Alien Tub Babies

Catherine heard about these funny tub pictures and specifically asked that I share them.

These were actually taken January 30, 2008, so about two weeks before the babies birthdays.

"What's everybody looking at?"

The babies like to play with their Dora the Explorer tub toys. Unfortunately for Boots, he is about to be eaten by the Kristen monster.

"Look mom, even my tongue is clean," says Kristen.

Kristen still enjoyed taking a bath back then. She is now going through an anti-bath phase we hope she outgrows soon.

"So do you like my hair," asks Loryn.

We discovered that before rinsing out the baby shampoo you can do all kinds of fun sculpting with baby-fine hair.

Hunter's Potty Training Miracle!!!

February 17, 2008 is a very significant day in our home. It is the day the switch turned on and Hunter went from being in diapers to being completely potty trained.

There were times I honestly thought I would be potty training the twins and Hunter at the same time. Miraculously after many failed attempts on my part, this Sunday afternoon Hunter decided to use the potty and has been using it ever since. Just like that, it was all over...done. No accidents. Dry at night. A miracle.

In case anyone thinks this was too easy, may I remind them that Hunter was already 3 1/2 and had shown zero interest in potty training to this point. I hadn't actively been doing any potty training for a while. I guess he just needed to decide for himself it was time, and have the confidence to do it.

As a reward for Hunter potty training we all went to

Chuck E. Cheese.

Hunter playing Ski-Ball while Loryn watches in awe.

Try throwing just a little harder Hunter.

Joy Riding

Kristen loved this little car, but Loryn wasn't so impressed.

Ashton, Kristen, and Allison--They really are having a good time.

"I don't think I like the features on this one," thinks Kristen while examining the Jeep ride.

Kristen wasn't so sure about the big moving Jeep. In fact she and Loryn freaked out when it started moving.

"Get me out of this thing," cries Loryn behind the wheel.

Birthday Marathon

This time of year is very birthday heavy for us. Four of the five kids have their birthdays within 3.5 weeks and Grandma's is right in the middle of those. Paula and I also have our birthdays at the end of March. In all...7 birthdays in a month and a half.

February 13-- the twins first birthday. THE BIG NUMERO UNO!!!

What is going on?

Kristen (in pink) and Loryn (in bib) looking unsure and confused while sitting on the counter with everyone watching.

February 24-- Mom turned 54 years old.

All in one breath grandma! No helping Hunter.

It took two whole cakes and a multitude of matches to do it right.

March 2--Ashton's big #8. We had a party for him with his friends on Saturday, as well as another party for family on his actual birthday. We are looking forward to his baptism in May when Dave's parents can come.

The Marshmallow Gun Posse

R-L: Cameron, Ashton, Ethan, Jacob, Zack, Cooper, Allison. Braden flashing the marshmallow gun in the back. We had a great time putting together our marshmallow guns and shooting them in the backyard. I found the instructions and plans online. They are made out of PVC and were really easy and inexpensive. I highly recommend them for a birthday party for crazy little boys.

March 8--Allison turned 6 this year. Allison also had a birthday party with her friends and another with my family.

Dora the Explorer Party Pals

R-L: Karina, Alysa, Ashlyn, Kendall, Allison, Ashton, Bronwyn, Kaitlyn, Hunter. Back: Loryn, Dave, Kristen.

It was a Dora party with a "map" that told us where to go on our treasure hunt. Ashton performed his magic ballon trick, candy, dancing, and finally a pinata pretty much sums it up.

Making Hunter Happy!

Poor Hunter! This time of year is really hard on the little guy who has to wait until the end of July for his birthday. At the family party I promised Hunter I would make a cake with his name on it. Here is Allison blowing out the candles of HER cake with Hunter's name on it.

The Joy of the Creamy

Ashton is such a sweet big brother to his little sisters. He willingly shared his creamy with them the other day. They were pretty happy to slobber all over it.

Ashton feeding Loryn a lick of his creamy while Kristen patiently waits her turn. The twins seem to take turns a lot better than other babies their age. I think it is because they have had to take turns all their life.
Kristen taking her licking the creamy.

The babies will be one year old on February 13th. I can't believe it has been a whole year since they were born. They are really starting to have some personality now.

Snow Fort

On Sunday my family came over for dinner. James came with the idea of making a snow fort since we have received so much snow. We had six inches that morning plus about 4-6 inches on the ground.

Playing in the Snow

Hunter getting James with a snowball. Never mind the shovel full of snow James has.

James seems to have the advantage!

Ashton couldn't run away fast enough to avoid the mother of all snowballs right on the back. Luckily he had several layers of snow clothes on. The kids had a great time playing with James, Paula, and Joy.

They spent a lot of time packing snow into the plastic garbage can James brought specifically for fort making. (Paula, James, Ashton, Joy, Allison)

Bombs Away!

Putting the fort to use.

Walking

The babies are walking. Loryn has been walking a little longer than Kristen, but Kristen is catching up fast. They look like little old women who need walkers as they teeter around the house. When they want to get somewhere fast though, they still crawl.

Loryn coming after me while Kristen looks on. Trying to take their pictures is getting harder since they start coming toward me as soon as they see the facinating camera. Someone needs to invent an invisible camera.

Catching Up

I haven't kept up with my blog very well this last month. Stomach flu, pink eye, and really bad colds hit our family. But things are looking brighter again since the babies slept through the night last night. (Mostly through the night--Loryn still ended up in our bed. I am not sure when or how, but I must have gotten her and brought her to bed with us.)

At the beginning of January I helped Catherine install her hardwood floor. It was a ton of work, but very fullfilling. It is so "pwity"!!!

April, Catherine and Nielson posing on the beautiful new hardwood floor we just installed. It is so exciting to see it come together. Catherine and Rachael are happy because the scary carpet is gone.

Catherine and Rachael posing with the stacks of boards waiting to be installed. Girl Power!In October or something, Catherine and I tiled her shower. To make a long story short it took FOREVER but looks Awesome now. It was a first time tiling experience for both of us, and we might even try it again. But next time--BIGGER TILES.