Alex in 2014

...is fully in a fish frenzy if I ever saw one....
...is currently awaiting THIS coveted water vehicle so he can chase after the prize in previously untouched waters...
...has recently healed from his first good laceration that required his wifey's suturing skills. Enjoyed the week without dish duty, and somehow still managed some fishing in that week as well, (as you see from the above picture...because fishing in river water/fish slime/etc is much more hygenic than dishes....now you know...;-)
...have to add that he managed to also cut another few cords of wood, deliver a few more cords, all with stitches in his hand, (in his defense...)
...currently loves hard cider, Breaking Bad, and, of course, fishing every spare second he can manage....
...currently feels angst about crazy little boy energy, the lack of rain this winter (summer fires, water issues, fishery downward spiral?), and how he's going to get any work done around here with a record number of beautiful steelhead in the river currently...
I love you honey! Forever and ever....(PS---fishing trips for you = bike rides for me, right???)

Talin in 2014...

Will be THREE in May :-)
Is a lover boy at his best...until his brother gets involved...or his parents won't give him his 'nacks...then it's "GO 'WAY MAMA! 'EEVE ME 'LONE!!!!!" stomping, hands on hips, it's really a crack up actually.
Won't shut up (no better way to say this...)
His talking is EXPLODING! (okay, I guess there was a better way to say it;-)
Still loves his pacificier....won't consider sending it to other new babies so tough love is coming soon folks...
Is a complete polar opposite of Forrest in some ways...but in crazy little boy energy they are a good match!
Is FINALLY sleeping better at night, and later! As in just started getting better this last month. Wowzers little Talin that took awhile! And you slept in till 745 yesterday! Amazing!
Is the LOVE of his daycare. The absolute favorite. Or so they tell me. Which is very nice to hear.
Is a super picky eater at the moment.
His hugs can melt me. "I wuv you SO much Ma!"
Loves big kid Legos but is no where developmentally near ready for them. Destructo mode is T-man at the moment!
Loves jackets and being bundled up outside, (who woooda thought!!!???)
Doesn't quite have the patience or attention span for books or movies...very different that Forrest.
Hasn't even started potty training yet...maybe this summer? (Or this should be the PARENTS are not into potty training yet, summer with warm days here we come!)
Is doing quite well in his two days a week of pre-school with big brother...until they start body slamming each other, then it's not so great, (with Talin sometime the instigator in a big way I hear...uhh ohhh)
Has yet to have, or really need, a hair cut...EVER! Awww, little infant hair still on his head?(oh yea, he was a bald one wasn't he!)
And the thing that is for certain, he is a sweet, humorous, 2 1/2 year old that I feel SO incredibly lucky to call my son. We love you Talin!

Forrest in 2014...

Will be 5.....(WHAT, when did that happen!!!)
Is still a firecracker;
Is a smart smart cookie who impresses his parents daily;
Can beat his parents in his Memory and matching game hands down, (I swear folks, crazy memory on this kid!) and can be quite obsessive about it as well, ("I'll trade you 4 matching games for a 20 minute walk outside....)
Is driving his parents crazy over his Winter Break....(ooooh boy Pre-School can't restart soon enough!)
Is quickly teaching his parents through indirect means, (can we say agression, fits, hyperactive running around the house 20 times in two minutes?) that we MUST keep this kid busy.
Loves, loves, LOVES his Legos
Is so, so SO frustrated by his Legos and his little brother constantly dismantling them
Is obsessed with his little brother...in not the greatest way, (luckly little brother is a tough cookie and a smart one at that but the honeymoon period in brotherdom is OVER.....)
Is so physically talented...frisbee, catch, in the water, out of the water, jog two miles with Mom, hike 4 miles with Dad...you name it, he can do it----IF it's his OWN idea!
Still hates clothes...(which, makes the Winter very hard yet again this year)
Is an awesome eater....and a healthy one at that. Eats his salad every night like a champ, though admittedly his "favorite noodles" are top-a-ramen and he's definitely got a thing for hot dogs...
Is a lover, not a fighter....until he's a fighter...then he's got to sleep...we think....

and we're still figuring him out! But the hands down best thing is that life will never be boring with this kid. ANNND he starts Kindergarten in 8 short months....whattttttt! 

Merry Christmas!---Happy Steelhead fishing!---Lego Initiation!!!!!!

Boy oh boy was Christmas day busy for the Fulton family. Well of course with boys aged 2 1/2 and 4 1/2 anyone would expect such things!
This is what Alex and I did a LOT of today.....

The whole shebang ALLL SET UP!!! You won't see it like this again folks! 1 split second after this photo the red house on fire was in shambles and the helicopter was in pieces with parental sweet mutterings being not so sweet. Bed time here we come.....

As well as watching little boys play in new costumes from Santa such as THESE.....

Darth Vader minus his mask and The Incredible Hulk....Santa's addition of the light saber for both boys made it!

And listening to a TON of "Ohhhh my Gosh MOM!!! This is SO COOOL!!!!!I can't believe Santa brought me THIS!!!!" (Forrest's exact words when he saw the new Lego table Santa had brought him piled with presents...)
Christmas is truly magical isn't it!

Talin enjoying some early morning time with Santa Gifts before Forrest woke up. New Lego table and a new rocking chair from Grandma Gloria....oh boy!

Look at all the presents from Santa....!!!!

I think we made it this year a bit longer before the "too much Christmas" syndrome hit too. We let Forrest go without a nap and by the end of the day he was a regular crab apple to put it mildly. We were threatening Santa coming to take is toys away to a more deserving boy when he came around...just enough to entice us to building yet another part of his super duper addicting Coast Guard Lego set, (addicting not only for Forrest, but to Alex and I as well...)as this is our first initiantion to the BIG KID Lego sets and oh boy. We were expecting parent involvement, but we wern't expecting the fact we would actually LIKE building the different contraptions! The boys, or at least Forrest, give us space when we're working through the instruction booklet, and for the most part as long as you keep all the pieces in order, it is a very rewarding practice to build, say, a COMPLETE COAST GUARD BOAT FROM BOTTOM UP AMONGST OTHER THINGS!!!....on Christmas Day :-)
And much more stimulating for the mind too. A glass of wine helps I might add....
Talin on the other hand is WAY TOO YOUNG...yes I repeat, too young, for these Legos. He likes destructing rather than building. Age appropriate. I...errrrr....Santa had thought that getting the boys very similar presents this year was the way to go. Now, I'm not changing my mind, but after hearing Dad's near swear words for the 23rd time after Talin brings his broken Fire Truck for "...eellllp Dada???!!!" I do wonder!
Despite that all, we are a very blessed family indeed. Our boys are healthy smart young humans with spunk, smiles, and spirits that carry the full wonder of Christmas. I love it!
And this Dad...

.... as well, is quite the happy camper landing his 10th adult steelhead for the week within walking distance from our home today, amongst light saber playing little boys with a Mama who was running around like a wild banchee acting as the "Bad Guy" partly to keep warm in the 38 degree weather, (we aren't in So. Cal any more Dorthy!!!!!) and well, partly just because it was a fun thing to do Christmas morning!

Merry Christmas Friends!!!!!

Surprise!!!!

SHHHH, don't tell, we're flying down to visit Granny and Grandpa for a surprise pre-Christmas visit!

Lots of entertainment on the plane with new glow in the dark bugs!

...and new SAND from Brookstone. Cool stuff!

Lots of Christmas cookie making!

Stained glass window cookies with Granny!

Wow Aunt Megan, which cookie can I have next?

All set to go in the oven!

Grandpa had about 2...I mean 4...I mean 10 cookies!!!

Morning hot cocoa with Granny

Holiday cookie making cocktail for the sisters

Kiddie cocktail for Forrest

What a fun visit! Arrived home at 2am last night just in time for Christmas Eve and Day with our little famiy in the woods. But oh boy were the Grandparents surprised. Forrest had a blast, and Aunt Megan helped with our plan by doing the airport pick up and drop off. Talin and Dad stayed home this quick trip and made the best of it with some fishy fun, (of course!!!) We got a chance to meet two little 6 week and 3 month old cousins (Little Landon and Levi are so adorable!), attend a two year old party, and soak up some S. Cal mid 70 degree temps with a run and bike ride (warmed up these chilly bones!)
Love surprises!!!! Best Pre-Christmas present ever for this mama :-)

"Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree....."

 Who knew two little firemen were such good Christmas tree hunters??? Better late than never is the moto I'm using for Christmas this year....;-)

Forrest and Grandpa's First Bike Ride

First of many I hope! This was the day before Thanksgiving along the beautiful Elk River...we had a blast!

Two Days After the Big Snow...

 Still plenty of white stuff to go around...

The sun was so bright it hit 33 degrees...

We went on our second snow adventure...

In awe, hot cocoa face and all...

Mr Bear decided to visit our summer beach...glad someone is enjoying it!

Forrest and Talin enjoyed snacks, cookies, and cocoa in the snow, before being scared by their Mama on a too steep sled run...whoops!

Our snow man stands guard, under the evening moonlight, as jack frost makes his appearance...

Our home through a new lense...

Snowy night...

 It has been bone chilling cold here in our corner of the state, and today we finally got a change from the sunny and cold weather to precipitation. In the form of SNOW. I had to work in Eureka in the morning, and in Willow Creek, (only 15 minutes from our house), in the afternoon. This was a blessing, as the day went on the snow got worse. I doubt I would have been able to make it home if I was doing my normal work hours on the coast today.

The kids loved it, the drive and the ability to play in the powdery white stuff in their own front yard. I love my Subaru. That thing is a rock through the crazy conditions. I passed numerous spun out vehicles on my way home and never felt out of control or unsafe. A very good thing! I think we have about 3 inches of the stuff right now, just enough to make a small snowman and have some fun before it got dark. I even made a snow angel! And it's still falling! Very cozy and nice :-)
We have a high tomorrow of 36 so I hope it sticks around for awhile...