Day out with Pepe

This past Sunday, Connor got to share a special day out with Pepe and Daddy. Pepe had gotten all three of them tickets to Monster Jam. Connor was so excited -  he is really into monster trucks right now. Pepe was really excited too... it was hard to tell who was more excited to go! The boys had a great time and when they returned to Nana's house, we suprised Pepe with a retirement party. He retired this week and he certainly deserves the rest after working so hard for so long!!! Now the boys will get to spend even more time with him!

Connor hates loud noises... so he went prepared with his noise blocking headphones!

A piece of the action

Wishing Pepe a very Happy Retirement!

Jack's tractor party

On Jack's birthday we celebrated with our family and friends with a Tractor birthday party. Everyone came dressed in their farm finest and enjoyed a good ole country time at the Tavares Farm. Jack was a great birthday boy, enjoying his gifts, cake and company. Check out some highlights from the day!

Jack got his very own tractor to match Connor's

Some of the festive decorations

The birthday boy and his new backpack

Connor starting off our Pin the wheel on the tractor game

Jack's turn

Luke's turn

Patrick checking out the results

Jack loves blowing out candles
So much we had to sing twice!

The delicious cake

Brotherly love on Jack's new motorcycle

Jack is 2!!!

Today is Jack's 2nd Birthday. Can't believe my little guy is already 2. Jack is very excited for his birthday, "tractor party" and about becoming a big boy. He recently started acting like a 2 year old - demanding exactly what he wants whenever he wants it. Even when he is being fresh - he is still super cute!!! He melts everyone with his big blue eyes and is quite the charmer. He loves to laugh and make others laugh. He is a snuggler who loves to be cuddled. He adores Connor - following his big brother everywhere and trying to copy his every move. Jack loves to play with anything with wheels - cars, trucks, tractors.... He speaks really well for his age - stringing together 4 or 5 word phrases. He also loves to read books. We just love him sooooo much!!! Happy Birthday Jack!!!

Here is a little trip down memory lane of the past year.

Jack's 1st Birthday

Playing with Connor at the Children's Museum

Celebrating Connor's Birthday

Having fun outside

Camping at Normandy Farms

Fun in the Sun

Apple Picking

Pumpkin picking

Halloween

Tomorrowland Raceway

Hamming it Up

Christmas morning

Bicycle Stunt Show

This weekend we went to the Bicycle Stunt Show Family Day at East Providence High School. Because Connor is obsessed with all things bike related, I knew that he would love it and I also thought it would be a cheap way to spend an afternoon entertaining the family. The boys had a blast getting their faces painted and eating candy bars from the snack counter. All four of us really enjoyed the stunt show- it really was amazing to see what these bikers could do.



Ready for the action - Check out his rocket ship face paint
Also, notice the concentration on his face - he could have watched for hours



Jack really enjoyed the "hugs juice" which I also loved as a kid

Bros

Some of the action

The Zoo - through Connor's eyes

As I mentioned before, Connor got his very own camera for Christmas. He really likes taking pictures. So a couple of weeks ago, the weather was really mild for January - 50s - so we decided to take a trip to the zoo. Connor insisted on bringing his own camera to take pictures of the event. Here's the zoo - from his perspective.

The Zebras

His shoes

The Giraffes

Say Cheese

Our favorite animal of the day - The red panda

Last - but not least - the elephants

Christmas 2012

 This year, Connor made sure that we were well prepared on Christmas Eve. He carefully laid out the cookies and milk for Santa and put some reindeer food on our lawn to attract the sleigh.

Santa was very generous this year :)

Connor woke up very excited - "It's Christmas!!! Let's go downstairs and see our presents" he was yelling as he bounded into our room. We woke Jack up and then hurried downstairs to see what Santa brought us. Connor had to dive in... Jack took his time and was sure to get his morning milk first.

Jack's new truck

Connor's new camera - more on that to come

Both boys got Geo Trax - Jack got the train set

And Connor got the batman set - so fun!!!

Getting Ready For Christmas

With all the festivities going on we are a little behind with our posts but we wanted to share a summary of the activities as we got ready for Christmas and Santa this year.

Decorating the Christmas Tree (with McQueen and Mater ornaments or course!)

Waiting for Snow....

This year we have yet to see snow so the boys decided to make some of their own snow with some packaging materials.  We are still finding pieces of white foam in our house.

Meeting Santa

The year the boys are very excited about Santa coming this year.  We even got to see him before Christmas in CT (of all places) for our visit out to see Lauren and Ryan.