We played outside the other day. It felt like Spring with a beautiful cover of white, fluffy snow. Brooks has a hard time playing, though. His idea of playing is mostly shoveling or working on digging up the yard covered with snow and moving snow to other locations. He is a born worker. It's amazing how at age 3+ it's easy to predict the kids who will be lazy and the kids who will work hard for what they need/want. My little man is most definitely the latter of the two.

Anyhow, after a great afternoon (or should I say a great hour) outside, it was time for hot chocolate and marshmallows...but not before Brooks turned into BUZZ! I told him he was at risk of getting hot chocolate on those awesome white gloves, but he just really wanted to wear them, so I let him. Kids need to be kids and it wasn't going to hurt a thing.

Greg reported the during an evening of basketball for Brooks and I, Chloe was "the cutest she's ever been in her life". OF COURSE I wasn't here to see it, but by looking at the pictures he took I believe him that she was simply edible the entire evening. It's SWEET when Chloe is being cute and it's totally BOO when she decides not to be. In those instances there is nothing to make her happy. Poor baby girl, her life is so tough.

After church today we got a great show from Brooks and Chloe. The below picture represents the "no handed wrap around Swan", just in the off chance anyone had forgotten that. Brooks began his show in a normal outfit, but quickly announced that he was getting really sweaty and needed to get his exercise clothes on. I smile when he gets sweaty doing things because he has a Mommy who is VERY sweaty herself and his sweaty (and stinky!) little head reminds me of when I was a kid.

There was a quick time-out during the show to give Sister some loves. When Chloe came to Brooks to be rubbed he looked at her, held her in his arms, sighed and said: "FINALLY!"

That was a melt my heart, I love my kids, nothing better than being a momma moment.

When Brooks chooses to be a lover her is a real lover. He loves to snuggle and tell you out of the blue how much you mean to him. When Sister decides to hold still at the same time that Brother decides to be loving you end up with this. The most beautiful moments as parents. It doesn't happen often, but when it all works out and the children are loving each other, nothing seems challenging.

It's moments like these that make it ALL worth it.

Who would have thought that this is what Greg saw as he walked downstairs last night. Can I get an AMEN and a SWEET HAIR CHLOE?

Just one year ago and my babies really looked like babies. Right now, I am listening to Brooks act like a baby (screaming at the top of his lungs because he doesn't want to go to the bathroom before bed), but they are not babies anymore. Boo, Hoo.

Tonight Greg bought Brooks a video game type thing (not the real deal, but close). It's amazing to watch him catch onto it and figure it out. He looked like a little MAN holding the controller. Yikes.

Chloe is doing her best to keep up with Brother. Tonight she even got to wear UMD PJ's and a UMD helmet just like Brother! (Pictures to follow). She isn't so much a baby anymore either, although she is closer to one because almost every minute of every day she is crying or whining! I wouldn't change it for the world, but I would LOVE for her to learn to talk. It would make everything so much more peaceful.

Speaking of peaceful, we don't have a very peaceful house at this stage in life. I continue to look forward to the day that Greg and I can hold a conversation. It will be great, although I don't wish these years away because I know we are blessed to be these two beauties parents.

We celebrated my Grandpa Doty's 91st Birthday on Friday. What a blessing he is to our family. You'd never know he's 91 years old.

He still shovels his own driveway and sidewalk (even though we tell him not too). Often, when we get there to plow him out, he's already been outside for a couple of hours doing it himself. I know that doing his own chores makes him feel good, so we just make a point now to get to Grandpa's as soon as it starts to snow.

He lost his wife a few years back (my Grandma) and we could see Grandpa dying right before our eyes. He spent time in the hospital for many different symptoms, many of which pointed back to "a broken heart" or "depression".

During all of this my Grandpa met a woman named Garnette. Garnette goes to the same church as my Grandpa and they had been friends for ages. Garnette was also a widow. They began to date and ALL of my Grandpa's symptoms went away. He was no longer sick. Garnette was all it took to heal my Grandpa.

They have been married now for lots of years (I think 7) and she is such a blessing to our family. My Grandma Doty even had said before she died, that if she died she'd want my Grandpa to marry someone like Garnette!

In our prayer for my Grandpa on his 91st birthday, we thanked the Lord for him and also for Garnette, who came into my Grandpa's life at the perfect moment (God's plan) and gave him several more years of life on earth.

We love you, Grandpa. Happy Birthday.

When Opa came to our house this week to celebrate Grandpa Doty's 91st birthday, he brought Brooks a little something special.

Now Brooks is officially a "Bulldog" and we are trying to figure out ways to get him to take off his jacket.

Yesterday, he wore it the entire time he was at the Depot, Aquarium, and Children's Museum.

He told his daddy that he wanted to make sure everyone could see it.

Chloe doesn't enjoy how Play-Doh feels between her sweet fingers. She wants it, screams for it and begs to be part of what "Brother" is doing, but when she is given the real life yellow stuff...she hates it!

So, after bribing Brother to share, dealing with him being selfish and having a temper tantrum because Sister has some of "his" Play-doh, she doesn't want it anyhow.

Oh, but wait...this is Chloe we are talking about. So, even though she doesn't want it (and actually as you can see she despises it) she also doesn't want it taken away from her. I am not sure how to win this battle. She cries if she has it, cries if she doesn't.

Oh, dear Chloe...you are so your Mother's child.

Eww...take it away...wait, don't take it away...but I hate how it feels...but I want it...Waahhh!

Brother continues to want to do anything and everything "real" hockey players do. He likes to have his occasional protein shake to get muscles (while sitting in Chloe's seat, much to her despise). He likes to obey like "real" hockey players. He likes to take a shower like "real" hockey players and he even likes to be nice to his sister like the "real" hockey players are. We are so thankful he wants to be a "real" hockey player. Those "real" hockey players sure are obedient. (wink...wink...)

Not sure why I need to share (or re-share) this photo. I guess maybe because this about sums up my little man and his zest for life. Although challenging at times, when I see a picture like this I can't help but count my blessings.

Chloe doesn't really like to dress up. When she has a skirt on, she pulls on it and wants it taken off. I guess that's what happens when you have a brother. Anyhow, she got this dress from her Oma and Opa for Christmas and she couldn't take the tu-tu off because it was connected. So, for a whole day I got to pretend she was a pink princess...all frills and girl...YEAH RIGHT! Check this out!