Winter

     This winter has been pretty awesome. Especially when we compare it against last winter. Last winter we were stuck inside and at home a lot. This winter we have been able to get out of the house, at least to play in the snow and to Phil's shop. We still have to be careful with Brewer, but this winter hasn't just been bearable, it's been pretty fun. It could be that we are sort of accustomed to avoiding people or it could be that we've been able to do more. 

     Phil has been amazing this winter and has let me leave the kids at the shop with him for an hour or so in the afternoons a few times a week so I can go skate ski. It's been so good for me!! It's an incredible workout, beautiful and a great mental break in my day. I really couldn't ask for a better activity. Plus I could take Remy which was an awesome work out for our energizer bunny. She loved it as much as I did. 

     December and January were too cold for the kids to play outside. Usually the cold doesn't come until the end of January and February, but this year it came early. It was actually a nice change. February and March are usually slow months for us, so it's been nice this year to be able to play outside in the snow during the slow time. In December and most of January we tried to keep busy inside. That wasn't always easy but we figured it out okay. Boyd had is preschool program to do, as well as abcmouse.com which he enjoys. He also loves to play games and is starting to read a little. Brewer just likes to be around. During Boyd's preschool he'll use the scissors and cut or color. I've never seen a kid Brewer's age love to use scissors so much. When we all needed to get out of the house we would mostly find ourselves at the shop and occasionally go out to dinner. Right now our boys are so well behaved at restaurants that it is a lot of fun. Several times this winter we have enjoyed watching the deer in our backyard. It's always very entertaining to whoever is home. 

     Towards the end January we had a few not so terribly cold days and were able to spend some time outside. The rule for our family was that the temperature outside had to be 20 degrees or above to be able to play outside. Boyd caught on to that rule and would always comment on the temperature outside and whether or not we could go outside. When we did get to go out we dug our usual snow cave in the snow bank out front and shoveled the driveway.  Phil also took Boyd skiing one day at Targhee. He was even able to sneak away from work one day to ski with Pop Pop and Uncle Nate. 

     In February, the weather warmed up quite a bit and we got a lot of snow. We did a lot of fun things all together. We dug a tunnel through the snow bank, Phil taught Boyd how to snow plow, went on walks in the snow, pulled the kids on the sleds, built a fort in the backyard, and had snow ball fights, which Brewer thought was hilarious. It was so much fun and I'm so happy for the memories we have from those days!! Snow days will always be magical to me. 

    And now for the picture overload. I just couldn't narrow them down. =)

#tbsunvalley2014

     Here's a little video Phil and I made of our Sun Valley trip for when we want to look back or "throw back" to the fun we had. It's complete with music and more importantly videos. Just click on the hashtag below. ;)

#tbsunvalley2014

Happy Birthday Brewer

     Happy Birthday to Brewer!! We had such a great time celebrating Brewer's birthday this year!! On his birthday we just had a little cupcake for him and Boyd and let him blow out two candles. He loved it and I think the pictures can do the rest of the talking. A few days later we had some friends over to sing happy birthday and open a couple of presents. He was into it. He knew the party was for him, blew out the candles and had a blast opening presents. We all had fun watching him enjoy it all.

     Brewer's birthday seemed to sneak up on us this year. It may have been because we have been busy since the beginning of the holidays, always looking forward the next holiday or adventure and combined with helping at the shop. It also could be because Brewer's 2nd year of life was a thousand times more enjoyable. Sure he's still little and can't communicate, is miserable when he teethes and is the worst mommas boy ever, but in general he is a very happy and content kid. The past summer we took every opportunity to make a memory, never having a quiet weekend home. It was a amazing and something we weren't able to do the year before. This past year we traveled a bit more and Brewer puts up with his carseat more and more. Really we have just felt like a normal family. Of course there are still some things that we have to do that aren't entirely normal, like give meds twice a day every day, measure his oxygen and be obsessive about germs, but we do feel normal. And that feeling has been pretty amazing. We have felt so much joy. To me that's what it's all about. JOY. And for that we are very grateful to be able to feel so much and have a calm phase. We hope it continues on for a while before we hit any bumps. Now that Brewer is two we know that there is another surgery that looms in the near future. It could happen any time between now and when he's four. However, my prediction is that it will happen when he's three-and-a-half. But let's not think about that and continue to dwell on the good and how well Brewer has done. 

     Next week we'll have his two-year check up and  I will update this with his growth and measurements. Developmentally Brewer is doing really well. He only struggles with his speech, only knowing a handful of words: Mom, Dad, Bub (Boyd), Done,  Yeah, which is turning into Yeash, Night-night, Bye-bye and Bubble. We are working with an awesome speech therapist, not because we're worried about him, but that we would like the speech to come as soon as possible. It's helpful to be able to communicate. Even though he might not be able to talk to us, he can communicate and understand EVERYTHING. He really is such a smart kid. He can concentrate and pay attention to detail. He loves to draw and color. And he loves puzzles. He can do a three or four piece puzzle by himself, turning the pieces around until they fit. It is pretty impressive. Brewer is finally sleeping better through the night, but usually never quite through the whole thing. We feel accomplished that he's sleeping as much as he is, but getting him to sleep all night is the next step. I'm really looking forward to that. =) We can't wait to see how he continues to grow over the next year. Even though some people call this phase "the terrible twos" I really do love this age. Don't grow up too fast lionheart! We love you!!