Where has the time gone?

I can not believe that my last post was seriously in December. So much has happened since then! The boys have celebrated their 5th and 3rd birthdays, we spent Spring Break in Florida where we saw Bama (my Grandma), Nana and Papa (my parents), Aunt Patty, and Uncle Corey. The boys loved spending time swimming in the pool, going to the beach, visiting family, the Naples Zoo, and the Easter egg hunt at Nana's church. We scared a few poeple out of their seats on the plane. It was funny that they moved the second the saw the boys and then the plane was in the air and the boys did fantastic! Recently, Connor has started to read to us which is very fun! He loves words, talking, writing, and reading! Owen has learned to ride his "big boy bike" with training wheels but he likes Connor's bike better. We are looking forward to a lazy summer at home at the pool, in the yard, and at the lake!

Christmas 2008

Christmas is a day of miracles. Last night 8 more inches of snow was added to our existing few feet. A winter wonderland for sure! Needless to say, we did not venture out on the roads to go to church. Instead, we stayed home and read the Christmas story and the boys filled in parts where we stopped. We had cake to celebrate "Jesus' birthday" at Connor's request. We listened to Christmas music and enjoyed a nice dinner together with our friend Heidi. We also taped the boys getting in their PJ's and singing which I will post. We thought it was such a relaxing night! Then came bedtime....Connor's tummy hurt and he couldn't sleep. Owen couldn't stop fidgeting and moving all around his bed. They were a little too excited. This morning the boys were awake around 6:30, their normal time. We got up and found them both under the covers of Connor's bed just giggling. Apparently, Connor was so worried that since Owen wouldn't go to sleep last night, Santa may not have come so he had already come down to investigate and found carrots nibbled on, cookies eaten, and an empty glass of milk. He was reporting his findings to his brother. We all raced downstairs to see what was happening and they were sooo amazed by all of the presents. Connor raced through his presents and Owen took a little more time. Scott and I didn't get a chance to open any of ours until theirs were all out of their boxes. (The people who package toys are psychotic!) They have played all day long. Scott spent much of the day, bless his heart, constructing a marble maze with Connor that had like 500 pieces. He looked like he enjoyed it as much as Connor! These boys continue to be our miracle and their love and good nature (even when they are avoiding sleep) amaze us each day. We know we don't get to spend these holidays with our families since we live all the way out here, but we hope they know how much we love them and how much a part of our life and traditions they are! Blessings to all and Merry Christmas!

Election Day 2008

Today was an interesting day listening to the perspectives of 12 year olds. They have such strong opinions with very little to back them up. Hopefully in their next 6 years, they will back their voice with reason! The election results were just announced and now we wait to see what the next four years have in store for us.

On a more personal note, tonight was a fun night with our boys. Connor spent 1/2 hour in the bath using his foam letters to spell words. I am in awe of his developing reading and writing skills. He is thriving!!! Owen surprised us with a cute rendition of the MSU Fight Song. (see video clip below!) These boys are incredible! We are just so lucky and I count my blessings each and every day!

Ladybugs

OK...we are trying to be a little more "green" around our house. We have changed out our lightbulbs. My dad doesn't like those swirly ones but we use them anyway. We recycle more and are careful about the amount of trash we create. We are trying to use less chemicals. My roses had aphids and we had many spiders. I had read or seen somewhere that live ladybugs take care of this problem for you. So one day last week, Connor, Owen, and I went to the Spokane Lawn and Feed Store and bought live ladybugs to release in our yard. It was amazing. The boys loved it! We released one bag (approximately 1500 ladybugs) around our yard in areas where there were aphids and spider mites. The boys helped and carried ladybugs around with them. They were in awe. The good news is I don't have any more aphids. I don't, however, see many ladybugs either. I'm hoping they are still working!