Grandma Stewart's Visit

My Mom was able to come help me with the kids and visit during part of the time Scott was gone on a work trip to Africa in February. It was great to have another adult to talk with after almost a week by myself with the kids. We were also able to accomplish a lot of things I have been wanting to do before the baby is born. We cooked about 5 meals to stick into the freezer and we were also able to tie and bind the jean quilts for the boys that I was suppose to finish at Christmas.

They were both in such crazy and goofy moods during these pictures.

This picture is such a typical Rigby expression. Peter usually communicates his emotions by his actions and verbally; Rigby, on the other hand, subtly communicates his emotions by facial expressions-especially through his eyes.(I LOVE this picture. The boys love it too because they think it is cool that they have red eyes:)

We were also able to have some fun and visit the zoo. Rigby has not been to the zoo since he was a baby, so it was a new and memorizing experience for him; in fact, we had a hard time getting him to cooperate for pictures because his attention was so riveted on the animals.

Rigby, Grandma Stewart, and Peter with the elephants.

Peter wanted to be like the grown-ups and take pictures with my cell phone. As you can tell from his facial expression, he was pretty serious about his task.

The anteater was one of Peter's favorites.
Here is Peter trying to restrain Rigby for a picture in front of Africa (very appropriate since Scott had just gone there for work).
Peter LOVED the noise and chaos of the drums in the Africa Forest.
Rigby enjoyed brushing the goats (these poor animals must be drugged or half dead to let kids do this to them day in and day out).

Rigby also LOVED playing peek-a-boo on the little playground.

We decided to end our zoo visit in the air conditioned buildings. Both boys LOVED the reptile building. Their favorites were the snakes (or "nakes" as Rigby called them) and the albino alligator.
Rachel, Rigby, and Peter with the albino alligator.
*Excuse my chubby prego face.

Rigby was absolutely fascinated by the fish.

One last zoo story: While we were watching the elephants, one of them started to do it's business and pooped for about 5 minutes straight. So now whenever we mention elephants, Peter talks about how the elephant was pooping while he was trying to take a picture. I know it is a gross story, but I think it is absolutely funny when my little boy talks about it. It is good we are having a girl next because I think my humor is becoming tainted by my silly boys!

Thank you for visiting and helping Mom! The boys also want to say thanks for their toys. Rigby has to find his "Nemo fish" and Peter has to find his white alligator before every bath.

Rigby's 2nd Birthday

Since Peter's birthday is on two weeks before Rigby's, Rigby knew what to expect and was very excited. My usually calm, non-expressive little boy (minus the 2 year old tantrums that have begun) grinned ear-to-ear the ENTIRE day; it was incredibly cute!

Here is Rigby with his sweet grin.

Rigby chose the fire-engine cake at the store and I attempted to decorate it. However, I had an emotional break-down because things were NOT working out (I blame it partly on pregnancy:). I begged Scott to let me take fists full of the hideously ugly cake and throw it into the trash, but he insisted the cake must be finished. So, he took the next 10 minutes to ice the cake while I switched between bawling and laughing because I was so upset and yet knew how ridiculously dramatic I was being. I'll admit my tantrum rivaled Peter's abilities (and I wonder where he gets it from ;).

Rigby loved his blue fire engine cake!
Things do not have to be perfect-lesson learned (for now).

Rigby also LOVED all of the attention he was getting. Usually Peter steals most of the spotlight. In fact, Peter told me he was going to destroy all birthdays (except his) because he was so incredibly jealous of all the attention Rigby was getting. Scott and I had a lot of talks about how he was not being nice and how sad he would feel if someone destroyed his birthday. Finally, I got him excited by letting him pick out gifts for Rigby: a little doggie pillow pet and bubble bath (that maybe Rigby would share); that seemed to work him out of his dramatic state.

Rigby got little Buzz, Woody, and Bullseye figurines. He also got counting cookies in a jar, money, and a book from grandparents/family.

He finished off with a fire engine that makes noises.

Sorry for all the drama Peter and I caused on your birthday Rigster. Good thing you are so sweet, calm, and patient like your Daddy. We love you sweet Rigby!

Random Fun

Here are some random pictures from the past 3 or 4 months that I want to remember.

We have a large Christmas key ornament that Peter calls "the key to the world" (from a Backyardigans episode). Apparently Rigby disagreed and thought it was the key to our back door. He LOVES being outside and throws a fit when it is time to come in.

They were both dressed after breakfast, but by the afternoon Rigby lost his shirt due to his messing eating habits at lunch and Peter lost his pants because he peed on them while using the bathroom (but not his underwear, how does that happen?). I guess I could have partially redressed them, but that takes effort. So, they stayed like this until bedtime. At least they are completely dressed between the two. This is just how some days go, oh well!

I made a key lime pie for Scott the other day, but Peter got to it first. Better luck next time Scottie.
Rigby decided he was hungry and grabbed a pear to snack on. He never eats the skins on pears, but he ate this entire pear-skin and all!
Peter cooking our evening dinner (I wish!).

No matter how much space Peter has, he always ends up laying on top of Rigby while watching TV. Rigby now uses the other couch to avoid Peter's pesky habits.

The boys and I built a blanket/sheet tent the other day. They LOVED it; unfortunately it only lasted 15 or 20 minutes before Rigby destroyed it.
Peter
Peter forcing Rigby to look at the camera.

Just a dang cute picture of my little boys!

Peter's 4th B-Day

Peter was so excited for his birthday that he sang himself the "Happy Birthday" song the entire day. We started the day out by buying birthday balloons and ice cream of his choice: pumpkin (inspired by the nursery rhyme "Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater" that we sing to him frequently).

Here is the birthday boy in his birthday hat. I think he looks so much like Scott in this picture.

Here is the birthday set-up, complete with a cheesy grin from the birthday boy.

Here is the baseball cake that was suppose to be a soccer ball cake. I decided that buying a specific soccer ball pan was such a waste of money, so I thought of the brilliant idea of using a Pyrex mixing bowl. Apparently, a Pyrex mixing bowl is not a perfect circle because I could not get the hexagon-pentagon pattern of a soccer ball to work; combined with the fact that I could only get the icing a dark gray and not black--it was a mess! Peter was very upset with me for switching it to a baseball at first, but after some tall talking by Daddy and Grandma Stewart, he decided a baseball cake was almost as good as a soccer ball cake. Although he has made me promise him that he can have a soccer ball for his 5th birthday; I'll just have to make sure to buy that "waste of money soccer ball pan!"
I think he might have gotten more spit than air on the cake!

He got some money, a book, and a velcro sandwich making set from grandparents/family. He also got a dragon castle from Rigby, Scott, and I which was a source of GREAT contention (and still is sometimes) between him and Rigby. Good thing Rigby's Birthday is 2 week and 2 days later!

We love you Peter!

Train Station

Our trip on the Subway to see the trains was probably one of the most memorable events for the little (and big) boys. It is so much fun to see the kids get excited about such simple things. It reminded me that they do not need the latest and greatest toys, but just some good quality time as a family doing simple things.

Here are Grandpa and Peter checking out the cool lawn mower while we were waiting to buy tickets.

Here are Rigby and Kristine at the entrance of the Subway.

Peter is at that age where he wants to be contrary to anything we ask of him-especially pictures.

Every Christmas they set up electric train sets in display cases. As you can tell from the look on Peter's face, this place is a little boy's dream come true.
Rachel & Rigby
Rigby liked the trains, but was more interested in running away. So, we had to either hold him or keep a very close eye on the little renegade.

Here are Kristine, Peter, Daniel, and Doug watching the real trains going by outside. This area is a major hub for many of the railroads systems.
Here is Peter bossing Daniel around. I am afraid they clashed a bit because they are both the oldest kids in their family; hopefully next time they will be able to figure out how to get along better.

Rigby has started throwing 2 year old tantrums. I would not let him run away, so he refused to walk, collapsed on the COLD cement, and started dragging himself and crawling along the ground. My sweet baby boy has attitude now-makes me a little sad. Good thing he is still cute and sweet most of the time.
Here are Stephen, Gabriel, and Fatima.

Doug took Peter up to the front of the Subway car where they peeked through the glass to see the driver. Peter became Grandpa's permanent shadow after the train station trip.

Christmas in Virginia

We were able to celebrate Christmas with Scott's family this year. All of the siblings, in-laws, and grandchildren were there except Ryan who is on a mission in Argentina. There were a grand total of 16 people in the house for a week including 5 little boys ranging from almost 4 years old to 2 months old! We had a lot of fun watching the boys interact, playing games, watching the trains, going to the temple, eating Doug's delicious cooking, and many other things.

CHRISTMAS MORNING

This picture does not do the amount of gifts justice. There were so many gifts that it took us almost 3 hours to open everything!

Here are Rigby, Daniel, and Peter watching Rudolph while patiently waiting to open presents. I was VERY impressed that they did not throw a fit or try to sneak into some gifts while we waited for everyone to assemble.

Peter was so much fun this year because he finally knew what Christmas entailed. He furiously ripped open each present and exclaimed, "YES, this is just what I wanted! This is just what I wanted! Thank you!!!" Even if he had not mentioned it ever before, everything was just what he wanted. Peter may be our dramatic little boy, but his enthusiastic reactions are priceless!

Rigby enjoyed himself too, but just in a quieter way. He always has such serious looks on his face when he is concentrating or thinking. His facial expressions and subtle reactions are fun to watch, just in a different way than Peter's.

Peter and Rigby became VERY good buddies with Grandpa Flamm. Peter wanted to hang out with Grandpa every waking moment. It was really cute.

Here are Scott and Rigby just chillin' on the couch. My 2 laid back boys!
On the other hand, here is my intense Peter playing with his Spiderman.

BABY BLESSING

Jason and Lindsey had their little baby boy, Joshua, blessed during the visit.

FAMILY PICTURES

All 16 of us.

The attempted Grandparent-Grandkids picture. It may not be a perfect picture, but it sure makes me laugh to look at now!
Here is the second attempt. Peter looks like he is trying to strangle Rigby. The poor boys thought this was a form of torture.
Fatima, Stephen, & Gabriel
Jason, Lindsey, Daniel, & Joshua

Scott, Rachel, Rigby & Peter
This picture turned out pretty poorly-especially me. The boys were so done with pictures by this point.
Stephen, Scott, Jason, Eric, Melissa, Kristine, Doug, & Kathryn
What a sweet picture, huh? I want one like this when Scott and I have been married for 31 years.

RANDOM PICTURES

Here is silly Peter dressing up in my pajamas pants.

Rigby really loved hanging out with Uncle Eric.