Funny Faces

The boys have made some pretty funny faces lately.  Thought I'd share a few of my favorites.  :)

Tommy hamming it up

Cole vs. the powdered munchkin

Tommy, just in from playing outside in the dirt, wondered why Cole, Nana
and mommy were all laughing at him!

Cole masters one munchkin in each cheek!

Boating with Nana and Papa

Sunday was beautiful, so we went boating with my parents.  The plan was to head to Spectacle Island for a picnic, but apparently it was everyone else's idea too!  They had no room on the docks...so...we slowly made our way back home and had our own picnic right at Nana and Papa's house.  As we were sitting there, we realized how crazy it was to even consider leaving in the first place!  The boys were playing on the beach...driving their trucks...and we leisurely sat in the shade and enjoyed some conversation.  It was a great day!  

For those of you who remember my parents old neighbor's house, thought you would appreciate some pictures of the new house built in its place.  It's gorgeous!  And the new owner is a GREAT guy.

The water was calm with a cool breeze.

We gave the boys little mowhawks with water.  :)

In search of a "swagger-wagon"

Well it's about to happen.  The kids are soon going to outnumber us.  Time to re-group and prepare for battle.  First up?  Car wars!!  Loading the boys in and out of the SUV gets a bit tiring.  I have to keep two (almost) three-year olds close at hand while opening doors, juggling purchases, buckling them up and making sure no one bolts in the process.  Adding a baby to the mix?  Ack!!

The first time I saw my friend magically press a button to her minivan and her two side doors slid open - I fell in love.  Her kids ambled inside while we chatted...her tailgate popped open with the push of a button and she tossed bags inside.  So much room to lean in and buckle belts....it was like mommy nirvana!!!   I knew then that I would be joining the ranks of soccer moms all over the country.  When you have multiple kids...sensible takes over "sass" any day of the week.  And so our minivan hunt has begun...

I was convinced that the car for us was the Toyota Sienna.  Kevin urged me to look at Odysseys, but I thought I knew better.  The Toyota has AWD!!  We need that in the snow!  Look at the leather interior?  It's so plush!!!  But after test-driving both cars...the Honda won out.  Not only did it have leather seats, a nav system and built-in DVD, but it was really fun to drive.  All of the features were really designed with the family in mind.  From the center console that folds flat so I can easily pop into the back seat for a feeding or to break up a fight, to the DVD system with a pop out remote so I can control DVD watching from the front...or when they get older...they can control it without bothering me.  Brilliant.

We've narrowed down our color choices thanks in part to the boys.  Tommy would like fire engine red (Honda called it Dark Cherry Pearl...its actually pretty) and Cole would like "big truck" silver.  A dark gray that apparently reminds him of trucks.  As for me...I'm just patiently awaiting my own "mommy nirvana" moment, when I can hold that key remote...press the button and watch the magic unfold in front of my eyes.  :)

Flowers and Flour

Yesterday, we received the most incredible bouquet of roses from Kevin's mom and sister for our 5-year anniversary.  (Has it REALLY been 5 years?!?)

As I was admiring the beautiful bunch and trimming the stems for the vase, Tommy took it upon himself to continue our adventures in baking whoopie pies for daddy on his own.  We had stopped just after sifting ALL the ingredients together into a big bowl.  In one swift move, he dumped the ENTIRE bowl of our sifted mix over his head.  LOL  It was EVERYWHERE!!!  It took us a good 45 minutes to clean up the mess.  Probably because we were laughing so hard.  :)

Happy Anniversary to my amazing husband!!!  It's hard to believe just what we have accomplished in such a short time together as a couple.  We've traveled to six countries in 6 years, will have welcomed three children in our five years married, we fell in love with...purchased...and renovated our home and the adventures just keep on coming!!  Everyday is a blast when you are married to your best friend.  We are so lucky.  :)

And the winner is.....

Add the new baby to this blog...just rename it!! 
I'm going to make it so no matter what address you type in (www.tommyandcole.com; www.coleandtommy.com; or www.tommycoleand_____.com) you'll end up here.

Thanks everyone for voting!  Now back to business as usual.  :)