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Family Blogs
Ami and Tyler Goodbye baby, hello little boy! 6 Weeks Ago
Etta got her first bike in October. We didn’t want to use training wheels and were very impressed with the information we found on “Balance” Bikes and went out and got one. She rode it a few times until it got cold and snowy. We brought it inside and she has been riding it down hallways, in the front room and around her playroom all winter long. A week ago Daddy and Etta went to the park and she had so much fun and was doing a great job. This weekend Etta rode her bike, while mommy and the doggies walked, to the park. She was ready for a Big girl bike.
Etta and her first bike!
With her new bike we headed over to the park and Daddy taught his little girl to ride! We are so proud of her and she loves it. A few falls but she jumped right back up and couldn’t wait to try again. We do need to work a little on stopping but boy can she ride a bike!
Etta and her BIG girl bike and learning to ride it
Now Gibby has his first bike and with all Spring, Summer and Winter we might be getting him a Big boy bike next Spring!
Gibby and his first bike!
Here are some fun videos of Etta learning to ride and then riding!
Andy had reservations and a special night planned for us on Valentine’s Day. So, Saturday we spent with the kids treating them to some Family Valentine’s fun.
We first headed over to Lowe’s for their Build and Grow workshop. We try to go to the fun workshops Lowe’s and Home Depot set up for kids. The kids learn they can build toys and we don’t always have to buy them. Plus it is free! They made Jewelry organizers and Gibby wanted to give it to Etta for Valentine’s Day and Etta and daddy tried to be sneaky so that Etta could give it to me.
All set up to start building
Gibby looking over his supplies
Mommy helps Gibby, even though he wanted Daddy to help
Putting on the finishing touches
Gibby being Handy Manny
pounding in those nails
All done, but do not look Mommy
Almost done, we were a little slower
Done! It is for my Etta
We all went and had some lunch and then tried to get Gibby and Etta to take a nap. We were going to Monster Jam but not until 7:30pm and wanted fresh happy kids since 8:00pm is their bed time. No luck, no naps so what do you do… go downtown to a Tattoo convention! As we were waiting in line a lady came up and gave us free tickets to get it. It was cool and the kids got their own little temporary tattoos, but I am glad we didn’t pay.
Tattoos, oh my!
Time to go dad and mom, I am hungry
Ready for some dinner
We rode the Trax to the Gateway and enjoyed some delicious Thai food. The kids ate really great and were very well behaved. Next stop Energy Solutions Arena for Monster Jam!
We arrived in perfect timing. We took our seats, got our ear protection on and had a yummy chocolate treat (thanks Grandma Donna) out came the announcers to start the show. The first half the kids where a little timid, but once the trucks started jumping, the motorcycles went flying they were standing and cheering. Our favorites where Monster Mutt and Madusa, a girl Monster Truck driver. By the end the kids where tired and fell asleep 5 mins after we got in the car. A little pre-Valentine’s Family fun!
A quick stop by the Jazz motor cross car
Ear protection and goodies
Silly faces
Gibby is in the middle of saying "Monster Truck" instead of "smile"
Kind of the princess Laya look
Mommy has her ears covered too!
Monster Jam begin!
They can not keep theirs eyes off the Trucks
Madusa and Monster Mutt, our favorites
Jumping high
Go trucks go!
Motorcycles where one of the favorites too!
Front row and the kids wanted to get closer
Etta cheering on her favorite Truck
Go Madusa!
Waving to the girl driver of Madusa
Kids ready to go!
Me and my sweetheart!
On Valentine’s Day we gave our little Valentine’s presents to each other and had some delicious egg breakfast sandwiches. We relaxed the rest of the day watching the Olympics and Andy took Etta to the park to practice her bike riding. Then it was time for My Valentine Dinner with my sweet Valentine. The company was better than the dinner (We don’t recommend Five Alls ) and I had a wonderful Valentine’s Weekend!
We started February off by heading to the Museum of Natural History. Gibson has been loving Dinosaurs lately and he had a blast. Etta has been loving maps, rocks and learning so we spent some extra time at the Indian exhibit locating areas certain Indian tribes live and at the geodes. We met up with a few friends and then left in just enough time for lunch and drop Etta off at school. She couldn’t wait to tell her friend Kobi about the Dinosaurs.
Feeding the Dinosaur
Off for more fun
Digging up Dinosaur bones
Wiping the bones clean
Etta was in love with the geodes
Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs they lived Millions of years ago Dinosaurs
Scary TRex
Houses Indians built
Etta putting on a play for us
Gibby wanted to help out in the play
Super Bowl Party
We stayed at our House for the Super Bowl. Relaxing, eating food and having the kids watch or go play downstairs was great. I got to enjoy the WHOLE game!
With popcorn, chips and dip, crackers and pesto dip plus our Tri-Tip steak Andy made was tons of food but delicious. Etta had fun playing downstairs most of the time while Gibby watch a lot of the game and was really sad the colts almost came back, but then we all cheered when the Saints won!
We filled January with some fun family outings, a few mommy and daddy dates and friend outings.
We took the kids to the Fun Center one night. The place is a bit ghetto with tons of tweens and teens, but we all had a great time.
Etta making her way through the jungle forest
Daddy swinging on a jungle vine
Gibby holding on for dear life
Etta "This is how you do it!"
Crossing over to the other side of the jungle
Showing off her balancing skills
Gibby loved the view from the top of the jungle tree
I made it!
We played in their jungle tree area for a while then headed off to the bouncing house and slides.
Climbing up the bounce house
Daddy showing off his skill climbing
Gibby made it through a few bounce houses and loved the slides
The kids were lucky and had a open house all to their selves
We ended with a few games to win some tickets. Cashing in our few tickets, we all walked away winners with a little toy treat!
Daddy helping gibby win some tickets
Etta very skilled at her favorite apple game
Space riders
The kids and I also had some fun at lunch with good friends. We were able to get together and eat some sushi, chat and let the kids run wild at the restaurant that had 2 other people in the whole place.
Etta, Marlie and Chase being silly
Chase and Gibby (Chase is only 2 weeks older than Gibby, but a foot taller than him)
Etta trying to get a picture with Marlie
Two pretty little girls
(Sorry Jen and Chari, the pictures I have of us didn’t turn out to well so if you have some cute ones send them my way)
Andy took me out to 3 fun Sundance Movies. I am now hooked and will be looking forward to the Sundance Festival next year.
Etta was spotlighted at your Preschool this last week. They call it the child’s special day. We where in charge of making a poster all about Etta, reading Etta’s favorite book and doing a craft with her class.
Etta was so excited for her special day. She had a fun time making her poster with me. Daddy and Gibby also wanted to help so we made a fun family night of it. While I cut out paper and pictures, daddy showed Etta and Gibson how to peel their glue skin off their hands. If you remember at all your kindergarten experience where you poured glue all over your hands, let it dry and then you peeled off the dried glue, that is what Daddy was teaching Etta and Gibson. Also, daddy does this activity every time he finds my glue. They had a fun time playing around. I had all the pictures on the poster and Etta wanted to add accessories to make it fancy.
glue all over our hands
this is the cool part, peeling off the glue
Gibby made his on poster of cars
Etta adding the accessories
the poster all done, just waiting for the glitter glue to dry
We took Etta to school and then went home to pick up Daddy who came home from work early to be a part of Etta’s Special day at preschool. The class was just coming back from gym and Etta’s little face just lit up when she saw us.
We all sat in front of the class and I helped Etta tell about the pictures in her poster. She told them she loves making everything fancy and that her favorite book is “Fancy Nancy”. We then read the book to the class.
Etta chose 4 friends to start the craft with her. We were decorating wood frames to make them fancy. I had boy stickers, girls stickers, ribbons, eyeballs, glitter and buttons. There where about 3 groups that took turns doing the craft, creative play and writing. I love the options and open choice the kids have at Etta’s preschool.
setting up for the craft
The kids were so great at adding accessories
Glue, glitter and stickers everywhere
Etta almost done with her frame
Gibson had fun playing with toys and the other kids
All the kids were so nice to play with Gibson
Look at how fancy that is
the next group of kids did a great job also
this little boy Etta has a crush on. It will be fun to tease her in the future
While the rest of the class finished up their crafts. Etta chose to work on her writing. I am so proud at how good she is getting writing her name with in the lines.
Etta and her teacher practicing writing
My little baby growing up so fast
I love the two teacher there and the encouragement and praise they give the kids
look at that writing
Gibson wanted to join in on the craft at the end
The Fancy picture frames.They all did such a great job.
I am so proud of my little preschooler and the wonderful things she is learning!
We have had a few fun days playing with friends. Etta and Anni wanted to try tumbling instead of dance and so we have had a few weeks before tumbling starts to put in some extra play dates in place of dance. On this particular day Etta wanted to wear makeup and went into the bathroom just before Anni came over and put on mascara and blush herself. She just wanted to get all ready for her friend Anni. The girls made crowns, played dress up and of course had a lot of fun.
Putting jewels all over the crowns
Having a great time
Best friends doing crafts together, notice Etta's great mascara job!
The finished project complete with dresses
Beautiful Etta (she did her makeup herself)
Gibson has been working on going potty in the potty chair. We have read about Henry going potty around 50 times. He does better when he has his cars with him. Not to successful yet but a work in progress hopefully!
Loading up one side of the potty chair full of his cars
Of course we have to have Lightening McQueen
Gibby also had his very first Play Date. He was so excited and showed me all the toys we needed for him and his friend Bently. When his friend came in Gibson put his hands on his hips and said “What?”. It was hilarious. Then he told Bently it was time to come play.
Laying out all the cars
Gibby showing Bently how to work the Automoblocks
Playing and learning shapes at the same time
They were darling together and he can’t wait for his next playdate. He asked if it could be Addi, a little girl from his preschool class.
I just love that my kids have some great little friends!
We had a very eventful New Years Eve celebration. Andy got us a hotel room downtown and we had tickets to celebrate the New Year at the downtown Eve. Once we got to our hotel the kids where just having a great time being silly and playing really great together.
After a fun little play time while daddy did a little work we all dressed in our swim suites and headed to the pool. Gibby wouldn’t let go a me and was squeezing so tight I handed him off to daddy. By the end Gibby was kicking and floating really good with daddy and Etta and I were spinning and playing fun water games.
It was time to get dressed and head out to the celebration and find fun little activities throughout downtown. We hit up craft booths, music, food, a little children’s theater, ice skating and marshmallows. Both kids took little naps while we walked around and they were both wide a wake to bring in the New Year.
Having a room facing all the festivities was great. We headed back up to our hotel to watch the fireworks all warm and cozy in our room. Etta had us punching the air with one fist and yelling Happy New Year. Gibby couldn’t get enough of the snowboarders going down the ramps. Daddy ran and let the dogs out and came back just before midnight.
The next morning the kids played in the big bed while watching the Rose parade. Once we were all dressed and packed up we went to breakfast and then headed to our friends house to enjoy more good food and football!
We were so happy to hang out with Angelica, Layla and Weston during the Holiday season. Etta has so much fun with Layla and they only see each other 2 times a year. Still that friend bond is there.
The girls played Monkey’s on the Bed, Barbies and had a yummy snack with constant smiles and giggles.
Monkeys on the Bed and cheesey smiles
Doing what they do best together, being goofy!
Flying Barbies
Weston still a little hungry after his snack
Cars, cars, cars, new friends... nope more cars
Darling Angelica with a photo bomb in the back, hehehe Etta
Thanks for making time f0r us and we can’t wait to play, chat and have fun next time we see you all!
Christmas morning was strike 3 for me in forgetting. I headed upstairs to turn on the Christmas lights and up came Andy and the kids. No time to grab the flip and record their faces and shrills of excitement.
We had a wonderful morning opening up stockings, unwrapping presents and playing games. We had a sleeping themed Christmas, not intentionally. The kids got sleeping bags, blankets, sheets, extra pj’s all of Princesses or Cars. Andy got slippers and I got a robe. With a few other gifts mixed in it made this a great Christmas for all, even the dogs.
Stocking time
My favorite Strawberry Shortcake
Woody and Buzz, yeah
Underwear!!!!
Oh how I love books, thank you Santa
Gibby digging deep
A book full of stickers, cool!
Etta helping get more gifts from under the tree
Daddy relaxing and enjoying the excitement from Etta and Gibson
Gibby loves his Buzz Lightyear
Presents opened time to enjoy them
After an amazing breakfast from daddy of eggs, beans and chorizo , we played some fun games and then got dressed to head over to the dog park.
Snow, throwing balls, running dogs and clean air is a perfect activity and a great Christmas outing. Gibby wasn’t having the best time but Etta sure loved throwing the balls all the dogs there.
Scoscia and Hatcher enjoying the park
Santa gibby not to thrilled
Getting the ball for all the doggies to chase
Go doggies go!
Gibby not sure if he wants to make his way over in the snow
Daddy enjoying the day
We spent the rest of the day down at my moms enjoying good food, family and more presents.
We had a great Christmas all day long!
A fun little Christmas Eve/Christmas story .
We watched the Polar Express during the day on Christmas Eve and Etta just loved it. Gibby enjoyed the train and watched most of it. At the very end Etta loved how the little boy got a bell from Santa’s sleigh. She looked up at me and said that is what I want for Christmas. Oh no, I thought. I told her next year would be perfect for her to ask Santa. She didn’t buy that and ran right over to Reindeer Elf (our little elf on the shelf) and told him to tell Santa she wanted a bell from his sleigh. Great, I had to quickly go out to Michael’s and grab one last gift. Good thing it was only 2 and stores where still open. I wrapped it special and placed it at the very back of the tree.
On Christmas once all the presents where opened. I grabbed the last gift and told Etta it was for her. She opened it to find a note and her bell. The note read “Dear Etta, Reindeer elf told be about your last request. Thank you for being so good. Enjoy your special Christmas Bell. Ho ho ho Mr. C”. Oh my gosh she was overjoyed and rang the bell all morning until we said not more.
She has stayed so excited about her bell and whenever anyone asks what she got from Christmas it is always a bell from Santa’s sleigh. I love the simplicity of children.
This year I forgot to do a number of things we enjoy doing on Christmas Eve, but with the kids being so young they wont remember that we forgot to read the book “the night before Christmas” or leave cookies for Santa and his reindeer.
However, we had a great little Christmas Eve. The kids were very excited and jumping, playing and laughing with each other. It is so darling when they play together. (gotta love that Etta is enjoying picking out her own outfits)
Giggling and playing together
I love the tradition of opening a present on Christmas Eve and it being pj’s. Nothing starts Christmas off right then waking up in new pj’s.
Present opening time
See who can unwrap faster
Gibby still having a hard time with is present (love his facial expression)
Princesses and Mickey pjs, tada!
It was time to make Ginger bead (graham cracker) houses. They ate way to many graham crackers and treats, but they sure had a lot of fun and they made darling little houses all by their selves.
yeah for graham crackers
all these candies need to go in my mouth
Etta doing a great job
Gibson working very diligent
All done!
Gibsons house
Ettas house
They went straight to bed with no issues and stayed in bed all night. They were really good and Santa did come!
This is Hatchers 8th year with Christmas and always gets a Jumbone in his stocking. He knows it is there and protected it all night long.
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