Christmas

Here are a few pictures from Christmas. We are definitely spoiled beyond belief. This Christmas was so much fun because Caden is finally old enough to recognize and participate in our family traditions. I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

Making Christmas

The boys invited some friends over for cookie decorating and play time the Wednesday before Christmas. I ordered pizza to nosh on while the cookies baked and we let the kids run around a bit. I put Polar Express on for them to watch. Two things about that: One, it was two days before HoHo Claus was scheduled to make his rounds. There is no WAY the kids could contemplate sitting still enough to watch it anyway. Two, that movie puts ME to sleep. It's not boring but the darkness of the film and the hum of the train can seriously put me into a self-induced comatose state. The movie was a no-go.
When lunch was done, cookies were out of the oven, and the kids were settled in at the table, it was time for decorating to commence. I figured we'd get some really gorgeous oh-look-my-kid-is-Martha-Stewart's-clone type cookies. Haha! So, I apparently forgot to tell Caden that there's a certain way to use sugar sprinkles. He took the entire bottle and dumped it on his cookie. It was a sugary mountain of colored sprinkle goodness on top of a cookie. By the time the kids were done, I was in sugar shock just from the amount of icing, cookies, sprinkles, and pure cuteness of it all. Let me also say that a plastic table cloth would have been a better way to go as opposed to my parchment paper idea. I will say that the cookies did come out beautifully because of the sentiment behind them. The giggles and shrieks that came from the kids were pure entertainment.

Legos and Lipgloss

Caden said that this is Lego Mama
Yes, a Lego that resembles (somewhat) me. According to my kid, this is my identical Lego twin.
When I was younger and thinking about what my home, marriage, and family would look like, I pictured myself ending up with three girls. The idea of having a son, let alone that word in plural form, never crossed my thoughts. My idea of hanging out with my fictional kids included dressing Barbies or some such thing. Know what's cooler than dressing up Barbies? LEGOS! Nerf gun wars, chocolate chip throwing in the kitchen, bugs... And here's the kicker, those two nasty little green anoles Ethan caught and is keeping as pets? I stinkin love those suckers. Believe it or not, they are the sweetest little lizards ever. Gross, I know. Know what's grosser than gross? I bought fruit flies (and their larvae) to feed these lizards. Ew. Never in a million years could I have contemplated being the type of mom or person that would find great joy in, what are typically classified as, boys' interests. I am though and I can do it in jeans, Diorshow mascara, and a rock a ponytail. I still don't camp outdoors in a tent. I probably never will. I will stay in a fully furnished, amenities included, cabin though. It's a compromise.
Now, if you could come up with Legos that don't feel like a thousand nails sticking in my feet when I step on them, I'd be much obliged.

Oh Great Googly Moogly!

It seems like it's been a little while since I've blogged (it really hasn't). Man alive, the last two months have kicked my usually-organized-and-on-top-of-my-schedule butt! I figured this was a possibility which is why I was hesitant to even keep a blog. Such is life though, right?
I can't believe we are ending the 2010 year and entering 2011. We sailed right through Thanksgiving, blinked and almost missed Christmas, and now we wait on the New Year to show up. So weird.
We sent out our Christmas cards a little later than usual. But, we got some amazing photographs out of it thanks to Brannick Photography. Sharon Brannick is Ethan's troop leader and a stay-at-home-mom who has built her business on her passion for photography. I won a gift certificate from the silent auction for PTA at last year's school carnival. Totally worth it.

Our Christmas cards for this year. Anyway, here are the latest pictures of our little family. Everytime I look at our family, I realize just how blessed I am. God has had His hand on our family, and for that, I am thankful. There's nothing I could want more.





Love it!

I Spy With My Bionic Eye...

Two boys looking for HoHo Claus.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus...

I've been waiting for the year Ethan begins to question the reality of Santa Claus. He's in first grade and in school with other children. I know, theoretically, there will be some kid whose moron parents forgot to tell him not to ruin it for other kids. It's a moot point, really. Brian and I have discussed what we will do when the situation arises. And, it looks as if it might be soon because just yesterday he came home saying that some girl was going around the classroom telling the kids that Santa wasn't real. He said he didn't believe her but, knowing my child, she planted the seed of doubt.
Anyway, Brian and I decided that when the time comes Ethan will know that while, no there isn't a single person at the North Pole who makes toys, there are, in fact, SantaS. We take those who may not have a Christmas and we become their Santa Claus in the form of adopting their families. In essence, we become Santa Claus and the elves and we make sure that those who are less fortunate than us are given the opportunity to have a Christmas. The spirit of Santa Claus is something I want him to know is very real. He already knows what it means to give to those less fortunate as he enjoys donating to Toys for Tots and various other charities every year. He has a giving heart and is always looking for ways to take care of others. This won't be something too out-of-the-ordinary for him to latch onto and believe in.
Plus, there's always the fun in helping to be Santa for his little brother.

There's a Party in my Tummy!

A few pictures from Cade's 3rd birthday party. And yes, if you will notice, he did change his clothes midway through his party.

Why A Zipline in the House is NOT a Good Idea...

Happy Birthday, Caden Blake Hoover!

Three years ago today, I gave birth to one of the two most precious gifts in my life.7 lbs 6 oz; 19.5 inches long of pure joy.
Caden is very special to our family. In January of 2007, I had to tell my grandfather goodbye as, he was losing his long battle with cancer. Before I left his bedside, I kissed him and told him that he was a wonderful grandfather and I would miss him. I also asked him to tell God something for me when he got to heaven; to please tell God we wanted and were praying for another baby. Sadly, we had two prior miscarriages between Ethan and Caden. I didn't think my grandpa could have possibly heard me because he was slipping away. Apparently he did hear me because about a month later, I found out I was pregnant.
Caden is our gift from God and my grandpa. At least, that's the way we like to see it.
Caden amazes me and drives me insane all within the course of a day. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Cade is our singer, dancer, and the brawn for Ethan's brain. Don't mistake him though. He has his own brain and plans his own schemes. Many days, our house is filled with Tarzan calls, hysteria, mayhem, and giggles. We wouldn't have it any other way.

Everything But the Kitchen Sink

There's nothing a good scoop of ice cream can't fix especially when the folks let you choose your toppings.

The Monkey Brothers

And the Oscar goes to...

Ethan was the owl in his first grade Thanksgiving play. Brian and I couldn't be prouder of him. He memorized all of his lines and didn't freak out in front of the crowd of parents in the least.The costume? Yeah, I made it. I am the least crafty person I know. And friends, I freaked out the second I got his part with the attached note that said he needed to provide his own costume. My kid WOULD be given the part with a costume that would happen to be the most difficult to find. I looked on Etsy ($98 for a handmade PURPLE one- ew.), I looked on eBay (Harry Potter owl costumes or the Tootsie Roll owl, or a mascot owl costume for $2k--um triple no.), and had no luck whatsoever. I finally gave in and went into Jo-Ann Fabric and $45 later, I emerged and started on my 3 day quest. Here is the final product:


I had a vision, did some research, and came up with this costume. I'm pretty danged proud of it. If you think it sucks, humor me. Don't look at the imperfections, please. Just know that this was one of those "stepping outside of my comfort zone" things and I did it. I did it and survived it. And, I think mah boy looks pretty smashing.
He performed wonderfully, the costume held up, and Super Turkey got away. I totally love me some him. And, I know it sounds smarmy and all that but---I still cannot believe that this intelligent, wonderful, big-hearted, polite, and talented little boy is actually mine. He and his brother truly are our gifts.




Ethan and his class got to decorate their cupcake Super Turkeys after their program. Did I mention I LOVE being a co-room mom?




Check it out: Ethan and his crew. That girl hugging him? Yeah, that's his "girlfriend" and yeah, she's super smart and super sweet.