Push up, up, up!

Brent does this thing with the kids... They call them push ups. It's nothing like a traditional push up!

It started with Lucas putting his feet in the palm of Brent's hands, then Brent lifting him up. It only took a few times before Hannah wanted to try it, too! I'm amazed at the balance both kids have! They can each stay "up" for a long time.

They got into some carnival-like antics (as if this wasn't enough) by having both kids go at once.

 

P.S. I tried it once - Brent lifted me up but my legs weren't ready for the balance game. I'll leave this to the kids!

NYE 2012

Thirteen years ago Brent and I would have been found celebrating New Year's Eve with friends - dinner, drinks and dancing, the night never ended before 1AM. Fast forward to our move to our little town... now you can always find us ringing in the new year with friends, kids, still lots of food, games and maybe even some dancing (by the little ones). It is fun to have this tradition with our family, as well as dear friends who we count as family!

Warning: some of the pictures are very poor quality, but I still wanted to share.

Lucas and Jonah bowling.

 

Marshall and Lucas.

Sara, Kim, Maggie, Brandy holding Marshall, me, Loree, Sara's friend Amy.

 

Dave and Hannah. 

Dave loves Hannah.  Hannah loves Dave, especially when he has food.

 

 

Hannah and Greg watching the fireworks. 

Marc put on a great fireworks show but we all watched from inside... it was way too cold to venture out!

Watching the ball drop in New York City (11pm our time).  We had our festivities, the kids blew their horns and we all packed up and headed home.  Kids were asleep before getting home and Brent and I were in bed before midnight.  :) 

 

Happy 2013!

::sledding::

We had a big snowfall and blizzard just before Christmas.  School was cancelled two days in a row because of the blowing snow, bad roads and super cold temperatures.  This was the first major snowfall since Lucas has been old enough to enjoy it.  In fact, I'm not sure he wore his snow boots last year more than twice.  I'm glad I bought them a bigger size - they still fit this year. 

While we celebrated Christmas with the Perrys we also had the chance to go sledding!  The big kids loved it as much as the little ones.  Well, mostly just the biggest little one... Lucas loved it, Hannah liked it, Cameron wasn't so into it. 

All bundled up!

 

Brad and Cameron.

Brent and Cameron.

Ready, set, go!

 

 

 

 

Brad and Lucas.

Weeee!!!

Brian and Hannah.

Why not just relax and make a snow angel?

 

Hannah and Daddy.

Hannah loves ice.  I had a hard time keeping her gloves on and preventing her from eating the CLEAN, WHITE snow.

Telling Daddy it's cold!

 

 

After the girls headed inside, the boys wanted more adventure.  They headed to "Short's hill" which is an infamous sledding spot from when Brent, Brad and Brian were kids. 

Brent sent me this photo from his phone.  Thankfully the 4-wheeler helps with all of the walking back up the huge hill! 

 

Lucas loved this day!  Getting to be outside, playing in the snow with not just his dad, but BOTH uncles, plus sledding and 4-wheeling.  Could it get any better?  BOY FUN!

Hannah's party

Say cheese! Hannah loves to take pictures on my cell phone and tries to get ahold of my real camera. She loves her "cheese" and taking pictures of... feet, furniture, the TV...

She opened this gift and said "my bed" (with a happy shriek). I was stunned. How did she know this was big girl bedding? She immediately wanted to lay down and wrap up in it. Do you think it will be this easy to transition her to a big girl bed?!?!

She loves sweets. Like, she would live off of candy, yum-yums and chips. She isn't really into TV or princess, she just loves her babies. When trying to come up with an idea for her birthday I figured, why not what she loves? Lucas did suggest that I put little babies on the cake but I opted for lollipops... babies might have been a little creepy. :)

Poor girl was just getting over being very sick with a virus that had super high fever. She never faded for her party, but she was so pooped and her little eyes were so tired!

She's concentrating...

I wasn't kidding - she loves candy. Even the fondant marshmallow lollipops!

All cleaned up after cake and investigating the goodies in her new purse - sunglasses!

(And sitting in a box!)

A happy birthday for our lovable Hannah! We wish you many, many, many more!!!

Hannah = 2

Happy 2nd Birthday, sweet Hannah! 

 

Today is your birthday... it is hard to imagine life before you arrived.  You have brought so much fun and laughter to our lives!  You've also brought lots of pink, an enormous amount of baby dolls and blankets, hair pretties and shoes.

 

You have a cheesy grin that can make me change my whole mood.  That's a good thing because sometimes you are so full of energy, life and smarts that I need an attitude adjustment.  You are an adventurer and have lived up to every bit of "keeping up with your big brother."  About a month ago you dialed up Aunt Ann on the iPad while I was in the shower.  I was surprised, but not as surprised as Aunt Ann was (seven hours ahead of our time zone).

 

You've been very sick the last few days and while Daddy and I have enjoyed the cuddling that you are usually not very interested in (you are much to busy), we pray that you are on the mend and back to your busy self. 

 

We are thankful and so blessed to have you in our family. 

Happy Birthday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

accidental Santa visit

While I was in Belgium visiting Ann, Steve and Connie took the kids for a day.  They ran some errands and ate lunch at McDonald's.  They stopped by Earl May Garden Center and lo and behold who was there?  Santa!  Remember, this was November - BEFORE Thanksgiving.  Steve and Connie were just as surprised as the kids when they saw him. 

 

 

I can tell that Lucas had no problem warming up and talking to Santa.  He is intrigued by Santa and asks him a million questions any time he has the chance.  I imagine he's telling Santa about his FIFTH birthday.

 

This is closer and calmer than Hannah has ever been to Santa. 

 

And they all look pleasant - no tears from Hannah.

 

 

Unlike a few weeks later when she saw him at the Christmas program...