Todd is 8 months old

This baby is growing too fast!!

 

He loved getting into Christmas decorations.

 He's getting more snuggly these days. Sweet

 He and Caleb are slowly becoming friends.  It's fun to watch.

 He's getting better and better at sitting.  Just this week he's figured out how to push into a sitting position.  He'll just sit and play with a toy now.

 He has a new scrunchy face.  Funny boy.

 He was really helpful in the wrapping department.

 I continue to love these two together

They have a special connection

 This was Todd's first Christmas.  I kept trying to get a good picture on the big day and got a few so-so ones.

 This boy loves to grab -- everything in sight!  And when he gets a hold of something he clings on for dear life!  I have to pry little things out of his fist all the time, including the hair or ear of anyone who comes near!

 These pics were taken on Monday, 8 months to the day.  They capture him so well.

Todd is so sweet.  He gets dragged every where and handles it so well. I often have people comment after being with us a while that they never heard a peep out of him.  The other day he got really upset around some friends and they were all so shocked -- never seen anything like that out of this boy.  Someone referred to him as the Ward Baby.  He always gets passed around at church functions and just smiles at everyone who holds him.  Pretty easy going.  When he does get upset it is a pretty screechy noise, so I'm ok if we don't hear that much.

He goes right to sleep when you put him in his bed, no complaints usually.  He can sleep through the night but keeps getting back into bad habits thanks to sickness or traveling.  Over Christmas we all shared a room so I had to grab him if he made a peep at all.  We're paying for it this week.  He really wants to eat at 5:30 AM and go back to sleep for another couple hours.   

He eats well.  He has cereals (mixed with breast milk) mostly during the day and nurses before bed and early morning.  He's learning to self-feed.  He loves Puffs and Mums and somehow makes a huge mess with both. When you feed him baby cereal he likes to put his thumb in between each bite.  It's like it helps wash it down or something -- funny.

He makes a funny little pig grunt/lip smack.  Wesley does it back to him.  Love that. 

We sure love our little Todders.  So glad he's part of our crazy!

 



Christmas Break and New Years

The day after Christmas we got to spend a little time with Richelle and Harpreet. My boys think it's pretty cool my sister is dating a man who's accent sounds like Harry Potter!

 Story time with Grandma is the best!  Wesley kept asking for more.

 Caleb put on quite the show for us.  He was acting out scenes from Hook.

 I met Lauren at her work and got a new do!  I haven't done much color in my life (since I went red to play the part of Annie) so it's been fun to let Lauren show me the possibilities.

 

The next day we had family pics for Aaron's family.  This was the first sample the photographer sent and I have to say I am seriously impressed.  Somehow we got all those kids to look somewhat happy.  Amazing!  So grateful to be part of such a wonderful family.

 Grandpa is always pulling out games for the little ones.

 We came home for a couple days and the games continued.  We got Chess and Checkers for Christmas and Dillon is loving it!

Back to Twin Falls for New Years Eve. 

 We went to Guthries for dinner.  Always so fun to see them.  Growing up, we always celebrated Christmas Eve with their family.

 Bevans too.

 At midnight Harpreet proposed to Richelle!!

 Unfortunately we had headed back to my parents' house to put kids down so we missed the big moment.

 We welcomed in the new year pretty quietly with our double brother/sister.

New Years Day was pretty low key, which was nice.

 Harpreet is so great, just jumping in to help with the kids.  I'm so excited for Richelle and to have him in our family.  The wedding prep is kind of a nightmare when you're dealing with two countries.  Praying it all goes smoothly.

 There's a sweet side to this boy.  Love when it shines through.

 On our way back to Boise we took a drive through the barren landscape of Idaho...

 ...to go to 1000 Springs Resort.  It was known as Sligers when we were kids.  It is a natural hot spring pool.  Despite the crazy humidity in there, it was so fun!

 Todd took a dip for the first time ever!

 And loved it!

 

 Dillon has always been a fish

 

and got up the courage to go off the high dive.

  So excited we get two new uncles this year!  I have been amazed how Austin has just jumped right in with the family.  We love him already.

 Back at home, Caleb has been loving his new playlist with all his favorite songs -- Star Wars, Hook, Piano Guys, Nacho Libre.

 It has kept him entertained for hours!

 And I snapped a quick picture of these handsome primary boys on Sunday morning. No more nursery for Caleb!

This year is off to a great start.  So many things for which to be grateful.