Mr. Andrew

Mr. Andrew turned one this week! He is such a good little guy. Brooke and I didn't even realize, but all of the sudden he was walking. I guess by number four it is no big deal. But he has a great personality, is fun loving, and very laid back (thank goodness).

'Tis the Season

Oh, I know everyone is waiting for the Christmas aftermath photos, so without further ado, here are some of our highlights.

Our family tradition is to pick our Christmas tree at the local U-pick tree farm. The boys love getting their candy cane at the end.




Liam had his Winter Frolic at school. Brooke was able to go and help. They had quite the time. Liam had been planning for weeks to wear his too small reindeer sweater.


Our trip to Portland to see the Zoo Lights was sidetracked with a trip to H & M and IKEA (thankfully it wasn't as long as our previous trips).


I waited in line an hour and a half to ride this. Luckily the kids got to walk around and look at the lights while I waited.

But the wait was worth this!

This is what Ave does with the boys while Brooke and I are out.

Liam standing in downtown Portland.

Christmas Time!

The Christmas nativity scene.

The picture we were all waiting for - the pajama jam photo!

Drew liked the wrapping paper more than the presents.


The Toy Story 3 boys.

Cruising on their scooters.

We played a trick on Avery by hiding her present behind the pillows. I then called her on her NEW CELL PHONE! This is a great picture. This is when she realized the phone was ringing behind her.

Avery and her phone!

Liam is our little scientist and got a microscope for Christmas. We spent some time looking at our spit and boogers! Nice.

The Boys Room

I've had a few requests for pics of the new boys room we built this summer. It is still a work in progress, but this is it so far. The added space has been wonderful! Such a blessing.............

Say what...?

Avery: We took a lot of family pictures and not many turned out (thanks Meg for the help. We got about 150 pictures and 4 maybe turned out because of kids moving, laughing, and running around).


Liam (after we lost every game at the school bingo night): We shouldn't have went tonight mom.

Mom: Why?

Liam: We need to stay home and practice more.



Ethan: When I grow up I want to be just like dad.

Dad: Why?

Ethan: Because then I go poo-poo in the potty.

Ethan likes to dress in my bike clothes before I go to work. Here is another conversation with him.

Dad: What does dad do for work?

Ethan: Rides his bike.

(I wish)

The never ending days

A lot of things have happened since my last post, so I will try and update you as best I can. Ethan turned three a few days ago! He was very excited for his birthday. The day before we had a boys night and made crowns, decorated the house, and made cards. It was pretty fun. Ethan had a great birthday.

Ethan and his fish cake!

Liam and Ethan. Brooke took them for a birthday doughnut.

Ethan's birthday dress-up outfit.

Two days after we had our ward trunk or treat. Andrew was a monkey, Ethan was a fireman, Liam was John (from Peter Pan), and Avery was Michael (from Peter Pan). The kids had a great time collecting candy, and really liked eating it. Avery had some friends come over after and they chatted while drinking hot chocolate, then stayed up to watch Lord of the Rings II (Avery has been reading the books).

Liam in his costume! He got to wear it to school and was very excited about the glasses. They are Avery's old ones with the lenses popped out. He likes to wear them all the time now. Maybe it is signs to come with him? He does look pretty cute in them.

I went as a Duck fan! Go Ducks! #1 in the BCS this week.

Avery and her friend.

Elisa came to visit the trunk or treat.

The witch costume was a hot costume for the night (Brooke, Sandi, and Tannya).

Our little monkey!

One of these two...

We got out the bike today and took Andrew on his first ride on the back of the bike. Our family always enjoys going out and riding around. We even went over to some dirt hills and I got the boys to ride over the bumps. It doesn't work to well for Ethan on his tricycle, he was definitely willing though.

As we strapped in Andrew it was like deja vu, somehow this face of excitement was very similar to another boy - Liam.


Andrew

Liam (just in case you couldn't tell)

Bang up day!

My day started like any other. I got to work and started plucking away on schedules and emails. But I got an unusual phone call from Brooke. I looked to see that it was only 7:30 in the morning. Brooke doesn't call me at work! It must be something at home. I quickly answered to find out that Ethan had been in our bed dancing and singing an Alvin and the Chipmunks song, "You spin me right round baby, right round..." when he fell off the bed and hit his head.

I met Brooke at the hospital, luckily I had driven to work because I had a race later that day (hear more on that later). I took Ethan into the dr's for his stitches. Ethan was great! He didn't cry one time! They ended up giving him 6 stitches in his head. What can I say, like father, like son.




But the day didn't end there. I raced a cyclocross race later in the day. Was battling for first when I went down pretty hard. I ended up braking my rim and couldn't finish.

First Day of School

Here are a few pictures from Avery's first day of 8th grade and Liam's first day of Kindergarten! Avery was not so hot on me following her into the classroom for close-ups!