Downton humor

 O'Brien-look-alike.

This picture was very, very, difficult to take.  She was not happy that I thought this was hilarious and wanted a picture.

E-N-E-R-G-Y

As my kids grow, some things about them stay the same and some thing seem to change.  Something that I have only recently noticed about Greta is that she has SO much energy.  She's like the little energizer bunny, just keeps going and going.  She loves to run and is often running laps around the kitchen or across the living room to see how fast she can slide.

The other day I took her on some errands and then to the mall.  We were out for hours and she was doing lots of walking.  She bounced the whole way through the mall saying, "Is it time for the playground yet?"

The other day I was not feeling well and was laying on the floor in the sun.  This was what I captured of her as I laid, just playing around, using up all that energy!

Cheek Muffs

Greta has been wearing these ear muffs the past few days.  They are a tad big.

Love him

Ornaments

When my older girls were little, my mom started the tradition of getting them each an ornament for Christmas.  The other day when I took down our tree, Morgan had taken off her ornaments and lined them all up.  It was a sweet display of all mom had given her over the years.

And speaking of the girl, the other day she was MIA.  Steve was calling for her and finally found her, hidden in the coat closet with a book so she could sit by the heat vent.  She was not very pleased that I wanted to take her picture.

Reading Time

Excited

Last week my parents took Aaron our for his belated birthday dinner.  Restaurant of choice: McDonalds.  I kept trying to convince him to pick somewhere better, but he was not to be persuaded.

Here he is sitting out on the porch in the dark, freezing cold, waiting for my parents.  The cutest part is that he is clutching his McDonalds coupons that he found in the mail.  The look on his face says it all.  I stuck out through the garage so he didn't see me coming.  :)

Bummed that I forgot to take a picture of him with my parents.  Maybe next year.

Family Christmas

My brother and his family came in the week after Christmas.  As usual, the kids had a great time playing together and it's always fun for us adults to catch up and hang out.

The kids right before we did presents.  

look-alikes

My sister-in-law got Josiah the cutest sock monkey hat

My brother made us a game called Quarto.  As he calls it, it's Connect Four on steroids.  There was some serious competition going on.  Interestingly, Morgan is super, super good at it.  It takes a lot of thinking and strategy and she just kept beating everybody.  Lucky for you, Chad, looks like the shots I have here, you beat her this game.  

Attempting a self-timer shot of us playing Scum.  

Dancer

Tonight I got to watch my girl dance.  It was so fun, I have always loved to watch her.  It seems to suit her so well.  It was parent's observation night at the studio and I was able to take a few shots.  Someone please tell me, HOW DID MY GIRL GET SO TALL????

Snuggle Boy

I've been doing a lot of this lately.  Little man has 3 of his molars, the 4th is almost in.  Aaron took this shot for me.

As demanding and draining as this stage can sometimes be, I'm certain that I am going to miss it so much when it's gone.

Lego Land

I'm certain that I have a number of years ahead of me being completely submerged in legos.

Aaron got a ton of new legos for his birthday/Christmas.  Dad Heitland, I know you like to know how the kids spend their birthday money.  I convinced Aaron to save it for his half birthday b/c he just got so much new stuff.  He was pretty excited to save it and spend it in June!

Jammin'

Steve's mom got Greta this rockin' guitar for Christmas.  It plays different songs and rhythms.  It's the hot new toy around here.

The picture quality is terrible, I didn't have time to change my settings b/c I wanted to get my shot before I missed it.  You can tell from these 2 pics that she was jammin' away.

New Bible

As tradition stands in our house, when you learn to read, daddy gets you a real Bible.  It was Aaron's turn this Christmas.  It has been so fun to watch him with his new Bible.  He just loves it.  I've caught many glimpses of him reading it at random times.  He also keeps bringing it to Steve for him to read and discuss.  Two peas in a pod, these boys.

Out of the Mouths...

It was pretty "warm" out today so the kids and I were outside for awhile.  I pulled out my old roller blades and was skating around for awhile.  I challenged Morgan to a timed race and she kept beating me.  I said to her, "I don't get how you are faster than me."

Her reply, "I don't know, Mom.  I guess you are just rusty."

Yes, my dear, rusty it is.

Christmas morning

I did not take too many pic on Christmas.  After all these years, I've finally come to terms that I hate taking pics of people opening presents!!  We had such a nice morning together opening gifts.  Even though it was a big pile of kids, the chaos was pretty minimum, they did a great job.

I love all the sleepy faces!!  And look, Kendra, it's light outside!

Steve reading to the kids before presents.

Claudia decorated Greta's box in a ton of detail.  She wanted a pic to remember it!

Christmas Eve

I'm a bit behind here on our holiday activities...

Every year our church has a Christmas Eve service that is a fun tradition for us.  Afterwards we come back home for a late supper of appetizers and fun food.

I could hardly handle the cuteness of this little dude and his tie!

Phone pic

Claudia and Morgan gave us a recital with a number of Christmas carol duets!

Abstract

Just uploaded a bunch of pics off my camera and saw this.  I'm not sure what child took it, I'm assuming it was Aaron.  In spite of the dark, orange glow, I love it!

Flying High

We spent a few days at Black Rock back in December.  Steve and Greta were happy for the high ceilings.

Perfect form.