We enjoyed dim sum with the Kungs after church on Chinese New Year, and spent a fun evening with the cousins, too. Nai Nai and Ye Ye were here a couple weeks prior so we celebrated with them a bit early. The boys love the red envelopes already--even though they don't know anything about money yet. :)
The boys had a wonderful time in the snow. Isaac really enjoyed watching it fall since he's really too little to play in it. During Isaac's naptime, we had some snowball fights with Daddy and built a huge snowman with our neighbors. It was mostly cleared off the streets by the afternoon, so it was the perfect snow. Here for a bit and fun to play in, but gone quickly!
My parents are celebrating their 41st wedding anniversary next Monday, and we are honoring them with a dinner on Saturday night. (We didn't get our act together last year because Isaac had just been born!) Hopefully it will be a really fun, special time with all our family and friends. My parents started dating when they were 14, so it's actually been a LOT longer than 40 years together. They have really been an example of marriage to us and are still totally in love. I had to include their junior prom picture! :)
We've had a busy 6 1/2 months since I last posted. Sadly, Facebook gets much more attention than our family blog. This great lapse in time does not mean I haven't had a lot on my mind as a mommy! I love these active, talkative (yes, both of them!), funny boys more than words can even express. I never dreamed I would enjoy motherhood this much. It is such a privilege to spend every day with these boys who will become men before I know it! They are always making me smile & laugh...but I have my fair share of frustration moments, too. I truly enjoy watching them grow and change. I must say I have a whole new appreciation for my mother who was home with us while Dad worked very hard and long hours...it's very rare that Dennis gets to see the boys before bedtime.
We have had a lot of time with family since I last wrote. Time with grandparents (great-grands for the boys) was especially wonderful. We spent several days at Thanksgiving at my grandparents' house in Otto, NC...they fed us so much good food and took such great care of us. Amazing to feel that from your grandparents in their 90s! I think I was really struck by how full their lives have been, and all that they have lived through together--the Great Depression, WWII, and so on. And to imagine being married for 60+ years! With their great perspective on life comes a sense of humor and thankfulness that really inspires me. We also got to visit Dennis' grandpa in San Francisco, which was special because Isaac is named after him. Watching Dennis look at and interact with Grandpa was very touching--I know Dennis could still see glimpses of the Grandpa he grew up with in the frail man before us. We have a lot to learn from this older generation.
Dennis taught Ethan to say "Happy Independence Day" and it was so adorable. We had a wonderful day in Augusta with family...grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins, great-grandparents...the boys got plenty of attention! We even made a trip over to the Woodbridge Pool where I spent many summer days growing up. Mom and Dad's church had a service and bar-b-que. It was touching to see my grandfather honored for his service in WWII and to hear all of the patriotic music--really makes me thankful to live in such an amazing country that is worthy of fighting for.
Frances started working for my family before I was born, and she has always been part of my life. I am thankful for her presence in my life for many reasons. For starters, she provided love that was different from what I received from my parents (she didn't HAVE to love me, yet she did!), she was the most dependable and reliable person I've ever known (she missed 3 days of work in 32 years!), and she tells it like it is. She is truly a part of our family.
As the four "kids" (Catie, Chad, Matt, and I) pondered this big event, it felt like the end of an era. We are officially grown up if Frances is no longer at 3 Pine Hill Ct. on Thursdays! We had a wonderful time last weekend with all of her kids, plus some of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. What a unique opportunity to celebrate Frances! Thank you, Frances, for all the years you spent with us and for making us feel like your own.
Isaac needed his first hair cut a bit earlier than Ethan! The two boys had a great time getting trimmed up last week. They look great...always look older to me, which makes me sad...but definitely an improvement!
Sometimes I wonder myself. I try to stimulate my boys as much as possible, keep our house mostly clean, and take care of everyone--including Rocky. Some days I don't know what I've done other than feed and diaper everyone...but most of the time we have some fun activities planned! Whether it's music class, time with the cousins, going to the library, walking around the neighborhood, or running errands with mommy...we have a good time! The pool just opened, so we can add that to our summer repertoire.
Isaac has some new tricks (and so does Ethan--he can now do a somersault!) and we call this his push up time. He loves to look at the world by lifting his own head! We also will spend quality time in our new jogger stroller--my wonderful birthday gift!
I tried really hard to get both boys to cooperate for a photo shoot this afternoon. I think the pictures are pretty hilarious, if not framable! Enjoy!!! (notice: no babies were injured during photo shoot!)
We met up with "Uncle" Phil at the NC Zoo on Saturday for a fun visit! We got to catch up while Ethan was fully absorbed in all the animals. This was such a fun time to go, because Ethan is all into naming animals and he really enjoyed getting up close and personal. He loved the chimp (his name was "Hondo") who literally travelled across the containment area to come say hello to a violently waving Ethan. It was a highlight of the day, along with the polar bear that kept diving into the water. :) 
Since Ethan was a bit delayed in the first few months because of his prematurity, it's been fun to watch Isaac meet or beat important milestones! He has been laughing, smiling, and making eye contact for weeks. He also has great head control, and even enjoys sitting in the bumbo for short periods of time!
We had a wonderful family trip to the mountains and got to spend some time with Grandpop (happy 92nd!) and Grandmommy (happy bday to you, too!). The boys loved it! (except Dennis--he goes crazy without TV and internet--haha)
Isaac is a very smiley and talkative baby for his age, and it is so much fun! He already makes friends wherever he goes and is a social little man. Auntie Anna was visiting for a few days and Isaac (clearly) enjoyed her company very much!
Almost every time we get out of the car, Ethan says "play basketball". We used to just play in the driveway with Dennis' basketball, but I knew it was time for a kiddy hoop. Dennis' parents gave Ethan one for his birthday, and even though it's still a bit too tall...he LOVES it. We play outside every day, usually with Mommy helping him dunk. :)
