Kindergarten Zoo Trip

I cannot believe the kids are already on spring break. It's crazy to me that my little man is almost done with Kindergarten!! He's doing great. He loves his teacher, and is super smart. The adjustment to all day school was a piece of cake with him.

I got the chance last week to go to the zoo with the entire kindergarten. It was a beautiful sunny day, we had good company, and a great time.

He would not smile when I wanted a picture. He had to strike a pose every time. I think he was trying to look tough, but he just looks cute to me!

 the giraffe was the favorite of all the kids. that thing had it's tongue wrapped all the way around his arm, and he loved it!

another tough guy pose...



It was a much needed, fun day with my big guy. I feel like I don't get enough one on one time with each of them and I need to take every opportunity when I do!



Christmas....

Twas the night before Christmas...the craziness at grandma's was over. The kids are all tucked in new jammies and ready to read a story. Cody's mom went to the actual North Pole this summer and got this book signed by THE Santa Clause. The kids thought it was amazing!

Liam wanted dougnuts for Santa, I have no idea why. But it was easy. Avery is a letter writer. She writes the tooth fairy, easter bunny, and Santa. And...she wants a reply. They are very insightful letters full of real questions. It's quite sweet really.

We went to Cody's Aunt's on Christmas night. (Cody was working...who plays football games on Christmas!?! Whatever...)

She has a life size Santa that you can sing Christmas carols with...Emrie was our star of the evening.

Always a little awkward when they try to pose...but still super cute. This is our traditional, Sunday before church tripod Christmas picture. Cody's mom bought those cute skirts and glammed them up for the girls so they could match (which Avery still loves)

Craziness at my moms...I thought Emrie was smiling for the picture, apparantly she thought she was taking the picture.

this picture is purely to document Emrie's "velcro" head...which she wakes up with everyday!

Me and my sweet Liam after the Kinder winter concert...

We had a crazy, fun, Christmas season. We love to spend time and celebrate together and with our extended family and friends. We hope yours was fabulous too!

Bye, bye 2010



Family...

Christmas seemed to come and go in a blur of the usual parties, gatherings, school functions, etc! We had a great time, but unfortunately didn't do a great job documenting. I'll post some of what I have. I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays, and time off with families. I feel like I'm just now getting into the swing of things again.

Had I really sent out Christmas cards...which I am no good at. I would have used one of these pictures. The first is of Cody's whole family while we were in Alaska over the summer. The second is a more recent one!

Fun on the farm...

We always spend the day after Thanksgiving out in Buckeye at Cody's Uncle's house. His dad and brothers grew up on a farm out there. Two of his uncles still live and farm out there. The kids have so much fun running around. This year Cody's cousin was playing with them out there and snapped some great pictures. He's only 15. But I love these dirty faced kids!

Silly Liam showing off his mucsles.

Sweet cousin Wyatt

Love the old truck

My girl is looking too old..and too much like me with all those freckles!

My brown eyed girl

Love his eyes in this one

Thanks Brandt Carmichael for the great pictures...

Emrie

Its amazing to me that its been two whole years since this little girl came into our family. Some days I feel like I've been dealing with her FOREVER! And others, it seems like yesterday. She is definitely our most difficult child. She proves that practically everyday. She was born difficult. Good thing for her she is also super cute, smart, funny and sweet. Those big brown eyes get me every time! 

We had a super low key birthday, complete with old school birthday cake candy. Don't think I've seen it since I was a kid. I am lame with birthday cakes. I figure I can get away with junk like this now because she is clueless and doesn't care a bit.

She was seriously a pro at blowing the candles. She didn't need any help at all. I think we did it two or three times because she loved it so much!

Brother always loves a good party!

She is obsessed with Dora. Lucky me...we watch it all day long. She'll be fluent in spanish before I know it! She loves her Dora jammies.

Avery with another of the favorite gifts...sock monkey!

This just shows you some typical Emrie attitude. We had the bed out upstairs for Avery and Liam to watch a movie on one night. After they were in bed, she made Cody put on her favorite movie. (Robin Hood of all things) everyday she wants to watch "show Robin" as she puts it. She had her bottle (which she's still stuck on at bedtime) and assumed the movie watching position. You can't tell that she's in charge around here, can you?