Haiti

On Tuesday I was out running errands after dropping preschool carpool when I heard the radio announce the death toll in Haiti had reached two hunderd thousand. I was stunned. I knew about the quake, but hadn't realized the huge numbers of deaths. I immediately started bawling, right there in my car in a Target parking lot. Later that day Trevor arrived home from school saying his school was collecting money to send to help the kids in Haiti and he wanted to get all of his coins to take in. Later when I picked Ethan up from play practice he told me the same thing. Brent was out of town and Trevor had basketball practice 1/2 hour away so I hurried them through homework and dinner and practice. By the time we got home it was almost 8pm and time to get them to bed. I had forgotten about the money, but they hadn't. They both ran to their rooms and counted out their coins to take to school the next day. I'm so impressed with them for wanting to freely give to others in need instead of hanging on to this money to save up for a video game.

 

A glimpse of Trevor and Ethan's Saturday

Trevor

 

 

Ethan

 

 

The beginning of the end-for me...

I didn't think anything of it when Cade climbed in the crib the other day with Carson watching to retrieve a pacifier for his baby brother. I was too focused on making sure I explained to Cade why it wasn't okay for him to get inside the crib again because he was too big. It didn't dawn on me that it might give Carson something to try. After all, our crib is a tall crib and for the most part our other kids haven't tried to climb out.

 

 

Are you gonna stop me mom?

 

How about you dad?

 

Okay then. Out I go.

 

 

For the record I was secretly proud of him. I forget how strong his upper body is until he does something like this. He mostly used his arms to heave himself up when learning to climb things, broke the restraints as a week old baby at his circumcision so I should have expected he'd use them to get out of the crib too.

Snowboarding!

Aunt Lindsay wanted to go snowboarding with Trevor and Ethan for awhile. She even spoiled them with new snowboarding clothes! They finally got to go the Monday after Christmas. She even let Brent tag along.

So stinkin' cute! Ethan is closer to the camera with Trevor behind him.

 

Trevor

 

 

Ethan

 

 

 

You know you had fun when you look like this. Too bad this was only their lunch break!

 

Thanks Aunt Lindsay and Big Ethan. They had a great time!

Our Christmas

Our Christmas ended up being spread out over about 2 weeks with different family dropping in. I didn't get pictures of them all, but it was so nice to see everyone. It made Christmas last longer! Here is just a glimpse of what we were up to for the last two weeks in December.
It was fun to see my sister (my twin with dark hair ha ha) Leah and her husband Rick and their baby girls. Don't you love it when people surprise you and take your picture?

 

Cousin Keira took it upon herself to make sure Carson got enough to eat. If she wasn't feeding him she was helping herself to what he ate!

 

 

Being around my boys Keira got to learn about cars and motorcycles and of course Spiderman!

 

Our Christmas drama. Carson locked himself and my keys in the car. I shut one door with my hands full from unloading the car and before I could open the other door he hit lock. I tried for 10 minutes to get him to unlock the car, but the unlock part of the button was too low and he just kept hitting lock. My mom tried getting a slim jim from the fire department down the road, but they didn't have one so they hung out with me until Brent got there with a key an hour after Carson had locked himself in. Carson LOVES to play in the car so he was fine until the last 10 minutes. He got so tired of everyone trying to get him to unlock the car he finally started to fuss.

 

I thought for sure with how much he loves cars and trucks he would want to see the fire truck up close, but he just wanted me and wouldn't go to the truck.

 

Da Boyz harvested mistletoe to sell to friends with cousin Adia.

 

Trevor and Ethan played Christmas songs for family.

 

 

Da Boyz riding the tractor with Grandpa Paul at the wheel. How many of your grandpas ever did this for you? Ha Ha!

 

Granpa Paul-I mean Santa came to visit. Ethan played along.

 

Cade had no idea who it was.

 

Trevor played along.

 

Carson was freaked out. Although after this he kept saying Santa when he saw a Santa so at least he learned a new word!

 

Ethan getting what he really wanted for Christmas!

 

Getting what you really want for Christmas is always so fun!

 

Wrestling with Grandpa on Christmas Eve!

 

Getting ready to open Eve gifts from mom and dad.

 

Christmas morning pictures on the stairway and as usual no one looking at the camera despite the mom trying everything to get people to look!

 

Loving what Santa brought.

 

Playing with what Santa brought.

 

Posing for the camera in their Eve pj pants.

 

Enjoying more presents under the tree from mom and dad and others we love.

 

And of course, trying out the new WII games we got.

 

Trevor's 9!

When did my baby grow up? This is his last year of being in single digits for his birthday. Have I really been a mom for NINE years?????? Trevor wanted a "video game" party for his birthday so the weekend before his birthday we hooked up 3 different TVs and video game systems and his friends came over and played all night. Here are some of the goofballs taking a break from gaming for pizza.

 

Little brothers crashing the party.

 

My baby is too big!

 

Proof that he smiles!

 

Making the first cut in his cake.

 

Goofing off while opening presents.

 

ON his actual birthday he smiled for the camera too!

 

Gramma Judy and grandpa Steve were in town so of course we headed to the bowling alley with them to keep with tradition. Trevor showed off his form.

 

Carson checking out the bowling balls. He thought they were so cool!

 

Ethan waiting anxiously to see how many he can knock down.

 

Cade using "the ramp" to launch his ball.

 

After bowling we headed to In N Out for dinner. Trevor's choice of course. Ethan didn't want Trevor to have all the attention so he lost a tooth during dinner. The gum inside the tooth decided to hang out for a couple days though.

 

After dinner we did our Gingerbread houses. Here are their masterpieces with silly faces for the camera. An action packed birthday for a very special boy! I love you Trevor!