They could be twins!

These are pictures of the kids on their blessing days. Both are just about 3 months old in these pictures, and I can't believe how much they look alike. They really could have been twins.

Addy's 4 Month Appointment

Addy is doing great, and growing like a weed. She's 15 lbs. exactly, and is 77% for weight an 79% for height. Pretty much almost exactly the same as Ethan at this time. She looks just like him too! Here is a picture of Ethan jus to prove it.


Some of my favorite things about her . . . she laughs at just about anything, and her giggle is adorable. When she's ready to eat you can barely get the bottle in her mouth, because she's got her hands, burp rag, and anything else right up to her mouth in anticipation of the bottle, she is very even tempered, she rubs her eyes when she is tired, she loves to play with her toys and reaches out and grabs them, she even likes to pet the new puppy (well more like grab his fur).

She is just so much fun, and we love her to pieces. We are blessed to have her in our lives.

My Birthday!

For my birthday this year, I asked for a sewing machine. My mom always told me that I needed to learn how, because one day I'd want to sew some things. I told her she could just do it for me, and I never learned. Well, as always, mom was right. So, I'm learning how to use it, and here is my first project . . . I made the 2 throw pillows on Ethan's bed. Not too shabby, but also not to difficult to simply sew a few straight lines. Anyway, I can't wait to get on to bigger and better projects.

Christmas 2010

Addy and Ethan were able to see Santa at Andy's family Christmas party. We had dinner, visited with Santa, and played the white elephant game. We took a "leg lamp" from the movie Christmas Story as our white elephant, and everyone fought over it. We had a great time. Here are a couple of pictures of the kids with Santa.




On Christmas Eve, we have my family Christmas party. We have dinner, read from Luke 2 and have the little ones act out the nativity scene, and open presents from the drawing. Addy got a really cute toy and pair of socks from Sloane, and Ethan got a darling cowboy outfit from Aunt Janet. He LOVED it, and he looks pretty stinkin' cute in it!



Christmas this year was so much fun. Ethan LOVED everything . . . except Santa. In fact, he got up Christmas morning and we said let's go and see what Santa brought you and he told us no, he didn't want to see Santa. We assured him Santa was not in our house, and only left presents, and then he was fine. Santa brought him a spiderman bean bag chair, a spiderman watch, and coloring books, a toy story game for the TV, remote control cars, and a fishing pole. Santa brought Addison a cabbage patch doll, a few toys, and a little minnie mouse blanket.







Both Grandparents spoiled the kids to death! Ethan got a ton of spiderman stuff from Grandpa and Grandma A, and a cool spiderman shooting game from Grandma and Grandpa T, pajamas, and a buzz light year sleeping bag. Addison got outfits and princess stuff from Grandma and Grandpa A, and a really neat night light/music player, toy, and clothes from Grandma and Grandpa T. Here is Ethan in his beanbag chair, having a little rest with his puppy, who he drug around the house in his buzz light year sleeping bag, before letting him take a nap on it with him! Thanks Grandpa's and Grandpa's. We certainly love you guys.

Our New Puppy

Gary and Rachel's dogs had cute yorkie puppies, and we decided we'd better get one since they are probably their last litter. So, we announce the latest addition to our family . . . Duke!

The Cuz Buzz

Colby, Suzanne, and Julia spent the week last week in Utah for Christmas, since Colby's work doesn't allow them to be gone at Christmas. The kids had a ball playing together in the snow, visiting the dinosaur museum, making cookies with Grandma and Grandpa, and opening Christmas presents!

Addy's Blessing

We had a great day today with family and friends at Addy's blessing and luncheon. Andy gave her a beautiful blessing.

Halloween

Touching Moment

While Andy is out of town, I've been pretty good about cooking dinner and taking care of the house, but tonight I didn't want to cook, so off to Papa Murphey's we went to pick up some great pizza. I walked in the door, and I saw one of my former 7th grade students, who is now a senior in high school. He asked all about my little family and how we were all doing, and then he proceeded to tell me that he's going to the JTEC center 1/2 day to become a surgical assistant and that he wants to join the military and go to school to become a doctor. I told him I was proud of him, and also a little excited that he'd chosen a career in the science profession. He just said . . . "why do you think I like science so much, it's because of you." I was so touched I wanted to cry. I really do like the job I have now as an Evidence-based learning specialist. It has been a learning and growing opportunity, but I have to say that I really miss my kids, and miss being able to be a part of their lives, and hopefully be able to touch them in some small way. Tyson reminded me tonight of why I went into education in the first place, and maybe I need to get back to the classroom!

Story Time

Ethan certainly has my number when it comes to bed time. He loves me to read to him, and asks for book after book after book. I know he is just delaying bedtime, but I can't help but want to read to my little guy for academic, and emotional reasons. Some of his favorites . . .








He has most of them memorized and if I start the sentence, he can finish them. I especially love Good Night Moon. He says "and good night to the old lady whispering hush" so cute! The other part that is adorable is in where's my mother? He says "SNORT" so funny you just have to laugh! I love reading stories to my little guy. Even if it does delay bedtime occasionally. :)

Our Happy Girl

Andy's Birthday

Happy 32 to my sweetheart! I am so grateful to have you in my life. Your smile is contagious, your silly giggle makes me laugh, your strength always impresses me, your soft touch makes me feel safe and loved, your gentle kisses on the heads of our children melt my heart. Thank you for sharing your life with me, and happy birthday!

Happy Halloween

Halloween, or Halloweeney, as Ethan calls it, was so much fun this year. Ethan had a ball helping to put up all the spooky decorations, carving pumpkins, trick-or-treating, and even answering the door on Halloween night.

Andy had the house all decked out with every spooky thing you could possibly imagine. He even had a dummy on the porch. We found all sorts of things on it the next morning. It looked as though people threw rocks, etc at it to determine whether there was a real person in it waiting to scare them. He also had the music video of thriller projected on the house. The parents of the trick-or-treaters seemed to enjoy this the most, and many sat out on the lawn and watched the video and did a little dancing. It was quite a site, and Andy loved every minute of it.

Ethan, of course, was spiderman. He LOVES superhero costumes, and always wants to be dressed up as Superman, Spiderman, Batman, or Buzz LIghtyear. He looked super cute, and has almost wore the costume right out, because he has worn it so many times. There aren't too many 2 month old Halloween costumes, but Addy wore a cute little ladybug outfit. She looked darling in it. I was a witch, but shame on me, I didn't get pictures of all of us together. My mom did though, so I'll have to get a pic from her to post later on.

Addy's 2 month appointment

I knew Addy was getting big, but I didn't realize how big until we went to the Doc on the 18th of October for her check-up. She was already 12 lbs. 8 ounces, and was in the 92% for weight! Good heavens. We couldn't love our little chunk any more though. She is just perfect, and is such a sweet baby. She is cooing and smiling, and loves for you to talk to her. She is just pleasant and happy 90% of the time, and her little spirit is a welcome addition to our home.

Dreams

I am a sucker for Sports movies. You name it . . . I love it. Hoosiers, Rudy, the Blind Side, Coach Carter, Glory Road, The Rookie, For Love of the Game, the list could go on and on. I always get a little teary eyed at the end of these types of movies, I guess for a few different reasons. First, because someones dream has come true, and second, because I love sports.

As a little girl, I had many dreams, many of which never came true. For instance, I am not an archeologist, or an astronaut, a famous basketball player, or even a doctor. I am a humble teacher for my profession, but one of the most important dreams I had, did come true. I am a mom, and am so grateful for the opportunity to be one. My children make my heart leap for joy, and give me such great happiness.

Last night, Addy only woke up once. While I was holding her, rocking her back to sleep, I couldn't help but think that I just might miss the quiet alone time that the two of us get with each other in the middle of the night. Crazy I know, but every minute is precious. Especially now that I've witnessed how fast they grow up.

My favorite time with Ethan is night time. He snuggles in bed, and I read him story after story, until he finally asks for his favorite . . . Mommy's Best Kisses, and then he is ready to go to sleep. I love these little precious moments with my babies, and hope that there will be plenty more to come.

Baby Doll Dress Up

I love my little Ethan with all my heart, and having a boy is so much fun. We play guns, pretend to be super hero's, (I get to be a damsel in distress on a regular basis), drive cars around the house, and throw balls to each other. With that said . . . I am just loving having a little girl to dress up. The bows, the pink, and the darling clothes just melt my heart. I feel as though I'm dressing up a little doll to parade around just to look cute. Poor little Addy will probably hate pink when she gets older, because I just can't get enough of it! Here she is sporting one of her darling pink outfits!

incredible pizza

It's been hard to keep Ethan entertained while managing a new baby, but we've done our best to get him out to do fun things. One of our adventures was to incredible pizza. Ethan had so much fun riding on the rides, bowling, playing mini golf, playing games, and collecting tickets to earn prizes. I think mini golf was the funniest part. Ethan would hit the ball once, and then pick it up and put it in the hole. Grandpa T would have a fit if he knew that Ethan was cheating at golf. We need to teach that boy some patience. But the best part . . . it was just as much fun to watch him as it was for him to play!

The Princess and the Mobster

Well, it's no secret that Ethan LOVES guns. I know that we'll be arrested one day for carrying a facsimile of a weapon in a store or something. Anyway, this morning, he was walking around the house in his suit, waiting for me to finish getting ready for church, shooting his machine gun. He totally looked like a little Mobster!


I also got Addy all dolled up in this cute little dress that Grandma T bought for her. It's a hair too big, and the brown headband that I bought for her didn't fit, so we had to go with white, but I still think she looks pretty darn cute.