures of her crazy hair.

Tali after her nap

She has "piggies"

It must be a family thing to wake up with bed head!

Big 01!

Our Little Tali Deb (or TD as Max calls her) has turned 1! The time has passed so quick and it makes me sad to think that she is a toddler now. I still think of her as a 6 month old but she reminds me (and some times scolds me) when I do.

Opening presents at one of her parties (with a little a lot of help from Max)

finding all the treasures in her new purse

Time for cake, she has my sweet tooth and ate all the frosting

She had her 1 year check up this week and  the doctor was pleased to see how healthy she looked (and even commented on her chubby cheeks). She has stayed steady on her own growth curve (-10th for weight, 20th for height and -10th for head circumference). At the rate that she is gaining weight she might be 3 by the time she can turn around in her car seat.

She is a total delight constantly smiling and getting into things. She laughs more and loves to play and copy what Max is doing. He can't wait for her to get up from her nap so that they can play together. That is exactly what I was hoping for with my children. It was worth every miserable second of my pregnancies! We are so blessed (which is probably the theme of our whole year)!

Kris Kingle

We were not forgotten (even though Santa forgot some gifts at Christmas). Kris Kingle brings the gifts and places them on the table instead of by the Christmas tree. Max didn't remember this and so he went running into the living room to be sorely disappointed, it was empty. Clu and I kept telling him that there must not be any gifts and to just go eat breakfast. Papa couldn't stand to see that sad face and so he told him that he thought he saw some presents on the table. What a soft heart.

Christmas

Despite Tali being sick the doctors gave her the okay to travel to SG for Christmas. It was a much needed trip to enjoy the sunshine and warm weather (of course Max went for hikes and walks daily).
With children Christmas is magical and this year was no exception. Max was a delight when his eyes lit up and watching him teach Tali about Santa, gifts and Christmas.
For Max Christmas came early when Clu got out the old Lionel trains. He played with them non-stop for two days before Santa came. He knew that they were special and would ask to go and play with "Clu's toys". (Picture to come soon).

Playing games on Christmas Eve with the Family: 

Max helping with Bingo

Misty brought a special gift for Tali on Christmas Eve. It was a bear that was given to her earlier in the week and didn't want it. She thought that Tali would so she re-wrapped it and gave it to Tali. She was right, Tali loves this bear and her Aunt Misty.

Max in the Billibo from N&P

(The camera died on Christmas morning so all of the pictures are once again on Clu's phone. I thought I should at least post what I had or I might not get it done.)

This year was a special one to remind me that we have all that we need a happy healthy family!

Max's sleep over

While Tali was in the hospital, Max got to have a special sleep over at G&G Snows. They made him feel so special and the center of attention (which he really needed). He got to go to Home Depot with Gpa, fix trucks, play games and legos with Gma. I can't thank them enough, it was just what Max needed and gave me peace to know that he was happy and care for at such a hard time.

Showing off his Home Depot "loot". It is a "Cars" snow globe, which has entertained for many hours!

The Lego creations were plentiful 

Helping Gpa fix the cars

All while we were taking care of this one

Thanksgiving

We had a BLAST in SG with the Snow Family for Thanksgiving. I just wished I had more pictures to document the fun (Clu's phone takes excellent pictures but I never remember to get the pictures). Despite all of us being sick the kids loved playing with all the cousins. It is hard not living close but we try to make up for when we are together. 

They don't look sick but they were both in the tub/sink to bring the temps down.

Hiking on the red hill. He wants to go hiking every time we go to SG. 

Little miss with her contagious smile.

G&G Showing all the grands SG from the "DIXIE" rock.

Aunt Deb got the kids together to make Gingerbread houses which was a huge hit! Max kept sneaking treats off of his. He talked about that for weeks after.

Christmas decorating

It takes days to decorate for Christmas at our house. Clu has instilled his love for Christmas in Max and I am sure that he will do the same for Tali. We have 2 trees, garland and put decorations in each room of the house, which transforms our home into a magical wonderland that elves, fairies and Santa can visit (and that we LOVE).  

Max touched s0me ornaments and then his face...ooooppps

I am SO glad that we decorated early this year (1st week in November). We even got to have Uncle Zac enjoy it with us. I knew that we would be doing a lot of traveling but I had no idea what our holiday season would turn out to be.