Gotta Be Quick

Today I had my first ice cream cone. 
I bet you don't have to guess how it went over.

Cole got one too.  He picked the flavor ("golden" over chocolate to Mommy's amazement)
and the cones too.

Around here, food is just never safe.  One of us can't get enough of it and the
other one is way too lax when it comes to mealtime security.

You've gotta be quick to keep your food to yourself around here!

I learned that Ice Cream is one of only about 2 things my big brother doesn't
gladly pass my way.  Pickles are the other coveted item.

Not only did this treat go over well, it went under and beside, on top and on bottom well too!
Thanks Mom :)

Vandyville - Under Construction!

This week Vandyville has had lots of visitors.  We had a crew working UNDER the house installing new beams and lifting the house an inch, a plumber to fix the outside pipe and the gas lines and Daddy tore up half the kitchen to finally put the tile in.  One of us decided he hated the new floor and snuck in to remove ALL the spacers when Daddy was in the garage making cuts.  He also tried to pry up the tile and scribbled all over it with a green sharpie (which thankfully washed off).  One of us came dangerously close to being shipped off to Military School this week.

In the end we both decided the new tiles are a ton of fun and have
really been having fun playing on them.

And since the window man was unable to come on Friday and Cole's
room is freezing cold, he's been camping out in this awesome fort at night.

Daddy is the KING of fort building. 
Thanks Pops for working so hard getting Vandyville in ship shape.
We promise not to sabotage your efforts anymore.
Okay, maybe we should make promises which are clearly impossible to keep.

To Ham or Not to Ham

Unlike the other little Vandy, I am not a fan of pictures.  It's next to impossible to get me to smile
for the camera.  The Momparazzi always comes last.
"Just a minute, Mom.  I'm BUSY!"

Sometimes you just have to give her a shot to make her go away.

Chiss Chess

Last night I asked Mom if she wanted to play Chiss Chess.
Then I told her you had to stand "guys" up on squares and asked her if she wanted
the light team or the dark team.  She had a funny look on her face when I told
her that you win by knocking guys over and asked her for some paper to draw
the squares...

Turns out, I'm not the next Bobby Fischer after all.
This is a Chiss Chess board.  This one is B's "square."

We made a square for Daddy, Mommy, B, Boots and Bella and of course me.
Then, we whipped the ball around until all the guys were knocked over.
It's a game of strategy.

My strategy always "be extra cute so you get away with rule bending."

It worked until Daddy got home.  He must be working a little too hard
because he claimed that Mommy won the last game of the night.
Who ever heard of a Mommy winning?!
Next time you're here in Vandyville, I'll show you how it's done.

Just the other day, I was a shaggy haired baby.

Now I'm a dapper young man.
Better start taking me seriously!

Okay just kidding.  I'm still a goof.

And... even dapper young men like their blankies and thumbs every now and then.

Finishing With a BANG!

I have been DYING to get back to school and my friends. 
Thankfully, Mom and Dad decided to make the last day
of winter break memorable.  We went to Greenfield and
did some black light golfing, arcade game playing and
Mom sweet talked the guy into letting me on the go-carts
even though I may have been just a teeeeny tiny scotch
under the height limit.  Daddy was the only other rider so we had
an absolute blast.
Later, we went to the carrot park and B ran the whole mall with me.
I'll miss my family when we go back to the grind tomorrow, but
boy am I excited to see my friends.

2011 Year in Review

Already time for another Year In Review Post!  As usual, we like to run through the highlights of our year.
Cole:

• I mastered the art of big brothering.  It's hard work, but so much fun.
• I had lots of sleepovers with my friends Vann and Parker and my cousin Owen.
• I became a really good artist who loves to make pictures.
• I spent alot of time with my pretty girls Sydney and KK.
• I learned to recognize, sound out and write all of my letters.
• I learned to count to 30!
• We got two gorgeous new cousins and a beautiful new Aunt!  Nice work Uncle Scott.
• I had an awesome 2.5 day birthday party at the Waterpark with my friends.
• I spent another summer outside playing, swimming and helping Daddy work.
• I joined a soccer team.  I'm still not sure what the purpose was, but it was kinda fun... I think.
• I met new friends Will, Keegan, Hayden, Jackson, Wyatt and Cain and spent lots of time with my old friends Vann, Stella, Parker, Alyssa, KK, Sydney, Braylon and Seth.

Bryce:

• I tackled my dairy, soy and birch pollen allergies.
• I learned how to roll, sit, crawl, walk, climb and run!  Thanks for the lessons big bro.
• I met my amazing (and really big) family.
• I met my fantastic neighbors.
• I learned to say "look, uh-oh, hi, Mama, Dada and Ooooooooooooh."  I also meow like Boots :)
• I learned to clap.
• I relished my naps, my bedtime and all of my many many meals.
• I graduated to the big bathtub and LOVE taking baths.
• I had an awesome first birthday party.
• I learned about Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Halloween, the Fourth of July and New Years Eve.  WOW! :)
• I learned how to hug and kiss and share.  I love doing all three, but only with very special people.
• I learned how to dance.  I have awesome moves!

 It certainly has been a fantastic year here in Vandyville.  Life truly is sweet and we're looking forward to another wonderful year together in 2012.   All our best to our friends and family in the coming year!