New Tire Swing!

Alex put an addition on the Swing Set!!!

...and now Jeremy has learned the effects of spinning too much/too fast.  Poor guy.  He was a trooper though, so it didn't stop him from getting back on (once his stomach settled down). 

Florida trip!

What fun we had in Florida

with Lydia, Luke, Aunt Michelle and Uncle Eric!!! 

(July 26 - July 31)

Click here to view this photo book larger

Thank you so much for having us to visit!!!!

Cousinsanity!

Cousinsanity at the Boggio house!

I think you started something....

7 days later my boys were swimming unassisted in pools and ocean alike!  Hurray!!!

Thanks so much for the hospitality Aunt Vicki, Tara & Chris! 

The Three Piggy Opera

Welcome  to The Three Piggy Opera!

MI Renaissance Festival 2011

 

 

Jeremy's birthday!

Happy Birthday Jeremy!

Finally put up the tree...

Well the Nord's North Carolina house has been brimming with Christmas Spirit today! Less than two weeks after all of our belongings arrived from Michigan, we managed to find the Christmas boxes (well, enough of them) to start decorating.

Kyle and Jeremy were both pretty excited to work on the tree so with the sounds of Christmas Carols floating through the house, they helped assemble it. (their first time ever helping with that aspect of the job). They loved adding each branch to the tree "trunk" and more-so they enjoyed the color coding game that went along with it... "Jeremy can you find a branch that is brown?" "Kyle, I'll need two white branches next." "Who put a green one in this row? We're working on Black." While we assembled the tree it occurred to me: "We've had this tree since we lived in the Apartment in Lake Orion (after we first married.). Wow, that's 11 years now! Time flies.... "

We promised the boys that the "Lights Fairy" would come during nap time to put the lights on the tree. They pointed out that the lights fairy is really Mom & Dad because they've watched us light the tree before. Hmmm, observant. I'll remember that! So Alex and I switched the music from traditional Christmas Carols to a Jimmy Buffet Christmas CD and set to work. Now, what the lights fairies didn't know, was the the box of Christmas decor with the LIGHTS in it, is missing. I'm sure it's here somewhere, but finding them? So, this year we have a blue-light tree. (Wow, just made the connection. Sorry Family Dollar, I feel a little like a traitor) I've had these blue Christmas lights for years, but multi-colored was our traditional look. Apparently, we're starting a new tradition this year; seems fitting. So, by 4:30 pm the tree was lit and ready for the evening project of hanging ornaments.

But first, the boys had to do their Christmas shopping!

With only 6 shopping days left (one of which is C-R-A-Z-Y if you want my 2 cents), we decided it was a good night to let Kyle and Jeremy each go to Kmart to pick out a gift for their brother. So, off we went, all four of us, to dinner at Steak & Shake and to Kmart for some toy shopping. Both boys, with their $10 bills in hand, enjoyed finding a toy for the other. Jeremy struggled with the concept only a little (he wanted to shop for his upcoming birthday - can't blame him.) and Kyle struggled with making a decision. (So many great choices!) Eventually, both settled on something and they proceeded (hiding from each other, of course) to the checkout to pay for their selection. All in all they got a big kick out of holding onto the money, figuring out what was in their budget, choosing the gift, paying the cashier and hiding the bag from their brother. Now, any bets on how long they can keep the gift contents a secret?

After returning home, the guys immediately took to hanging ornaments on the tree and playing with the decorative gift boxes under it. Kyle pretended to be Santa, asking each of us if we'd been good. (Answers varied). :)

By 10:30 (after a couple books were read and a few pictures were taken) the boys were exhausted & ready for bed. I'm happy to report that there's a good chance that Sugar-Plums may be dancing through their heads right now (even if it is a little early).

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!

Happy Halloween!

Spiderman and Optimus Prime had a great time this Halloween! Especially Trick-or-Treating with their friends the Lion, the Monkey, the Zebra, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

At their daycare Halloween Party Jeremy had his own little "MJ" (that was actually dressed as Dorothy from Oz). This little girl was SO excited to see Spiderman that she didn't believe Jeremy was inside the costume. She wouldn't take her eyes off of him nor would she leave his side.

Kyle spent the first half of the party announcing "I am Optimus Prime" using the voice changer helmet he got from the Jozwiak family. Come to think of it, he pretty much does that all day long until we (Mom & Dad) "borrow" the helmet for a while. He's not old enough to figure out how to put batteries into things by himself, is he? :)

Tonight I also saw a picture of the cutest Ewok EVER! If you haven't checked out bootseg lately.....

Lastly, if you're looking for something to do with those cute little decorative pumpkins and squash you'll have out until Thanksgiving, let the kids enjoy some Gourd Bowling.... the boys played it at the party and loved it! Fun for the adults too!!!

Role Reversal

These days, Jeremy is typically jumping off of anything he can find and Kyle is thoughtfully taking it all in. On tuxedo day it was a little unusual; while Kyle was hopping around giving himself multiple "Thumbs Up" Jeremy was studying his image in the mirror.

I'm sure he was thinking "I look g-o-o-d!"

Our little turkey

Clearly, Jeremy had a great time with Daddy visiting Bass Pro Shops today....

Productive Day!!!

Wow! What a great day in the Nord household.

I spent the morning being reminded how awesome it is to have a relaxing day with my kids! From pancake breakfast to reading books, from Duplos to Jeremy's new Thomas the Tank Engine Remote Controled Trackmaster Train system we had a blast from first thing in the morning until lunch!

Then, when nap-time began I started prepping the hallway upstairs for a new coat of paint. Alex got back to a freezer food packaging project we've been working on.

The boys woke up and it was time to let them try their hand at painting - on the walls. As a kid I remember asking my parents many, many times if I could help paint the house. I was told I could help when I was 12. When the magical age of 12 came along, I was so excited to help. Then, being the almost teenager that I was, after a few minutes I didn't ever want to help again. (it was work - duh!!!) Well, at (almost) 2 and 3 years old, my boys loved it. Of course, they didn't want to help for long either, but they had their fun and we got great photos!


Then it was on to dinner followed by snuggling on the couch to watch Shrek (I almost felt compelled to turn it off due to the swearing, but the boys didn't seem to pick up on it.) and then it was off to bed for the munchkins!

Hope your first Sunday of the New Year was just as great!

Wow! What a difference 16 months makes!

Most days I'm stunned by how fast Jeremy seems to be catching up to Kyle. Being younger doesn't stop Jeremy from trying everything Kyle does. Heck, when it comes to climbing, jumping and getting into things, Jeremy figures things out that Kyle hasn't even thought of doing yet.

Tonight however, Alex and I had to pause and say "Wow, what a difference 16 months makes."

You see, when we are in the car, as we were this evening, each child has their own way of asking for the window to go up or down. (remember, we don't have A/C in my Jeep so this happens A LOT)

Jeremy: (screaming emphatically) "Wee-doh! Wee-doh! Wee-doh! Wee-doh!"

Kyle: (calmly and politely) "Uh Daddy, I'm cold. Would you please put the window up?"

What a difference 16 months really makes.

All I can say is "Doh!"

Yup, one of our cribs in included in the latest recall. I just saw the story online.... snuck under the crib while Jeremy slept and checked the model number and manufacture date. Apparently many models of Jardine cribs (sold by Toys R Us and Babies R Us) are affected.

Seems to me Jeremy just wasn't meant to sleep in that bed... you see.....

Last Tuesday I decided it was time to move Jeremy into the boys' room. We had him in the Pack and Play in our bedroom because the boys constantly kept eachother awake when they shared a room. Better to have one in our room, but sleeping than to have the whole house up all night in an effort to have the boys share a room. That was our philosophy at least.

So, Tuesday was the big move... we tried the crib immediately. Jeremy hated the idea.

We got smart... put the Pack and Play in the boys' room and let Jeremy get used to the sounds of the room from a "familiar" location (the Pack and Play). Worked perfectly! Jeremy slept. I felt smart.

Thursday afternoon, foolishly let the boys play "ball pit" with the Pack and Play. (If you've never seen it, it's a blast! The video below doesn't do it justice. Plus, it's even better with two toddlers in there at once.) Anyhow, both kids loved it. Jeremy watched Kyle climb in and out of the Pack and Play. My eyes grew big as saucers as I realized what I'd done. Jeremy now knew this was possible. 10 minutes later, Jeremy climbed out of Pack and Play too. Jeremy was so happy. All I could say was "doh!"

Thursday night, put Jeremy to bed in Pack and Play... walk out of room (feeling hopeful)... 30 seconds later hear the pitter patter of littlest feet chasing after me. Yup - advantage Jeremy. Put Jeremy in crib. Surprisingly he's sort of ok with the idea. Now remember, this is only Thursday night.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday - same routine. Each night Jeremy likes his crib a little more.

Tuesday night, it's been a week - Jeremy loves his crib. He goes to sleep no problem, I feel like we finally got something right in the baby sleep department. 11:15 pm - Kris sees recall info. Sees picture - no doubt it's my crib. Recall voucher for a new crib is on the way. Until then, I guess it's time to turn the "convertible toddler bed" back into a crib for Jeremy. Kyle likes to sleep on the couch in his room anyhow.

All I can say is "doh!"

Kickin' It Old School with Mario & Luigi

Yes, my boys watch Star Wars (IV to VI, for the record).... play Super Mario Brothers 3 on the old NES and sit around wearing nothing but diapers on a hot day. It's a good life!

Jeremy's "15 month well-visit" just a little late...

Jeremy had his 15 month doctor's visit this week.... we were a little late (over a month), but I'm happy to report he's been healthy for a few weeks now so I didn't feel so bad scheduling his immunizations.

Anyhow - he was a trooper for his shots. He only cried for a few seconds. He weighs 26 pounds, 2 ounces and is a whopping 33 inches tall! That puts him in the 75th percentile for weight and the 90th percentile for height. Now I know why he almost fits into Kyle's pants. :)

Here are some recent photos.... one from tonight (no pictures please!)


...and this one from a couple weeks ago (here I come!)

And this is one-year-old Jeremy

Finally, now we blog....

How technology sucks the hours right out of your life (and keeps us willfully and happily coming back for more)

Step 1: Check out free blog website that friend is using. It looks like fun!

Step 2: Set up your own free blog - manipulate page look and feel making everything perfect and user friendly. After all this will be such a great communication mechanism!

Step 3: Daydream about how cool it will be to keep friends and family updated - create grand visions of daily blogging and constant photo uploading.

Step 4: Go to bed for the night - after all it's 2:00 am

Step 5: Don't touch blog again for 2 months. Keep checking friends blog... get jealous because it ROCKS! Realize this is a far superior way to share than old baby website you were using (and haven't updated in over 6 months) Call a do-over!

So here's our first post.... a photo taken at Uncle Eric's wedding in February. All four of us... the kids are more adorable though, so next I'll add more photos of just them. Cool slideshows coming soon! (really this time - I figured it all out!)