Dinner and a Movie # 2

I realize I didn't actually provide dinner last time, and I'm not going to this time either. But just like I said, there were more videos to come and here they are! Same warnings apply. Enjoy.

Christmas Time from DAM FAM on Vimeo.

Ayden's Christmas from DAM FAM on Vimeo.

Fun at Grandma's from DAM FAM on Vimeo.

Sledding from DAM FAM on Vimeo.

Dinner and a Movie # 1

Pop your popcorn, grab your soda, it's movie time! As a warning: if you are not directly related (immediate family) to us, these may be very boring and very worth skipping. This statement also applies even if you are directly related. But don't worry-- there are more movies to come. Vimeo puts a limit on how much you can upload in a week. So stay tuned. PS. These videos are all from our Christmas visit to Ash's family, which was a fantastic time had by all.

Nativity from DAM FAM on Vimeo.

Oh the excitement! from DAM FAM on Vimeo.

Play in the snow from DAM FAM on Vimeo.

The Best Depiction of Dave on the Phone EVER from DAM FAM on Vimeo.

Reading with Papa

Papa from DAM FAM on Vimeo.

Watch yourself: 31,000 pictures

Dave's parents came to town! We had great weather while they were here and we all got snowed in together. I'm glad they got to experience our apartment and see that when we have a blow up mattress out, our place practically disappears! Sorry I stepped on your glasses, Mom. There was just no where else to walk or climb. And my spiderman-climb-the-walls talent expired long ago.

All sarcasm and joking aside, it was great having them out for a visit. And I really am sorry about stepping on the glasses. I had prepped Miles for days and days that Grandma and Grandpa Lawson were coming and he was so extremely and appropriately excited. He loved having them here. We only got to show them St. Paul before we got snowed in, so they'll have to come back someday to see Minneapolis.

Just snowing away out there...

I remember the days when Miles wanted to play on that play gym all day long and I didn't want to go get eaten alive by mosquitoes...

The sun came out and the picnic table bench was gone.

Also, Santa made an early visit and miraculously made it in our place despite the fact that we don't have a chimney. He must have come through the heater vent holes/things. Ok, I lied. Santa didn't come. But Grandma and Grandpa Lawson brought enough gifts to make it look like Santa came! Thanks!

Don't the colors green and red just make you feel festive?

We must have been good...

Rounding the corner after nap time to check it out.

Miles, being ever true to himself, was very careful to not make a mess with the wrapping paper he was tearing off. He'd crumple it up and give it to someone or run it over to the trash. P.S. I love that Miles' cheeks giggle/bounce when he runs.

I love this kid's personality. After he'd open a present he'd check it out for a good while. Observe it, play with it, notice everything about it.

When he felt it had sufficient attention/welcome to his world, he'd go get the next present.

See what I mean? Gotta line up the play-doh first... talk about what color they are, count them, love them, etc.

Thanks a ton. Miles really loves all the great gifts he got.

He got this cute Santa ornament from "Grandma Great."

Showing it off.

Admiring it.

Admiring it...

Getting a different idea...

Thinking it would be way more fun to throw it...

Throwing it.

A morning read complete with bed head...

...and "Papa," of course. Miles couldn't get enough.

As you can see, Miles wasn't quite jiggy on the idea of having to stop watching Toy Story to take pictures.

But it all worked out in the end.

I'm glad the dog made it in the pictures, and I'm sorry your head got cut off, Pops. I guess you'll just have to come again if you want a better picture. See you then!

P.S. The morning the rents were leaving, I asked Dave if Miles knew and if not he should tell him. Miles was sitting on Dave's lap and when Dave told him that Grandma and Grandpa were leaving, Miles stuck out his lip in the saddest, most heart broken way possible, turned his head, buried his face in Dave's chest and cried. True love for Grandma and Grandpa.

Miles the bookworm

Miles has always been a big fan of books. He could read them for hours. In fact, maybe about a week ago, after we ate our mid morning breakfast I was sitting right here at the computer and Miles came over to my arm, hugged it while saying "squeeeeeeze," gave me a kiss, said "bye mom" and went up stairs to his room, closed the door and I didn't hear a word from him for at least an hour. I bet he read some books.

Anyway, a few mornings ago Miles was reading on the couch and I realized that I should snap a picture or two to remember Miles and his adorable love for books. He's almost 2 1/2. My, how time flies.

Too cute of a face.

Too cute of a mouth. I just want to snuggle up to it and kiss it.

So serious.

So Miles.

Baby, it's cold outside

I really haven't been like "wow, this is way too cold to handle" yet. I'm sure that day will come. And I'm sure I handle the cold so well so far because I hardly ever go outside. What can I say? I like to stay in this grungy place and find spider eggs instead.

Anyhow, this is the condensation on our bathroom window.

It's frozen.

In other News:
Yesterday I was all proud of myself for teaching Miles the number 13 in learning time so I told him to show Dave what he learned. He's really been loving Dave lately, which is different-- he's a total mama's boy. I love seeing him want Dave to stay home and getting so excited when Dave does come home. Anyway, he was real excited to show Dave the new shape (Christmas tree) and new number (13) he learned. He went and got a piece of paper and a pencil and took it over to Dave and showed off his knowledge of 13 and the shape of a Christmas tree. Then Dave wrote out more numbers and Miles straight up counted to 19 with no help. We were like, "how does he know how to count to 19?" Is that from the sunny days of Sesame Street? He may not actually know numbers 14-19, but he at least caught on to the pattern. Learning time... psh. I thought I was so cool and Miles showed me up.

Then that night he had his fireman and lego man kissing. That's the first I've seen him do something like that aside from the time he went up to a little girl acting like there was a magnet on his crotch and she was magnetic... that was funny/awkward/concerning all the same. I'm not ready for this kind of stuff. I told Miles 30 times that boys don't kiss boys, only boys and girls kiss (which soon got changed to moms and dads), but he still had Lego man and Fireman make out. And, the kid literally listens to every word we say. Even when it seems like he's not listening, or he's playing with toys in the other room, he's listening. I'm grateful he can't talk clear as a bell-- I'm sure he's picked up on some things from us that would make my jaw drop to the floor.

And so we carry on. Dave's super busy with work and school; I'm semi/occasionally busy with whatever I do and my calling at church; Miles is busy secretly learning to count to 19 and saying "yuhaap!" (yep) which I quite enjoy, and being funny and cute and happy. Our high on Sunday is 1. Yippee!

Guess who paid a visit?

Miles got to meet a new friend on Saturday. You know who.

SANTA!

I tried to prep Miles and get him all excited. He knows about Christmas and presents and Santa and reindeer and loves Christmas music, but I don't think he gets the excitement of it all just yet.

See? He doesn't look very excited. Also not scared.

Checking out his goods.

Happy as a peach. Or how about happy as a raspberry since I think that's a front runner as Miles' favorite fruit. Happy as a raspberry.