Logan Visit

These pics are a little out of order, but oh well. This is what Logan gave Tara for her birthday. Way to go boy!

This is the "other" clown. Showed up for Tara's birthday morning celebration.
Sharing grahm crackers at Sams. What buds.

This picture just made me laugh. I think he likes this toy at the mall.

Playing in the "kitchen". Looks like it's eggs for breakfast.

One is going to school. The other is off to fight fires. Or maybe they are just getting ready to race???

Olivia has LOVED playing with Logan so much. He's just another one of her "babies"...except he responds better.

We took a swim day. Everybody went under (some on accident) and Olivia learned how to swim by herself with a noodle! Can't wait for swim lessons this summer.

We definitely had our fill of tv. They like watching nickjr at G&G's house....including Logan.

And it was very fun to have you here too Tara! Travel back safely! Happy Birthday!

Mom's Birthday

My sister is visiting from Germany for awhile and it's a good thing. My mom's birthday was last week and Tara got to dress up like mom always does for birthdays (yes, mom keeps this clown suit in the trunk of the car "just in case she needs it"). Tara and Logan were about to go in and wake her up on her birthday morning. The clowning has now become generational.

Here we are outside of PFChangs for my mom's birthday celebration. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! We love you!

Inside PFChangs. They love you too Mom!

We took Tara and Logan downtown to see the sunsphere where the world's trade fair was held. We miss having you here, Will!

Here we are at a park in the area.

I had to put in another park picture because this is the coolest attraction at the park. Tara and I are on it, Logan is there watching us, and I don't know anyone else in the picture.

Here's a family pose, Grandpa taking the picture. My mom and dad got a new dog recently. VERY sweet dog. Her name is Josie. Luci was too nervous being in public to really get to know her. Hopefully they will be friends this weekend when we get to dogsit!

Here we are just walking. But the fun thing was Olivia and Isaac taking turns holding Logan in the double, I mean triple, stroller.
Isaac does such a great job!

I Choose Life

Ok, for those who couldn't take it any longer....IT'S ALIVE! (except for the small yellow/brown leaf in the front) I knew the thing couldn't die. We've even grown mushrooms in there! Justin has had this plant since before we got married. It's truly an amazing plant. Nothing kills it.

This picture if from New Year's Day in St. Louis. Greg's job was to cook the hot dogs in the fire. Apparently it was too hot, so he rigged this contraption up. ...with scotch tape no less.
Notice Justin's tool of choice. -Thank you men for cooking the dogs!
Isaac and Olivia packed in a box. They were alive.

This fish is full of life! Don't you see the one in Olivia's hand? They were in the "boat" catching fish....after they had decorated the boat of course. Isaac is amazed at Olivia's big fish. Can you tell?

And finally, here is their lively band. I thought you might enjoy.....or not.

To Die OR Not To Die...

Ok, so we get back from our 11 day vacation to Missouri over Christmas and I notice the one real plant in our house about dead and so I give it some water. This morning I (Justin) pass it again....

Justin: (In a somewhat hopeless voice) "Whoa, I don't think it's going to make it."

Tami: (In an optimistic voice) "Oh, ya, it's perked up a bit from yesterday."

Thanks Tami for always making lemonade.

(In the meantime....does anyone need a perked up plant?)

Merry Merry Christmas

Here are a few pictures of Christmas from our MO trip so far....

Isaac comes down the stairs at Katie's house and says, "Look at me!" I think this is a record. 13 headbands....or is that 14?

These are the stockings that Justin's parents have hanging. One for everyone! Wow! That's almost as many headbands Isaac had on!
Olivia opening her pillow pet. Isaac got a bumblebee.
Christmas at Gramp and Nana's house.

37,500 lights on this "Magic Tree" in Columbia. Totally cool.

This is Christmas day. We were at Justin's Grandma Donna's house. Olivia stayed out a long time and played. Isaac slept.

Christmas day at Grandma Donna and Bob's house. We didn't get near everyone in the picture. I think we counted 27 people!

Olivia and Aleah got new babies in wagons with dogs. Olivia loved getting another baby. We're running out of baby names...any ideas?

They kinda look like a bunch of deer in headlights, don't you think? Justin made a loud noise to get their attention all at the same time.

Isaac was taking a nap one afternoon. One of his latest things is mittens on his hands, and socks for puppet shows. He wanted the mittens on before he went to sleep. They stayed on the entire nap.

I didn't get any pics at Justin's Grandma Blankenship and Don's house. Olivia got another baby there. She was very excited again.

This is Christmas at our house before we left for MO.

Isaac was Luci surfing.

They were laughing at one of Olivia's presents that makes funny singing sounds.

They were very excited to finally get to open "the big one". The funny thing is, they were at the store, in the cart, when we bought the basketball hoop. We're thinking that this might be the last year we can buy their Christmas presents in front of them, and them not know it.

This is the cake I made for our small group Christmas party.

1st Annual Gingerbread House Making

We had our friends over for dinner and a gingerbread house making. Erin had the icing recipe and made the houses the night before. As the kids got to "glue" on the candy pieces, I believe that Isaac ate 1/2 of what was intended for his house. Olivia worked really hard and long on it. We are looking forward to the 2nd Annual Gingerbread House Making. Thanks Erik and Erin for coming over! Total fun!
Just beginning.

Isaac with the gel squirt.

Even the guys did one. Awww....

Happy to show off her house!

All done!

From left to right: Isaac, Olivia, Tami, Erin, Justin, Erik, Elaina.

Snow Tidbit

Here's the final product after almost 20 minutes, I think???? I found out that Isaac CANNOT wear his sleeper pjs under a snow suit and wear shoes at the same time. He wanted to wear this hat. After awhile outside, he put on a warmer one. And the pants are not ideal, pink. The joys of hand me downs. I'd invest in more if only it snowed more.

Just a dusting of snow, but still fun. We got about 2 inches a few days later, I just didn't get any pictures then.

Seemed like you stepped in the snow and there was nothing but grass left. Olivia still wanted to make a snow angel. Cute face, cute suit. Thanks, Aunt Tara! (We finally got to use it after 2 yrs of hanging in the closet.)

After the second snow, the kids had hot chocolate for the first time. It was actually warm chocolate, but they both said it was very yummy.

This was another day we made haystacks with one of Olivia's friends. Isaac couldn't keep it out of his mouth.

Closer to Christmas

The kids had Christmas with my parents this past weekend since they will be leaving for Germany and we'll head to MO this year. They got some flaslights they love, but they are super sonic bright. We'll see how long it takes before one of them gets it taken away for shining it in someone's eyes. Isaac already took it to the mall with us today.

Olivia LOVES her new baby from Grammie Judy and Grandaddy. The name goes back and forth from Maggie to Strawberry (There are some magnets...maggie... in her that hold the pacifier to her mouth and there's a strawberry on her shirt). Olivia told me today, "I think I love strawberry as much as I love Logan". That's amazing since it's only been 2 days and Logan has been the baby of the year. I think Olivia will be a great mother some day!

This was pre-Strawberry/Maggie, but Logan is the one on Olivia's lap in yellow. Isaac has Miles, Circo is in the middle. Who knew I'd have so many babies to keep track of.
The kids helped decorate the trees this year. I love how having little kids changes Christmas time. It's so amazing and fun.
Isaac found some new monkey bars.

This was a beautiful sky Olivia pointed out to us while at Grandma/Grandpa's house.

While in Dandridge over Thanksgiving, we visited my step uncle. Olivia and Isaac got to find an egg that had been laid. Amazingly enough, the egg did not break even with both of them trying to hold it at the same time.

They got to feed the goats.

And finally they got to feed the chickens. And Justin walked away wanting to live on a farm. Thanks Dan!