Happy Valentines to YOU!

I am so glad we have meaningful holidays in this country. And, I love how all these holidays fall right in line with winter because they help me stay focused on; the things I'm thankful for, then praising God for His precious gift-Jesus- to us AND now taking time to do little things for the ones I love. Each winter, I get tired of the weather but then another holiday comes along to focus my attention on others and crafts! Here are some pictures of what we have been up to! I bought this big foam heart, wrote on it, cut it into 14 puzzle pieces and then put magnetic tape on the back of each piece. Every day, I put one puzzle piece into that mailbox and then the boys put it on the fridge... they have no idea what it will say or look like until February 14. Now, I know a puzzle piece isn't super exciting mail, so they also each get one red peanut M&M (gotta start the day with chocolate!). They also get one post-it note with a verse of God's love written out and we are posting these on our door. Finally, they get an extra little "craft"... today I had their box of Valentine cards to write on and yesterday they made bear/heart/foam bookmarks.

And, of course sugar heart cookies are the best way to start all Valentine festivities!!! Noah agrees!

she is a chameleon

I have always thought it comical how many people comment on "who your children look like". The funny part about it is everyone's opinion is different. And, the frustrating part is I usually don't get any credit... in Alaska, people always say our children look like daddy. Even though, Savannah and Noah are totally my side!!! :)

But, the ultrasound lady called it at 18 weeks... "this little girl is going to look just like Noah"!!! How in the world could she see that from an 18-week ultrasound. But she was so accurate... we could not believe our eyes when we first saw Savannah- she did look just like Noah! Then, there have been random people who comment on how Savannah looks just like Parker. So, I smile and say "you think so" and in my head I'm thinking "what do they see, she looks like Noah!". Until, I saw this picture I took on Saturday.... Savannah is a chameleon and she does look like Parker, too!

I love how our little girley loves riding the four-wheeler with her brothers and I adore how they will do anything to keep their sissy smiling!

8th picture... 8th folder

My dear friend, Amanda, had a fun idea to share the 8th picture in your 8th file. I was all excited to see what cute picture I could post of our kiddos... but, not so much, in my case! I thought about cheating and choosing a cuter photo... that wasn't blurry and dark... but, I will not cheat!!!

So, here is this year's attempt to have a cute picture of Santa with our children. Every year, we go to the local library to sit on Santa's lap and then receive a wooden toy (a bribe!!!) made by Santa. Well, I don't know if your kiddos do well with this but mine do not enjoy Santa, too much. I always get to sit in the picture with them in order to keep the tears and screams from mounting! Fortunately, Parker is old enough to be fine with Santa but now Noah and Savannah will have nothing to do with Santa. I think we're done with traumatizing our kiddos with Santa pictures!!! I wonder why Santa pictures have become such a tradition since most kids really are terrified of the cute old man in a soft/furry suit.

huntin' 'n hikin'

We had a fabulous time in Hatcher's Pass, again! I am ashamed to admit that I had not played in the outdoors for over 3 weeks- that is forever, for me! So, we ventured up to Hatcher's Pass with; our kiddos, Kep's chipmunk gun from his childhood days, the boys' cap guns and our fun hiking buddies! We hoped to spot some ptarmigan and bunnies to hunt, but you guessed it... 7 children on a trail is a tad-bit too loud for ptarmigan and bunnies! But, the boys had fun shooting off a couple rounds of caps and it was great fun to be outdoors, again.

Thankfully, the kiddos all did A-mazing for a 2 1/2 hour hike! We treated ourselves to our new Wasilla Dairy Queen. Nothing like DQ's burgers, fries and Blizzards after a hike- gotta get back all those calories we burned (and then some)!

Savannah hung out in her throne for 2 1/2 hours and was just plum-tuckered-out by the end! I guess this sled is super comfy and I wish they made it in all sizes- even mine!!!

gracious Bush daughters...

Here's political Rachel again- it doesn't happen very often! Although, when I am moved to tears... I want to make sure everyone else can also see and hear the gracious words these two beautiful ladies have shared with Obama's daughters. Yesterday, I read the sweet letter (thanks to the link from Amanda :) ) and today I received the video link (from Sandy :)- gotta give credit, where credit is due! ). This video made me tear up because of Barbara and Jenna's sweet words to Sasha and Malia and because it drew me into "their world". I can't imagine living life in the public spectrum and hearing the media's constant negative/false portrayal's of your DAD! Then, I started to realize that despite the Bush's poor approval rating and media-treatment... they are being incredibly gracious to the Obama family. In the near future, I am excited to see and hear the media change it's course and share the truth about our respected President George Bush. I will continue to pray for Obama and his family but I am also praying for the Bush's, and if I knew they would receive it... I would love to write them a letter. Until then, I know my prayers for both families will be the best I can offer. Enjoy this video-it is well worth your time!

PS: click on the word "video"- and it will take you to the Bush daughter's letter video. Isn't that cool?- I figured out the "link" option- woohoo!!!

she's on the move...

Savannah is now 9 1/2 months old! Wow, time has flewn by and our "last" little one is changing so quickly! I remember always wanting the boys to learn the "next" thing and now, with Savannah, I am realizing she is our "last" and I want her to stay a baby. I know she will always be our "baby" but I am going to miss the; bottle-cuddles, baby chatters, and many more precious baby moments. But, at the same time... I am loving watch her get older because our boys just love watching her reach every new milestone. It's very sweet to see Parker and Noah; teach Savannah how to wave, play "Patty Cake" and "Peek-a-boo", and now lay out toys to encourage Savannah to crawl! She has been rocking on all four for a 1 1/2 months, but last night she finally figured it out... she's crawling! So, to celebrate her new crawl... we had the kids have a crawl race. Of course, Savannah came in last but the boys loved cheering her on! Now the boys are learning how to keep their Micro Machine cars, PlayMobil and Legos off the floor!
So, I have to keep reminding myself not to be sad that they are getting older, but to LOVE the fact that they are getting older and appreciating eachother more and more!

2 more months!

It's mid-January and I already accomplished my resolution! I haven't ever made resolutions... but, I think I'll make this an annual tradition, especially if it involves traveling and completing them before the end of January!!! My resolution, you might ask... I am leaving this; gorgeously, cold, blustery and icey Alaska ;) and we are going to San Diego in 2 more months! Our little family has not been on a family vacation, so we are super pumped to be going somewhere warm and sunny. Now, I just have to pray that San Diego WILL be warm and sunny in March. My sister's family vacationed in San Diego and Coronado, last March, and it was unusually chilly and sprinkly. And, that would just not be good for my NEED of sun, beaches, flip-flops and amusement parks!!! So, the next 2 months will be spent checking out all San Diego has to offer our munchkins, like:

San Diego Zoo- we can't wait to see the safari animals and monkeys!!!
Barefoot walks and sunsets on the beach

Shamu shows at Sea World

rides, Pirate land, and the Knight Castle at LegoLand

AND fun memories with the Kroon cousins, Uncle Teagen and some other CA friends!!!

I know people usually post pictures after their trips (according to my hubby!!!) BUT I am just so tickled to be going on this Spring Break trip, I had to share! So, more pictures to come of our actual San Diego vacation.

when it's cold... you bowl!

We've had negative temps for about 3 weeks, so I think we've visited most indoor play areas! Today, we woke up to -15 and headed to the bowling alley with 2 other families! Fun times. Parker learned about bowling when we got our Wii game this summer, so he was pumped to go "real bowling" today. On the way home he asked "now was that my bowling practice or a game?" I told him it was a game and he could go home and practice on his Wii- that, of course, was exciting for him! Doesn't take much for our little guys! As, you can see our boys both just loved throwing the ball and then we had to keep reminding them to watch the pins fall! They kept wanting to get back to get "their" ball from the machine (whatever it's called!?!). Good thing for bumpers- Parker scored a 102 with their help!

I love this cute smile from bowler Noah! After the first couple bowls, he would do the cutest little dance every time a pin would fall.

Here's our boys with their bowling pals. Nope, we did not plan the John Deere matchy-matchy shirts! :)

cabin fever

That is not snow on my boys' hats or Ryder's face... that would be frost!!! Brrrrr! This Christmas break has either been incredibly blustery (up to 70 mph gusts) or super frigid (down to -30 degrees). I have a heavy case of Cabin Fever and it's only January 3rd- SERIOUSLY!!!

Fortunately, I have a husband who will still venture out in the -20s with our boys. They, have spent about an hour/day for the last few days digging a tunnel in our humongo snow cave. I love to watch them from the inside, with my cup of coffee in my hands, while they are all-smiles leaping off of our snow-cave-mountain. It is also nice to have my little Savannah because then I can rightfully stay inside, with her, and not feel guilty for not bundling-up with my boys!!!

I am, also, glad that Parker is a home body! I am going crazy with our little home BUT he is loving life. Every day would be a perfect day if this little guy could stay home- so different than his mom!!! It's also a good thing we got the boys the Mario Kart Wii game for Christmas because they are becoming quiet the pro-gamers! Since, the weather has been so blustery and frigid... we are allowing them to play more than normal, just to maintain sanity!

Finally, I am thankful for all the indoor play areas our area has for us... Cabin Fever-ers! We had fun at the H2Oasis indoor water park with a few other friends' families. It is very strange to get out the swimsuits when it is -25 outdoors, but it was a perfect change in events!

Now, I am on the search for reasonable flights to Mexico, Hawaii or anywhere warmer! I think it would serve everyone well, if mommy had a day on the beach!!! ;) Maybe, this will be my New Year's Resolution! We shall see!

Happy 2009!

A toast to the New Year with Sparkling Cider! We had a blast with the Kroon cousins at our little home on New Year's Eve. Of course, I forgot the camera- again- so here's a picture of how we ended our night together- none other than Sparkling Cider. We played a lively game of Loaded Questions that kept us all awake and entertained until midnight. This is the first year, in many years, where I actually stayed awake to toast the new year! It might have had something to do with the handfuls of peanut butter popcorn I munched on throughout the game! mmmmm