A New Year

At the end of the Christmas week, we wrapped up the holidays by driving to the U.P. to spend the New Year's Weekend with my parents...

After we enjoyed lunch at Qdoba with Eric's parents and said our goodbyes on Friday, we made our way North.  It didn't take long for the boys to fall asleep and after they woke up we stopped for a potty break and then let them watch the Minions movie for the rest of the way.  They were both very good little travelers and the trip went by quickly.

Fast asleep in the van.

Avery's photo-opp with the gas station dinosaur.

Asher wanted a picture with the dinosaur too!

We made it to the Upper Peninsula by late afternoon and then met my parents in Stephenson, Michigan for dinner where the boys were spoiled by the locals with random freebies including some squishy toys, change to win candy at the vending machine and free bowls of ice cream for dessert!  From the restaurant we headed to my parents where we were able to play for a bit and watch Michigan play in the Orange Bowl before bed.  

When we woke up on Saturday morning, the ground was covered in about 4 inches of fresh powdery snow and Asher was quick to take advantage when Papa asked him if he wanted to help him plow the driveway.  Avery followed a little later when Eric took him outside.

Asher & Papa plowing the driveway.

Avery's turn to plow.

When we realized that Aaron, Erika and their boys would not be able to join us for the weekend Eric thought it would be the perfect time for Papa and Asher to have some one-on-one bonding.  When we go to Eric's parents house, his dad (Asher's Gramps) often takes the boys to the workshop to build some random projects, and since my Dad is also very much into woodworking and has a great shop Eric thought he could do something similar.  Thus, when my parents were down visiting before Christmas, Eric suggested to my dad that maybe he could come up with a simple project that he and Asher could build together.  My dad (who never takes the easy-out) stepped up to the challenge and came up with a very cool little wood dump truck for them to build together.  Asher was super excited and the two of them spent several hours together out in the shop bringing the truck to life.  It turned out awesome, and it seems they both had a great time.  Wonderful memories that they will both treasure for years to come I'm sure!

Dad gave Asher his own pencil to keep in his toolbelt.

The prototype that my dad made in preparation for this project.  Now you know where I get it from! ;)

Asher made sure his tool belt was loaded up with all his tools before heading out to Papa's shop.

My little carpenter...saggy pants and all!  <3

Asher showing off the finished product!  The snowplow on the front was an after-thought..as in After Asher helped Papa snow plow the driveway, he insisted that the truck have a snow plow!  :)

He was one happy boy!!

Since Saturday also happened to be New Year's Eve, we headed over to our friends the Strietzels' home to celebrate with them and some others.  We had a fun evening of visiting, eating yummy food (the boys both LOVED their slush), watching the traditional tree burning (cause us Yoopers do that!) and meeting the adorable twin baby girls of some other friends that were there.

Avery drinking his slush on the floor (because I didn't trust him enough to let him drink it anywhere else)

Slush is good

Asher looking like he's getting away with something!

The tree burning was a success!  A big thanks to the Strietzels for donating their tree and not watering it after they put it up to make this happen!  :P

The boys & I.  They were in pyro awe!

Avery made a new friend.

At a little after 10 that evening we decided it was time to call it quits and head back to Mom and Dad's house.  We put the boys in their pajamas before we left and assumed that they would both be asleep soon after we left.  Instead, they were both awake and kind of buzzed (and grumpy) for the 30 minute drive back and since it was almost 11pm when we arrived at the house we decided to let the boys stay up a few minutes more to watch the New York ball drop and celebrate Eastern Time New Years!

On Sunday, it was New Year's Day and other than going to church in the morning, we spent the day relaxing at my parents' house.  For lunch my Aunt Bonnie and cousins Rachel, Brandon (& Caroline) came over to visit and enjoy brunch with us and then we spent the remainder of the day napping and watching a movie on the couch together.

Video: Boo!

Finally, Monday was our last day off before going back to work which also meant that it was time to head back home.  We enjoyed the morning painting and playing in the snow with Grandma while Papa had some appointments and then it was time to pack up and say our goodbyes.

Avery getting a push from Grandma.

Since the newly fallen snow was very powdery, it unfortunately made for terrible sledding.  We couldn't get the sleds to go very fast so we decided that we needed some help.  Eric headed to the garage and got some rope and the Gator and gave the boys and I some rides around the yard.

When the van was packed up and it was time to give our hugs and say our goodbyes, Asher was heartbroken.  He had apparently had a very good time at Grandma and Papa's house and did not want to leave.  That combined with the excitement of the week and not enough rest made for a very unhappy boy who cried for the first hour + that we were in the car on our way back home.  :(

Despite Asher's unhappiness, we did make it home by the afternoon and with a few hours before bed and the Christmas season officially behind us Eric and I spent the remainder of the evening taking down the Christmas tree and packing up the decorations.  Before we did so though, we had to get the official photo of the boys' new ornaments for their ornament book (I am compiling the photos each year so they know what they got when and why)....

As I mentioned on the Christmas Morning post, I found the PERFECT Shoebox ornament for Asher this year: An elf with tape and scissors which pretty much sums up life with Asher for the past year to (& beyond) the present.  He is our little creator and LOVES to make things with whatever crafting (or garbage) supplies he can find around the house...or in my desk!

Avery's ornament this year was a mini Tonka truck as he is ALL BOY and loves all things trucks, balls and dinosaurs.  He was thrilled with his new ornament and desperately wanted to play with it rather than hang it on the tree.

The boys also got new ornaments from Eric's parents which were very appropriate for them.  Avery got a football (which is perfect after his football party this year and his love for all things football) and Asher got a Maize and Blue penguin (which is perfect as he loves to help us cheer on our team!).  

So that was our New Years and the end of our holiday season.  We had several wonderful celebration and memories made but were ready to get back to "normal" life...or as normal as it gets when your two year old insists on sleeping with his new football!  ;)