Visiting Santa

They may not all be smiling, but there were no tears this year. I guess that means the kids are growing up!

What a man!

How many men do you know that will let their wife dress them like a dalmation? The only man I know of that comes close is when Todd let my sister dress him like a giant banana! Hope you had as much fun on Halloween as us.

We are finally settling into the school routine. I love my class and teaching, but it is very hectic getting everyone everywhere each day! Gracie loves 1st grade. It is strange having her so close (3 doors down). Next year will be very weird when she is in my grade. Gabe is going to a new preschool and has learned so much already. He tries to do Gracie's homework each night, so we had to start giving him his own. Garrison is very happy at Sue's (he calls her Doe). He is talking so much and gets into everything he shouldn't. Mark and I are doing our best to keep up. There are valid reasons you should have children in your 20's not your 40's!

Gracie and Maya raced in their first mountain biking race. It was quite intense! They may not have come in first (or second or third...), but they were the most beautiful racers.

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for helping out with ALL those tatoos! We are still working to get the ones off her legs.

Happy 4th birthday Gabie! He loves being at his new school with Qadry.

He looks a little too comfortable on that elephant. Could he be republican? Yikes! Grandpa Paxman would be proud.

If you look closely at Gabe's face, you can see how he feels about the whole Bret Favre thing.

When we got out the Halloween decorations, Garrison was positive this was a hat.

Maybe a small Hugh Hefner (with better morals and values).

The new family car.

What a great Labor Day weekend! Playing in the water, celebrating Gabe's birthday, driving tractors, and riding on a steam engine- it was pretty much a dream come true for Gabe! Garrison and Gracie enjoyed it too.

Gracie met her goal of earning enough money to pay for one cleft lip surgery through operation smile! She was very excited to donate, and wants to start saving for another surgery. Thanks to all family and friends who purchased brownies, cookies, or punch or gave donations. It truly will change the life of a child and their family.

Garrison is in a shoe phase! He loves shoes and steels them from everyone's closets, especially Gracie's. Her's have the most personality. Below he is in her purple, fake gemstone studded high heels, and then her rain boots. Above, he is in her Hannah Montana wig, but don't worry, he didn't like the wig so much. It was funny for a minute, then it bothered him and he wanted it off.

Gabe and I are headed to Idaho soon! He has been enjoying time with friends. He and Qadry are enjoying a good book here. Below he went fishing with Kade. I think they enjoyed the doughnuts as much as the fishing!

Summertime

` We are having a terrific summer, hope you are too! I'm teaching summer school half day and loving it. Gracie attends summer school, and the boys play a Sue's in the morning. Gracie and Gabe are doing a terrific job in swimming lessons and having a ton of fun. I am also enjoying the lessons. There are several other mom's I know and we get to hang out and visit. Garrison plays well with the other kids there.

Mark, Gracie and I took a mini vacation together to see Elly Scheuerell in a professional production of Annie in Missouri. She was an amazing Molly and stole the show! We couldn't have been prouder godparents! Gracie thought it was so cool to see Elly up on stage, and Elly showed her around backstage and introduced her to some of the cast. Gracie loved the Miss Hannagan (sp?) and all the orphans. I'm sure we will be seeing Elly in many more productions. Gracie and Elly were also so happy to see each other since Elly had been gone several weeks. I think that is the longest they have ever been away from each other. Garrison and Gabe got to spend the weekend with Sara (Saint Sara is what she should be called!) and the William's family. I'm sure she was plenty busy with her 3 children and my 2 boys!

Gabe and I will be heading to Idaho as soon as summer school is over, and Mark is taking Gracie and Garrison to visit the Iowa family. Other than that, we are just enjoying hanging out and playing. Mark's new job is going well and he gets the opportunity to help a lot in the community through his job which is making it very fulfilling for him.

Garrison has the Micheal Jordan tongue. Maybe a career in basketball is in his future, he certainly has the height!



Fishing with daddy and friend Marissa.

Here we are in Missouri.

Gracie and Elly, reunited!

Dance Recital

Gracie had her big dance recital last Sunday. I tried to put the video on here, but I couldn't get it to work. She was so funny! The teacher had her in the very front, but Gracie didn't know the dance, so she kept trying to look at the other girls. She was terrified to go on and wanted to go home, but she got out there and did it. I think you'll agree that she looked fabulous! Here she is with Elly before the recital. Elly couldn't relate to Gracie's stage fright!

In the car Gracie was still excited. She loved the makeup and gitter spray. Once we got there, she wasn't so happy any more.

Happy Easter

Gracie and I dressed like book characters during Read Across America week. She is Alice the Fairy and I am the little boy from the book Parts (if you haven't read this book, you should).

Garrison and Gabe liked meeting the Easter bunny at Gabe's school. Gracie said she thinks it is scary when people dress like animals (she also mentioned Chucky Cheese).

Gabe got to drive the tractor with Uncle Dan and cousin Gus. This was his favorite part of Easter!

Gracie and Garrison only got to pretend to drive, but they liked that too.



Thanks to Aunt Missy the kids got to play with the horses, fish, row a boat and drive tractors.

Gabe is very proud of his bluegill! He caught 2 fish.

Long time no write!

What a hectic couple of months Mark and I have had! His work has been crazy busy and I've had a bunch of extra stuff going on. Garrison had every illness in the book for a while, too. Now Spring is coming, we are all healthy, and life is slowing down, at least a little bit. Garrison had his 1st birthday, which has made Gabe ask several times a day when his birthday is (not til September!). Gracie is doing so well in school and loves being there. We did take time for a short mini-vacation to the Dells. The kids loved the water park and were very brave going down BIG water slides (not Garrison).

Gracie and Gabe at the Dells.

This was the day Gracie taught Garrison to ride these little scoot-a-long toys. He thought it was the funnest thing ever!

Gabe enjoying fondue on Valentine's Day

Gracie put together this stylish Valentine outfit for herself; zebra pants, purple high-heel boots, sequined heart shirt!

This is how I took Garrison outside to help take down Christmas decorations. Seemed like a great idea until he got the flu the other kids had had and threw up all over me!

Garrison is at such a fun age right now. He is almost always happy, more independent, sleeps well, and loves anything Gracie and Gabe are doing. Below is a picture of him enjoying the birthday cake!