the boys.. random facts..

I realized that I haven't shared anything about my two favorite little monsters in a while! They are growing and changing so much! While they are definitely a handful, we are really enjoying this time in their little lives with them. They are talking and understanding everything and make us laugh constantly!

Here's a few fun facts..

Collin is talking a ton! Last night we were reading a book about Noah and he pointed to the boat and said "ark"!. And this morning he said "dryer" when he heard it come on! I know I'm a speech therapist, but it amazes me and fills me with joy when they talk! Collin still loves his vaccumms and anything electronic. His teachers still say he is pretty quiet at school, but we know he just takes everything in. He's more of an observer.

Jack is also talking, but uses his words more efficiently. He talks when it suits him and when he needs something. Other than that, he keeps busy running and playing. Jack loves life and his giggle is still our favorite thing to hear! Jack is my helper.. if he ever needs to be distracted, I just ask him where something is and he will go on a mission looking for it! It's great! Jack definitely likes to follow what Collin does, much to Collin's dismay most of the time.

The boys are playing together alot more. They play chase and hide and go seek alot! Although Collin will frequently stop these games when Jack gets a little too rough.

They also have a new common interest... their "pee-pees". They now show us about 20 times in the bath their beloved "pee-pees" and point them out again in case we forgot what they are called. Oh, the obsession starts so early in life....

I cannot believe they will be 2 next month. Now it feels as though time is going by very fast.

Oh, and I must again give major props to the best husband and father in the world who stood outside in the cold at 5 in the morning last week to get his children into Mother's Day Out 3 days a week! They will start at a Methodist church here in Frisco next fall! Hooray!

Just us girls..

Caroline and I took a road trip last weekend and headed south to the Hill Country. Daddy and the boys were left home alone!! We headed first to see Grandma Alice in Kerrville and then to my aunt Carol's. We loved seeing family and I got some nice rest time on Carol and Jimmy's beautiful back porch! Caroline, was, as always, a wonderful girl! She traveled well in the car and smiled for everybody! This was the first mommy phobia I've seen though, where she would cry if I left the room!

We thank our hosts for all the food and great times! And, Sean, of course, survived with the boys! He really should win father of the year!

My house was still standing and the boys were happy and fed when I got back!

However, I'm glad I got my rest as we began the week from you-know-what on Monday..

Stomach bug hit us again! We are still battling it and I haven't left the house since I got back on Sun. Thank you bible study ladies for all your prayers for us to get well and for me to get some energy back.. I feel it!!

Fred and Ginger..

So Sean and I now have a date night once a week (thank you grandparents).. We are learning ballroom dancing at the Frisco Rec Center. (I hope Sean's friends take it easy on him!). Last week we learned the waltz and it really was a lot of fun! I thought we might be the youngest couple in the class, but turned out to be one of the oldest.. Several young 20's couples were in there wanting to learn how to dance at weddings (we thought that's what alcohol was for!). Anyways, I also learned a valuable lesson that sometimes you have to let the man lead, which can be difficult for us married ladies! All in all, very fun and some nice quality time together!
And, no, there will not be a recital at the end!

Collin's first haircut!

Collin was growing quite a mullet in the back, so we decided it was time for his first haircut! When his uncle Justin came to visit and said first thing, "he needs a haircut", that also sealed the deal. Sean took him to Toys R Us. I was very fearful that he would have a complete meltdown and there would be restraining involved! Children always surprise you! He did fantastic! Sat there (maybe totally in shock) and let them put the smock on, and cut away! He looks like such a big boy now!

Jack has several years to go before his first haircut! He's doing his part to save us money in these economic times....

4 months old!

Our sweet little Caroline is 4 months old and is changing everyday! I'm excited that the newborn phase is over and she's got lots more personality! I love this next phase of babydom that includes exercausers, sitting and playing and so many smiles and laughs! As a second time parent, I like the phase BEFORE all the moving begins!

She is still such a sweet girl and has a great disposition. I think we have almost retired her swing and she has moved on to her exercauser. She loves to stand in it and watch the boys. Watching her brothers is definitely her favorite pastime. She also loves to be tickled and has a very sweet laugh! She made her debut at the church nursery yesterday while mom went to some much needed bible study. She did really well and will go every Tuesday morning. I'm really enjoying watching her grow!

* one funny story.. Jack was eating pumpkin bread near her the other day and sneezed mid-mouthful, which ended up with half-eaten pumpkin all over Caroline's face! She cried and cried! I told her I'm sure there will be much worse to come in the future!

A little more Christmas

A few more pictures, including one of the kids' cousin Emma, who you might have mistaken for Suri Cruise!

And Jack sound asleep on the way home from OKC...

Christmas Scanlan style

Christmas was as equally fun as it was exhausting! I think today (Jan. 1st) is when we are just starting to wind down finally! We feel so lucky, though, to have been able to spend it with family and friends and for so many people to remember our kids and give them such sweet gifts. I feel like we may have to move just to accomodate all the wonderful presents! I have learned the mommy trick, though, to hide some of the presents to be pulled out on a rainy day..

We started out Christmas with aunt Christie (Sean's sister) visiting. We all loved getting to spend time with her and the boys and Caroline loved all her attention. We did our small family christmas Christmas eve morning and the boys quickly learned that under the wrapping paper were fun toys! And mom and dad learned to make sure to have all the toys put together first before they open them... there were a few tears, but we quickly moved on to the next present.

After all the gifts, we headed to Oklahoma city to stay with Sean's grandma and see everyone. The boys and Caroline did great traveling again. Great in the car, great at all the festivities, etc.

They loved playing with their cousin Emma and meeting lots of new people. They also loved Sean's grandma's house because there was so much room to run!

I pray that her house is still the same after the Scanlan boys have come through!

We are very blessed to have so many people who care about our kids and such great families!