Hello again. . . Hello

Here are some videos of the girls at their dance class. . .

Anna is taking pre-ballet.

Olivia is taking a ballet/tap combo class.

They have a Christmas recital coming up in a few weeks and these are the dances they'll be performing. Olivia is especially excited about tap and is definitely NOT shy about adding a little drama to her performance. :)

say what?

Busy Boy

"No time for sleep!"

That is what Nathan would be chanting if he could speak. I took some video the other day to document what Nathan is like when he is awake. I think once he starts walking I'm going to be done for. Actually, I don't think he'll start with walking. I think as soon as he has enough balance to stand for more than 10 seconds and get a step in, he'll just start running. Watch out! Here he comes. . .

What's there not to love?

Nathan's been cracking us up lately. . .

Here he is giving himself kisses in the mirror.

Can you blame him really? He IS pretty handsome!

Here he is sharing his new found vocal skills.

If you come to visit, pack your earplugs. . .

a masterpiece

Near the end of the school year, Jack came home from school with a note that he excitedly handed me and asked me to read. As he watched me read, I could see the HUGE grin spreading across his face (he'd opened and read the note on the way home from school on the bus). Jack's art teacher at school had written to announce that one of the drawings Jack did was selected to be displayed at the local art museum in a special exhibit for the school district. Needless to say, Jack was beyond excited and thrilled with the idea that HIS art was going to hang in a museum for others to see. He was invited to attend a special reception on the first day of the exhibit. Very exciting indeed. At the reception we were lucky enough to run into his art teacher who explained that Jack's picture was theresult of the unit they did on Renaissance art. He proudly told me it was a picture of me holding him. . . they had seen paintings of the Madonna and this was Jack's interpretation. Of course, we are very proud of Mr. Jack and his accomplishment. It was so fun to see his artwork in the museum, but even more fun to see the joy on his face at seeing his art on display! And so, without further adieu, here is Jack's masterpiece. . .

for sale?

In a recent (and exasperated) attempt to dissuade the kids from using bad/naughty words I threatened them at the dinner table (where the offenses usually occur) that I would start fining them for saying bad words.

After hearing the explanation that they'd have to take money from their own piggy banks and give it to me if they said a naughty word they sat in silence for a moment.

Then Olivia said,

"SO if I want to say one of those words, all I have to do is give you some of my money first?"

Awesome.

No. I am not selling naughty words.

Olivia was intrigued by the thought of it though and was willing to pay a pretty penny or two.

a good laugh

Nathan is officially laughing.

Mostly at Jarom.

Maybe because he has more hair than his Daddy-O.

We love it all the same!

A dream is a wish your heart makes. . .

Jarom surprised the girls with a fancy date last week to see the Disney Princesses on Ice show. Olivia and Anna got all dressed up in their princess dresses and waited for Jarom to pick them up for their special date. Jarom arrived home from work and gave the girls each a small bouquet of roses and off they went. I wish I could have gone as a fly on the wall to watch them! They were so excited!

Here's a short video clip with a little bit of their reaction. . .

The night was a smashing success and the girls are still admiring their flowers. Hooray for Daddy Daughter Dates!!

Blessing Day

Here are a few pictures of Nathan is his blessing outfit after church today. He was as quiet as could be during the blessing and Jarom did a great job. It was especially nice to have Jarom's parents here for this special event.

Nathan even gave us a big ol' happy grin!

(despite the major wedgie he was suffering from)

Merry Christmas. . . a little late.

I know I'm a little late with this, but figured I'd just extend the spirit of Christmas into the New Year. This year we got some good video of the kids acting out the Nativity as we read from the scriptures. Thanks to Jarom, now it's all pieced together and set to music.

Merry Christmas!