A Visit with Santa

As you can tell, Isaac was not impressed.

Holly's got Skill

While you might notice that I have really cute kids in this picture (a true statement) that is not the purpose in sending this photo. Please notice what the children are sitting on--

It only took 6 years but Holly finished this gorgeous quilt. Might I point out to all those that may not appreciate this accomplishment-this was a difficult pattern.

Also pictured in this blog is Hannah next to her tree. Yes, all the ornaments are pink and hung with pink ribbon. There are also pink candy canes. It would have had pink lights, but we couldn't find those. The things we do so we don't have to buy a PINK TREE.

Hannah Loves Home Depot

Last January, Hannah and I started getting some Daddy-Daughter time by going to Home Depot the first weekend of each month. They put on a Kid's Work Shop from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Lowe's also does this once or twice a month from 10-11 a.m., but not on the same day each month.) Hannah has her own apron and gets a new pin and certificate every time we complete a project. We made it to the workshop seven times this past year; check out all that bling on her apron. Some of her favorite projects include a Mother's Day bouqet and vase, and the yellow stool (pictured) she uses to reach the tabletop. This month we made an easel, conveniently hidden beneath her certificate. Hannah is obviously the cutest kid in town, regularly getting the most attention from our Home Depot Helper, Monica.

1,2,3...

CRAWL!
This has been a big month for Isaac. Two teeth and becoming mobile. Can any of you say you grew two teeth this month? I thought not.

Costume Contest

Our family went to a Halloween party on the Coast Guard Base. We got there too late for the costume contest, but we are positive Cinderella and her mouse would have won first. Thank goodness for sewing skills. Isaac's mouse costume had to be altered many times. The original pattern had monkey arms and a hood so big you could fit two heads inside. I think it turned out way cute. But, then you could probably stick him in anything and he'd look adorable.
Happy Halloween!

Halloween around the corner

Hannah decided to be Cinderella-Fairy this year for Halloween. Which mean that Isaac will have to be a mouse--probably Jack. So I finished this Friday and Hannah most likely will wear it to thread before we get to go trick or treating. She wants to wear it all the time.

Please ignore the thing about Holly dressing up as TinkerBell. I will do no such thing.

Halloween 2006.



September 2008.

I think its time to make Hannah a new fairy costume.

Mile Stones

We are happy to announce that Hannah is on her way to being potty trained. I'm embarrashed to say the words such as "potty""poo-poo""pee-pee""panties""pull-ups" are all commonly said in conversation at home, out shopping, around friends, at church, etc. Why do all these toilet training words begin with P? I'm not ashamed to admit that most of the progress being made is due to bribery. Yep, when Hannah started to use the potty she got a Cinderella doll. Now if she uses the potty and doesn't have an accident she gets to watch Barbie Twelve Dancing Princesses. It's pretty effective.
Another mile stone. Isaac has taken off with baby food. So far he's tackled rice cereal, sweet potato, green beans, pears, and bananas. He is a very excited eater. He is just about five months now and he is getting his two bottom teeth. I don't think I'll have weigh issues with Isaac.

Hannah is Treee

Well, it doesn’t seem possible when you look at a little baby, but they grow up and pretty soon they’re 3. Such a thing happened in our home this week. Hannah, the little baby girl who the doctors were so concerned wasn’t growing fast enough, turned the ripe old age of 3. Gone are the days were she will hang onto my leg; now, I practically have to beg her to hold my hand. Gone are the days were she couldn’t open the freezer door. Now the kitchen is her domain—she knows where to get the good food. Gone are the days she wanted to repeat everything mommy says. Now she only repeats what Barbie says—“I’m not strong enough,” “Perhaps, I can help,” (Mermaidia). Ya, you get the point. I wish I could say, gone are the days she wore diapers, but we’re still working on that. So we had a birthday party with Lincoln, born the same day, and all the nursery friends. We planned a picnic dinner with kites and bubbles at the park. Unfortunately, it rained a lot. So we had a picnic under the pavilion. A few kids ventured out into the rain. By the end of the event the kids were crying because they were cold, wet, and falling in the mud (Hannah remained where it was dry). A successful party?
This year it only took me two hours to decorate the cake and three containers of frosting. The cake was admired by all the children present. Hannah received many gifts. Surprisingly most had a princess theme.

Finger Sucking

Sometimes I think that it's cool that my kid sucks his fingers instead of his thumb, but then again I don't think that it's as cute. You can vote on it if you like.
Lest any of you think that I don't think my child is the most adorable thing in the world--think again. Here is the latest example. We got new neighbors on the left and the right of us today. Both houses have been on the market for more than 8 months. They both are Navy and they both have baby boys (5 months and 6 months). What luck. I guess we need to be careful about closing our curtains now and I hope they won't snub us for having a cuter baby.

Happy Birthday to Me.

Well, I'm finally writing a blog. This sounds like a great way to keep people informed with what our family is doing. Hmm, I hope it works out. I'm already almost two weeks late on my first entry, a tribute to my 31st Birthday (July 9). I might as well back up to the 4th of July...

I spent the 4th in the usual "day off" fashion, by laying a slab of concrete. It was my first attempt and it was exhausting. After pushing paper every day its tough to move around 30, 80-lb bags of concrete. It almost went down smoothly; unfortunately, the forecasted "light" evening shower turned into a heavy downpour that swamped our gutters and did some damage to the surface of the concrete. Fortunately for me, the bottom of our trashcan doesn't care if the concrete is perfectly smooth. Anyway, we still had time to get in a little swimming and a trip to the canceled (due to light showers) fireworks show.

Right after the Holiday Weekend I set off to Portland, Maine on business. Holly pulled out my Brithday present early so that I wouldn't get lost while away from home. She scored big by getting me a Garmin Nuvi, a GPS for the car. It's great for giving directions in unfamiliar areas; we've already used it twice in Maine and North Carolina. Now, whenever I feel like a Frosty, Nuvi tells me where to find the closest Wendy's.

I had to get up at 3:30 a.m. on my Birthday to get home by lunch; but it was worth it to spend the rest of the day with the family. We celebrated with Pizza, a movie, and a trip to the Children's museum. Hannah's favorite area, of course, was the toddler area that looks just like any other toddler play area you'll find at any mall. We also enjoyed doing some fishing, checking out a bunch of model trains, and playing with big bubbles.

We finished the week off with another get together with the Clark, Miller, and Acker Families to celebrate my Birthday. I had a great time swimming with the kids in our little pool and setting up a make shift slide. It was also a great excuse to have some cake, ice cream, and some games. Can't wait till next year, my birthday has become a great reason to go out and have some fun with the kids.

It's amazing what these toddlers pick up. Hannah found a small camping pan that was just her size. She then finds the macaroni and cheese individual size packets. Fills the pan with water, puts it on the stove (thank goodness she didn't turn it on), puts the macaronin in the pan. This is when I discovered she was up to something. "Mommy, want macaroni for lunch?" You can't leave toddlers alone for a second. There is no telling what they'll get into.

Happy Easter

We realize this is old news. But we had a really fun Easter Egg Hunt with Hannah in our backyard. We also had a new video camera and were trying thing out. Mark put together this slick video. Check it out. You also may get a few quick glances at how big Holly got the week before she had Isaac.

The Family Grows

It's a Boy! Isaac Gregory was born March 28, 2008. He was a whopping 9 lbs. 13 oz. He is cute as a button with thick, brown, wavy hair. It looks like he'll have blue eyes. At two and a half months he is sleeping through the night. He is quite social with an extensive vocabulary of goos and gaws. He's really cute. You'll just have to see for yourself. Hannah is adjusting well. She loves her little brother and loves to sing to him just like mommy. Its hard to believe he's been around for three months already. We've taken him camping twice and swimming in the backyard often. He loves the water. This picture was taken after he got his second hair cut. He's got alot of hair.