Seaton Family "Year in Review"

Looking back at the year, the Seaton family had a busy 2008 with the boys both becoming full-fledged toddlers. While we were keeping our eye on the interesting presidential election and the Summer Olympics, we were also creating memories and experiencing several firsts for our family as well. We kicked off the year with both boys changing rooms at daycare. Connor moved to the 3-year old room and Brady got the opportunity to move to Connor's old room, the 2-year old room. Brady was experiencing some frustrations and boredom in the 1-year old room, so we asked that he be moved with the older kids (this has worked out great for his maturity and learning). We then celebrated Connor's 3rd birthday on January 11th, which was also the day he received his first set of glasses. Even with his glasses, we did continue his gymnastics for one more session through March (we didn't continue after that since he only participated with me and not the class).

Connor "uninterested" in potty training

February and March were interesting months with the various snow and ice storms we received that created various work and daycare conflicts. I remember a lot of sliding around and power outages during that time period. My dad had surgery that required him to take a mini-vacation for recovery (surprisingly, he did not go stir-crazy as quickly as I expected). We also lost my grandmother to cancer on February 14th after a year long battle. Grandma Betty put up a good fight and was able to make it to her 80th birthday a few months prior. She will be greatly missed and was loved by many.

Aunt Sandy, Grandma Betty, and my Dad

This year, Easter seemed to arrive very early. Mommy was sick with the flu for 3 days prior to Easter, so the outdoor Easter egg hunts were not as enjoyable for mommy. However, the boys enjoyed the Easter egg hunts even with the Easter snow flakes. One great thing that happened in March - Connor took an interest in potty-training and was fully potty-trained in less than a week! Most of that week, mommy was in DC at a conference, so I think Connor wanted to prove to me he could do it without me (hey-whatever works).

All 6 of the Grandkids on Easter

Weather finally started getting nicer...we celebrated Mother's Day with the expanded family (Aunt Julie and Marx were home from Canada) and the summer fun was beginning. There were outings to Angel Mounds with the grandparents, Mesker Park Zoo, Emtrac Train Museum, CMoe, trampoline fun at a graduation party, and a sprinkler bash at a friend's 5th birthday party. May was also vacation time...mommy and daddy went on a week long Baja cruise while the boys enjoyed spending time with the grandparents.

We continued the fun times in June...more CMoe trips, a Carnival at daddy's work, our first family outing to the drive-in theatre, Father's Day, and the celebration of Brady's 2nd birthday. It was official - we are now in the toddler stage for both boys! Later that month, we had a Lynn family day at Scales lake which included all the siblings, their significant others, and all the kids. It was a really great day - we will have to have an annual Lynn outing like that every year.

I think July was the last hot "summer" month this year and it was a good thing we took advantage of it. We started off the month with a Road Trip to the French Lick Railway Museum and Joe Huber Farms in Starlight, IN. The boys had a blast and it is a road trip worth repeating. The remainder of the month, we had some nice weather for enjoying the 8 ft. pool we purchased and grill outs with family and friends. Connor was really enjoying the pool since he was also taking swim lessons at the YMCA with his daycare class.

At the end of August, we made a difficult decision to move Connor to Montessori Academy. He started at Montessori after Labor Day weekend with a somewhat difficult transition. I think he felt guilty for enjoying it knowing that his friends were still back at his old school. He quickly transitioned after the first couple weeks - we have really enjoyed seeing the progress he has been making and have no regrets about the move. We are looking forward to moving Brady to Montessori next year when he is 3 (and potty-trained).

In addition to Connor's changes, September was an eventful month for the entire family. We visited the new Amazonia exhibit at Mesker Park Zoo, we took our first trip to Holiday World with the boys, and we took a family vacation to St. Louis. The St. Louis vacation was jam-packed and the grandparents were able to join us for part of the vacation. Next year, we may venture a little further from home since the boys passed the first vacation test.

Fall was here before we knew it, so we decided it was time for some fall family fun. Our first adventure was to the Fall Festival to satisfy Connor's curiosity (couldn't avoid it any longer since Montessori really hyped their booth to the kids). We also ventured to Mayse Farm, Boo at the Zoo, costume parties at each of the boy's schools, and traditional Trick-or-Treating. Connor also got the chance to go on a couple field trips with his class to CMoe and Mayse Farm.

As you can probably guess, we fast forwarded through the remainder of the year with the birthday and holiday celebrations. We really enjoyed the opportunity to see so much of our family during this time. We have also really enjoyed watching the boys learn and grow so much this year and the opportunity to create new memories with them.

The boys love each other, look out for each other, and play great together. They have taken a great interest in computer games this year and have even moved on to Playhouse Disney online games. Connor is actually very good with a mouse and is required to do the “driving” of the mouse for Brady. Brady does lose his patience often with Connor's aggravating and will lash out. However, he has figured out to run defense position when he wants to keep a toy from Connor and he has also figured out how to aggravate Connor back by pointing out when Connor is in trouble and how he is the better child (“Connor’s not listening, I listen.”). Brady is very partial to his own bed, which we converted to a toddler bed in September. Sometimes we find Connor in there playing with him in the morning, which means longer sleep times for mommy and daddy. In the morning before school and before bedtime, they love to watch one of their favorite shows (Little Einstein, Mickey Mouse, Handy Manny, or Higglytown Heroes). Connor has learned so much this year and seems to be very in-tune and observant of his surroundings and is very empathetic. Brady is talking in complete sentences now and says the most serious, common sense statements that are just hilarious! Their latest interest is trains and planes, so they spend several hours playing with their Geotrax trains and Little Einstein rocket.

We will be kicking off the new year with Brady changing rooms at daycare and looking forward to the celebration of Connor's 4th birthday. Connor is very excited about this birthday and makes a point to tell anyone he asks that he will be 4 on January 11th. We look forward to repeating several of the adventures and memories we created in 2008 and creating new family memories.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

My Kids say the Darndest Things

I like to accumulate quotes and funny conversations that we have with the boys or overhear between the two of them. Following are a few of them that I thought were funny.

Recent Quotes from Connor:

"You can play with me, but you have to know the answers"

"It's like a slumber party at the hotel" (trip to St. Louis)

"We have lots of grandparents, cousins, neighbors, and friends. That's a lot of people, but that's okay because we love them all."

"The pictures on the box mean that you have to buy them separately." (As he was referring to other parts of a toy that were not included)

"I am missing something - do you know what I am missing - it usually sits right next to the plate". (He was hinting to us that he was missing a drink)

"Brady - you're not supposed to fight with me. That makes me sad." (Brady's response was that they weren't fighting, he just wanted the toy back.)

"Let me see what time it is (as he grabbed his watch). It's 11 o'clock which means it's time for you to stop being grumpy." (Said to Brady during one of Brady's fits).

"What did he say? I don't know what he said. I don't understand" (talking about Brady)

"You don't have to get so upset - it's just a puzzle. You have to calm down and be nice." (Said to Brady)

"You have to ask to be excused from the dinner table when you are done eating. That's what big boys do." (Thank you Montessori)

"Mom, why was Brady grumpy this morning. He was okay last night. I will have to ask him when we get home tonight." (By the way, he did ask Brady later that night)

Recent quotes from Brady:

"Mommy, you made me cry. That wasn't nice."

"I need more - (after giving him more) - that's not more".

"I need to spank Connor on the butt" (this is said a lot when Connor is aggravating him)

"Connor - you are mean to me"

"Connor - you need to teach me."

"Mommy - daddy's not home yet - who's going to make my dinner". Of course, this was funny because my boys already know that I don't cook. However, Brady's concern was that he needed to eat dinner before he could eat his sucker."

The other night we were driving by the new restaurant, Grand Traverse Pie Company. I mentioned that we needed to go eat there sometime. Brady asked what they had and when I responded food, he said "I like food". This was said very excitedly (actually - he was delirious).

What is my story...including Tidbits About Me

What is my story (the more recent version)...

My name is Misty and I am a wife to a great husband and proud mother of two wonderful toddler boys (DOB: 1/2005 and 6/2006). I am friends to many great people I have met over the years through school, work or common interests. Daughter to two great parents (married since 1975) that never stopped preaching the college and work hard mantra. Sister to 2 younger siblings. Aunt to 3 nephews and 1 niece on my side and Aunt to 2 nieces on my husband's side. Hard worker in everything I do especially my career. CPA (thank goodness I got that out of the way years ago).

I have been married over 9 years (the big 10 next year - doubt I get my Italy trip like we talked about 10 years ago) to a wonderful husband that I met my Sr. year in college through a close friend. It was a reluctant blind date that turned out to be an instant connection - our 3rd date was a family Christmas party if that tells you anything. On our 1st date we won a trip to French Lick at a Fast Eddy's party and said that we would go in 6 months if we were still together. We were engaged a year after our 1st date in December 1998 at Opryland Hotel (we were there for Chris's birthday) and married in September 1999. We have had an eventful beginning - we started out remodeling a small house, built 2 houses (2000 and then in 2006), and continued our schooling while building our careers as Accountants. I obtained my Bachelors and Masters in Accounting, while my husband received his Bachelors in Accounting and a 2nd Bachelor's in Computer Information Science (he doesn't use this one).

We got through the first 6 years without killing each other and now have two wonderful boys that keep us on our toes daily! The youngest was born 2 weeks after moving into our newly constructed house in 2006 - while pregnant and the home was under construction I had taken on a new role at work, we were living in temporary housing with Connor, and hoping that the timing of the house completion and Brady came in that order. I think we are FINALLY settled into a routine around our careers, our boys, and our home. Wait - settled and routine might be too strong of a word.

Life is good right now. I'm happy with who I'm with, I'm happy with where my life is, I love spending time and making memories with my family, and I look forward to what every tomorrow brings.

I always love reading my friends "About Me" postings, so here is my listing of Tidbits about Me that you may or may not know.

1. I am the oldest of 3 siblings and live a completely different life than they do. It is hard for me to understand how siblings growing up in the same household with the same set of parents can turn out so differently, yet still have a sibling bond.

2. I lived in the South for 5 years (Alabama and Louisiana). My southern accent still comes back every once in awhile. My best friend in Alabama was from Michigan and believed my Indiana accent was southern. I never understood why she called Coke or Soda "Pop".

3. I have an obsession with Days of Our Lives. I have watched it since I was in grade school and have been taping it religiously since college days. Granted, I do a lot of fast forwarding through story lines I don't care about or story lines I can recite without watching.

4. I wish I could be more motivated to fit an exercise routine into my schedule like my co-workers. I feel like my time is limited between work, hubby and 2 boys. My co-workers have decided to give up extra sleep for their morning workout - I haven't convinced myself that it is worth it. (Okay - this is not entirely true. See #16)

5. I have always been very proud of the fact that I was the first one in my family that went to College (on both sides of my family) and obtained a Bachelors and a Masters in Accounting. A few years ago, I was gathering family history info and learned that my great-grandmother was a graduate of Lockyear Business College and was a bookkeeper for many years. Apparently, it was in my blood and that I am not the first.

6. My entire family (and my husband's) is located in my hometown with the exception of my Grandfather that has lived in Las Vegas since the early 70s. Anyone who has left (usually for military reasons) has returned. My mother likes to point this out to me regularly and threatens that we aren't allowed to take her grandbabies anywhere.

7. My mom is a twin and my dad had siblings that were twins. However, we have not seen any twins in the generations after that. We keep wondering when it will happen again...not sure if I am going to be the one to test it next.

8. I found out when I was 15 that I have an older sibling. I was so excited to drop from the oldest to a middle child, until I got to know her better. She lived with us for one year and I quickly realized that she was not someone I could relate to...I still consider myself the oldest child.

9. I have never owned a car outright - I have had a car loan since 1992 when I purchased a grandma car for $2,000 (this was my 3rd car by the way). Since then I have traded in and started over with car loans and new vehicles every couple years. (My co-worker recently pointed out to me that I have had more cars than his 70 year old uncle).

10. I went to 3 proms - 1 with a friend, 1 with a boyfriend, and 1 with a friend that became a boyfriend for a week. I had the most fun with the friends.

11. I have been working full-time since my senior year in high school and some years I had multiple jobs. Early retirement is looking very attractive, but who am I kidding. I am a spender and I like to work!

12. I joined concert band in 5th grade playing the clarinet and proceeded on to marching band geek status in high school. It was actually a lot of fun and a lot of hard work. I think we spent more time on the field than the football players. Band camp was the best..but as they say in Vegas "What happens at Band Camp, stays at Band Camp."

13. I have pencil lead (or at least the stain) in my right palm from 3rd grade. I had just sharpened my pencil and it snapped off when I got back to my desk. I am sure there was some clumsy stumble involved somewhere in there.

14. I decided to get braces when I was in college as preparation for the job interviews that would come later. During the consultation visit, I got really flushed and ended up fainting on the walk to the vehicle. My dad said the bill must have put me into shock - that is the only time I have ever fainted in my life. I actually had the braces during the interview processes and got them out the DAY BEFORE my wedding. Luckily, there were no markings from where the braces were for the pictures. That was my biggest fear to have white squares on all of my teeth like when you remove a piece of furniture and that is the cleanest carpet in the room.

15. As I am reading this to my husband and asking him if I failed to mention any critical tidbits, he said that I didn't mention my obsession with making lists. This of course is a list that I could go on and on about...I also make grocery lists (yes-plural because there is one for walmart, target, and Sam's), I make to do lists at work that end up being the same to do list on more than one notepad, and let's not forget the honey-do list. Hubby gets so upset with me if I take away his privilege of crossing off something he accomplished on the list.

16. Back in 2000, I was introduced to a new form of "exercise" that had came to Evansville - Hot Yoga. For those not familiar with this, this is a usually an hour and half of stretching and holding poses in a 101 degree room. The heat is supposed to allow you to go a little further with the exercises and also introduce cardio to the routine. I have been going off and on since 2000 as I have always let my "life" get in the way of going regularly. I am proud to say that since September 2008, I have been going every Sunday (or another day if Sunday was a conflict). I would love to go more than once a week, but I am proud to say that I at least have been going regularly. As I was having Chris take pictures of me doing poses, so that I could see where I could improve, Connor decided that he would join in. He was also making comments of "that is easy - I can do that"

Choo Choo...Vroom...Geotrax is fun!

As I mentioned in my Christmas post, Connor received his first Geotrax train set for his 1st birthday that included a remote control train, bridge, and a couple of location stops. We waited until he was a little older before we set it up to ensure that he could play with it and had an interest. I can't remember the first time we set it up, but I believe the interest quickly took off. Since then, we had added more track to allow for more track layouts.

A few months ago, as a reward for changing schools, Connor got to pick out a new set. He picked out the new GeoAir High-Flyin Airport which includes a remote control airplane. Very cool! All the boys could talk about for months were sets they wanted to add to their Geotrax set. They had seen some of them at the store and the others they saw in the brochure that came with the Airport (Quote from Connor "You have to buy these separately"). I immediately told them they would have to put them on their Christmas list which they did and the family delivered on those wishes.

In preparation for Geotrax expansion, we moved the train set to the upstairs bonus/playroom. For Christmas,they received the Geotrax Grand Central Station, Mountain Blast Construction Site, and Helicopter (see funny story about the helicopter below). They then used Toys R Us gift certificates to buy the Fly-by-Bridge (which is the item that allows the GeoAir Airport and Geotrax Train sets to be connected) and the Blue Flash Stunt Plane.

Below is the current layout with all the pieces tied together - the trains can go from downtown, through the country, past the bridge and airport, down to the mountain quarry and return in one trip! The boys love it!

Helicopter Story: So, Brady has been talking about wanting the helicopter for months and more recently kept reminding us that he asked Santa for it. My mom mentioned that she did get it...whew, someone got it for him. So, after they opened the Grand Central Station, he asked about the helicopter. He did the same thing again after opening presents on Christmas Eve. On Christmas morning, they received Toys R Us gift cards from a friend and I explained that they could use those to purchase an item that they didn't receive. Brady quickly said "I'm getting my helicopter with this". Poor little guy had to wait until the last Christmas celebration to receive the helicopter.

We get to my mom's and she says that she believes she put Connor's name on the helicopter, so we quickly prepared Connor by telling him that Gma accidentally put his name on one of the gifts that is really for Brady. Thank goodness Connor understood and played along - he opened up the helicopter and immediately recognized that it belonged to Brady. Thank you mom and thank you Connor - Brady has his helicopter!

Christmas Celebrations!

Well, the hectic (yet fun) schedule of celebrating Christmas with family is over and we even have 3 days of vacation to follow it. I hope everyone had a great Christmas with their families. With Connor almost 4 and Brady at 2 1/2, Christmas this year was nothing short of magical for us. They were very excited for Santa to come visit our house with the daily song being "Santa Claus is Coming to town". Their eyes were constantly filled with wonder, joy, and excitement.

On December 23rd, we always spend our evening with Papa Terry, Gma Donna, and Aunt Julie (except for the year she was living in Canada) so our Christmas celebrations started on Tuesday. Papa Terry always prepares a feast for such a small crowd and has never disappointed. The boys were very excited that Papa remembered that they wanted the Geotrax Grand Central Station. Papa was the one that introduced them to Geotrax with a starter kit for Connor's 1st Birthday and they have been adding to it ever since. We ended the evening with Aunt Julie reading the boys their new books before we headed home. It was REALLY late, but the boys insisted on staying up late to assemble the train.

On Christmas Eve, Daddy unfortunately had to work until 2, so mommy and the boys hung out all day. They were really good until late afternoon...naps were needed badly (from staying up late the night before) but my boys DO NOT nap. Thank goodness, that evening, Mimi, Papa, and Aunt Julie came over to our house. Of course, the boys were the entertainment for the entire evening. In addition to Geotrax set for Connor and Pat Pat Rocket for Brady, Mimi got the boys another cool gift - Wowwee Alive Lion and Tiger Cubs. They are so real...but without the mess!

On Christmas Day, the boys woke up before us and played in each other's rooms. They aren't quite to the point where they run into the living room and see all the presents that Santa brought and then are eager to tear into it at the risk of the parents still being half-asleep. Instead, we got another year of sleeping in and taking our time. After Christmas at our house, we went to the Lynn house for the mayhem of 6 grandkids, 5 siblings/spouses, and my parents opening presents at warp speed. You give up pretty quickly on seeing what anyone else has opened and just focus on your own stack! The rest of the afternoon was leisurely - naps (for the adults), watching Ice Age 2, figuring out new homes for all the new toys and lets not forget the constant grazing of the food buffet.

Brady thinking "Are we done now?"

Baby Tyler's 1st Birthday

Okay, I guess I need to stop referring to Tyler as Baby Tyler now that he has hit his first milestone birthday - he will be ONE year old on Christmas Eve. That's right, last year we spent Christmas Eve at the Women's Hospital welcoming the arrival of the newest member of my sister's family.

After the Magic Cares show and hanging out with Mimi & Papa, we then went to Aunt Robin's to celebrate Tyler's 1st birthday. He loves cake - had a nice big chocolate piece all to himself. For opening gifts, he doesn't quite have the concept yet and loved the first gift he opened which happened to be our gift to Tyler. The boys had a blast helping Tyler try out his new toys before we headed home for the evening.

Happy Birthday Tyler! Next year, you will be running around with the rest of the boys without missing a beat!

Magic Cares Holiday Show

To continue the busy weekend, on Sunday we received tickets to the Magic Cares Holiday Show that was to support our local organization, CASA (which I actually interned at during my college years). The show featured 4 local magicians, with one of them being Don Baggett that had Connor rolling at the Boo at the Zoo. He was even talking about his act on the way to the show and he didn't disappoint by starting with the most talked about act first, the banana act. In addition, there was a "balloon" guy that blows up a life size balloon that he starts out putting on his head and dances to (see picture below). Later in the act, half his body is in the balloon and when his partner pops the balloon he had been making balloon animals inside. It was hilarious! I also enjoyed Brandon Baggett's show, although the boys got a little scared when the lights were turned out. The boys had reached their limit about half way through and were tired, but hopefully they will bring this show back again next year! I think we will definately go again!

Christmas Festivities with Family

Every year, usually the Saturday immediately before Christmas, we have a Christmas party with my mom's family (Grandma Darla). This is usually rotated between 2 or 3 family member's homes and includes a Chinese gift exchange. The Chinese gift exchange usually has a "spirited" theme and this year didn't disappoint (I got some Jamaican Rum). This year it was at Grandma Darla's - fun and chaotic as usual. The nine grandkids of my mom and all of her siblings range in age primarily from age 1-6 and then Shane at 11. There was chaos, laughter, tears, running, screaming, giggling, etc.

For more pictures click here....

Happy Birthday Daddy!

The week before Christmas, Daddy always gets to make the rounds for birthday celebrations. This year, Daddy and the boys started out the celebrations on Thursday by going to Papa Terry's for dinner and birthday cake. All the boys had a blast playing with Papa Terry's train set that was set up around the Christmas tree. Also, Connor made sure that he was prepared for the celebrations by making a birthday card for daddy at school that day. On Friday, we went to Mimi & Papa's for a birthday celebration. The boys loved playing with Mimi afterwards and were rather wild.

Below is a picture of daddy's birthday present from mommy and the boys - Yamaha Digital Grand Piano. The boys are really looking forward to hearing daddy play. Connor has already made special requests for "Santa Claus is Coming to Town".

Christmas Spirit Gauge

I attended an event the other day that included a Christmas Ice Breaker. The goal was to find someone who showed their Christmas spririt by doing one of the following items. The good news is that we do 10 of the 16 items....how does your Christmas spirit measure?

1. Has a Real Christmas tree ~ that seems like a lot of work...I love my prelit tree.

2. Opens Presents on Christmas Eve ~ we open a few presents on Christmas Eve with our loved ones

3. Loves Eggnog ~ Absolutely

4. Hangs Stockings ~ Absolutely

5. Has a Nativity Scene

6. Has Sat on Santa's Lap ~ I can barely get the boys in the same vicinity as Santa, let alone sit on his lap

7. Decorates Home with Outside Lights ~ Negotiated area...see #15, 16 and I have lighted trees on the porch

8. Travels Out of Town for Christmas ~ Our entire family is located here...Chris would love to one day take a vacation over Christmas and I always remind him of the John Grisham book "Skipping Christmas"

9. Puts Cookies out for Santa ~ Absolutely

10. Likes to Sing Christmas Carols ~ Absolutely

11. Can Name Santa's Reindeers ~ Would be in big trouble with the boys if we couldn't do this

12. Likes to Eat Fruit Cake ~ Can't say that fruit cake makes the list, but I am open to all other traditional holiday baked goods

13. Has Kids that Believe in Santa Claus ~ Absolutely and this is the first year that they are very excited about Santa's role in Christmas. Connor loves to sing the song "Santa Claus is coming to town"

14. Has seen Christmas Vacation (or Christmas Story) ~ I have seen Christmas Vacation several times, Christmas Story is one that I have tried to watch but can't ever remember watching it (I think I always fall asleep)

15. Has a Christmas Wreath on the Door ~ This was a negotiated area related to Outdoor Lights above

16. Has Lighted Reindeer in Front Yard ~ This was a negotiated area related to Outdoor Lights above

Few more that I added:

17. Has a blow up Snowman or Santa in their front yard

18. Attends the annual Ritzy's Fantasy of Lights or 4H Fair Wonderland Light Show

19. Participates in a White Elephant or Chinese Christmas Exchange

20. Debates whether online shopping or Eastland Mall is the best way to shop

Connor's Camera Action

Connor has a new fascination these days - the digital camera. I wish we would have had these when we were kids...I remember my mom guarding the camera and the film with her life because you didn't want to "waste" the film (expensive film and expensive developing).

One day when Chris was occupied and mommy wasn't home, Connor decided to try out his camera skills. He made a good start to my home inventory pictures while also capturing some self-portrait shots and pictures of his brother. Thought I would share a couple of his pictures...

I think he has given us a great idea for his birthday present...and the good thing is that I can delete any of the "bad" pictures without costing a thing.

Brady's Christmas Program

Brady had his 1st Christmas program with his daycare now that he is in the 2 year old room. He is in Connor's former room where he had his 1st Chistmas program last Christmas, but with the change in schools Connor was not part of this year's program.

The kids started practicing the two songs weeks ago - Hide Behind Christmas Boxes and Reindeer Hokey Pokey. They dressed the kids up as Reindeers including tails and antlers. Brady didn't have very high standards to compete with - all he had to do is make sure his finger inserted into nose did not become part of the program.

He was very interested in knowing where we were and got some great smiles/smirks. They did a great job and the kids were just adorable! Check out the video below...