New Year, New Heights and New Habits!

So far 2013 has brought new elements to our lives--some welcome and some we'd rather abandon.  Aiden has taken it upon himself to alternate between moments of being our active, adventurous, fun-loving, boy, and moments of displaying the epitome of the terrible-not-quite-two's.  He has definitely figured out that life can run a little differently when Daddy's not home, especially as his speed increases and Mommy's growing belly greatly decreases her speed and agility.  Every time Mommy silently indicates time for a diaper change, restricted object retrieval, or face/hands cleaning, Aiden takes off in a mad dash.  He laughs gleefully when Mommy and he are at opposite ends of a table, and they rapidly change directions in this cat-and-mouse game.  (It's hard to be mad at him when he gets that much enjoyment from it!).

Aiden already got Clyde's hat, but he wants the iPad, too.  He's working on his sad face to see what he can get out of the situation.

Aiden loves the legos that Mimi and Grandpap sent!  He achieved new heights on this tower (with Daddy's help).

Aiden has become quite adept at swiping iPhones and iPads, and he is strangely skilled at operating them!  He hijacked the iPad... "can I get some privacy please?"  I'm not sure if he thinks he's hidden or not, but he loves hiding behind the curtains (and is usually more successful at it).

Aiden's fascinated with Daddy's new "toy".  Dad McBride and Uncle Tarlton sent out one of Clyde's rifles from Colorado, and Aiden wants to help with the assembly.

It will be quite some time before Aiden really gets his hands on it! 

 

Clyde takes the rifle to the range (while Aiden and I slept in!).

 

 

No shoes, no shirt, no consequence (as long as she can't catch me!)

P.S. We did finally get the tree down!

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

 

If it looks as though our tree is only decorated from the middle up, that's because it is.  Although I put only plastic or fabric ones down low, Aiden found it enjoyable to remove them from the tree and throw them againt the wall. 

 

Outside with our crazy pup.

 

Thirteen-years-old!  We can't believe how grown up Ciala is!

 

Lauren is always ready with a smile.

 

Our little man...

 

Aiden wasn't quite sure what we were going for here--we usually give him a hard time for playing on the stairs!

Probably our last family photo before 5 become 6!

 

He's Baaaack!

It took him almost 21 months to get sick for the first time, and a week to fully recover.  Except for a lingering runny nose... he's back!  Clyde and I agreed that, as much as we often wish for peace and quiet, we prefer his boisterous, messy antics to sick, listless Aiden!

There's my best pal!

Big throw!

Time to run!

and run...

I really missed my pup, Kona!

(Okay, maybe its time to get a few more friends!)