Mad Max!

My  nephew Max is turning 5 years old today.  I really can't believe how the time flies!  Max was born premature and it was a terrifying time to see how he would do.  I remember the night before my sister went in to have Max, I was in the produce section of the grocery store crying on the phone with my brother-in-law as we tried to comfort each other that everything was going to be ok.
I was sitting in Microbiology the next day when my mom called to tell me that he was born, and that even though he had a long road ahead of him, he was going to be ok.

The only time Max would ever sit still again

I was at school when this all happened, and I eagerly waited until the spring break that April to get home and see this sweet boy.  Turned out it was good timing, because he came home from the hospital the day after got back to Seattle and it was a joyous time in our family.
I remember thinking that Max would be a docile little boy, I have never been more wrong.  Max is so full of life and energy, and imagination.  You would never know by being around him that he was premature because he has zero problems!

1st birthday

Max loves to push the limits, and be adventurous, hence the name Mad Max.  He can always make me laugh with the crazy things that he says and does.  He has always been so sweet and gentle around Ellie, and still calls her "baby Ellie".

I actually think that Max and Ellie are a lot alike, so at least I know what to expect.

The Wig

"Helping" Ellie open her birthday presents

Putting his beloved kitty in Ellie's car seat

 Max, keep growing and being the wild and crazy kid you are!  We love you so much!

Just Jack

Today is my nephew Jack's 9th birthday, and what a fun 9 years it has been.  From the very beginning Jack has been a little comedian and always saying things that you would never expect to hear.  He has such a kind heart, and has made me grateful to be his auntie every single day for these last 9 years. 

This picture pretty much sums up Jack

We were able to be in Washington this weekend and spend some birthday time with Jack.  We celebrated by getting Slurpee's and watching Diary of Wimpy Kid.

To cool now that he is 9 to smile full on

Jack has always had the ability to melt my heart by doing little random things to show that he loves me.  When I first brought Andy home to meet my family Jack was a little jealous and was sitting right next to me.  Andy came into the room and I asked Jack to scoot over so that Andy could sit next me, and Jack said "Oh sure Aunt Tami", and proceeded to scoot so close to me it was like we super glued!  Like I said melt my heart.
Another time happened just this weekend, we were talking and I asked him if he could go anywhere in the world where would it be and he said with out even thinking about it "Rexburg because then I would be with you and Uncle Andy".  I love this kid!!

He loves Andy's computer

So here is to 9 years Jack, I know that you'll keep being the funny, loving, crazy, entertaining, sweet kid you are!  I love you!

pictures of Jack over the years

p.s. Can you stop getting so tall, because seriously you'll be taller than me by your 10th birthday

Bust a move

We were in Seattle visiting with my family a few weeks ago and had a great time!  Ellie loved playing with her cousins, I'm pretty sure she has been kind of bored since we got home.  While we were there we turned on a family favorite "Hooked on a feeling" and Ellie let loose with her fine dancing skills.

Also included in the video are the fine dancing skills by my nephew Jack, and my niece Ella who refused to dance because she wanted to look through the camera.

2 Nephews and a Niece

I just have to say it, and I know people will argue with me, but I have the best/cutest nephews and niece there are.  For Christmas we were able to stay at my sisters house for 5 days and I soaked up as much time as being Aunt Tami as I could!  We played, went and got ice cream, ate jam and toast, watched movies, and all other fun things you get to do with an 8 year old, 3 year old, and a 1 year old.

They are such a blessing in my life and I love them so much!  I miss them like crazy while we are back in Idaho, but being the cool kids that they are, they are always ready to play the second we are in Washington again.  Being an aunt is pretty awesome because you can be the cool one, the one who lets them get away with a little bit more than they are normally allowed to do.  They want to show you all their new toys and want your attention the whole time you are there, and sulk when you don't take them with you when you leave.

I love being an aunt!