Brady!

Dear Boys,

Yesterday, after a couple of months of waiting we were finally able to pick up our new puppy! For weeks leading up to his arrival Mommy and Daddy would talk to the both of you about the newest addition coming to our family. We picked up our puppy from a breeder out of town, and on their website they posted a few videos of the puppies so we could see how they were coming along. You both loved watching those videos so much that our views must be 80% of the total view count! But yesterday was the big day to go and pick up Brady our new Golden Retriever! Picking his name was an easy task. He rocks his Patriots jersey just as well as who he is named after.

After leaving Cousin Wendy's cookout Mommy and Daddy brought the two of you to Grandpa Kevin's house where the two of you would stay and wait while Mommy and Daddy went to pick Brady up. Mommy and Daddy arrived at the Breeder's home and she had multiple puppies left over, the majority girls, and two boys. It was very difficult to pick between the two boys as they were almost identical, but one puppy stood out. One puppy came up to Daddy and took a bite of his shorts and then after he started to lick Daddy's hand it was settled. We had found our puppy!

Mommy and Daddy brought the puppy back to Grandpa Kevin's home and the two of you went crazy! Finally Brady was with you and you weren't going to let him out of your sight! Benjamin you were very vocal about how Brady was "your puppy" and no one elses. Even getting into an argument with your Great Grandmother when she said she was going to take him. No one was going to take your puppy away! After we left Grandpa Kevin's we headed over to Grandma's house to introduce Brady. They loved him too! Grandma bought Brady a bunch of new toys, even a stuffed football!

Brady's first night in his new house was similar to yours Benjamin. Brady cried in his bed for a little while at night and Daddy had to sit by his side and pet him to let him know that everything was going to be alright. That even though he left his brothers and sisters he was with a family who loved him very much and would take good care of him. He went off into puppy dream land like you guys do.

This morning when the three of you woke Daddy up Daddy brought Brady outside to go to the potty and when we came back in Daddy got the both of you out of your beds. Brady came out of his shell this morning! He was very playful with the two of you and Jonathan he was giving you a run for your money. Brady was chasing the two of you back and forth and you guys were having a blast! Daddy told the two of you to go into your play room and play with your toys, but you wouldn't budge! Benjamin you even said you did not want to play with your toys you just wanted to play with your puppy.

We had an early morning photo shoot as well! Now the three of you are all taking your naps after a long morning of running around and being little terrors. Nana and Grandpa just came by and met Brady. They wanted to take him home too! Benjamin again you wouldn't allow it, even crying this time at the thought of losing your puppy! But don't worry. Brady is here now, and he will always be your puppy, even when he's a big giant dog. Which I fear is when you will try to ride him like a horse, Jonathan. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. For now let's just enjoy our new puppy and show him that we are the best family he could have.

Has three kids now, well, two humans, one puppy,
Daddy

What We've Been Up To.

Dear Boys,

Daddy hasn't written a letter to the two of you in quite some time. It's something that Daddy hopes to get better at in the coming weeks because the two of you are getting bigger now, and older, and we are on the verge of your birthdays! Time sure does fly by when you're raising two little monsters. In the time since my last letter to the both of you we have had some exciting changes in our lives!

First we moved to a new house because Mommy and Daddy bought one! Benjamin the first few nights you were scared and wouldn't go to sleep unless Daddy slept on the side of you. Thankfully Daddy has lost a little weight because he was able to squeeze in on the side of you until you fell asleep. You've since come around and go to sleep on your own which is a good thing. Daddy is so proud of the little man you're becoming and it helps a little that you look just like him! You were excited about moving to the new house and over and over you would say "The new house is cool!" now you're excited about your Cars Bedroom. Jonathan you were too young to really realize what was going on, which in a way was helpful because you went to bed each and every night without a problem.

Speaking of beds Jonathan you're no longer in your crib! Daddy put together your toddler bed a couple of weeks ago and you took to it quickly! Although the very first night you were up and running around the room like a mad man. Daddy had to clean up a sea of baby wipes that covered the floor like a fresh blanket of snow! You certainly couldn't be trusted with all the items in the bedroom. You scattered toys all over the place and removed all the items from the changing table. Grandma even said she found you stuck in the middle shelf of the changing table one day! I'm not sure how you fit yourself in there, but I'm not even mad I'm impressed. You're quickly finding your personality and even though you look like your mother you have the temper of your father. Crazy little peanut!

Benjamin you went with Daddy, Uncle Brian, Auntie Amanda and Cole to Patriots Training Camp! You were good for the first half, and upon the second half you were pretty much over it. We ate at Red Robin and Daddy ordered you chicken, but you decided your wanted a hamburger so we made the switch. When the burger came though you refused to eat and was causing a stink! Then when we left it was time to head over to the actual field where the Patriots were practicing, but you didn't want to hold Daddy's hand and instead wanted to take a run for it every chance you got. Daddy would hold your hand and you would drop to the ground in defiance. It was quite the task to try and take care of you without your Mother. When we got to the field though there were already thousands of people there so we did not stay long. We all got back into the car and headed home where you took a much needed nap. You're too young for things like this now, but Daddy is excited for the trips we're going to take a few years from now when both you and your brother are old enough to understand what's going on. Even though Daddy remembers when he and Uncle Chris were small enough to understand what was going on with our trips... we were still terrors! I suppose Nana and Grandpa were right. Some day we would have little boys and hopefully they wouldn't be nearly as crazy as we were.

Daddy hasn't been writing these letters lately because he's been busy writing something else! Daddy has just completed work on his first novel, and only a couple of people have read it so far, but the reviews have been good! Daddy just has to edit the entire thing now and then ship it off to see if it's good enough to be published. Here's to wishful thinking! I have the two of you and your mother to thank for the novel because without any of you I wouldn't be inspired enough to write a hundred thousand words to form a story.

No matter if this is the last letter, or the beginning of another series of letters. Daddy loves the two of you so very much and not a day goes by that I'm not proud of the young boys you're both becoming. Time goes by quickly, but even when you're both old and grey you'll always be my babies. There's a Mariah Carey joke in there somewhere I'm sure of it. I love both of you and I'm excited we are on this adventure together.

Love Always,
Dad

Bye Bye Crib!

Benjamin,


Daddy has been really bad at getting these letters out to you and your brother. So bad in fact that you've now had your big boy bed for over a month and Daddy has yet to write about it! And that's a major life changing event for you because no longer are you protected by bars... what Daddy tries to pass off as protection for you, is actually peace of mind for Daddy. Now you're free to roam the bedroom whenever you please, and the first couple of nights you did. Occasionally we will still have to go in your room and lay you back down, but for the most part you've adjusted nicely to the big boy bed and have been going to bed every single night without any trouble. So let's start at the beginning!

Mommy and Daddy had been showing you pictures of the Lightning McQueen Cars bed that you would be getting in time. You finally figured out how to climb out of your crib so it really was pointless to keep it because it's sole purpose was to keep you locked up when you were sleeping, but now that you had figured out how to lift your leg over the top, then your other leg, it was really all down hill from there...or down to the floor! We finally got you your big boy bed after weeks and weeks of checking Toys R Us and it never being in stock!

When it was time to put your bed together Grandpa Kevin came over and helped put the pieces together. In the mean time Mommy took apart your crib. While Grandpa was putting your bed together you couldn't help but stand inside of it and play with your toy cars. You were content with just sitting in the middle of the bed with no mattress or supports and Daddy thinks you would have preferred it to stay this way if you had your say of the matter. Jonathan joined you in the middle of the almost completed bed, and when it came time to do other things Jonathan went inside of his crib. Daddy can only imagine the terror it will cause when the two of you are roaming free!

When your bed was finally completed Mommy took out your Cars bedset and made your bed for the first time. You were so excited that you jumped into your bed and laid down, shortly after you were joined by your brother! He wanted the big boy bed too! That night you didn't go to sleep right away, instead your cried at the gate we placed in the doorway to keep you locked up. When you finally went to sleep we tucked you back in and wished your goodnight. It's been over a month now and the only real problem that has happened is every morning you wake up bright and early, venture into Mommy and Daddy's room and wake Mommy up to watch Mickey Mouse. Who needs an alarm clock when you come walking in every morning at the exact same time? We're getting ready for another life changing event soon... so it was good to get this one out of the way.

Just Realized Jonathan Will Need A Big Boy Bed Soon,
Scared...Daddy

The Past Few Weeks

Dear Boys,

Over the past few weeks Daddy has not been keeping up with the letters to the two of you. We had some exciting times over the last few weeks. We went to IHop and Jonathan you ate more food then your big brother, we baked a cake that was shaped like a heart for Mommy for Valentine's Day, and Benjamin you picked out a Mickey Mouse holding a heart stuffed animal for Mommy as well. Jonathan you've learned how to feed yourself (almost anyway), and Ben you've become a little parrot mimicking everything you hear out loud. Daddy has not been keeping up with these letters though. Daddy doesn't need to get into details why, but hopefully we can get back on track.

Daddy will try his best to continue to write letters to the both of you that way when you get older you may not remember that time we went to see Disney on Ice, or that time witnessed the Patriots win the AFC Championship, but lose the Super Bowl (still stings, some wounds never heal). But at least you will have these letters to read to know just what the two of you were feeling, and how great Mommy and Daddy felt to share these experiences with the both of you. Even though at times they weren't the best of days like that time you cut open your eyebrow Ben, or that time you cut open your forehead Jon. Someday, hopefully when the two of you are old and have family's of your own you can continue to read these letters and remember just how much you were loved.

Will Write More,

Dad

Super Bowl Sunday

Boys,

Well, this was it. This was going to be one of the greatest games of football and it was hopefully going to end with the New England Patriots winning the Super Bowl for the fourth time in ten years and give or take a few extra days. In the days leading up to the big game Daddy was very excited and that excitement rubbed off on you Benjamin because every single time a commercial for the game would come on you would stop what you were doing, smile, and say "Daddy! Football!". Daddy couldn't wait to watch the game with his two favorite little guys. So finally the day arrived. Mommy and Daddy had bought you guys a Patriots balloon and you each had on your Patriots gear. Jonathan you had on your Tom Brady jersey that you wore for the AFC Championship game, and Benjamin you got a brand new shirt celebrating the Patriots AFC Championship win.

Earlier in the day Nana and Grandpa came over to visit and they brought Uncle Dennis. Grandpa had on a Patriots shirt as well showing his support for the home team! Even though Grandpa loves New York and has actually lived there before he was rooting for the Pats! They stayed with the two of you for a little while before heading home themselves to watch the game. The two of you were sick the past few days and are actually doing a little bit better as Daddy writes this, but you both do have small colds. This wasn't going to stop the two of you from watching the game though!

The game was on and the Giants took on the Patriots for the second time since the tragedy that happened in 2008. Luckily for the both of you neither one of you were around yet to witness that travesty. During the game the two of you heard Daddy say some words that you should never repeat. Benjamin you're saying new words every day so Daddy has to be more careful, but the problem was the Patriots weren't playing as if this was the biggest game of the year and this was upsetting Daddy!

To make a long story short, and because Daddy just wants to write you guys this letter and move on from this whole ordeal. The Patriots lost for the second time to the Giants. What should have went down as Tom Brady's defining moment as one of the greatest, if not the greatest quarterback of all time was ruined by a couple of dropped passes, and missed plays. When the two of you get older you'll hear the bitter people of the world mention something called "Spygate". This is something that if had it not happened these people wouldn't have any valid reason to hate the Patriots, but we don't focus on that. At the end of the day the Patriots have made it back to the Super Bowl an additional two times, and that's two times more then some teams have ever made it. Before the game was over Mommy got the two of you ready for bed and laid you both down in your cribs. The good thing is the two of you did not get to witness this disappointment.

Daddy was very sad when they lost. Even though Daddy didn't have anything to gain win or lose, but still Daddy was very sad that the Patriots had lost the Super Bowl. There is always next year, but to be this close, within reach of the win and to not get it was heartbreaking. Daddy is writing this letter a day later because he wanted to know just what to let you boys know about what happened and did not want to write it when he was sad. Daddy can tell you with a clear mind that he is happy for the Giants. They played a great game and were the better team this time around. Daddy is also happy for the Patriots because they made it to the Super Bowl. It made for a great game, and great memories with the two of you with each game that came and went this season. There is always next year, but that doesn't mean we have to forget what happened this year. The Patriots might not be the Super Bowl Champions, but at the end of the day they are our favorite football team, win or lose, and we've got to stand by them! They will make it back there some day, and when they do, things will hopefully be different.

Go Pats!,
Daddy

Cole's Birthday Party!

Boys,

Tonight was Cole's Birthday Party! When Daddy got home from work we all got ready to head out to Auntie Amanda and Uncle Brian's house to celebrate Cole's third birthday! Benjamin in the days leading up to today we asked you how old Cole was going to be and you'd say "Three!", then we'd ask you how old you were and the majority of the responses were that you of course were three as well, but eventually you'd say your right age. You silly boy! So, once we were all ready and in the car we headed over to Cole's for his party! When we arrived Cole was originally going to have a Thomas the Tank Engine party, but he changed his mind and switched to a Pirates party! Daddy didn't mind the change one bit! On top of Cole's birthday cake? None other than Captain Jack Sparrow! There were balloons with the number "3" on them and a large skeleton balloon as well! Uncle Brian and Auntie Amanda were already there with Cole's uncle Chris! Cole wasn't there yet, he showed up a little while after and we all yelled "Surprise" when he walked in... but Daddy said "Happy Birthday" instead.

Jonathan, you at first were very shy and wanted to stick with Mommy and Daddy, but after you got over this you joined Cole and Benjamin inside of Cole's play room to play with toys. Cole's Auntie Julie was playing with you boys as well, or as Cole calls her Auntie Judy! Cole has such awesome Cars toys that the two of you enjoyed playing with, and Jonathan you played with Cole's drum set even using the drum sticks to hit it with. No one showed you how to do this, so maybe there's some musical talent in you somewhere! The next Justin Bieber? I'm sure Mommy would prefer you to be a Doctor someday, but hey being the next Justin Bieber isn't that bad either. We waited for Cole's Pépé to join us before we all had Domino's Pizza! There were many different pizzas, but every one came together to give Chris their crusts because he didn't want to eat pizza... but between Daddy and you boys Daddy saw Chris eat a couple of slices!

After we all had some pizza the three of you with Julie played some more before Cole started bringing his presents into the living room so he could open them. Benjamin you helped Cole with his presents and Jonathan you were too antsy to sit in one place for long so Daddy held you on his lap for a little while before you joined the boys on the floor around the presents. Cole got so many cool things! He got some awesome train tracks for his Thomas toys, he got a cool Cars Finn McMissle toy, and a few other awesome things! Auntie Amanda and Uncle Brian are going to be moving soon and Cole has so many train tracks that Uncle Brian wants to set it up to go from one room to the other. How awesome is that going to be to play with!

When it was time to sing "Happy Birthday" and have Cole blow out the candles on his cake we were getting ready to do so and Benjamin you went over to the cake and stuck your fingers in it! We had to pull you away from the cake and of course this upset you because all you wanted to do was eat it! We were singing "Happy Birthday" and you were crying with your head down because you couldn't stick your fingers in the cake. You were very naughty! Cole blew out his candles and the moment you were waiting for finally came Benjamin... you received your piece of cake and ice cream! The three of you sat at the table and had your cake and ice cream!

Afterwards some of the grown ups that came to see Cole on his special day started to leave and once they did Uncle Brian took the Pirate Skeleton pinata and brought it into the living room. This was a pinata which you pulled ribbons out of the bottom to make the candy fall out, not like the ones were you hit it with a stick or a bat. So Cole pulled a ribbon first, then Benjamin after trying to convince you to pull a string you did, then Julie pulled a string. This cycle went one more time before Jonathan you crawled into the room and Uncle Brian brought the pinata over to you and let you pull a ribbon. Once you pulled the ribbon all the candy started to fall out. Daddy pulled his sweater out to catch all the falling candy, but Daddy ended up dropping it to the floor. Uncle Brian sorted the candy into goody bags for you guys after it had all dropped from inside the pinata.

The three of you played together with the new Thomas train tracks and other toys Cole had received for his birthday party. Daddy wanted to get a picture of the three of you together on Cole's very special day, but no one thought it could be done. They all had good reason to believe this as well because to get three kids to take a picture all looking at the camera at the same time would be rather difficult, but Daddy had faith! We sat the three of you down on the chair first because we hoped it would keep the three of you together long enough to take a picture. Cole and Jonathan did a great job looking at the camera, but you Benjamin wanted nothing to do with it! You were squirming and trying to wiggle your way out and finally the three of you were let out of the chair. Daddy wasn't going to give up though and he sat the three of you down on the couch. After a few pictures were taken and none of them coming out good Daddy decided it'd be best to bribe you guys with the hopes of M&M's. Finally a picture was taken with the three of you looking!

Love Always,
Daddy