Snow Play

Having 12 days off to play with my boys is amazing! Brett surprised me at took the same days off so we could spend it together....unfortunately someone has to be on the other side of the camera. Could have been a great family picture!

Merry Christmas From Our Family To Yours!

Due to the blizzard conditions on Christmas Eve, we opted to stay safe and warm in the comfort of our own home. We'll be celebrating with Grandma & Grandpa Kopke on January 2nd instead.

The boys enjoyed telling their "Elf" goodbye before he headed back to the North Pole.
It looks like the boys were good and the "Elf" reported mostly good behaviors to Santa.

Christmas morning with presents galore!

Collin loves his new Radio Flyer bike from Santa.

Yes! A double dump truck!

We hope that your holiday was as joyful as ours. We are truly blessed!

The Springers

Meet Dozer!

On Tuesday evening, Brett & I surprised the boys with an early Christmas present. Brett arrived home from Missouri with an English Bulldog we proudly named Dozer!

Carson didn't know quite what to do when he saw him walk in.....so he giggled and smiled!

Collin went crazy! He ran around the house squeeling, crawled on the floor to get him, and barked like a dog. He's been very gentle with Dozer. Giving him kisses and hugs.

I have a feeling that these two will be best buds!

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things.....

..... About the Holidays!

Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving was full of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, stuffing, candied yams, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and.........
.......Afternoon naps!

Mr. Collin Wyatt

Mr. Collin Wyatt.....

You are my second born and have taught me quickly that each child is different.....

You are 17 months old now and as tiny as can be. But growing. You are finally back on the charts at 21lbs 3oz (8th percentile) and 31 1/2 in (40th percentile).

You are adding more and more words each day and your mommy is keeping a list. Just like I did with your brother. Someday Collin, you'll have so many words that my list will stop. But for now.....You are still my baby. I love how you enjoy cuddling with mommy. "Pup-pup" and plug in tow. I hope these days never end!

Love,

Your Mommy

A Visit with Grandpa Walt

Trains! Trains! Trains!

Yellow trains. Black trains.

Speeding-down-the-track trains.

Grandpa Walt, Amy, Brett, Carson & Collin at the train yard in North Platte on November 7th.

*Photo thanks to Aunt Nancy & Uncle Jim Photography*

Happy Halloween!

I tried hard not to let my sinus infection ruin our evening of Trick or Treating.....so I pulled myself up off the couch, dressed the boys, and away we went!
This had to be one of the easiest (and cheapest) costume year yet! Carson opted to be Thomas the Train again and Collin...well he had no choice but to wear Carson's former monkey suit.

The weather was beautiful and we all enjoyed walking through the leaves around the neighborhood.

Our little Trick or Treaters!

........ And our little candy eater!

Snow & Fallen Leaves

The kids and I spent the weekend in Beaver City while Brett was gone to Colorado on an elk hunt. When we arrived home we found MANY leaves in our front yard....and SNOW! Hard to believe we had our first snow of the season in early October, before most of the leaves had even changed colors! Where did Fall go?

First Black Eye

On September 27th we attended Braden's 5th birthday party at the YMCA in Hastings. The kids had a great time and I enjoyed visiting (briefly) with Ryan & Amy. Unfortanately, Carson collided with a "big kid" on the slide and as a result, he had his very first black eye. My poor baby....I mean BIG BOY!

So Many Toys....So Little Time

For several nights we (including our neighbors I'm sure) got to listen to the sound of a saw and hammer busy at work. Brett began a project that has been on my honey-do (or honey-want!) list for quite some time. It wasn't difficult to convince him that this was something we need....because the mess of the toys actually bother him way more than it does me! So we no longer have our sign on the wall saying, "So many toys.....so little time!" Each toy has their very own spot on our built in shelf!

Dear Blog,

My Dear Sweet Blog,

Forgive me for I have ignored you. I've been rather busy lately with work, classes and managing a house full of boys. As you can imagine. There is a never ending pile of laundry. Toys to be put away. On our new shelf built by Brett I might add. Papers to write. Birthday parties to attend And black eyes to remember. And of course I still have to put food on the table each night. Which means I have to grocery shop. Please Blog....be understanding when I say I am sorry for ignoring you. I hope to share pictures that document our very hectic and quite interesting lives soon.

Sincerely,
Amy

A Place Called Home

I am lucky enough to have two places that I call home. Of course our home is in Kearney as you know. But I also call Beaver City home. It's the town I grew up in and the town where my parents still reside. It's another place I consider home. I don't get back there near as often as I should but there are certain occasions that I just can't seem to miss. It's not so much about me anymore. It's about my boys. I love watching them experience the same things I was able to experience growing up. Being able to play outdoors and not have to worry about traffic or strangers, everyone knowing who you are and always calling you by name, and one of my favorites as a kid......Eager Beaver Days!

Grand Marshal's of the parade included my dad, Jacob Becker, and A.J. Perkins for their services in Iraq & Kuwait.

Carson could hardly wait for the parade. He was up at 3:30am and again at 6 o'clock asking if it was time to go yet. He filled his bag with candy and his little body with sugar!

Collin enjoyed watching all the excitement this year. He pointed to a lot of things that seem to catch his eye....the band, trucks, tractors, motorcycles, and firetrucks.

Carson was able to participate in the turtle races this year. Thanks to the Tegtman family for supplying the turtle and painting and cool "C" for Carson on its back!

Another big moment (according to Carson) during the Eager Beaver Day celebration
was the water fight put on by the local volunteer fire department.

I do believe that during out entire trip home, this may have been the only time I seen this kid standing still. What I wouldn't do to have that energy again! I'm so thankful that I have two places that I can call home....and our boys can appreciate every second of it. Just like I do.

Birthday Cake Drama

It's the day Carson & I have been waiting for...Brett's Birthday! Carson & I planned months ago that we would order Brett his own cake from Daylight Donuts. They have always made the boys' and I decided that twice a year just isn't enough. They are scrumptious! So.....I pick up the cake this morning and as I'm walking into the house the box presses against me and rubs the front of the cake. @$#&! I quickly come to the conclusion (after taste testing the part left on the box)that I could smooth out the frosting and no one would ever notice. However, the camoflauge design was airbrushed on and only white frosting appeared when I smoothed the knife acrossed it. I'm thinking at this point that I have totally blown and great looking cake....or at least a good photo of it! I stewed over this for quite some time at work and came to the conclusion that I could stick the gift card I purchased for Brett to the front of the cake. I ran to Cabela's to exchange the 5 little cards I had for 1 big ($$$ that is not size) one. While there, I noticed a nice post card of the Kearney Cabela's and decided I'd purchase it just in case (even better news when I found out it was free!). Anway, to make a long story short, I opted for the post card and the cake turned at like this......delicious and completely edible!

Happy Birthday Brett! We Love You!

Grandparent's Day!

Happy Grandparent's Day to Grandma Betty & Grandpa Mike and Grandma Carol & Grandpa Dutch!

Go Huskers!

Some friends of ours had extra tickets to the first Husker game of the season and asked if we'd like to go along. It worked out perfectly that we were already going to be in Omaha the day before for my surgery. We did a little shopping....okay a LOT of shopping before meeting up with them for lunch at Chili's.....and then more shopping!Billy, Joni, Amy & Brett celebrating (before the game) at the Embassy Suites.
Go Huskers!

LASIKS

On Friday morning Brett and I left for Omaha so that I could get LASIKS done. This is hopefully the last picture that you will ever see of me in glasses! The surgery was done by 3pm and I was able to see well enough to go out to Famous Dave's for supper. Overall, I'd say the experience is very similiar to childbirth.....not something you'd ever dream of doing again if it wasn't for the amazing outcome!

First Day of Pre-K!

Monday August 24th was Carson's first official day of Pre-K! He was excited to be heading back to Mrs. Koenig's classroom at Zion Lutheran School. The four year olds meet Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays.
I was excited to pick him up that morning. I wanted to hear about all the fun things he did! He was tight-lipped about it all and wouldn't share the slightest bit of info with his mom. His response to all my questions (did you go out for recess? did you have snack? ect.) was............................. "we always do that!"

What have we been up to?

So, it's been awhile since I have just filled everyone in on the things that are happening in the Springer household. I hope I don't make everyone yawn with boredome! I'll start with the smallest one in the family....

Collin Wyatt~ Where do I begin? He began walking independently about a month ago and getting quite fast at it on August 8th (at Jess's wedding). Then on the following Monday he suddenly stopped. In fact, he wouldn't use his left at all. I was quite scared and it was obvious that something was very wrong. You could move it and he wouldn't cry but yet he wouldn't stand on it. Urgent Care took x-rays and found nothing broke and sent us home thinking it was bruised cartlidge. The following day he wasn't even crawling around normally. So was it his foot, leg, or hip that was bothering him? I honestly couldn't tell? A friend from work (physical therapist) thoroughly examined him on Wednesday and our doctor ran blood test on Thursday and Collin seemed to have everyone baffled. By Friday he was pulling up to stand but still not bearing much weight on the left foot. Over the weekend he slowly got better and by Monday he was back to walking. I'm thanking the Lord that it wasn't one of the many horrible things that kept running through my head that LONG week my sweet boy wouldn't walk!

While at the doctor we found out that Collin weighs just 19lbs 5oz. He's still my tiny little guy and he just might have to stay my baby forever ;-) However, he is growing up! He is working on teeth number 3,4,5,6,7 and 8 at the moment. OUCH! He uses his spoon to eat an entire meal (something Carson still does not do!), he likes to draw (maybe he'll have Brett's artistic abilities!), and he loves to ride push toys all around the driveway! Collin has decided to worry me some more by not talking. His one and only consistant word is "uh-oh". Now, I sit here and go over and over it in my head....is he not talking because of all the ear infections? Does he understand what I want him to do? Is the whining really getting him everything he wants? Does he have a chance to talk with non-stop chatter from Carson? Anyway, I'm keeping an eye on him (with great support from my SLP co-workers) and reminding myself daily that all kids develop differently.

Carson Michael~ Hmmm....where do I begin with him? He is growing up before our very eyes! During the past 2 weeks he has managed to keep his pull-up dry every night and he decided on his own that he was ready to wear underwear to bed. He has been such a BIG boy and has gone 4 nights staying dry! He is also getting to the "no nap" stage. Something I'm not quite ready for but then again I knew this time would come. When Carson does nap it takes us hours to get him to stay in his bed and go to sleep at night. Honestly, my eyes shut before his do. So the time has come to say goodbye to naps and hello to rest period. He will be starting preschool on Monday and is truly excited about his upcoming role of being in Mrs. Koenig's pre-k classroom. He has his bag packed and ready to go!

Brett~ He has been working in Grand Island on the Casey's gas station for the past month or so. We have all enjoyed having him home every night! It is such a change for all of us. But a nice one. I believe he is 3 weeks ahead of schedule and spending long and hot days working on the job site. Carson was his "assistant" for a few hours last week and loved every minute of it!

As for me, I've been busy too. I started the new school year which is always exciting because all the staff is back and I'm not alone in my office anymore. It was quite a s-l-o-w summer for some reason. I'm going to plan my schedule differently for this year so that I can spend more days home with the boys next summer. I'm so happy I have the luxury of flexible scheduling! I will be begining two online classes for my masters program on Monday (it's school day around here). I'm hoping they aren't too difficult, Brett will continue to work in the area so I have help at night, and Carson goes to sleep at night. That isn't too much to ask for is it?

Jessica & Derek's Wedding

On Saturday night, we attended the wedding of my good friend from high school, Jessica Horwart & her new husband, Derek Dittman.
The wedding & reception were in Orleans so my parents watched the boys while Brett & I attended the wedding (in peace) and then my mom brought Carson & Collin over for the reception.

The wedding party had planned a fun dance that everyone enjoyed and it really got the crowd going!

Brett does not use my camera all that often and didn't realize he had to put the flash up, so this picture of Carson & I dancing had to be lightened up in order for you to see it. Carson is quite the dancer!

Myself & Mrs. Dittman