At The Beach

Here are the kids being photo test subjects as I calibrate lenses on my new camera.

Dancing and Ice Cream...Two Loves!

Another Science Experiment

The baking soda and vinegar volcano! :-)

Playoff Season!

Even though the Packers didn't win, we had fun cheering for them and wearing our gear this season. :-)

25 Weeks Pregnant

I'm 25 weeks along now. Baby "C" is really kicking up a storm. We decided to go ahead and set up the nursery. The kids' former play room is now the nursery. I left the safari animals stickers on the wall - neutral enough for a girl. Lucas moved the dresser from our master closet to the nursery. We found a remnant floor carpet at Home Depot. And our friends here gave us their Eddie Bauer baby swing. The rocker/glider and crib are of course still in working condition from Amber and Brent's infancies. It's fun for me to "nest" and get things more ready to go for Baby. Lucas is a really good sport about it all too...he does most of the work really, I do the planning and shopping and directing. ;-D

First Science Experiment

Lucas and I showed the kids about whirlpools. They thought it was fun!

Fun Days

We ordered back-ups for Bunny and Quack-Quack from Amazon. Now if we lose one (again) we will already have a replacement, although...Brent can tell the difference and still prefers his "old Bunny." :-)

Amber loves her Christmas play dress. We think she looks so fashionable here for jumping on a trampoline, like a little Southern Belle or something! ;-D

Sibling Play Time!

Amber of course likes to play dress-up. Often she will beg Brent to
join her, and today...for a few minutes he humored her (and me - I
was cracking up taking this picture of them)!
Amber was excited when I told her that most likely her sister will more readily want to play dress-up and Barbies, etc. with her someday. But Amber also understands the reality of the time frame as she said that "First she [sister C] will have to learn to walk, Mommy."

Realing the Marlin

Last of the missed posts

Kahala Resort

Another missed post.

Aquarium Visit

So I found a couple draft posts from when the Larsens were here that for some reason didn't get posted. They are a little out of chronological order, but I figured I would post them anyway.

Another Play Date with Jaycee

We spent another morning with Jaycee just before New Years so that her
mommy could get more rest with the newborn Rylee. [Jaycee's Aunt arrived on New Years Day to help out her mommy for the next month now].

First stop was to get Amber's hair trimmed, (somewhat traumatic, but better than last year - the suckers definitely helped), and then to the pet store, and then to the community pool. Kids all had so much fun together. Everyone passed out for good naps that day, including Lucas and me!

The Day After Christmas

We got one more use out of our water park season passes this year. Brent really loves the water slides! The big green slide behind them is his favorite. He goes down with Daddy. Amber just likes to splash in the water and swim around, and once in a while she will do a kiddie water slide.

Brent's First Nerf Shotgun

One of Brent's Christmas presents was this Nerf shot gun. Daddy was giving the kids proper instruction on how to shoot. They love this more "big kid" activity with Dad! ...Mom is learning how to shoot too. lol.

Christmas Presents and Santa's Visit

Amber's gift for Brent - stuffed animals:

Brent's gift for Amber - new play dress:

More animals!

Simba and Nala!

Amber's Vet/Doctor Shop:

Santa came and brought Brent a motorcycle and Amber a telescope!

Brent was real "cool" about Santa. Amber was a little scared by his "ho, ho, HO!" But she was ok with sitting near him for the picture. :-)

Christmas Morning - stocking stuffers

Last Christmas we were all sick as dogs. Christmas 2011 we were all super healthy and a year older...we had so much fun as a family just slowly opening presents and being together on Christmas Day!

Yes, candy for "first breakfast:"

Amber wearing Brent's mask:

The coordinating foam knife:

Amber's doggy slipper socks (with grippers on the bottom):

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

We went caroling in our subdivision with some families from church. We tried to dress festive. (I was warm in that sweater though!) At first the kids weren't sure what to think of all the singing in front of random people's homes in the dark. But an hour later they were loath to go home.

No, the kids did NOT get iPhones for Christmas, but...they were enjoying a few minutes using ours and playing with their kid apps.