Some kids color on walls...

Mine just happens to color all over her brother.
Someday I am sure I will appreciate this. As for now... sigh.

My Little Boy Turns One This Week!

That zipped by!! Elise's first year went by so much slower... Well, the blue-eyed blonde (how?) turns one this Friday. Now that he's walking, he gets into everything, climbs up couches and beds, eats strange things found in weird places, but he has the cutest grin in the whole world while he's doing it :) I really can't complain - he's one AMAZING little boy (how did I get so lucky to have two of the sweetest, cutest kids?)

Sick, Sick, Sick

And we do not like it, not one little bit...

Since a little before Christmas, the kids have been sick. It's never been this bad for Michael (granted he's only 11mos old) and for Elise, it's been about a couple of years. First, Elise and the rest of us came down with a cold. Then Michael came down with an awful ear infection. Following, he had a viral rash, medicine, an allergic reaction to medicine (scary!!), and then somehow, eczema? (Not a lot of snow and a whole lot of frigid weather = dry skin, apparently) Then, Elise came down with the virus, which caused us to pull out the nebulizer - she was having sporadic, long-lasting coughing fits. Thankfully, with the antibiotics, the cough has completely gone away and she's almost fully recovered. It was scary, though, for a little bit (we had no idea what was going on with her, since her symptoms were so different than Michael's).

Michael is cutting a ton of teeth, right now, so he's in a lot of pain, but other than this (as hectic as it was), it's not terrible for never, ever being sick :)

And yes, I think we are the MVP's (most valuable patients) for Upper Valley Pediatrics :)

These Little Feet...

are taking their first steps already.

He's learning how to walk right in time for my parents' visit - such good timing :)

Tiny Tots With Their Eyes All Aglow

Though I've found a few pine needles in some mmm... interesting places, it's so much fun having all the Christmas decorations up! This is definitely the best time of year :)

Thanksgiving Extravaganza

So, from what you can tell of the pictures (I had to keep reminding Rand to take pictures), the majority of our Thanksgiving was spent in the tub or on Papa's lap (the kids, that is). But, in reality, we did tons of things that are entirely unrecorded in film, but were so much fun. I tackled my husband so that my sister-in-law could score a touchdown (yes he was on my team, and no, it wasn't intentional) and we all had a lovely time walking the hike to the Waste Facilities Bldg adjacent to the Carson Prison (and yes, it involved going under the freeway). In all sincerity, we enjoyed some bonding time with the fam and it was so nice (and needed!) to see everyone - especially since we're so far away :)

*Elise does like us, despite the funny faces we get when we take pictures of her - we think she has something against the camera.
**Thank you, Alaina & Braelyn, for teaching Elise Spanish; she now asks for agua, but it comes out "wawa." :)

Baby It's Cold Outside

After my usual walk at the Hart Building early this morning, I returned to my car to discover it WASN'T WORKING!! And, it just happened to be -5 outside. Yes, that's right, there's a negative sign in front of that five. The key would not turn in the ignition (I love when it decides not to cooperate at such convenient times). After seeking some help (they couldn't get it to work either), I decided to walk home. I guess I'm a true Idahoan now :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Best one yet! (See video above)

I have to say

That I really love my family :)

FOUR years!

November 10, 2005

X-treme Strollering

What do this

and this

have in common?

Rand's response, "It's better to be crazy than boring!" Enough said.
The kids loved every minute of it.

As a disclaimer, the above picture is not the park we went to; the park we went to did have a skate park - a very TAME skate park - but no tube for those of you who are a little concerned. :)