One Tough Cookie (but still a cutie!)

Blake's decided that he loves Tae Kwon Do so we went whole hog and got him the proper outfit. He goes twice a week and is really into it. He has a tournament coming up in March...that should be fun! Andy's also taking a mom and tot Tae Kwon Do class with me, which is hysterical. He's a little young to really grasp much of what's going on, but he loves being around the other kids and getting to punch and kick things (so far not the other kids, which is good).

Almost Looks Too Good to Eat!

For Andy's birthday, Grandma Phyllis and Jessica sent some wonderful gifts for Andy and also some cool stuff for Blake. As Andy was busy enjoying his new Thomas and Percy push-and-go trains, Blake and I had fun with his new Betty Crocker cake decorating kit (yes, the one in the commercials! If you're wondering why a 6-year-old boy would want such a thing, there's an explanation on the post with the Christmas cookie pictures). He was thrilled to get it and finally decorate a cake the proper way. We combed the chocolate icing and then tried out the various "piping tips" and stencils. He may be destined to have his own Food Network show someday (when he's taking some time off from racing cars).

Keeping Mommy On Her Toes!

The other night I started running Blake's bath and then went to get his pajamas out. I thought Andy was downstairs with Daddy....obviously I thought wrong! I hadn't intended to give Andy a bath that night but he had other plans and got one anyway!

Ahll Be Back....

Blake trying on Daddy's sunglasses!

Do You Want Some Cake With Your Candy?

Blake helped me decorate the little cakes after Andy had gone to bed...
...and in the morning he was THRILLED to see Thomas all done up in candy and icing!

I think it turned out pretty cute and the kids at the party had fun eating all the candy (and then they bounced off the walls for a good hour)!

What a lucky kid!

When Andy opened his gifts, we had a replay of Christmas: he loved his first gift so much it was like pulling teeth to get him to open any of the others! He got so many wonderful presents including many, many Thomas toys that he absolutely loves. Blake got a gift from Mammo and Papa, too, which thrilled him to no end!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Andy!

Blake helps his brother with his hat...
...and andy tries to put one on the cake!
I just like how blue his eyes look in this picture!
Andy was a little confused when it came time to blow out the candles, but Blake stepped in and helped him out!
He really didn't eat much of his cake; he was way too distracted by all the goings-on!

During our post-Christmas trip to NM, we also went to Hondo to spend some time with Mammo and Papa in their brand new house! They couldn't have built a more beautiful home...it's absolutely gorgeous with lots of cool whimsical touches, including a mosiac fireplace and handpainted sayings over the doorways. The boys had a wonderful time exploring and playing with "classic" toys and games (i.e. from Rich's and my era). They set up the Mousetrap game and got hooked on Etch-a-Sketches. Poor Andy hadn't had a haircut in a looooong time, so when he had a nap right after a bath his hair made him look like a wild man!

Identical cousins!

We went for a visit to Roswell and Hondo right after New Years, and Blake got to see his best-buddy and cousin J.J.! They had a blast playing at Grandma and Grandpa's house. They look enough alike that they really could be siblings! We had a really great visit in Roswell...they boys loved playing with Grandma and Grandpa's german shepherd (I don't know how to spell her name...lol). We hadn't seen each other in a long time, so it was nice just to catch up!

A visit from Grandma and Jessica

Grandma Phyllis and Jessica came for a visit right after Christmas, and we had so much fun! They brought the boys some wonderful gifts: Blake got a Hot Wheels car case with a car launcher, a giant monster truck (which Andy tries to ride on) and some Hot Wheels cars to put in the case. Andy had a Thomas the Tank Engine bonanza! They gave him a Thomas blanket, a Thomas track set and a Thomas pull bag. We also went to Melissa's house to see everyone and watched an awesome DVD that Emily put together from old family photos and slides. It's amazing how much Andy looks like his daddy did when he was a boy!

Those are big shoes to fill!

Every little boy's photo album has an adorable picture of him wearing their daddy's shoes, and ours will be no exception!

What? My name is...(wicky wicky) Andy Kyle!

Andy's into anything that belongs to his brother right now, which generally drives Blake crazy (but flatters him a little, too). Here he's playing with one of Blake's toys wearing his brother's new hat.

Good cold fun!

After our last big snow, Blake and I went outside to attempt a snowman. Unfortunately it was all powder and didn't stick together at all, but we still had a great time playing in it. As you can see, the snow was already almost to his knees and that night it snowed about 6 inches more! Andy was having a nap while we played, but he was so cute standing at the sliding glass door that morning counting the "no" flakes as they fell.