Josie Turns 2!

The day after Christmas, we headed over to Eastern Washington (Endicott) to relax and made it with a sleeping baby most of the way - our quickest time yet (4 hours, instead of 6-7 with various meltdowns...you've probably heard some of the horror stories). While there, we got to celebrate Josie's 2nd birthday with family - cousins everywhere! It's so fun they're all growing up so close in age and that they get to see each other enough to know each other.
Below, cousin Leah entertains the little ones... Hank's cousin Kiefer (my cousin Joe's son) kept trying to feel Hank's eyeballs (squishy!):

This looks like Hank was striking back with a swift kick, but he was really just trying to get wrapping paper off his foot (I swear!).

Okay...so here's what to watch for in the coming posts (and to look for if you look at old posts)...Hank has a little issue with group pictures. He HATES them. He'll be happily playing and then all the sudden, BOOM, he is freaking out, red faced, screaming, and crawling to get away. It doesn't matter who it is...you'll see more when I post pictures from Portland. Ahh, quirky kids! Now anytime someone says, "Let's take a picture with everyone!" my pulse quickens and I know what's coming next...oh, the drama!

In the picture below: Hank (15 months), Maverick (3), Josie (almost 2), Macoy (5), and Kiefer (almost 14 months).

Vanessa and I had fun making this cake for Josie's birthday...love the cut-up cakes!

The Long Beach Hardys singing, "Happy Birthday!"

More presents to open (and stand on!):

Hank was thrilled to have a balloon in each hand - what a good life!

Christmas Eve at the Loctor's...Part 2

Family Picture Time!

Fun with wigs! I mean, when you have an excuse to do this, you kind of have to! More presents!

Biggie got in on the fun and crawled in most boxes that got opened...like one of the kiddies (haha, get it...kiddies...kitties...ah, nevermind!).

Both grandbabies! Think they were happy?!

Hank's "Little People" Farm! Josie got the house :)

11:30 PM - Time to go home and sleep so Santa can come...poor kid!

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

...and he's scary as hell!Here are the little ones after that traumatic experience...at least they got candy canes, right?! Hank didn't even have nightmares after this last Santa experience (I made him go twice in one day a few weeks ago...man, am I mean or what?!). After three Santa visits, it's obvious that we'll just have to wait a year (or more) until he can really enjoy Jolly Old Saint Nick. Until then, I have some very classic Santa pictures!

Cousin Kiefer Visits!

A few weeks ago, Cousin Kiefer came to our neck of the woods and stopped by to say "Hi!" Here's the latest of the two boys together (who couldn't look more different if they tried-hehe):

Could an attempt for a group shot go any worse?! Four shots and not one has the six of us looking normal - is that a sign?"Who do we look at?!"

Uh-oh, melt downs! Ahh, forget it!

Get ready for picture mania!

Playing in the yard in Endicott...yes, he's wearing those goofy "Baby Legs"...ya got somethin' to say about it?! hehe

Sitting in the rocking chair that is on its third generation (from Dr. Hardy's office...at least I think that's the story):

At the carousel in Spokane. Little did they know how stinkin' fast it was going to go. Everyone was a little sick afterwards...it was NOT like the one in Disneyland.

Hank and his Cousin Josie. He's so excited to be around her and does all he can to keep up with her:

Josie had this hilarious habit of petting Hank's head:

Hank makes contact from "prison":

Riding in the bobsled (or laundry basket):

Come on...babies and puppies...please tell me you're going, "AWWWWW...":

Cousins Macoy and Maverick celebrating the 4th of July (and Mac's FIFTH birthday...HIGH FIVE, MAC!!!):

Baby switch! Hank and his cousin Kiefer:

Fireworks with Aunt Ness, Uncle Thomas, and Dad:

Naked baby time in Endicott...100+ degree weather just calls for that, and when you're that young, you can get away with it!

My little cherub:

Discovering how wonderful watermelon is:

One of the peaceful moments during a LONG car ride home from Endicott. One baby on a five hour car ride is tricky - two, well, that's just not recommended for the faint of heart. Unless, of course, you really just love listening to Raffi for hours on end.

Riding a tractor at the park:

Picture time with Cousin Josie!

And with Grandma:

Swimming with Madeline (escaping the heat!):

The blow-up car...it has a horn that makes him smile everytime!

With Tutu at one of our favorite restaurants, Elliot Bay Brewery:

Giving me and Hedgie a love:

With Grandma and Grandpa:

Hanging with Tutu at Godmom Heidi's birthday party:

I believe this kid is getting enough love (and we must get one of those trikes!):

Looking at a balloon in awe:

Then the balloon got loose and floated up to the ceiling:

For about 20 minutes, Hank just kept looking up there at the balloon, making us feel good and pathetic for letting it float away. Sweet Madeline was able to move on a bit easier-hehe.

Cooling off with Grandpa:

Reading a story with Grandma:Eating my hair...a habit that is becoming harder and harder to break. The things that seem so cute at first, quickly become not-so-cute!

Ahhh, this smile kills me. We were putting our feet in the kiddie pool when Hank just decided to sit down and start playing in the water:

Mr. Cool...I'll have to post some better pictures of this outfit, because it's just hilarious. He either looks like an old man about to hit the greens, or like an 80's preppy boy. Either way, I love this outfit (even if the pants are cinched about two inches at the waist...he was GOING to wear it this summer no matter what...and it's a size 6-9 month...grow Hank, grow!!):