2012 - A year in review...

I rang in 2012 with my family (Sean had to work)in Muscatine. We had no idea what 2012 would hold!

 

We had only had Cason for a few days and didn't know if we would have the opportunity to adopt him, though we prayed everyday we would be able to have him as our son forever.

We celebrated his 1st birthday with him...

Then, we got the call that we were selected to adopt Wesley.  Shocker!  We had our first family time with him only a coupld of weeks later...

Then we started the transition process of transitioning him to living with us.  We had our first overnight with him at the end of February...we realized our hands were going to be FULL!  He officially came to live with us on March 8th...

Tate graduated from Preschool...

We had a BUSY summer with lots of fun...

Chris, Brenda, Bode and Boone moved back to Iowa...in fact, they moved to Muscatine!!!

 

We realized there was no way our growing family would fit in our tiny house, so we bought a bigger house...3 times bigger than the one we were living in!

 

That same day we took posession of the house, Wesley was hospitalized for a week...we never left his side.

Tate took swimming lessons...clearly, he wasn't a huge fan...

The boys got haircuts!

 

Cason got a walker... 

Tate started Kindergarten!

Wesley started Preschool!

Tate turned 6 on the SAME DAY we finalized the adoptions of both Wesley and Cason!
What a memorable day!

I took Tate to Wisconsin on the annual Apple Picking trip with the Burbacks...

 

 Wesley turned 4!

We had our 1st wonderful Christmas as a family of 5...

Sean and I took Tate and Wesley on a mini vacation with Mike, Sarah and the girls to Grizzly Jacks Grand Bear Resort as one of their Christmas gifts the day after Christmas...

This year has flown more than any other year ever has!  It's been full of stress, worry, decisions, work, appointments and LOVE...mostly full of love.
I must say, I am okay with 2012 being over.  It will be a year we will never forget.  Hopefully 2013 is a bit more low key for our family.
Happy New Year to all of you!!!  We couldn't have made it through 2012 without you!

Grizzly Jacks Grand Bear Resort...

As I have mentioned before; Mike, Sarah and the girls went on a mini trip with us last year after Christmas as a gift for the kids. We've realized the ridiculous amounts of toys our children have and don't want them constantly expecting "things" for Christmas each year...aside from the fact that they just don't need anymore toys! A few small items are super exciting for them to unwrap, but spending time together with family and making lifelong memories is just so much more important than opening a present. So last year we decided we were going to start a new tradition. Each year, we would take the kids somewhere for one of their gifts. It has been the BEST idea! Last year was so much fun when we went to Grand Harbour Waterpark in Dubuque and this year we opted for Grizzly Jacks Grand Bear Resort. They were in heaven...these memories we are creating for them will last a lifetime. They won't remember most of the gifts they got, but they will remember the time they got to spend with our family on our annual adventures after Christmas. We are so happy to have started this tradition and look forward to doing it every year. Right now, the kids are young enough that they don't know it's something we'll be doing every year, but as they get older, it will be fun to have them anticipate the trip and wonder what it will be that year. Our plan is to keep it a secret as to what we're doing until we arrive or they figure it out.

 

We got a lot of "this is the BEST DAY EVER" from the kids on this trip! :)

 

I must say, it was a FANTASTIC getaway!  We rented a Vacation Villa.  It was HUGE and awesome and the kids would have probably been happy just hanging out and playing there, but in the price of the Villa rental, we also got free admission to the waterpark, amusement park and if weather had permitted, the mini golf and awesome hiking that is apparently nearby at Starved Rock.

The kids were THRILLED to say the least...

 

And I believe that Mike and Sean may have had more fun on the rides than the kids did!

They are such kids themselves!

 

 

And the token strange expression from Tate.

 

My amazing in-laws...Mike, Sarah, Leah and Kayla.  So fun to get some time away with them.  Even though they live in the Quad Cities, both of our families are so busy, we rarely get a chance to get together with them!

Our big boys...

Sisters...love these 2!

Love this shot!  The kids loved this ride...however, it took some convinving to get Tate on it!

And Mike having more fun than the kids again...

 

 

 

 

 I can't recommend Grizzly Jacks Grand Bear Resort enough.  It was such a great trip!  I think it would be even more wonderful in the summertime!  We didn't get to do the hiking or mini golf because of the cold weather, but can only imagine how fun the addition of those activities would be in the summertime.  Also, it's only a bit over an hour away in Utica, IL!  I have a feeling we'll be returning...at least if the kids have anything to say about it we will! :)

Peakin Christmas 2012

We kicked off the Peakin Christmas on the evening of Christmas Day. We hung out, chatted, ate tacos and the kids played.

Tyler and Tate slept in his room and stayed up WAY too late...they had a great time though!

 

The next morning we did our Christmas gift exchange, ate brunch and the kids played the morning away.  We got a large canvas for Pat and Linda again this year since the one we got them last year was before 2 important little boys were part of the family.

 

Cason was excited to be in the picture this year. ;)

I want this canvas for MY wall!  Eek...love this picture!  Wish you could see it better...the plastic is still on it here, so you can't really see the shot very well...

Then, all the kids opened gifts...everyone was so excited about all of their presents!

 

 

Then there was more playing and running around for the kids.  They love spending time together!

 

It was a great day and so nice that we were able to host it!  I love hosting gatherings in our home...I love that I have a home that fits enough people to host these gatherings!

After everyone went home, we packed up and headed out for our mini vacation to Grizzly Jacks Grand Bear Resort which was they boys' big Christmas gift this year.  Taking the boys on a little getaway just after Christmas as their big gift has become an annual tradition that we look forward to continuing for years and years to come.  Hopefully as time goes on, these trips will be longer than just a couple of days!

Stewart Christmas 2012

I cannot believe how quickly Christmas came and went this year!

 

We kicked off Christmas with a few days in Muscatine at my parents' house.  Santa brought the boys' gifts there.

The big boys got Balance Bikes and some nice loot in their stockings...

 

Cason got a little walking toy from Santa that he loves!

The boys were all so excited in the morning to go upstairs and see all of their gifts from Santa!

Tate was extremely excited about Dance Central 3!

 

Then, we opened gifts that we got the boys and each other.  Tate opened his new Twister game and started playing right away!  He's pretty good!

We hung out all day with family and that evening we opened gifts from Nana and Papa...

The kids were all thrilled with their head lamps.
I am unsure why Tate has to make the craziest faces for pictures, but it's just "him".
Silly kid...

 

 

Wesley got a Sit n Spin!

Then, the boys spent the next day out in the snow with their new sleds!

It was such a great time.  We got to spend time not only with the cousins, aunts, uncles, siblings and my parents, but my 95 year old grandpa, my 2 uncles (one whom lives in California and we rarely see) and my aunt, uncle and cousin from Des Moines made the trip.  There's just nothing like spending time with family on Christmas...love it!
Thank you to my parents for hosting everything!

can't think of a creative title for this post...

Cason is sick...he has some sort of stomach bug...it's icky.  Weird thing is that he has no fever at all...just vomiting and diarrhea.  So sad.  :(

Wesley had his 4 year Well Child exam on Thursday...he is in the 13th percentile for weight and the 20th for height.  He is healthy right now!  He got his immunizations (the ones that he can have at least) and was very tough. If his immune system wasn't compromised, he would have needed his Chicken Pox booster this time.  It's just so frustrating to me, the topic of immunizations.  I  won't get into it too much on here because it's just not worth it, but I get so angry that my child's life is at risk because of these awful viruses that go around.  Viruses that shouldn't be seen anymore because of our access to immunizations.  Viruses that Wesley will never be able to be immunized for because of his medical condition.  And that's all I have to say about that.

Counting down the days until my big cookie exchange!  And it is going to be much bigger than last year!  I had 11 people last year and it's looking like I will have about 21 this year!  Eek!  So excited!  It is something I look forward to doing and will continue to do annually.  It was SO FUN last year.  It is my way to create a fun, girls night for my family and friends at a busy time of year that often time is overwhelming and stressful.  We acquire our desserts all in one night that we can give as gifts to friends, coworkers and neighbors or serve at our Christmas gatherings while also getting a few hours of stress free fun!  I plan it for months...literally!  I so love getting spend this time with all of these wonderful ladies and I am hoping this little party is a tradition for years to come!  I love throwing parties (got that from my mom!:)).

I wrapped some presents and put them under the tree...this kind of feels like it was a mistake to do now that all I hear every 15 minutes is, "Can't I just open 1 gift?!  Pleeeeeeeease!!!!"  Ugh.

I am so excited about all of the Christmas cards I've gotten from family and friends!  I think we've gotten 20 now. :)  I created a card wall in our kitchen on our magnetic chalkboard.  I drew a huge tree on it and covered all of our magnets with Christmas wrapping paper to hold the cards on the wall with.  It looks so fun and it's one of the happiest places in my house I think!  I love seeing the smiling faces of all of our loved ones every time I am in the kitchen.

We have to put the gate at the bottom of our stairs in the living room now.  Cason is ALWAYS on the stairs otherwise.  He can only go up and fall down them...hasn't figured out how to slide/crawl down them yet.

Our garbage disposal broke.  I went YEARS without one and yet it's killing me to have gone the past few days without it now that I am used to it.  I was spoiled by it.  We need a new one STAT!

I have a major laundry situation that needs addressed...I seem to always have a major laundry situation that needs addressed.  It's so annoying.

That's it for tonight!

2 women

2 of the most important women in my life share a birthday.

My mother turns 60 years young today.

So blessed that I get to call her my mother...she is amazing and loving and giving and I hope that I "grow up" to be even a little bit like her!  She has taught me and continues to teach me so much and I cannot imagine what I would do without her.

I love you, Mom...Happy Birthday!

 

And my dear friend, Lora.  I have said it before...she is so much more than a friend to me.  She is always here for me and my kids, she is supportive and loving and caring and so much fun!  God put her in my life YEARS ago...like 20 years ago.  Our friendship has grown and become one of the most important relationships in my life.  I love you, Lora...I cherish my friendship with you and love you more than words!  I cannot wait to celebrate with you tonight!

 

 

Family Update...

Tate - He is reading.  Like for real reading.  I am so proud of him!  He LOVES school, thinks his teacher is the best teacher in the world (we think she's pretty fantastic too!), is thrilled that Ava and Kiley get to come play after school on weekdays and loves that his best friend from his class lives 3 doors down.  He can't wait for it to snow.  He is growing up so much!

Wesley - Just today when I was changing his pants, he said, "whoa, poop?"  I asked if he had to poop and he said yes, hopped up, ran to the bathroom and pooped!  This is huge...potty training has been a major struggle.  I was so proud of him!  Wesley is a spaz as usual, full of energy like no other child I know.  He is hilarious too!  He LOVES singing and dancing while listening to his iPod, he loves his brothers and is getting so big!  He wore some jammies last night that I put him in back in the spring and they were WAY too small!  He doesn't get night feedings anymore, so he is hungry all the time.  His favorite food?  Hot dogs.  He would eat them for every meal.  He is improving with his communication too...it's still a struggle, but he is talking much better.  He loves school so much and thinks it is so cool that he gets to ride the bus.

Cason -  He is all over the place, into everything.  He is pulling himself up to everything and climbing the stairs.  He imitates sounds and words and babbles ALL the time.  He is getting more attitude as well, which is good.  He gets angry when his brothers take a toy from him that he was playing with.  When he accidentally rolls a ball or pushes a car out of reach, he gets mad if he can't get to it.  Again, a great step in his development.  He is still the snuggliest, happiest boy though!  He eats anything we put in front of him, he snuggles into the shoulder of whoever picks him up, he laughs at the drop of a hat and has the best smile.  He attracts attention everywhere we go.

Sean and I - We are busy as usual...Sean with work, me with the kids and photography.  Sean has just taken a class to be a preceptor and has a new nurse that he is working with now.  He loves his job and I love mine. :)  I have the best clients ever. Period.  I am amazed after every photo session at how wonderful every single one is.  I love working with people!

We are so looking forward to the Christmas festivities to begin!  To me, things will start next Thursday when I am having approximately 20 ladies over for my cookie exchange!  I loved that evening last year and am going to make this an annual thing!  Can't wait for a fun adult evening with a bunch of wonderful women!

We will celebrate Christmas with my family on Christmas Eve and then Sean's family on the night of Christmas and then mostly on the morning of the 26th.  The kids don't know that we (along with Mike, Sarah, Leah and Kayla) will be going to a waterpark hotel for 2 nights after that.  It is their big Christmas gift and they are going to freak out!  We have decided to not bring Cason.  He isn't too fond of pool areas with his sensory issues and the echoing that goes on in hotel pool areas.  We are so blessed that the DeCooks offered to keep him for the 2 nights we will be gone.  He loves them and is completely at home with them and at their house.  He will have much more fun with them and it will be much easier for us to enjoy our time with the 2 big boys without having to comfort a distraught Cason.  And fortunately, he is young enough that he won't know the difference!

After our return home from our mini vacation, we will be enjoying having the boys off of school to spend some time with at home for a few days.  They are going to be spending New Years Eve with Mike, Sarah, Leah and Kayla at their home while we party with my side of the family in Muscatine.  Again, we are so blessed that we have Mike, Sarah and the girls here and that they love our boys so much that they are willing to take them on for the night...it's no easy task!

After we ring in 2013, the boys don't return back to school until the 8th!  It will be fun to have a good week of all of us home to start out the year, but I am sure ALL of us will be ready for school to start back up!  Still, our Christmas festivities will not be complete, we will be celebrating Christmas with Tate's birth family in January and also will be celebrating Cason's 2nd birthday, Tyler, Leah, Abby, Linda (my mother in law) and Sarah Peakin's birthdays on the Peakin side.  My sister's birthday is also in January!  It is a BUSY month!

I am hoping that we will have a low key February and then we'll be ready for our almost 2 week spring break vacation we're going on in March to Florida!  I have a feeling, the next few months is going to FLY by!