Friends visit during ECS!!

Much to my delight, my best friend of 25 years, her daughter, and her mom came to visit us while David was gone!! It was so great to have Beth and crew out here for the week. I didn't get many pictures taken, but a good time was had by all. We ran errands, found awesome stuff to make our own cloth diapers, caught up after not seeing each other for 2 years, and just relaxed, as much as possible with little people running around. The Oma's were a big help and let the moms go out for dinner!!

Come visit again soon!

Think Bapa wants a girl baby this time?

Blackmail.

The Omas, the moms and a couple of the kids.

Beth and Clara!

Bath time together! One looks, and then the other looks, but never in the same picture.

Oma's 60th birthday bash in AZ.

The birthday girl!

Happy birthday, Oma!

Late February 2012

To celebrate Oma turning 60 this June, the grandparents decided to have a mini family reunion in AZ. All 4 siblings were in attendance with our family and Jake's girlfriend to round out the group. We had a great time enjoying each others company while watching pitchers and catchers practice. Unfortunately, the full spring training didn't start until the week after we were there.

Bapa arranged for a bus and boat tour of the area one day. We got a history of the area, walked around an old mining/ghost town and went on a very nice paddle boat ride on a gorgeous lake. It was a very relaxing way to get to spend time together.

Instead of making the little guys behave in restaurants in the evenings, the main meals were shared at the hotel. Uncle Ryan spearheaded the grilling and made steaks with vegetable kabobs. It was delicious! Another night we were on our own, for pizza, or going for sushi after the little ones were in bed with Dad as the babysitter. Thanks for letting me go out with my brothers!

It was a short weekend, but enjoyed by all. Baseball, boats, good company, and pools. What more do we need?

Kandin and I on the paddle boat adventure.

After a nervous start, enjoying himself.

So much to explore. The adventurous one and the cautious one, which is which?

The birthday girl and the planner.

Abraham enjoying the company of his bald uncles.

The whole gang that was able to attend.

Super yummy dinner at the hotel.

Mr. Cool guy with his new sunglasses, reading a book.

Having a moment with Uncle Ryan.

Solomon's own personal cabinet to play in!

Taking in the sights at spring training.

Just so tired. Must nap.

Happy birthday trip, Oma!

Major snow day in Parker, CO with Uncle Jake and Kandin

Early February 2012

Seeing how the Springs never actually gets a bunch of snow, we had to go where there was. Alas, one phone call, and a full truck later, we arrived with sleds and snow gear to outfit the family at Uncle Jake's house. They had gotten about 20 inches of snow in Parker, which is 49 miles north of us. Oma had a wipe out before we even left the Springs, but she too was a trooper and broke trail and had fun sledding. All were wiped out by the time we were done. Abraham kept asking for more, again, more please! Solomon, unbeknownst to us, had bilateral ear infections and was feeling a bit under the weather but enjoyed being outside.

Catching a ride to the top.

Oma, with battered knee and face, broke the trail for the "little hill."

Mom and Abers about to head down.

Solomon's first sledding experience with dad!

Best picture ever. Pure joy.

Kandin also sledding for the first time and loving it. She was as excited as Abraham!

Uncle Jake

Sad Solly refused to leave his gloves on. He did enjoy riding this way.

The big guys working on a project.

Lots of pictures, but I don't think it does the day justice. Abraham asks each time it snows if it is enough to sled again. If we don't have enough here, he asks to call Uncle Jake to see if there is enough in Parker.

Love it!

First day of school!

Needless to say, Abraham was SUPER excited to start school. We got the customary picture on the first day, and for the first couple of weeks after that, he wanted his picture taken each time I dropped him off.

Abraham's 3rd birthday, a tad late.

There isn't really an excuse for this post being so late, but I'll give you a few anyway! I was busy with work, boys, death in the family, new pregnancy, not enough computer time...

Anyway, happy birthday to my first born! We still can't believe that we have a big guy, one that walks, talks, runs, jumps, goes to school, plays board games, and loves us like this guy does. The time has flown by these last 3 years. We decided that Abraham needed some outside stimulation, so we found a great Montessori school that he attends 3 half ways a week. He LOVES it and asks daily if it is "tool" day. Let's hope that lasts into high school.

The stats:

Weight: 32# (63%), up from 8#3.

Height: 38 inches (75%), up from 20 3/4 inches.

Sleep: No naps, except for the rare occasion, otherwise to bed at 1900, up between 0700-0830. You and Solly share a full size bed and try to "nore" him out.

Food: Had gotten in a rut, but then mom got tired of making special things, so now cheese sauce is our friend to help get anything in! You request green beans, "so that I can earn dessert."

Favorite things: Puppy (the same one mom stole from Uncle Ryan 30 years ago) and beaver, trains and talking about trains, books, marshmallows, helping in the kitchen, Oma's house, his Muppet shirt to match dads, flying airplanes to Arizona, outside, bubbles, and puppy and beaver.

Brotherly love: Most days you get along well with Solomon, but sometimes push his just because. You're learning how to play much better together.

His vocabulary is gigantic. It's hard to believe we once had a concern about his lack of speech. Now, he never STOPS talking!

Club Car!! The newest addition to the family. A beautiful blue Betta.

Uncle Herb and Solomon hanging out. Best buddies.

Bowling with Bapa!

Moms second attempt at decorating. Solomon had a fire truck cake and was the guinea pig. Aber's requested a train cake with a club car of course!

Helping mom make his birthday cake. Abraham is my sous chef, all the time. This guy loves to cook!

For his actual birthday, we had some friends over for snacks, cake, and ice cream. One of David's students put on a cute little puppet show for us. The immediate family went bowling and had an awesome time! It was the first time bowling for Abraham and the last time for Uncle Herb. We are so glad we had a fun family outing just before he died.

Happy birthday sweet, sweet blue eyed, curly haired boy! We "love you the mostest!"