365/365 ~ Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

We had a "quiet" evening at home to end the year.  I'm kinda sad to see 2010 go but excited to see what 2011 brings us!

Attempting our last group shot in the year 2010

We toasted in the new year with Welch's sparkling white grape juice.

Followed by a little dancing on the table...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  May 2011 bring us as much joy as 2010!

364/365 ~ Out to lunch

 Andy has a four day weekend!  He finished up some work e-mails this morning (Nate helped him on his new "puter") and then all six of us ventured out to stock up on supplies before the big snow storm that's forecasted hits us. 

We stopped by Grandma O's work and then all went out to eat.  It was majorly foggy today, as if you can't tell by the picture.  And funny enough we ran into Grandma and Grandpa K along with my sister Jill who also  were eating at Burger King.  

Micah and Nate were already in the van so they missed this photo op..

And here is just one reason why we keep the bathroom door shut.

363/365 ~ Scribblenauts

Micah got a video game from Santa called 'Scribblenauts' for his DSi.  The game requires you to spell out words so I assumed Zach wouldn't play it.  Zach just turned 5 - learning to spell is on his "to do" list. (Not counting his name - he can spell that just fine).  Interestingly enough, he loves the game.  He is now constantly asking me to spell words for him which has been pretty good for his alphabet skills.  He's starting to sound out words on his own as well as remember how to spell some words.  If this keeps up he might start reading earlier than "the norm" and I'd have to credit it to video games... ha!

362/365 ~ More stacking!

Nate trying out the stacking too

Micah still working on it...

Some after Christmas cleaning.  We took down the Christmas tree and decorations.  Gabe was eager to help me vacuum.

While it's sad that Christmas is already over it feels good to have the house back to normal. 

361/365 ~ Speed Stacking

One of the other things the kids got for Christmas were speed stacking cups.  They might look like ordinary cups but trust me - they're not.  Awhile back Micah and Zach went to an after school program where they learned and practiced speed stacking.  They seemed to enjoy it and it's supposed to help in motor skill development and brain building.  Micah has been perfecting his stacking skills since he got them.  He likes me to time him, currently he's in the 20 second range.  Just to give you an idea, the world record is like 5 second range.  I've attempted it myself, it's not as easy as it looks!    

360/365 ~ The day after

Today was a day where we all stayed home and vegged out.  Our new favorite video game to veg out to:

Micah getting a diaper for me - I clicked the camera just as he was going to hide behind it.  Ha - gotchya! ;) 

Gabe & Nate are busy being busy. 

Zach's "busy" too.

Nate & his "blankies" that he holds tight to for naps & bedtime.  They're actually burp clothes we've had since Micah was a baby but they've been washed so many times they're nice and soft and Nate took a liking to them awhile back.  I imagine he put them up his jammies for safe keeping.

359/365 ~ Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas! Happy Birthday Jesus! 

At about 5:20 this morning we see light peeking out from the living room.  Andy went to check and found Micah laying on the couch looking at the Christmas tree (or rather at the presents under the tree) with a big smile plastered to his face.  I came out there and Micah was so very, very, excited.  I wish I could bottle up the moment and relive it with him.  I remember that feeling as a child and it's wonderful!  It's even better when you get to experience it through the eyes of your child!  We found out he had been up since 4:30.  I asked  why he didn't wake us up and he said he didn't know.  Funny kid.  We ended up waking the rest of the crew (Gabe woke up on his own when he heard all the commotion) and the unwrapping began!

Micah finally peeked in his stocking (after only an hour of being awake) and saw DSi accessories.  "MOM!  It says 'DSi'!!!  I bet Santa got me one!!!!"  I went to get my camera and caught him running around in excitement. 

DSi's!!!  Score!

Nate giving Gabe candy from his stocking.  Nate is very caring with Gabe, often sharing and making sure he isn't left out of anything. ♥  

 DSi cases!

Micah trying out some of his new video games

A computer and Toy Story 3!

Hide and Seek Bunny!

 Sleeping bags!

Later Grandpa and Grandma O along with uncle Adam came over.  Micah and Grandma are doing some bowling on Wii.  You can kinda see uncle Adam in the background on the couch.  He's busy resting.

Papa Murphy's pizza for dinner - yum!

I think someone is a little tired.  Up a little early, perhaps?

Nate beating up on Grandpa O

 The kids got to sleep in the basement in their new sleeping bags.  That was pretty exciting for them.  Looks like Andy might be hogging Nate's sleeping bag and Zach's DSi here...

Andy, Micah, Zach and I played a LOT of mine and Andy's new Wii game - Mario Brothers.  What fun!  It's great that we can all 4 play at once!  I also think all 4 of us may have fallen asleep tonight with a Wii remote in our hands...  

What a great day.  I am truly blessed beyond measure.  Thank you Lord for all you have given me!    

358/365 ~ Christmas Eve!

The kids all got to open a gift today - pajamas!  Zach's words were:  "If these weren't what was in here then I wouldn't have been happy!"  Which I guess means he liked them?!

 This evening we went to Andy's grandparents Christmas Eve traditional get together.  Lots of good food and fun!

His uncle Dan and aunt Diane modeling their hats

We got home and even with all the excitement the kids went to sleep pretty easily.  

Looks like Santa stopped by!  Now we just have to wait until the kids wake back up to see what he brought!