Jammin' Out - brother bonding moment

Ethan and Brady are having a great time. Jared thinks we should submit this to America's Funniest Home Videos. What do you think?

Rachel lost her front tooth

I was amazed at Rachel's determination a couple of nights ago. One of her top front teeth has been loose for some time, gradually getting a little looser each day. All weekend long she would lament, "I can't wait to loose this tooth, it's ugly how it just hangs there...." She finally had enough and during dinner, she took a bite of pasta and felt it come even more loose. So off she went to the bathroom. Twisting and turning, (icky...it makes my stomach turn just thinking about it) to no avail. Jared came close to her and offered to "help" and she burst into tears and hid in the bathroom. Finally calm again, she spent 10 more minutes in the bathroom trying to get it out. Lightbulb moment, "hey mom, do you have any string?" I gave her some dental floss and 5 minutes later we hear, "I got it!" Triumphant!

She now enjoys finding things that can fit in the new hole like straws and lollipop sticks. I must admit it is a little fun hearing her adjust to trying to talk without a "whistle" sound. Cute as a button!!!!!

Fun family time

We took the kids to the Dinosaur Museum on Saturday. (Notice, no good picture is without someone sticking their finger up someone or something's nose!)

It amazes me that they still love to go even after we've been several times in the last 8 months because we have a family pass.

As you enter the main museum doors, there is a sign that says to look for 13 gnomes (pictures and actual statues) throughout the exhibit. So, the challenge was on for Ethan, Rachel and me.

Still looking...is it in here?????

You will never guess how many we found....

...NONE!

Even though we were unlucky in finding any gnomes we were lucky, Jared got to join us on this adventure.

Once there was a snowman, snowman......

We had some great snow this week. I was out shovelling snow and Brady kept pelting me with snowballs. So he finally wore me down and we set out to build a snowman. He's very proud and excited to tell that "he" built the snowman with mom's help. I asked him what he was going to name the snowman, and much to my surprise he said "Dad". I'll let you be the judge as to if there is some resemblence between Jared and "Dad" Snowman.

Luke on Polar Bears

Believe it or not, Luke had to give a presentation on Polar Bears (he's in kindergarten!!) Needless to say, public speaking is not on his high list of necesseties as you can see from the video. He was supposed to have 3 things to share about Polar Bears. You have to give him credit though because he has only been at this new school for 4 weeks and really doesn't remember any of the kids names yet. He's so cute!

Ethan's 12th birthday

Here are a couple of photos from Ethan's big 12 bday!!!! I still can't believe he is 12.

Can you tell that Jared thinks this is the coolest cake ever!!!! No thanks to me, my mom baked and decorated.

Rachel made the "Happy Birthday" sign.

Ethan just wants to blow out the candles and eat the cake.

Late Christmas photos

I told you I had issues with the camera, computer and just plain old moving hassles that keep me from downloading more pictures...lame excuse I know but here ya go.

These photos were taken the Monday before Christmas. We had just moved into the neighborhood 2 days prior. A sweet grandma lady in our neighborhood, as her gift to the neighbor children, invites everyone to come to her house to visit with Santa. Apparently she has done this for several years and hopes that it helps the parents too because no mall crowds and bring your own camera style. Luke wasn't shy at all and he quickly jumped onto Santa's lap first.

Rachel was next and then Ethan, both secretly just as excited even though both have transitioned into Santa helpers from Santa receivers. Brady, on the other hand, wouldn't even look at Santa.