Christmas and Layla's Bday

I'm just lumping everything together for the sake of checking this post off my to do list. We have been CRAZY busy the last few weeks! It all started with some Christmas cookies and waiting for Grandma and Grandpa to arrive the day before Christmas Eve.

I didn't take many pictures on Christmas this year. It was so nice to just enjoy the day and play. Here are the kids with some of their favorite gifts - Layla with her Legos and a trash grabber (LOL) and Jack with his choo choo train and light up nose. The cheapest gifts were the biggest hits (remind me of this next year!).

Jack also got a BIG kick out of the "no" button that Aunt Ash got especially for him this Christmas. Hilarious!! 

 Layla also really loved all the crafts and games she got- and playing them all with Grandma!

We did our annual trip to the Santa house after Christmas. Layla doesn't like Santa but Jack LOVES him so we might have to suck it up and wait in line next year.

Not a fan of sharing the sleigh with Jack- 

We might need to work on not being on the naughty list. 

That's better!

I think one of our favorite things this season has been visiting the Christmas train. The kids were SOOOOO excited. I thought Jack was going to have a heart attack.

I can't remember when we did this but Grandpa bought the kids a pass on the bouncey things at the mall. Layla loved it and this was Jack's first time. His face was priceless!! But he did really like it after Bryan helped him out a bit.

Layla had a wonderful day of pampering and fun on her actual birthday. Grandma and I took her to get her nails done, she was in heaven!

We ate Olive Garden for her birthday dinner (of course)- 

 

And then came home for a rainbow chocolate cake. 

Her favorite birthday gift was the guitar we bought her. I love this picture! 

We also went bowling last week. Layla had a blast. Jack liked it for the first 10 minutes until he discovered what 'taking turns" meant. He's not a fan. They both rocked those shoes though.

And last but not least...I almost broke Layla's nose. We have a vicious cycle going on in this house- Jack gets Mommy's nose (while we were bowling...it STILL hurts) and Mommy gets Layla's nose. Thankfully it's just bruised and she has forgiven me. 

Thanks for ALL your help Grandma and Grandpa Rosco! We were able to paint the ENTIRE basement while their help AND Grandpa fixed our car while he was here. We couldn't have done it without you! Love you!

Jack's Orange Shirt Pictures

Only a FEW weeks late this year. At least we weren't sick like we were last year for these.

So. A little about 2 year old Jack- he is OBSESSED with "choo choos". Daddy is his first word in the morning, that is closely followed by "choo choo". He lives, breaths, sleeps and eats trains. I think we've watched Polar Express a thousand times in the last 2 weeks and it NEVER gets old. Everything is a choo choo-

Jack is still SUCH a happy boy. He loves to make us laugh. He still has his dimples and I pray he keeps them forever. He loves to jump as high as he can (he actually gets impressive air for a 2 year old that is the size of a 3 year old) and shake his booty to music.

Jack wears a size 5 diaper and 2t clothing is getting snug. He hates having his teeth brushed, getting out of the bathtub and having his diaper changed. I'm dreading potty training but I will be happy when I don't have to alligator wrestle him into a new diaper and pants.

We also have one smart little guy on our hands. He knows how to count to 5 and sing ABCs with help. He is starting to repeat EVERYTHING. His favorite word (besides CHOOOO CHOOOO) is "no". It is his answer for everything. "Jack do you like candy?". "No".

Sleeping had been better until we went home for Thanksgiving (figures!). He takes a 2 hour nap every day...I have tears in my eyes as I write that. A 2 hour nap EVERY day. Thank you LORD. Getting him down at night is becoming difficult- he loves to run away and scream "nooooo". One of us has to lay by his crib until he falls asleep (sometimes up to an hour+). But it is getting easier. He won't need us forever so we are trying to be patient and sleep on Jack's time. He DOES sleep until 8am, God love my late risers.

Jack's favorite person in the WHOLE. WIDE. WORLD. is "sissy". He cries when we drop her off at preschool and get's SO excited when it is time to go get her or when he gets to wake her up in the mornings. They are starting to play more together. Most of the time they push, growl and throw things at each other. But I know that means it is true love. 

And here is a picture of Layla. She helped us get J's orange shirt pictures by running around the kitchen with a chicken finger in her hand so the dogs wouldn't run in front of the camera. LOL. 

 Flash back time- here is the crappy storyboard I have yet to finish editing-

 And his 1 year picture-

And here we are at 2 years old- 

We love this boy so much. I can not imagine life without our baby Jack.

Family Pictures 2014

I feel so behind right now. We got these done in October...or maybe it was September. The fall is a total blur when you are a photographer haha.

The kids were a little crazy for this. All they wanted to do was run around, we were "those" clients. Paybacks I guess. I still think we got some really great shots and the kids' personalities were really captured (the good, bad and ugly...we left a few out).