New camera shots

Today the new little digital camera arrived (thank you Steve's reward points).  I wanted to have a little camera to pull out and take with my everywhere vs. always using my cell phone.  I want to distance myself from the phone.

Here's our little lovebug! All smiley and cute...

 And now, you're being a funny goofball- 

while your sweet brother Alex hangs on the trampoline bar

 Wearing your brother's old 'I'd rather be camping' shirt

 Enjoying some water time outside...

Rain or shine!

 

Sweet Tie-tie

This little girl makes me laugh!

Seriously, you are hilarious Sierra!  Your personality is full of giggles and you have a spark in your eye that is on fire!

 I think Alex was feeling better, as he was scooping mud and mixing it with water to make "vomit".  You are a precious little boy.  And seriously, several times over the past couple days you have said to Mommy, "Thank you for helping me clean up my throw up."  What three year old says that?!?!?! 

 I'm glad you're feeling good enough to play outside 

and make your famous mud soup!

 Who knew that making farting noises 

could make Sierra crack up so much...

 Sometimes when we come home from being away or outside, Alex says, "I like coming home to a clean house."  It cracks me up what he picks up on.

 Little Miss 'I like to roll around and laugh while I'm naked'!

Sierra's hair looks long when it's wet!

 Keeping a bit of distance between kiddos to hopefully stop the spread of the bug that Alex had a couple days ago.

Titus spent a little time off leash yesterday.  He was very happy to dig by the well box.  Micki tried to help him figure out what was hiding in the dirt nearby, but we didn't see anything.  I'm sure Tman will be back to explore this weekend.  It's got to be hard for him to not be able to roam free like he used to.  Time to heal first buddy.

 Alex was so happy that it wasn't raining yesterday.  He made mud soup up in the firepit.  Yum!  And later, we discovered that the tulip and daffodil bulbs are starting to poke up from the ground! 

 This should have been the first sign that he wasn't feeling good after naptime.  I missed it!

 It is amazing at how the land changes with the seasons.  The grass is yellow and pretty dormant now, and in a few months it will be electric green and like a shaggy carpet.  What a blessing to live up here, surrounded by so many trees and fresh air. 

 We did adventure into the big city of Vancouver to run some errands yesterday.  Micki, Ava, and Margo tagged along & we ended up shopping for snacks and then had dinner out.  They are a kick together.  And the dynamic of being like brother-sisters is developing for sure.  Alex has a way of lovingly harassing Ava and Margo.  What laughter he has!

 This is what a little boy looks like when he doesn't feel well.  A little pukin' on the carpet is fun!  And Titus got it on the head this morning when Alex threw up again.  Steve can't get home soon enough.  Keeping my fingers crossed that Sierra and I keep it at bay until Daddy's home.

 This is Titus' bruise.  He got a few minutes outside to himself last night, during the vomit clean up.  Technology is great.  I emailed a pic of his tummy to the ERvet last night and they took a look at it and said to monitor.  I took a permanent pen and traced it to see if it's maintaining the same area or getting larger.  So far it's good.  Mama mia!  When it rains, it pours around here!

 Morning tv time... 

a.k.a. waiting to see if food stays in his tummy!

 

1-30-13

Today I downloaded and transferred thousands, yes thousands, of pictures from my phone to the computer and then to our external hard-drive.  I think I was becoming overwhelmed with pictures, so I kept putting the blog off and just kept taking pictures instead.  At least I can say that all the shots are organized by months.  And I have just ordered a new/simple point and shoot digital camera that I will use daily.  My phone is always at my side, but I really like the idea of going back to just using a regular camera.  The big professional Nikon we have is great, but it can be a beast to haul around.   So, now, we are back in the swing of 'blogging'!

Sierra... you are now an official WALKER! 

 For a couple weeks she's been doing one step and fall, and now she will cruise.  Tonight, we were over at Micki and Boyd's house... and she walked all the way down their long hallway.  She is so happy and proud!

And Alexander is putting his face under water at swimming and continues to laugh, sing, and smile during lessons.  It is so worth the drive to go up to lessons each week.  Plus, seeing that he was the only kid in his class for many months- it was like private lessons!

(You love to kick and splash in the water!)

It amazes me at how much you kids are growing!

(above) Taking a post nap, nap

(below) Picking out what he wants to buy from the Rv catalog

We spent all day at home today- playing, laughing, reading, watching tv, and just being together.  I am reminded of how nice it is to just "be".  And how great it is to go next door and visit for a little bit.  I feel extremely blessed to have the ability and opportunity to stay at home and be with the kids each day.  Steve says that I have a harder job than he does.  I say that we both have jobs that are different and challenging and rewarding in their own ways.  I love being home with you two!  And Titus too!  By the way, he is on the mend.  I think it's been about three weeks since he's had surgery now.  Hopefully the prednisone is helping him heal his intestines and soon he'll back back to running around outside.  We still have him on a leash and will ease him back in to being Mr. Active.  Thank God he is with us today.  

Happy December

Yes, I know.  

It has been a lonnng time since we've checked in. 

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Today is a sunny day... and I'm very thankful for that!

Alex is nearing the 3 and 1/2 year old mark.  Can't believe it!

And Sierra is closing in on 15 months.  

Didn't she just arrive?!?

Sierra is super close to walking... she'll take Steve's hands and cruise with him.  And she has many sounds.  Cracker is called "Daaa  Daaa" not to be confused with Da-da!  And boy does she love to boogie and listen to music.  Other exciting news... her helmet therapy is done.  Look at all her curls!  She also loves to read and snuggle... and loves to mimic her brother.

 Lately, the thing to do is to play in the 'garbage dump' a.k.a. the area behind the gold chair.  Pillows are tossed behind it, and then toys get dumped down in the "incinerator" to "burn".  Classic!

Alex is also loving preschool and has six other students in class with him.  Twice a week he goes to socialize and learn.  I'm thankful he enjoys it.  He's already said he wants to invite his new friends, teachers (and the fireman who visited preschool) to his next birthday party.  After spending so many years living on the 'teaching' side of school, now I'm on the -parent-student' end and I fully realize how much work the folks who volunteered in my classrooms did.  Monday night was the annual Christmas concert.  The kids sang jingle bells and Santa was even there to meet with each child after the show.  It was cute!  We are beyond impressed with the principal.  Amazing lady. 

 I think we'll try to get our tree this weekend?  And we'll keep an eye out to see if an elf will visit us from the North Pole!  Hopefully the little elf will come soon.  I don't blame him for staying away.  It's is loud at our house.  

No, really... it's SUPER loud.  Bang, bang, pound pound, crack, stomp, stomp... We are getting the roof replaced.  Not super thrilled to be doing it this early, but at least we won't have to revisit it until the kids are in college?  Hopefully!

Lately I've also been trying to think about what makes me happy (obviously family).  I'm talking about where else I find joy in life.  Skiing, being outside, and doing things around home.  Being outside- that happens a lot.  And I know that skiing/riding will happen in the next year or two for all of us.  I also have such big plans for this property and am looking forward to starting projects this spring.  When we first moved in, I imagined everything transforming into my dream vision 'overnight'.  Four years/two kids later, we find ourselves just starting that wish list. Now that roof issues are being resolved... the next things on my wish list are:  planting a garden, as well as installing a composite style deck, landscaping, building a retaining wall, re-leveling and graveling the driveway, and planting more fruit trees down below... just to name a few things off the top of my head!  I know the list will continue to grow and will never fully be checked off.  It's fun to daydream about what will happen next!