Saturday, December 29, 2007
What We're Doing on Our Christmas Vacation
Here's Ethan suited up in full Diego protective gear. He's been riding laps around "the loop" in our house (through the entryway, into the kitchen, through the dining room, through the living room and back to the entryway). So far, his steering has been very accurate and there haven't been any collisions or crashes.
Mary Kate has been busy making and serving tea to everyone (thanks, Uncle Jake!). Here, Ethan takes a break from his bike marathon for some refreshment courtesy of little sister.
Then Mary Kate decided she needed to run some errands, I guess, and she got ready to go with her purse (thanks, Siepker family!) and sippy cup.
Ethan played his new Cranium game...Sounds of the Seashore (thanks Aunt Lauren!) while Mary Kate did a Play-Doh project.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Christmas Day...This One's for You, Grandpa Grilz
Mary Kate found her bouncy Inch Worm rider and decided to take it for a spin while holding her Gears toy. Notice that she is wearing some new purple Mary Jane crocs...very stylish with the pink flannel reindeer pjs.
After all the gifts were opened, we had breakfast. In the middle of breakfast, we got a call from Grandma Brenda telling us that Grandpa Grilz came down with a very bad case of the stomach flu on Christmas Eve. We decided that Christmas dinner wouldn't be the same without them, so we postponed our dinner until Grandpa's recovered. We hope you are feeling better soon, Grandpa!! We love you.
Without a big meal to cook, Mom decided to stay in her pajamas and play for most of the day. We had a great time with all the new toys and gifts. We got several health updates from Grandma Brenda and spent lots of time talking on the phone to family across the country.
Here's the view of our snowy back yard from our family room. We've had such a beautiful, snowy December. For the past several days, temperatures have been in the high 20's to low 30's and it's been fabulous for playing in the snow. We've received about 13 inches of snow this month, and more is on the way. Hooray!
Merry Christmas to all our dear family and friends. We wish you peace, love, joy and health.
Christmas Eve...Afternoon and Evening
Mary Kate with a cool gears toy from Nana.
Ethan trying on his new Scooby Doo hat from cousin Zachary. Thanks, Zach-man!
Ethan exclaims "Oh, wow!" upon opening the Matchbox Raceway from Nana.
Mary Kate LOVES her new kitchen playset from Uncle Justin. Especially the tea set.
After church, we had our traditional lasagna supper, got into our comfy pj's and wrote a note to Santa. Here it is, dictated and signed by Ethan. Then it was off to read books and snuggle into bed.
Christmas Eve...Morning
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Best Birthday Ever!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Making Snowflakes
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
We Love the UPS Man
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Making Caramels
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Ethan's Preschool Christmas Program
Mary Kate waited patiently for the show to begin and studied the program with Grandpa Grilz and Grandma Brenda. Michele, Laura, and Nathaniel Wells came, and so did our friends Mary and Lauren Fullerton.
Performing "Children Go Where I Send Thee." The actions in this song included counting down from 5 to 1. We think E's hand is almost as big as the head of the little girl standing in front of him. Dad estimates that E's feet will be as big or bigger than his by the time Ethan is 12.
Ethan sees us in the crowd and waves.
Ringing bells to "Deck the Halls."
"Silent Night"... the "sleep in Heavenly Peace" part.
Here's a post-concert pose with Laura and Mary Kate before going out for supper at the Three Seasons. Boy, that place has good root beer! We had a great time.
Putting up the (fake) tree
A Visit With Santa
Monday, November 26, 2007
Thanksgiving at Grandpa Grilz's House
The prime rib took a little longer than planned, so by the time Mary Kate got into her high chair, she was ready for supper. Here she is wondering when some food is going to show up.
After supper while everyone over 3 feet tall was cleaning up, MK found a bag of mini marshmallows and decided they would make a good dessert.
After cleanup, we put together and decorated a gingerbread house.
Friday, November 23, 2007
3D Glasses
Sunday, November 18, 2007
The Pooh Puzzler
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Another birthday milestone...MK celebrates 18 months
Mary Kate pushed/rode her scooter most of the way.
Dad makes us take a break for a picture with Mom...the kids weren't too happy about stopping.
Especially since there was a huge dirt pile within sight at the park. The ice skating rink is being put in. Ethan and Mary Kate climbed the dirt pile for a long time. Boy, I really wished I had changed their clothes before the walk!
Ethan is as tall as the basketball hoop!
We managed to pry MK off the dirt pile for a ride in the car before heading home for baths.