Settling Back In

After being out of the routine and normalcy of home by spending Xmas in western NY for 9 days, we returned to RI. Honestly, the transition couldn't have been smoother. Morgan didn't appear to have any lingering effects from the spoiling that comes with staying at the grandparents (wink wink)...so we thought.

Missy and I have been communicating better than ever, such that rather than a seven year itch, we're really hitting our stride. Unfortunately, one day we were talking in another room and I realized it was really quiet in the house, so I peeked out to find Morgan decorating the hallway wall with his crayons.

The Face of Mischief

Making an effort to clean up

Kids are enthralled with hideaways. I finally concocted a decent fort in our living room that could sustain the four of us passing through it.

Organizing the new roost

Telling tales of past forts...

Popping out to say Hi

Morgan sleeps pretty well during the night and through his naps. Sometimes he falls out of bed though...lucky for us he can put himself back in bed...barely.

Finally, every woman knows that at the end of the day you have to take your make up off. Of course in doing so, it's important to keep your hair out of your face. Morgan completely understands this...





And just like that we're into February's pictures. You see? Everyone will be up to speed before we know it!

Xmas in NY - Part 2

I've had feedback for more pictures, so you'll be happy to know that I have 8 planned for this post and the next...

On to Buffalo, where we all visited Grandpa at work, which went better than expected because it was a slow day, so they let him go home with us. However, there were a few straggling tasks to complete, so Morgan had to get behind the wheel.

Of course, Morgan took to it like a pro and we were out of there in no time...

Pallets on the move!

Unfortunately over the break we found out Morgan needs glasses...

...luckily Mr. Potato head wears the same prescription :)

On New Year's Eve, the sky's opened up and DUMPED a wealth of snow for us to enjoy! We brought all of our winter gear with us, so we were prepared to get out in it.

Some of us more than others. (I think monkey was cold)

So Mommy buried Daddy...

And Morgan warmed up monkey inside with Lisa.

Kickoff!!

I'll admit right off the bat, the hardest part of this is probably going to be keeping the focus on Morgan, but for crying out loud the page is called 'Morgan News', so I have little room to wiggle here...speaking of the Wiggles, Morgan does some hip shaking to the Wiggles song 'big red car' on some video we have, so if I take the time to transfer the videos off the camera, perhaps I'll upload it.

However, since we're playing catch up with the postings, I'll ask you to displace the newness of the pic posted in Missy's send off message on 3/27 because in this post I will offer you shots from Xmas in NY with the Allen's.

Do not worry that it is now spring and I am writing about Xmas. We'll get to spring...just be patient and stay with me.

Ya know what kids love? Jumping on the bed!! Just when you think that gets old...there's getting thrown onto the bed! So here's some good action shots of the Allen men. Morgan getting thrown by me and

Nolan getting horizontal with my father while Missy captures the action.

Missy came in the room because she couldn't imagine what all the noise was, then she retreated to get the camera. (She loves the shot of Nolan)

One of the many things that I've acquired from my father is some great wit and the ability to tease, er...I mean challenge others (especially children). Kids are better for it. I know I am and as much as Missy would like to sock me one sometimes, she knows it's good for her too. We are constantly amazed at the intellect Morgan shows back to us.

Here we have my father talking to Morgan in what looks like an innocent conversation until you notice the silent tug of war of Morgan's once inseparable mate 'monkey'. Meanwhile Nacho's snuggled into his sidekick role.

Later on Morgan grabs a seat on the foot rest of the chair, because let's face it...little kids can get away with that sort of stuff.

Handing over the reigns....

So, I haven't written a blog since December which can only mean that I am not good at this. Turns out my husband is a pro so he will be taking over (with maybe a guest appearance by me sometimes). He is much wittier than I anyway, so this can only end up good for all of us. Enjoy....

Winter!!!

We love winter around here!! Last weekend the boys were sick, but it gave me some time to bake our Christmas cookies. Morgan enjoyed the PB Kiss cookie right out of the oven.








This weekend it snowed!!! About 10 inches of snow, but for RI, that's a lot. It's funny because the people around here tend to act similiar to how we would with 3 - 4 feet back home. School's and daycares were closed the night before it started snowing!! It didn't even start until 1:30 pm the next day!!


Oh well...it created great fun for us! Morgan hasn't really played in snow until today. He was extremely reluctant to put on the snow pants and boots at first, but once we got him outside he laughed and had a great time!! His favorite part was throwing snow at us and Nacho. We didn't mind, but we can't say the same for Nacho.

2nd B-day!

So, Morgan is officially 2 years old. We appreciated our in-town friends and family coming out for the party and Grandma and Papa Luksch and Auntie Lisa for coming all the way from snowy, Buffalo. It was great to have everyone there to celebrate with us.

Morgan, of course, opened his first present and was thrilled with it (Play-doh) that he had no interest in anything else. Thankfully, we had some professional gift openers (Maeve, Allie, Kate, and Grace) to help him stay focused and finish up. He also received Elmo LIVE, which turned out to be a big hit with all the kids!

Now, our house guests have all gone home and we're back in our hectic routines. Morgan is still happy and he seems to learn more everyday. We're so proud of him and how he's grown and we're excited for each future day!

Here's a few pics:

Max and Morgan playing before the girls showed up.

Morgan borrowed Kate's headband for a bit.

Grace and Allie helping Morgan open his gifts.

Halloween

So Morgan's first go at trick-or-treating was a hit!! We had so much fun. He got a ton of candy, which of course his mean ol' mom will not let him eat. He had a few pieces here and there, but not too much. I know he'll be a choco-o-holic like me, so there's no rush.

We ended up going to part of our town where there's a shopping district. The town closed down the street to cars and the shop owners were handing out candy. It was safe, crowded, and great fun! Then, we get home and our neighbors all had their lights on (which on our little cul-de-sac of 10 houses hasn't happened since we moved here 5 years ago). Turns out everyone was waiting for Morgan!! So...don't worry everyone...he gets plenty spoiled here.

Daddy and Morgan

Woohoo!! Candy!!

Checking out the goods