First School Valentine's Cards

This year Charlie exchanged Valentine's Cards with his Creative Minds Montessori classmates. This was a project that he really enjoyed. He wrote his name on each card. His name consists of a "CHA" which are pretty clear. He is most certainly going to be a lefty! 

Red tub

One of our toy storage areas has small tubs that the boys can pull out. Now, the storage unit itself has become a fun toy. I have pictures from when Charlie was about Gabe's age inside a tub similar to this. He loved for us to pull him around the house in the tub. Now, anytime this red tub is spotted and/or out of its space, the boys are inside. Usually both together. As you can see, it gets a bit squished and Gabe often is screaming and crying about being smooshed. Here are a few photos from these adventures. 

 Charlie is taking after his mom with flashes. It is really tough to get him with his eyes open!!

Bowling

Bowling has become a fun, family outing this past year. I'll admit that all of us enjoy the rails that they put up for kids. Charlie has grown from needing help to get the ball on the lane, to being able to do it himself. Enjoy a few photos from a recent outing. 

Tears, digger, merry-go-round and airplane ride

The following are a few photos that tell the story of our lives for some of this winter. 

 Gabriel has been crying much more these days. At times it is justified after his big brother has pushed him over, sat on him or hit him. Other times it is a manipulated attention getter. I'm not certain what this one is for here in this pictures. But it is a great example of his crying face.

 Charlie is growing up and able to do so many more things on his own these days. This is a photo of Charlie using a digger to move pebbles. I love how focused he was on this machine.

 Charlie rode on the merry-go-round in Spokane all by himself over Christmas break. This was a first for him!

I decided to fly home with the boys at the end of Christmas break. I'm grateful the flight was only 45 minutes. These two sure had fun on the flight! Charlie is a plane guy. He knows all about airplanes and would be one happy kid if he could take an airplane ride on a regular basis. I'm looking forward to a time when Gabe flies with ease like his big brother does now.

Family Picture

This year we did not get it together to send out a Christmas card. It just didn't happen. So, I've decided to post a small update here on the Wagner family:

Anna - After the birth of Gabriel, I was able to spend the first few months of 2012 home with the kids. We took some time to adjust to being a family of four and although it was stressful at times, I loved being home with the boys and getting to know Gabe. After my leave, I returned to Highline Medical Center to continue my ministry as Chaplain. Although I truly miss being home with the boys, I do enjoy my time at the hospital. 

Tom - Continues as Director of Social Services at St. Vincent de Paul. His program is growing and he is growing as a manager and program director. He has to work a few too many nights and weekends, but we are all very proud of him. Tom too spent three weeks home with the boys. He loved his time getting to know Gabe on that level as well. Tom also spent two weeks back home in Buffalo this fall helping to shepherd his father on his last legs of AML. We all so miss dad/grandpa Wagner. His death is deeply felt by all us as the loss is deep. 

Charlie - Charlie lived through many changes this year. He went from being an only child, to sharing his parents. He welcomed Gabe quickly and was only sad that Gabe couldn't play with him right away. Now that Gabe is one, they are starting to play together. It is great to see. Charlie also left his daycare (Sunshine Quality Daycare) this year to start on a school adventure at Creative Minds Academy. He has blossomed so much already in this Montessori setting. He loves his friends, especially Dalton, and learning. Charlie has also grown out of some of his illness proneness. He has only had two ear infections this year and his high fevers have only come a couple times. Praise God! 

Gabriel - Well, this kid has been a huge blessing to us. He is an adorable, climbing, funny guy. He loves to clap, smile, wave goodbye, give high-fives, climb on anything and watch and watch his big brother. This year has brought Gabriel through the early months of babyhood to a walking kid. Gabriel seems to be ear infection and stuffy nose prone. Finally, in December the doctors recommended ear tubes. These have helped stop his ear infections, but not his stuffy nose. I believe Gabriel is going to be our stubborn boy. He refuses to drink from a bottle, dislikes textures in most food, and throws a bit of a tantrum when he doesn't get what he wants. I know my parents will say that I deserve what I get as I gave them a run for their money!

Well, I hope you enjoyed a few tidbits about this Wagner clan. Love to you all!

Christmas

Considering it is now Feb. 1, I thought I should get back to posting and why not continue on my theme from before. Here are some pictures of our little family (plus a couple cousins) from Christmas morning.