J's Family Visit

Over spring break, Justin's family came to visit for a few days.  It was great to see everyone.  Kent and Sharon had already left by the time we rounded everyone up for a picture.

 Karsen really liked giving a concert behind the podium.  He sang a great peanut butter and jelly song! Nate and Aleah gave speeches.

 They fished from inside the boat.

 Everyone went to Home Depot to build.....I think a mini chalkboard. I stayed home with Elias while he napped.

 Isaac and Olivia learned some new trampoline games from the big kids. ...plus now they are calling their leapsters "tablets".  Hey, as long as he's not asking to buy one, he can call it whatever he wants.  Ha ha. 

 Justin just missed this picture, but it was still funny.  Kent opened his umbrella and it popped up inside out.  The reason for the umbrella was because we decided to go hiking at Norris Lake in the rain.  It actually turned out perfect and only rained for a short time.  It didn't downpour until we got home.

 Elias' first hike. He got a little fussy midway because he was tired, but nothing a little nursing while hiking couldn't fix! 

 Rest break.  Olivia was excited because she walked the ENTIRE time!  Whoo Hoo!

 Katie found the goggles that the kids got from Home Depot helpful while cutting onions!

 All the kids watching their cookies bake. 

Thank you so much Fords and Worzels for making the trip!  We all had a real fun time!

Sleepovers, Ice Cream, and other Celebrations

Olivia and I had her first sleepover.  Elaina's dad was out of the country for a few weeks and we took the opportunity to have a girls overnight....including Elias. We had blueberry pancakes for dinner that were delicious.

 This was good in theory.  However, once Elaina fell asleep...almost immediately...Olivia decided the floor was not for her.  She ended up sleeping in my bed, although still a treat I think, because she never gets to do that at home.

 A girly pose.

 Elias can grab on to things now. And he's been sucking his fingers a lot.  And drooling more.

 Brusters had their PJ Day where you get a free ice cream cone if you wear your pjs.  I thought this was a funny picture because mom started talking to this lady.  Two random ladies. In robes. Outside. Eating ice cream. Middle of the afternoon.  I still think it's funny!

 We all got giant cones. Olivia ate almost all of hers, Isaac not so much. We didn't need much of a dinner that night.

 This one I just had to share.... For those who might not be acquainted with MOHELA, it's a company that sucks money out of you every month and gives you nothing in return.  That's right. School loan. However, I'm SO EXCITED to say, it is now PAID IN FULL!!!!  I got the loan in 2004 for my masters.  According to my calculations, that's EIGHT YEARS!!! Hallelujah we're done!

 This is how all the kids are learning to read! (ha ha) But seriously, they are playing on the Starfall Reading website...totally cool for kids: songs, games, and lots of letters/reading.

 Heather...you know what we call this, don't you????

 This might be the last "booster seat" shot...them actually sitting in the car.  They can get out themselves and almost get in by themselves. How wonderful!

 This one I just had to throw in.  You can't see his tall black socks with the shorts, but he had quite the ensemble going on.  I hope he could see what he was doing! I'll have to remind Olivia to PUT AWAY fingernail polish when she's done!

Box Creations

Well, didn't I say that boxes are the greatest toy ever!  I turned the booster seat boxes into a couple fun things the kids could play with.

 The boat goes perfect with their fishing stuff...

and they both enjoy singing and performing.  

It's a podium!  What kid has a podium?!

How's that go again, "Don't Cry Over..."

Guess who made this mess?!?!

And the winner is......Justin!

Graduation, World's Greatest Toy, and E-Talking

Graduation.  Olivia and Isaac got new seats today!  Woohoo!

World's Greatest Toy.  As if you didn't already know...

In 2 days (on March 5th) he'll be 3 months old!  Growing like a weed.

*video taken out of him talking

and E-Talking.  Here's what he's been doing for the past couple weeks or so.  Hearing 'cooing' in the morning is a neat way to wake up.  Really cool to just lay and listen to with your best friend.

Our Valentines

We made heart shaped peanut butter cookies with chocolate icing and lots of sprinkles! They crumble much easier than sugar cookies but taste delicious!

Each time they ate a cookie they had to say their Bible verse: Matthew 22:37 Love God with all your heart.

He knows how to smile and talk now....well at least he says "heum" when you ask him to talk...kinda like a tiger cub.  Also like a sigh I suppose.  He also woke up for the first time babbling....again lots of sigh-talking.  Very cute.

Isaac set up his animals, squinkies, and army men.  Then he shot them all down with his Billy Blazes fake water shooter.

We had a family coloring afternoon.  Olivia traced 15 hearts for each of us to color. We thought Isaac looked cute concentrating with his cheeks sucked in like that.

Family

 Well it's taken about 2 1/2 months to get a family picture.  I'm a little disappointed we don't have one from when Elias was younger, but I finally got around to getting this one. 

Isaac Is Three!!

We had a fire fighter party for Isaac's birthday.  They were supposed to rescue the little people from the burning house. It was more fun racing cars from the roof.

 Pin the fire helmet on the dog.

 Run through the ring of fire.

 Eat

 Blow!

 Ok so here is the cake I made. I was a little disappointed in how it turned out...but it was red.

 Other side.

 Thank you everyone for your gifts! Isaac loves them all!

 Isaac got a really cool Hess truck and car from his Great Grandaddy and Judy. He is waiting to put the batteries in.  

 His actual birthday.  He got a donut with a candle for breakfast.

 And presents from mom and dad!

We are so blessed to have Isaac apart of our family.

Lots of January Happenings

The Stringfellows were back at our house for a wii Dance Off.  Justin borrowed Just Dance from a coworker. I believe Justin danced every night (some by himself) for a whole week.  We had a blast with Erik and Erin.

Aren't you supposed to ALL do the SAME thing at the same time???

 This is a little better....

 Happy Birthday Mom!

 She turned 13...or was it 31??  Dad made her a killer cheesecake! Loved the berries and chocolate chunks on top! Olivia and Isaac made her a pen/pencil holder...as you see there in the picture.  I think she had fun....she even joined in the singing!  Love you, Mom!

 Olivia started preschool! She was a lot more excited than this picture shows. She goes Thurs. & Fridays 9-1. She likes the games best.

This is also the first day of Olivia's preschool.  Isaac jumped right in and found his favorite toy (toilet plunger??) and was sitting around the circle.  The program is through a nearby high school so there are quite a few high school "teachers" in the class as well as the main teacher.

 Found Isaac here at the top of the stairs one night.  Also found him sleeping in my bed when I woke up in the middle of the night.  Creative sleeping...I like it.

 We dedicated Elias at church last weekend. We thank God for him and will do the best we can to raise him according to the Bible and to love God with all his heart.

 Elias did his share of talking while up front.

 Olivia wanted this picture in here. I just love sleeping pictures....

 Olivia made some clay animals from her project box.