Keeping busy

The boys like to go out to Tubby's for lunch

They also enjoy hanging out in the kitchen when Mum and Daddy are in there. Spencer enjoys tearing things apart, and Ben thinks it's pretty fun to 'help' him...

More outdoors pics

My first snowshoeing expedition with Spencer in the backpack. He loved it! Boy, is it hard work though...
Benjamin on the tree:

Ben loved to pull Spencer in the sled, since the ice was so nice and slick. Spencer stayed in the sled... for the most part. He enjoyed getting out to crawl around on the ice as well.

I almost missed January all together!

It's been a snowy month! Ben loves to be outside-- snowshoeing and sledding (and having snowball fights). Spencer loves it as well-- he likes the backpack and to be pulled on a sled (though he tends to try to crawl out of the sled so he can 'do it himself')...

Homemade Christmas

Ben is drawing packages to go under the trees I drew. He also put balls on the trees-- and don't forget the "hookers" (hooks) on the "balls" (ornaments)!
One day at work we got several boxes delivered with some really cool OT gadgets and tools. I was pretty excited about it all until I realized that what was sent in 4 or 5 boxes could have easily fit into one box. The rest was brown packing paper. I was amazed when I took the paper and folded it all up-- to see how much was there. I decided to bring it home and use it for wrapping paper this Christmas. The past couple of Christmases I've cut brown shopping bags for paper, but this packing paper is better-- not as thick, plus it's convenient in one long piece. So I collected the paper and after wrapping every single one of our gifts in the recycled paper, Ben helped me decorate. It was a lot of fun and I love the fact that we didn't buy any wrapping paper this year.

Here are our gifts under the tree...
And Ben made a star for the top of the tree since he didn't like to see it bare.

B drew this tree all by himself (I only helped with the star).

Lights, Camera, Action!

Benjamin likes to get into Daddy's sparing gear- here he is!
Spencer loves Christmas lights. I fear that every day Spencer and I have more and more in common. This includes his... shall we say "spunky" personality. He is one determined little boy- if he has something in his sights, watch out-- because nothing is getting in that boy's way. He's also, um, loud. Good thing he's so stinking cute. Oh, and he has four teeth now. All the better to chew on strings of lights...

In the kitchen

Benjamin made chocolate chip cookies last week.
And here the boys are watching our homemade pizza bake:

Our Christmas Tree

First Snow!

Very rarely have I seen Benjamin as excited as he was this morning when he woke up and saw the snow. He jumped around the house and kept asking if he could go outside and play after breakfast (then he tried to negotiate with me: wondering if he could go outside while I cooked breakfast). He ate three bites and was bundled up and out there before 8am. He's still out there almost 2 hours later. Little brother is just waking up from a nap and will soon be bundled up and outside for the first snow of the year. :) Happy times for little Jewett Boys.

Jewett Family Photos

We had our first family photo session this Fall! You can check out some of our photos on Deb's blog site-- this is our "sneak peek". I encourage you ALL to comment on Deb's site about our photos: tell us which ones are your favorites. Deb is running a promotional deal for her October clients (Jewetts included!), and the more people that comment on her blog site, the closer we are to earning a few free photo prints. Please, comment and let us know what you think. Each day my favorite changes, but I do love the black and white of Ben w/the mushroom, and Spencer playing peek-a-boo is pretty sweet. :) Check it out and leave a comment on Deb's blog site. Thanks for your help... We have until November 19th to collect comments.

Halloween

Here is Ben (AKA Optimus Prime) at his cousins' house just before heading out to Trick-or-Treat. Man, it was COLD Halloween night. Ben had a great time and Spencer hung out at cousins' house with Nana & Pops...
Earlier in the day Ben and Spencer helped me carve a pumpkin...

Both boys have been doing well this Fall, though Spencer is just getting over a sinus infection that had him feverish and down-and-out for almost a week. We finally took him to the doctor on Friday and now that he's on antibiotics seems to be feeling better. Poor guy was not a happy camper for quite a while. Ben had a cold, but other than the runny nose and cough at night, he didn't let it slow him down at all.

New Year's Day 2009
Ben in a tiara and Grammie with the party hat makes me smile.
I've been trying to formulate an eloquent statement that is fitting to the passing of my Grammie. But words are failing me right now and all I can say is that I will miss her deeply. She was an amazing and caring woman and I was blessed to have her for so long.
Love you Grammie. Rest in peace.

Update

We've had beautiful weather-- here are the boys at Nana & Pops' house, enjoying some sunshine...

Smiley boy with his winter hat on (thanks Leah!)...

Ben recently tested for his blue stripe in Little Ninjas. Here is a photo of him getting his stripe and certificate. :) He LOVES karate!

Spencer likes to sit in the grass and pull at the blades with his feet- scrunching up his toes and running is feet all around. He, just like his big brother, really loves being outside.

Sugarloaf

A cloudy view of the mountain from the condo.

Spencer at the pool, watching Brother & Daddy-O swim.

The Jewetts on a walk:

Fall is here (almost)

Seven month old Spencer giving a smile this morning. We were packing up and getting ready for a weekend get-away at Sugarloaf & I couldn't resist sitting him next to a pumpkin for a photo shoot. :)

All sorts of changes!

Ben and Spencer went to their first day of 'school' last week! Ben in a Pre-K program, and Spencer in child care (both boys travel to work with me and are in the same building as I work). Ben attends three days/week and Spencer two. Our first day was challenging & lots of tears were shed during the day (mostly the boys), but I was able to check in on both boys and we made it through. Ben has since had a really great day and appears to enjoy his new school and friends and teachers. Spencer has just had the one day there, so we'll see how next week goes!
This photo is of both boys before we hit the road for our 45 minute commute to school on the first day...

Spencer is sitting up pretty well- mostly unassisted, but still working on not falling over. He seems to enjoy sitting up more than any kind of reclining position.
He's also eating a few solid foods (so I hear-- he won't really take much from me), and sipping on a little water once in a while.
Our boys are growing up! :)/:(

Red Sox!

Ben went to his first Red Sox game this past weekend. Thanks to the Bronsons, we had excellent seats and a VERY cool sign after the 2nd inning! Unfortunately there was a rain delay at the start of the game, and another after the 2nd inning, so we weren't able to stay for the whole game.

Ben had a blast, despite the rain, and enjoyed hanging out with his cousins Will and Kate the most... He got to eat chocolate ice cream out of a mini Red Sox helmet, pizza, peanuts, and a pretzel.

We had a great time-- thanks Bronsons!

Ben's first Red Sox Game

Check Ups

Benjamin and Spencer went in for check-ups yesterday and both were declared to be in great health! Ben, who was four on the 12th, is in the 90th% for height, and 95th % for weight. His blood pressure and eye exam were both great as well.

Spencer, who turned 6-months old on the 13th, is in the 75th % for height and weighs in at 16 lbs, 14 oz (40th %).

Both boys got 3 'shots' (it would have been more, but I negotiated) and after a few tears were big and brave. Ben earned lunch and ice cream at Tubby's on the way home, and Spence had a long nap after we finally got home.

Birthdays and Half-Birthdays

Yesterday was Ben's 4th birthday. We had a gathering at the lake with Dwyers, Bronsons, Simpsons, and Jewetts. Ben had a wonderful time with all his new gifts (thanks all), and we had good weather to hang out in the yard, once again.
Today is Spencer's 1/2 birthday and it's hard to believe he was born six months ago! He's getting so big and is so strong. He'll be crawling before we know it. Here's a picture of him with Auntie Jessica at Ben's birthday party yesterday. And a picture of Ben opening his Bongo Drums with his Dwyer cousins looking on...