Nick

Eleanor

In this photo, Ellie is telling you a story about a Valentine's party. She is very excited for her party tomorrow at school. And is greatly anticipating lots of treats and cards from her friends. And she made a special card for her teacher Mrs. McDonald with a heart shaped doilie and everything. And she knows a Valentine's song to the tune of "Twinkle twinkle little star". And she would like to give her "boyfriend" Jonah a special card, but her teacher said "no, we are all friends equally in school" so no special cards. But there will be cookies there at the party, she is quite sure.

And here she is sick of the sun. Story over.

Monkey see..... Monkey do!

If Nick did it first, it must be a good idea?

While Nick chose to "sled" on dirt, poor little William decided to slide down the hill on top of a pile of pine needles.
Ouch! Thank god for diapers.

February Update

Well, this is just sad. Think the kids are missing the snow?!

Although it is winter according to the calendar, today is sunny and fairly warm. Here they are "sledding" down the hill from the previous post, in the dirt, on their bums.

I have been told that this is fun.

And so much more fun to come for me.... in the form of laundry.

Sorry for the dearth of pictures lately, it has been a month of so of non-stop viruses around here. We have enjoyed several respiratory ones, and had a virtual symphony of coughs going amongst the clan. And this last week, we had the extreme pleasure of gastroenteritis for 5. You really haven't lived until you have experienced a mobile, climbing toddler who is vomiting but doesn't recognize that feeling in advance. A true joy for those who must clean it up! Especially when the adults are sick too.

We do hope that you are all well at your end.

We're just longing for Spring to come.... and stay!

And now there is snow....

Last week was reminiscent of summer, this week it is the arctic. I can't keep up!

Today's high was 8 degrees with about 5 inches of snow accumulation. The kids came out to help me shovel this afternoon. It was a short lived expedition due to the cold.

William especially was thrilled to be outside. I would say he spent his time running around, but it would be more accurate to say that he was mostly horizontal. The poor guy still hasn't gotten the hang of walking/running on snow and ice.

(sorry about the runny nose!)

Eleanor and her friend Kylie from next door.

Nick sledding down the hill next to our house.

I think he is done.

After this last slip and fall William just stayed down with a look of utter resignation on his face. (Of course I do take a picture before picking up my poor little man.)

(Thanks for the boots and snowsuit Holly :o) We are using it this winter after all!)

Yep, this is January in Denver!

65 degrees and sunny today:o)
I had to rummage through the storage bins to find everyone short sleeves.

The kids had a blast playing outside. Yeah, no coats!


And I went to the store in a t-shirt and flip flops. Too weird!

Apparently it's going to be a warm week- 60s and sunny. I'll have to keep those storage bins handy for a few days longer.

We do hope some of this sun is heading your way Michigan friends and family....

But we'll pay for this lack of precipitation over the summer I'm sure. There have already been wild fires north of Boulder, which is unheard of in January. It'll be one dry summer here with some very unattractive brown grass!

Belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Sorry for the delay in posting Christmas photos. As you can see, we have a little "helper" in the house who has discovered a love of playing with our computer. Somehow he managed to interfere with the way the photos are uploaded from our camera. But we are at last back in business! For now anyway.....

Some of the favorite gifts...

Clone Trooper Helmet with voice changer

Air Hogs Zero Gravity Remote Control Car

Fur Real Cat and Baby Chou Chou "Make Me Better" Doll

William at this point was still only interested in the banana. And then he took a nap. He'll get around to the toys later...

Merry Christmas!!

Santa came to our house, hope he stopped at yours too!!

Santa was very kind to our kiddos this year! They had a blast opening their gifts. Thank you to all of our family for the wonderful presents. We loved everything!

Ellie got up first and turned on every light in the upstairs trying to peek down into the living room and see if there were any gifts. The result of this was that she woke up her brothers. Nick was fine with being awake, William not so much. He was a major grouch, with no interest in gifts. All he wanted was a banana. Seriously. (Wish Santa had known that in advance, it would have been much cheaper and easier on the "elves"!)

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

in the hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.



Can you tell Nick was really hopped up on excitement and Christmas cookies?! Off to bed with you kiddos!

Waiting for Santa....

William is tucked safely in bed awaiting the Christmas festivities. The big kids enjoyed reading The Night Before Christmas with Daddy.

Waiting to see Santa...

Boy, it was a really long wait to see Santa today. We went after church, along with everyone else in the metropolitan Denver area! The line was literally to the far end of the mall. In hindsight, I should have sent Paul to the food court to grab the kids some lunch. But the "elves" kept telling us it would move really fast, and to stay in line. "Fast" is a rather subjective term, the kids didn't seem to think it applied here. And after trying to keep them entertained and calm, with no food in a hot mall, while wearing church clothes for 40 minutes; Paul and I weren't feeling the speed either!

Nick posing with a reindeer.

Eleanor rehearsing the gifts that she is going to ask for when she sees Santa.

One of the faux reindeer. Apparently very important that I include it's photo here.

Almost their turn!

William was not interested in posing for photographs.

Our Visit with Santa!

No one cried, yeah! The couple of groups just ahead of us had at least one child in hysterics. Ellie was looking a little nervous as we rounded the bend, like she was wondering what on earth Santa was doing to those little kids ahead of her. But no worries, all three did great :O)

And the "elves" were not as rushed this year, they let the kids spend a little time with Santa listing off their requests. Ellie asked for just what she has been wanting for a month (phew!), but Nick pulled one out of left field. We'll have to see if "Santa" can pull that off at this late date. And William was oblivious to the entire proceeding. I'm sure he will be thrilled by whatever Santa brings for him.

Merry Christmas!

Just thought this was cute! William passed out in the car after church this morning. He reminds us of a Christmas elf. (Please excuse the cracker crumbs and generally messy car seat. I really need to clean it. Will wait for positive digit temps first though!)

William Update...

At last! We finally did it, William hit 20 pounds at 20 months. WooHoo! Forward facing car seat here we come!

Not sure how as he has been sick almost non-stop since the first week of November, and currently he has Rotovirus (yes, you can still catch this after having the vaccine. Who knew?!). I am amazed, but where food and calories don't work, prayer does!

He is still very small for his age. And we are scheduled to go to Denver Children's in February to see if they have any answers for us.

But this was a big hurdle and we made it for Christmas!

At last, an Angel on our tree!

Well, I finally finished version one of the Christmas tree angel. As most of my projects seem to be, it was more challenging than I was anticipating. And I am not thrilled with the means of fastening it onto the branch, but it is done. After nine years we at last have something at the top of the tree! Ellie of course is thrilled to be the "angel". She asked to post this here so she could show off a bit.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Usually Mrs. McDonald has the kids sing solo, but this year she added Burl Ives as backup. (Sorry about the poor quality filming, I was holding onto the back of squirming William's pants with one hand while filming with the other. Rambunctious toddlers are not conducive to keeping the camera steady!)
Enjoy!

P.S.- Thanks Anna and Holly for the dress loan! It is just perfect for a Christmas concert :O) And don't worry, we are taking good care of it for you.

Eleanor's Christmas Concert

Ellie's school did their annual Christmas concert today. All of the 4 year olds in the sanctuary singing the songs that they have been practicing since October. So cute! Ellie did much better than at her 3 year old concert; she actually sang this time vs. last years waving to Mom in the audience. What a difference a year of maturity makes! And then of course this year she has ear tubes, so she can actually hear.

I'm trying to post a video, but Blogger is being cranky today:o(

Electronic Christmas Greetings

‘Twas the month before Christmas and all through the land,

Holiday preparations were beginning, the season was at hand.

Most pressing of all (to the mothers at least),

Is obtaining that perfect family photo,

To be mailed North, South, West and East.

The children three were all perfectly dressed,

head to toe in their very best.

Primped and polished and brilliantly clean,

Now a pose and a smile from each is all that we need.

With Mama holding the camera and the kids there in sight,

And Dad at the ready to help with his might.

We prepared ourselves eagerly for certain photographic delight!

Our three little angels, at this holy time of the year,

Representing blessings of the Season, success seemed so near!

When what should happen? The most dreaded of scenes,

The children won’t cooperate, not a smile to be seen.

Our eldest, the firstborn was embodying “Hope”.

By turns he was silly, and then he would mope.

The middle, our princess, was to represent “Peace”.

She was whining and crying until we cried CEASE!

But the baby; our so happy, and tiniest boy,

Had been carefully selected to represent “Joy”.

Nary had a smile crossed his wee, sweet face.

We wondered if “Humbug” shouldn’t be in its place.

Alas, at that point we gave up and called it quits.

We’d had enough of near constant apoplectic fits.

The kids off to their rooms for some quiet time,

The adults near the fire, with a nice glass of wine.

While the pictures aren’t the best, our desire remains,

To wish you all blessings and so we proclaim,

“Hope, Peace, and Joy from our home to yours”,

(And a wish that next year’s card won’t be such a chore!)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

(With great affection for and our deepest apologies to Clement Clarke Moore)

Cards are all in the mail at last, Phew! One should be in a mailbox near you soon!