Here are a few pics of her:




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3) Where is Spring?
The only thing worse than getting out in 18 degree weather is getting out with a kid in 18 degree weather. We can get all bundled up and get in the car in the garage which isn't that bad but then when you get where ever you are going you can't just get out and run in. Like today for instance I took Chase to Son Shine School. I get out and have to go around, open the front door and get the bag and lunch, open Chase's door and unbuckle him, put his gloves back on him because of course he had to suck his thumb in the car, get him down with one hand and drag him across the parking lot while he's saying "I hold you, I hold you." "No, Chase just run it's warm inside....lets go fast it will be fun." " I hold you, I hold you." "No come on look how fun this is!" Is that considered a lie?....I mean it WAS NOT FUN. :) But once we were inside all was well and he made a bee line to his class and started playing with his friends.....and I ran back to the car and got right in....no car seat for the next 5 hours!
4) New Look
What do you think about the new look for the blog? I had this whole other design done that I was not able to use. Blogger has changed a lot since I first started posting. I thought I would be able to just add the HTML that I needed to be able to have my own design.....but no I was only able to use the top banner. It was very humbling as a mediocre ex-web designer to realize, "Wow...this is way to complicated for me."
Aunt Leah even joined him on the summit.
Here is Chase and Mimi coming down on Christmas morning to see what Santa brought.
Chase got a Diego rescue center!
Preston and Wade got matching underwear....nice.
Chase opening his stocking.
Preston and Chase both got new sleeping bags!
Chase and Lucy in LuLu's dog cage. I don't think Lucy is having as much fun as Chase.
Wade and Wendi
Mimi and Papa
New Years Eve Party!
You may think we're crazy but some of the kids, including Chase, actually stayed up until midnight. Here's a video of three of the boys at 12:00. I told them to hug and say Happy New Year. This is what I got:
Preston and I at Preston's work party.
Even if you don't live in the area, I'm sure you heard about the major ice storm around here a few weeks ago. We lost power for a day and a half (some of our friends lost it for like 9 days! wow!) Here is our house with ice coating the trees....the green bush is weighted down.
A branch fell on the hot tub and poked a hole through the cover....nothing a little duck tape couldn't fix!
Here's Chase taking a nap in his coat....man it was cold in our house!
It was so dark at night. If you looked down the street it was so dark and quiet...and a little creepy!
We all three slept on a mattress in the living room...Chase and Preston had fun running and jumping on the mattress!
Here's some video of the fun!







Here's last year:
OK maybe I'll smile once...but only because I'm taking it off.
Chase and Lucy have started playing together a lot lately. It's really cute.
Chase and daddy hiding from mommy. I found you!
Chase making a mess with Lucy's treats. All those crumbs at the bottom of the box??? Oh yeah, they are on the floor too. (Notice how he's putting all the green ones back. He's so organized. haha.)
Our Sunday school class was in charge of Children's Bible Hour this month. Here is Preston and a bunch of his friends singing "Father Abraham".
Our heater went out while we were gone for Thanksgiving. Poor Lucy had to stay home in the cold so I put a sweater on her. She was so pouty and mad at me all day. (Editors note: before you think that I'm one of those pet owners that buys their dog a lot of clothes please know that Amanda got it for her dog but it was too small so she gave it to us....and she IS one of those pet owners. ;)
Here is Chase and a few of his friends. mmmm cookies!
Preston playing Rock Band (fyi it's a video game) with some friends. It is a way to put on a concert without having any real talent. haha. OK, some people are better than others...the game gives you a score for the instrument you played. I think Preston did OK. I gave it a try on the guitar and drums and I think I managed an all time low score for both. I ROCK!