Field Trip to the Fire station

Our kids are so lucky...the elementary school where they will go and where Owen already attends is RIGHT next door to a brand new fire station! This is truly our kids dream location. They love watching the trucks go in and out, seeing the giant flag wave, observing the firemen cleaning the engines and now for Owen taking a field trip to the station. He loved the tour and all of the tid bits of knowledge that he brought home. He was even the child chosen to demonstrate "Stop Drop and Roll" with "Firefighter Vinny". Does it get better than that?

Frosty the Fireman

On New Year's Day we woke up to snow! What a treat! We figured we better get out and enjoy it before it all melted away.

Gracie loves the cold as much as I do!

And finally...Frost the Fireman!

Happy New Year 2011!

New Years Eve was pretty low key for us this year...ordered pizza, played games, ate treats, did fireworks (the kids LOVED this part--even Gracie. I love the picture above where Davis is leaning over to protect Gracie from the fireworks. Sweet brother.), watched the ball drop in NY (at 9:00!), did poppers, shouted "Happy New Year!" and tucked some very satisfied little ones into bed. Oh, that our life may always be so sweet. I know that it won't be, but I treasure moments like this.

Milestones for Gracie and Kate

Yesterday was the first day that Gracie was officially able to go into the nursery at church (they have to be 18 months old). She was so excited about the crown on her head (it says "I am a Child of God"). The above expression is the same as how she looked as she was running down the hall of the church to me when it was time to go home...precious. It was also a BIG day for Kate who graduated from the nursery and now goes to Primary with the big kids. She is in the Sunbeam class. She was really nervous about it, but came home saying that she love it. Success.

An ornament for "Jed"

As we were taking down our Christmas tree I was reminded of one very special ornament. While we were decorating the tree Owen noticed that Jed didn't really have many ornaments on the tree, so he asked him where all of his ornaments were. Jed said that he didn't really have any ornaments (we later found that he does actually have two that he forgot about). We continued the decorating (serious chaos with our busy little Gracie and over exuberant Kate). During this time Owen disappeared and when he reappeared he presented Jed with his very own ornament. We thought that it was so sweet of him to think of his Dad's feelings. What a kindhearted boy. I had to laugh a couple of times when he got in trouble over the next few days. He would look at me with his big blue eyes and say, "Remember that ornament I made Dad..." What he was really saying was, "Aren't you going to give me a break after that sweet thing I did two days ago?" Such a sweet/smart boy!

More fun with Nana and Papa

Gracie loved having Papa here. She warmed up to him in no time and was quick to open her arms for hugs and loves.

You can always count on a project or two being done when Nana is around. I helped Kate with these bean bags while Nana helped the boys with Pirate flags for their fort.

They get their cooking skills from me...

There are several things that our boys are completely self sufficient at making...cereal, toast, orange juice, peanut butter and jelly, and Chicken Bakes from Costco. Whenever Jed has a meeting or something that takes him away from us at dinner time I like to turn the meal over to the boys. While my parents were here for the holidays they told us that we should go out on a date...we don't have to be told twice! The boys offered to make the dinner for those staying at home and Nana and Papa thought that sounded great. The got their aprons on and went to work and even made a menu....Chicken Bakes...that was the only option. Cute. Here's to my little chefs! Good job guys!