We are still alive...

So, we are finally settled into the new house and loving it, it has been a big adjustment but we are happy with where we ended up. Thanks to everyone who helped us we really appreciate it!

This week the kids are off from school so we have been Christmasing up the season!!!! First of all we found a few cute Reindeer to decorate the house with...

Then we decided to make the front lawn festive with a couple of snowman!!! Poor Max, I couldn't find his coat so he had to view it from through the glass. (If you look close to the one with the kids and snowman, you can see Max and I looking through the front door.)

And yesterday we decided to get out the odds and ends of craft items and make ornaments, it was so much fun and we now have some

really cute ornaments!

Warning...Bragging Dad...Warning...Bragging Dad

It's been quite a while since I posted anything on here. But I just had to make this post today. Melissa and I gave Noah the option to try football out for the first time this year. I love the energy in our house when our kids are involved in a new endeavor.

We sort of did things backwards with Noah on this one. First we asked if he wanted to play, then we found out the cost involved. When we found out how expensive it was...we tried really really hard to talk him out of playing football! However, Noah resisted so we told him that it's a commitment and we wanted his word that he'd see it through and give 100%.

Noah has been true to his word and he's come a long way from the timid little guy I first took to tryouts. Let's just say his defensive coach has given each kid on his team a nickname and Noah's nickname is "Ugly".

I was at practice last night and his team was working on tackling. Each kid took a turn running the ball and then switched over to another line to become the tackler. Noah made his old man proud when it was his turn to run the ball. (I think you'll be able to hear his defensive coach get a little excited by the way Noah ran the ball too.) Check out this video! PROUD DAD!!!!

First day of school....

I know, I know it has been a long time, life got really busy and just took off. I thought summer was suppose to be nice and relaxing but not over here! So, the kids are back to school, Lyndsey in 5th grade and Noah 3rd, here are the first day of school pictures.

Jacob also had his first day of school, pre school that is, isn't he handsome???

So what else have we been up to? Lyndsey participated in a theater summer camp and loved it, here is a picture of her performance. She had such a great time we have put her in voice lessons and she is trying out for another performance this week. I am so glad she has found something that she really enjoys doing.

Noah decided he wanted to try tackle football and boy what a commitment that is for EVERYONE! Doesn't he look great? Dave tried to talk him out of this because he knew what a commitment it would be but Noah is hanging in there and I am so proud of the way he gives 100% at practice and during the games. He is a great runner and never slows down, not sure if it is the fear of the tackle or just his unstoppable speed?

As for the other two, some days this is what we have to do for Mom to get a break. Just kidding, they are great, busy, busy boys but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Noah's culture Fair

Noah's class participated in the 2nd grade Culture Fair this year. Noah decided to do his project on Finland. He had a lot of fun finding out information about Finland and displaying it for his class. (I had to put this picture on because he thought he was being so funny, I am sure when he sees it he will want me to take it off)

The 2nd grade also put on performances of different dances from different cultures. Noah was picked to be one of the two people who introduced their class and told what dance they were going to perform. He said he didn't want to dress up, but I think he really enjoyed it.

His class did the Chicken Dance!

(Oh, and the girl he is dancing with, she is the one that asked him to meet her at the drinking fountain during intermission of the school play.)

Still playing catch up....

So it seems like I am always playing catch up on this thing, but here we go.

First of all we had Jacob's b-day, I can't believe he is 3 years old, where did the time go? He had a great time, we spoiled him but that is okay, he got trains, a bike and a Mr. Potato Head that he has been wanting for a long time.

Then for Mother's Day the kids each made me a card, look how cute:

Next up was Noah's field trip, I went with them to "This is the Place" park, he was too cool to sit by me on the bus so I made sure I took lots of pictures of him. I even stole a kiss when we got back to the school, the other kids thought it was funny but Noah was not so impressed.

Lyndsey has been practicing since January for the school play, "Willy Wonka", she played the part of a Oompa Loopma, she loved it, who would have thought that my shy little girl would love being on stage and performing!

Lyndsey's class performed their Readers Theater this week. They have been studying different Cinderella stories and performed those for parents.

Wow, I did it, short and sweet, but really just want the pictures right? Done until next week!

Catching Up.....

Easter seemed to come so quick this year, the Easter Bunny made such a mess at our house I don't think I am going to celebrate it next year, too much clean up! The kids looked great in their Easter outfits, aren't they adorable!

Lyndsey went to the District Science Fair and got one of the second place ribbons! We are so proud of her, it sounds like her interview went well and she was very proud of herself.

Last week we went to Clark Planetarium, we got lost on the moon for a little bit but we finally found our way out!

Afterwards we went to the food court for lunch and the kids thought it was great because we could each get what we wanted. It was a really pleasant afternoon and the weather was great.

This week we went to Discovery Gateway and had a blast, again here are a few pictures.




Afterwards the kids wanted to go back to the food court but I thought it was best to head for home, (I can only handle so much food court joy!).

Lastly, I have been working on Jacob's room, I have felt bad that he kind of gets all the hand me downs and since his birthday is in a few days I decided to spice it up. I had gotten him a new bedspread when he moved into a big boy bed and really liked the colors, that is how it all started! Here are a few pictures.

On to the district science fair...

Last Thursday Lyndsey brought home a paper saying there was going to be a science fair at school on Tuesday 3/30. I am not sure how long she had this paper but oh well, not much I could do about it then. I started going through the paperwork and all that was required and started getting worried about completing it over the weekend. I don't remember ever doing something so complex! I asked her what she wanted to do and she said anything with popcorn. We decided to put some popcorn kernels in the freezer and to soak some in water to see if the different moisture levels affected how the popcorn popped. I think Dave and I stressed over this more than a little 4th grader I know, but the whole family had fun going through the process, mostly I think it was helping to dispose of (eat) the popcorn.

Here are some pictures of the completed display board. I am so proud of her, she was chosen as one of the students to go on to the district science fair on 4/16! Good Luck Lyndsey!!!!!

The great outdoors

I know many of you probably are feeing the same way I do....I need the sunshine and warm weather. The boys are so ready to be outside and the other day was perfect to take them out for a little exploring. I got the toys, blanket, jacket and drinks...oh yea and the boys and we headed out for our first day out in the sun to see what kind of trouble we could get into. I thought Max would be easy since he isn't walking, he wouldn't go far right???? Oh, was I wrong, he didn't mind crawling on the grass, dirt or sidewalk, just as long as he was moving. Jacob, what a great imagination he has, he was driving, delivering food and drinks, going on a ride and just enjoying the outdoors. Here are some pictures I snapped while they were playing.

Closing Ceremonies, Nelson style

Since the closing ceremonies for the olympics were last night we held closing ceremonies for our (mostly) friendly competition. As you can see from the stickers on our flags that the USA far beat everyone else! So Noah was the gold champion, Lyndsey silver, we let Jacob take the bronze and Dave and I got participation medals! We had a blast this olympics, the kids were so into it and it was fun to be able to watch something good on TV together.









Preparations have already started for the Summer Olympics, Noah wants to have USA again but I think we need to spread the wealth around!

Keeping the flame alive!

The kids were so excited for the Olympics this year we decided to have a party for the Opening Ceremonies. Dave had everyone pick a country to cheer for and we decorated the wall with signs/flags for our country. Noah, of course, chose USA because he wanted to make sure his country won some medals. Lyndsey first chose China but made the flag of Japan for decoration and decided to change to Japan instead of making the China flag. I chose France, after having Noah take USA from me, and Dave chose Azerbaijan, not sure why I guess just cause?




I think the toughest part was coming up with the menu. I looked and looked for ideas but either they didn't sound good or I knew it was something the kids wouldn't eat so I finally decided it was time to introduce the kids to fondue. A friend gave me the most delicious cheese fondue recipe and of course we had to have chocolate fondue for dessert. It was a blast, I think we had everything eaten by the time the Opening Ceremonies began, we started at 6:30 not realizing the the actual ceremony wasn't going to start until 8pm. After eating, we all got our blankets and pillows and settled in for the show. The kids were quite amused by the different costumes and performances but about 9:30 with Jacob and Max in bed, Noah asleep on the chair Lyndsey said it was time to turn it off, so we all went to bed. We wanted to see the lighting of the torch but the Fondue took it all out of us!!!!