Snow Day Fun!

Since it snowed here today, I decided it would be fun to put those snow pants we bought to good use! We got all bundled up, which took us about half an hour, because of all of his layers! 

But once we got dressed, we ventured out into our snow-filled yard for some breezy, snowy fun! 

Happy boy getting bundled up!

When I first placed him in the snow!--"What now mom?"

 Of course he had to inspect it & then eat some!

BRRRR! 

Him jabbering!

He enjoyed it for the most part!

                                               Jaba missed her buddy while we were outside!

BUT MOM!! I want to go back out now!

Safe travels and much love!

Matthew, Heather & Lucas

Starting off 2013!

We started off the new year with friends! The Hawley family, Mike & Sarah (the other assistant manager and her fiance) came to our house for a Christmas/New Year get together! We exchanged gifts, ate amazing food, played battle of the sexes and drank champagne as the clock teetered down to 12:00am!! It was an awesome get together with awesome friends. The only failure of the night is we didn't take any pictures.. Silly right? We were all just too busy enjoying each other's company.

The next events were my birthday and Matt's birthday! 

My boys took me out for dinner! We went to Applebee's. We had a great time and enjoyed watching Lucas watch all of the other people at the restaurant. 

They kept saying, 

"He's so cute!"

We haven't heard that a time or two ;)

Lucas learned how to blow kisses just in time for my birthday! 

(see the video below) 

I couldn't have been more excited! 

Lucas blowing kisses at dinner!

Then after dinner Matt took over with Lucas and I went out for drinks with Kimmy and Katie (a girl from Matt's work). We went to a few places locally and had a great time!

Matt went out with his friends for drinks his birthday also! Fun times with our friends and we wouldn't have it any other way!!

Matt had to share his birthday this year with Lucas's one year check-up. He was given 4 shots (one was the flu shot). The picture to the right is him after, 

on our way home. He was not a happy camper! 

We were told that he is pretty close to perfect!

The doctor measured his Social skills at 100%, 

Motor skills at 100%, Communication skills at 97% 

& Problem Solving skills at 95%. 

He weighed 23 pounds (70%) and was 30.25" tall (57%). 

We did find out he had a possible inguinal hernia and we were referred to an office in Des Moines at the Blank Children's Hospital Surgery Center. 

At his appointment with Dr. Irish it was determined he does have an inguinal hernia. This is the drawing the doctor used to describe why he has the hernia and what he is going to do during the surgery. 

Lucas will have outpatient surgery on 

February 11, 2013. 

We won't know the time of the surgery until Feb 8th because it is based on age, being that the youngest goes first. His entire surgery process from start to finish will last an hour, but the doctor will only be operating on him for 20 minutes. The rest of the time is getting him under with a gas mask, inserting the IV and then coming out of the anesthesia after the procedure. The doctor ensured us he has never had any complications with the surgery OR with anesthesia since he has been doing this procedure. He will have dissolvable stitches and will be sent home after recovery with tylenol for discomfort. It isn't major surgery, but surgery is surgery and all prayers for him, the doctor and what not would be very appreciated!!

What a crazy start to our year! 

Very thankful to have all of the support we do from all of you! 

With lots of love, 

Matthew, Heather & Lucas

Christmas Festivities!

Christmas is our family's favorite time of the year!
All of the hustle and bustle, family time, gifts, gift-giving and CHRISTMAS MUSIC :)

Our stockings hung and our tree before the lights and ornaments were put on!

The tree Lucas is seen playing with on the left was a tree made out of felt. Aunt Katharyne and I found the idea on Pinterest and we thought Lucas would enjoy it. He did really enjoy taking all of them off of there, but I think the concept will come to life next year when he is a little older. The tree on the right was one I put together with masking tape (again thanks to Pinterest for the idea). 

I used it to display the Christmas cards we received from our family and friends.

This "Little People" Nativity Scene was a gift to Lucas from the Long's on Christmas 2011!
He really enjoyed playing with all 18 pieces and spreading them all throughout the house for Mommy to find! ;)

This year we got together with Aunt Kimmy & Jacoby and made Gingerbread houses.
Well, Aunt Kimmy & Mommy made the houses, the boys ate the candy and made a mess! 

This year the Holidays were busier than usual--Well, they just seemed like it!! We had to constantly watch Lucas because of his obsession with the Christmas lights. 

Our first Christmas get together took place after Lucas's birthday party. Matt's aunts and uncles, cousins, parents and sister all got together! We had tacos, guac, chips & salsa! We played games and exchanged gifts. It was a new tradition that we hope to continue throughout the years! 

Our second Christmas get together was at Nonna & Papa's house. 3 of Jeff's siblings and most of their children/grandchildren were there for the gift exchange this year! LOTS OF PEOPLE, BUT LOTS OF FUN. We did the gift exchange a little differently, everyone brought a gift that was up to $30 and we separated them into mens, women and unisex piles. We were each given a word and that would determine the order of picking gifts as Nonna read, "Twas the Night Before Christmas". 

Then once the story was over and everyone had a gift we opened them up and could switch if we wanted at the end. Matt got his own gift: Sour Apples to Apples. I originally opened a watch, but traded with Lindsay for a Starbucks gift card and peanut butter M&M's. (Who could resist that?)

Uncles and their nephews! :)

Lucas & Easton--I love you little boys! Cannot wait to see you grow up together and get into trouble!

Our next gathering was Christmas Eve at Grandma & Grandpa Warren's house! The whole gang was there and we had a great time spending time with them this year since we missed being able to last year. (Thanks Lucas haha!) We ate WAY too much and then opened gifts. The most memorable moments were when Hunter opened a gift meant for me--All grandma could see was the H-----R and gave it to Hunt-Man. Ooops! The other was watching Garrett open his toys! He was at the PERFECT age and kept saying things like "WOW, WOAH, COOL, MOM LOOK, MOM LOOK!"

Picture on left: Grandparents and their grand children! Picture on right: Lucas and Garrett playing together!! I think these two will definitely be little trouble makers together in the upcoming years!!

Christmas Eve at the Warren House!

Christmas Eve we stayed at  Grandma & Grandpa Dunn's house. We each got to open one gift, thanks to our tradition!! When we woke up Lucas was still sleepy! We got ready and he ate some breakfast, then we all went back to Nonna & Papa's for muffins and mimosas with the family! 

Lucas's personalized stocking for at Grandma & Grandpa Dunn's House!
Below is pictures of Lucas with Mommy & Daddy on Christmas morning!

We had all already opened our stockings & exchanged other gifts & Nonna & Papa's, but Matt missed it so he opened his. We got socks, toothbrushes and a few other odds and ends.
Stockings are our ULTIMATE favorite as a family.

Nonna tried really hard to get each of us stockings that represented us--Matt's literally fit his size 14 foot!

So fun!

After muffins and mimosas we went back to Jim & Audrey's! 

Christmas morning Auntie put him in the present pile to show the change over the last year!

Lucas was asleep when we got there, so we let him nap and started our gift exchange without him. Our gifts this year were PERFECT! We were especially impressed and touched by the memorial book made by Grandma Audrey for us about Lucas's first year! So stinkin' cute and it really made me cry seeing all of your kind words! Thank you all from the bottom of my heart! <3

Once Lucas woke up we let him open his gifts. This year he enjoyed playing with the paper rather than seeing what was wrapped inside. So mommy did a lot of his unwrapping for him! The coolest gift was his own personal recliner! No more watching TV or movies standing up! 

His hat from Auntie Kat & he was everyone's perfect present!

We are truly blessed beyond measure. To all of our family and friends who make us, shape us and guide us through life.. We wouldn't be anywhere close to where we are today with out you, yes you! We love each of you so much and cannot wait to see what is in store for us this upcoming year! 

With lots of love, 

Matthew, Heather & Lucas!

UNO PARTY

Isn't it WILD that it's already been 

a year since we had Lucas? 

We can't REVERSE how fast he has grown, 

but we can celebrate his big UNO!

 

We had an UNO themed birthday party with his family and friends! 

He had an UNO card cake! 

We had a great get together at Pizza Ranch in Altoona. He was one really spoiled boy! 

He really liked the light from the candle (go figure, Lucas likes lights??) 

and kept trying to touch it. Silly boy, that could hurt. 

Mommy & Daddy helped blow out his candle for him this year!

Then he got to enjoy his slice of cake!

He sure enjoyed it, but by the end he was ready to get down and be cleaned off!

Once we got as much of the blue and black frosting off as we could, we started opening gifts!  

This little boy was more than spoiled by all of his family and friends!!

Just some of the items he got below were: books, a toy car, a "Little People" helicopter, 

his own rocking chair, a teddy bear and a couple of toy guitars! 

    

    

After we packed everything up to take it home he decided to play with his balloons! 

Boys will be boys!

    

Lucas, we all love you! I hope that you can look back at these pictures one day and realize just how blessed you are to have the love you do from ALL of your family! 

I figured I would end this post with Jacoby (Lucas's best friend) singing him Happy Birthday! 

Much love & thanks to all, 

Matthew, Heather & Lucas