Clara Has Learned How to Pump!

I was sitting on the couch one morning doing reading with Amber when suddenly these little Clara feet started swinging up closer and closer towards my face. She was pumping all by herself! Her siblings and Daddy and I had been trying to coach her on how to pump in recent weeks, and...it finally clicked! "Go, Clara, go!" We all stopped what we were doing and cheered her on for a few minutes. ;-)

All the Lights are in!

8 Total lights. On a dimmer switch. I'm so thankful for these. They really brighten the house and cut down on the "winter blues."  ;-)

New Cousins! They're Waving at You ;-)

This past December the kids were blessed with their first cousin on the Smith side. Trevor and Katelyn's precious baby girl Evelyn!

Ten days later in December, on the Larsen side, Brian and Julie welcomed their second sweet boy, Jeremy! Noah (17mo.) is adjusting to his role as big brother. 

We can't wait to meet these new cousins (niece/nephew) in person in 2015 sometime. Such special little lives! Just had to share the extended family joy. ;-D

A New Knitting Project

Amber got a new loom for Christmas. This one is an actual scarf size. She is hoping to finish her full-size scarf in the next week or so. These looms make for fast projects, and she lets me do some rows now and then -  I really enjoy it too, I want my own. lol!

Swing crazies

Different Blocks, More Building - Amber's Ship

Trampoline!...Yes, our house is turning into an indoor playground. lol!

We've Entered the Lego Era!

Since this fall, our kids have had a growing interest in playing with and building Legos. 

All 3 kids were excited to use their Christmas money this year to get this Arctic City Lego set. It provided hours of building over the weekend. Clara needed some guidance of course, but Amber and Brent pretty much can do their own work now. 

Little Cinderella and Making Brownies

Hot Chocolate

First Snow of 2015

Brent was being a polar bear. ;-)

First Lights!

These pictures are from today. Lucas put in the first 2 recessed lights! He may install more lights across the living room ceiling, but for now...this is a fantastic addition to (the formerly dim) townhouse living/lighting! I'm so thankful! 

Moving Beyond Candyland!

Amber and Brent have enjoyed learning to play Ticket to Ride and Settlers of Catan recently. :)

Digging Deeper

More bathroom demo and investigation for possible recessed lighting in the living room ceiling below. Never a dull moment for Lucas!

Happy New Year!

Uncle Owen and Auntie Maritza were down for a visit around New Year's Eve. The kids love it when family visits! We went to the Dulles Air and Space Museum together. The kids really enjoyed looking at the big airplanes, well, at least for an hour or so and then they hit "overload." lol. Then the space shuttle and the "astronaut" story hour were a good new attraction. 

The security guard to the left of me is telling Clara to sit down on the chairs. Poor Clara. She was very ready to go home by this point. But it was a very educational morning, especially with Lucas as our tour guide. :-) He is full of scientific information (satellites, aerodynamics, laws of physics, etc.). 

Making Progress on the Bathroom Demo

Pictionary!

We were supposed to all draw something from the "sea creatures" category, but Brent surprised us with a bat and Clara drew a "super pig." It was a hoot!