Celebrate, we will!

Derek's birthday 'present' was an evening of fun.  Oma and Opa babysat for Cole.  He was in good, good hands.

I surprised Derek with a day out with friends.  We began at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery for a tour.

the tour begins

clydesdales and a bridge of pipes filled with beer.

the Clydesdale stables

beechwood aging

Augustus Busch, his empire, and a lesson on the making of Budwieser

the straining process and lots of photo opportunities

lots to see...we were getting thirsty...

the bottling/packaging line, not in motion today

almost there

the reward for our learnings.

And on to the Broadway Oyster Bar....

good friends

good tunes and low lighting (=blurry photos)

good oysters

good times.

I hope you enjoyed your day/gift, Derek.  You deserve nights like these...filled with friends and fun!  Cheers!

bathtime games

First, you call to Daddy and wait.

...then Daddy comes and is SO scary and FUNNY!

So, you laugh....

AND LAUGH...

AND LAUGH, LAUGH, LAUGH!

Happy 33rd, Love.

Happy Birthday, Derek. It was a simple day, just work and life...and celebrating you. We were a one car family today, so I drove you to work and gave you and IOU book on the way with some candy. When I picked you up I had Captain and cookies waiting for you. The evening was low key as it was snowing.
We love you enormously, Derek. I hope we can help make your 33rd year the best.
Love,
Jenny & Cole

Up

Movie Night in the Albracht House:  Up.

We got *Up* as our Netflix pick. It was so fun to watch a movie with you, Cole! You really enjoyed the movie and found a few parts scary. Daddy and I enjoyed the movie as much or more than you! I think this one is worth buying! I would love to snuggle you and watch it many more times.

Honey Chicken...

...it's what's for dinner.

It's Cole's favorite food. The only thing he will ask for more, more, more. Luckily, Mama and Daddy like Chinese lots too!

Football, Friends, & Food

Football Playoffs: an excuse to have friends over and make wonderful food.  Derek was inspired to smoke a pork shoulder for pulled pork sandwiches.  Yummmmmm....

 

The dogs enjoyed treats homemade by Daddy...baked pork skins.

  

In the midst of potty training, Cole took some time out to entertain us.  He pretended to drink beer and then had to show how 'yucky' it was by rubbing the beer off of his mouth/face.  Cole, you could have played this game all - night - long!  You are so funny.  :-)

(the beer was empty)

Relaxing Friday Evening....

My idea of relaxation....

 

...and Cole's....

I am such a home-body.  A night at home is the perfect end to our busy weeks for me.  Luckily we can make our ideas of perfect relaxation work together: next to eachother on the couch, me with wine, you with milk, watching Dora, cuddling, and relaxing.

Grandparents: Oma & Opa

Cole,
You are lucky to have lots of grandparents. They all think the sun shines out of your behind.
Oma and Opa love to come spend time with you, babysitting every chance they get. You always get treats and surprises from them. You talk to them on the phone in real life and pretend often. You LOVE when Opa does funny tricks with his teeth. When Opa asks "Where's Opa's boy?" You always point to yourself. Oma loves to hold you while you sleep and tell the world how much she loves you with photos and stories.

You are a lucky little boy to be so loved. Grandparents have super strong love. Soak it up, buddy!

Me Happy!

Cole, there are lots of moments in our life.  There are those wonderful moments featured here where you are being exceptionally cute and I have the camera in hand.  There are stressful moments.  There are moments when we laugh.  There are moments when we get frustrated, tired, hungry, crabby, bossy, etc.  There are moments I judge myself because we don't eat well and we watch too much television.  And there are moments when you make me melt.  Lately those moments come often.  You give unprompted kisses on the lips, cheeks, legs, etc.  You are discovering language...and you are so sensitive and loving.  You always almost always say please, thank you, and you're welcome when it's kind to do so. One of my favorite things is that you say "Me Happy!"  I tell you that you make me happy...such an understatement.  I can't put into words how much happiness you bring.  I get tearful sometimes when you tell me that you love me.  You may never know how much I love you back....Me happy too, buddy.

I love you lots,

Mommy

Sticky Tape

Slumber party with JayJay and 3 Minutes in the Snow

watching the pretty snowfall 

 

there's nothing better than an air mattress in the living room!

 while Cole slept... JayJay, Dada, and Mama hoped for a snow day to sleep in :)

We had a few, pretty inches of light, fluffy snow fall overnight while Jamie spent the night.  I attempted to go to work but roads were dangerous and appointments were canceled.  I came home and we bundled up to go play in the snow.  It was short lived, maybe 3 minutes.  The wind sent us back inside!

Lita LOVES the snow!

 

Phoebe does not love the snow

Cole loved the snow...but not the wind.

New Kicks

Cole broke out his new shoes today....and danced around the house all night telling me to take "picta my new soes!"

Happy 13th Birthday, Phoebe!

Happy Birthday, Phoebe! I can't believe that we've been partners in crime for thirteen years!
We've lived in: Red Bud, Belleville, Atlanta, Athens, Belleville, and St. Louis.
We've lived with: Sheri & Jamie, Melissa, by ourselves (you were my guard dog!), with Derek, then we added Lolita, and finally we added Cole!
You are such a trooper!
I love you, girl!

Laura's Funny

Such a fun afternoon with the 'old neighbor girl.'  Even if 'the Office' did get too Red Bud for me!

Josh & Courtney's Rockin' Awesome Apartment

 Josh and Courtney live in a sweet apartment in Soulard....

 ...and they were kind and gracious enough to have us over for New Year's Day for food and drink.  They were wonderful hosts! 

Emma shared her home and attention with Cole...and got plenty of lovin' in return!