Friday, January 27, 2012

January Update

We have been busy! Here are a few pictures that I've managed to snap in the past few weeks.

Evan counted the gumballs and put the correct number in each gumball machine. Thanks Uncle Mark and Aunt Danielle for this awesome gift!


Daddy and Maiya having some snuggle time on the couch.



Evan and Maiya are "sponge" painting with rolled up paper towels. They helped me paint this foam board to make the new "lost socks" board for our laundry room. We currently have two socks clipped to the board, waiting for their partner sock to show up.


In other news, Luke started playing Upward basketball again at the beginning of January. He has practice once a week and games on Saturdays. He enjoys running and being with the other kids. He isn't too competitive, but we think he is getting a lot of enjoyment and teamwork experience with the team.

Evan has become a new kid when going to preschool. It seems that his 4th birthday, and the long holiday break were what he needed to turn into a big kid at preschool. He walks into school like he owns the place and is so independent and confident. I'm so proud of how well he is doing and what he is learning.

Maiya has had a busy month leaning to be a big girl and being potty trained. She is now potty trained for every time except naps and night time. She is getting better and better each day about telling us when she has to go, and will now go potty any time we tell her to go (before we leave the house to go somewhere, for example). It's so nice to not be buying so many diapers! Next step is getting through naps without a diaper!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Happy Birthday to me!

Today was my birthday. Evan took a picture of my with my new camera. I think he did a pretty good job!


My requests for my birthday were my camera accessories and S.A.S. cupcakes.


Mmmmmm.


I choose triple chocolate. Delicious.




Maiya enjoyed her chocolate chip cupcake.



Dan got me a Pandora bracelet with my first charm - my birthstone. I love it!

Super Kids

My awesome friend, Angie, made the kids super hero capes and as soon as I gave them to the kids, they started flying around the house and jumping off of anything they could find to "fly."

It's amazing what I can NOT get them to do, but Luke CAN get them to do. If I can just get Luke on board with something, the younger two will follow. Luke told them to stand on the couch and put their arms out like they are flying.


Then, he told them to turn around - don't you love the letters on their backs!?!?


Luke's next instruction...


And, finally...


Let the jumping off the couch resume!



Just 'cause he's cute.


Thanks, Ang!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Our day in pictures

Evan was sick today and stayed in his jammies and sat on the couch all day.


Maiya had a great day hanging out in her Dora undies.


Luke's first full day with his new glasses and he was loving it.


All of these pictures were taken in our family room, after dark, with just overhead lighting on. I used my new camera lens and light scoop that I got for my birthday (a day early). These are straight out of the camera - no editing. I LOVE it! Happy Birthday to me!!!

Sunday, January 01, 2012

Indiana Visit

 We have been enjoying our visit to Indiana. We have been able to see lots of people that we don't get to see very often.

These are the kids of some great high school friends.


Evan and cousin Long Long.


Luke playing DS with cousin Noah watching.


Uncle Andy with Evan and Noah.


Playing in the super cool castle at Tammy and Andy's house.


Evan and his "twin" Jacob - Jeremy and Courtney's middle son.


Cutie Allison - Jeremy and Courtney's youngest daughter.



Marlee and Della - Rachael's daughters.


Jacob, Hailey (Jeremy and Courtney), Aaron (Michelle and Scott), and Luke.


Michelle getting snuggles from Maiya and Adam.


Cousins - Evan, Noah, Meilyn, and Luke


The grownups - Michelle and Scott, Racheal, Angie, Jill, Tammy, Courtney, Jeremy, Andy, Dan, Jason and Missy, Kim, Carrie, Jeb and Jenn.



Maiya snuggles for Angie.


Aaron and Luke playing their DS games.


Maiya and Jacob (Missy and Jason) waching a cartoon on my phone.


Luke planking at Grandma and Grandpas.


Evan and Daddy playing Uncle Eric's guitar.


Making Smores at Grandma and Grandpas house.


Maiya rocking it out and Missy and Jason's house.


Luke and Sophie playing spoons.


Uncle Andy and Long Long chillin together.


Drawing and stickers at Grandma and Grandpas house.


Lunch time with the cousins.


Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Hoot with some great grandkids.


Christmas Day Part 2

Christmas afternoon, Uncle Mark and Aunt Danielle came over with Grammy, Grandad, Great Grandmother, Aunt Jean, and Uncle Lysle. The kids love playing with Mark and Danielle.



Maiya likes sitting on the giant bean bag chair with her technology.


We cleaned up the garage to make room for some new toys and Evan helped Daddy paint a shelf that was in the garage.


This is a pretty normal scene from my life. Kids hanging all over me.


And, kids hanging all over Daddy.


Great Grandmother playing with Maiya.


Snack break with Uncle Mark.


Luke got a sled for Christmas and since we didn't have snow, Luke made due by sliding across the carpet.


Opening more presents from family.