Best buddies & neighbors

These 4 are a riot. And when they're all getting along, they have some of the best times together. 

Hide & seek

Grant has effectively taught Vivian to play hide & go seek. Of course, she's always the counter (she can go to 11!), but she doesn't care. 

Funny things Vivian says & does

At the fun age of 2.5, there are so many cute and funny things Vivian does. I don't want to forget them!

Vivian likes to say:

"Buy cookies at party." When she's pretending to go somewhere with her stroller or shopping cart.

"More soap? No. Whyyyyy?" This started months ago and now has turned into a joke between all of us. When Vivian first said it, it was one of the very first times she asked "why."

"I can't wike it!"

"It doesn't work. Nees new bawrees?"

"I ready wake up this morning!" She says this when it's time for her to take a nap, which she doesn't want to do.

"Water ice." For ice water.

"Is chilly ouside taday."

"Moooommmmy, I have a poopy diaper. Come and change my poopy diaper!" When she's waking up from a nap.

Things she loves:

Food -- in particular a "bar" (granola bar), cashews, raisins, crackers, bread -- anything carb, and milk.

Grant. She loves to play/annoy him.

Baby TV. Best invention ever.

Pway dollhouse.

Pway puzzles.

Christmas 2013

This year's Christmas was simple and wonderful. The boys' wish lists were taped to the fireplace weeks in advance and among the top items were skateboards, Beyblades, Nerf guns, and a BB gun. Thankfully, Santa was selective with his gifts.

The long-awaited "long board."

This kid can chew some gum. Oh, and don't mind the blood splatter on his face -- bloody nose during the night. 

Santa thought a Nerf bow and arrow set was much more cool. 

Coolest Christmas present - "Raspberry" the turtle. (Evan named him)

It was a happy morning. 

We had to wake Vivian up so she could come out at the same time as the boys. She caught on really quickly. 

The aftermath shot. Pretty pleased at just the right amount of gifts. 

A wonderful surprise from Grandma Soon & Papa -- their very own computer.  

Grant's handmade present. So sweet (it was a calendar). I believe the picture is of a bear?

A Christmas morning tradition - monkey bread!

This kid was ready for her nap!

A formal set Christmas dinner table - a first for our family of 5!

Evan's new favorite game, which made me smile as I have awesome memories of playing this with my cousin Josh when I was little. 

Christmas was exhausting for Dad & Pip, too. 

Cozy

Yogurt baby

This little girl loves some yogurt. And sometimes, she loves to fight with me on where she will eat it. It's a battle of wills with this sweet little face.

Buddies

Now that they both have iPods, they like to sit really close and compare notes.

What she's saying

At 17 months old, Vivian understands almost everything we tell her. Using her own words, however, has been a slow process. Since she was 12 months, she's been saying "mo, mo, mo" for "more." Her "more" means everything from "I want" to "pick me up." She's now saying more words -- shoes, dog, meow, moo, yay, nose, mouth, daddy -- but she still uses "mo mo mo" for something she wants. And when I request that she says "up" to be picked up, she stares at me and opens her mouth (with no sound). It's hilariously cute, but totally missing the boat. Ah well, I'm sure we'll be miles along in a few more months.