Lucas is 5 months old today!

Here he is, now a  5 month old.

Checking out his hands. ( New pants, not to make a fashion statement but because he wet through.).

Smiling some more.  And last what he sounds like now.

Winter Break

This week was winter break for the school kids.  I didn't get the camera out nearly enough, but here are Timmy, Sophia, and Henry trying to pop bubbles Alex was blowing (on Tues.). I had heard if it was below freezing and you blew bubbles they would freeze.   It didn't work for us, I'm guessing it needs to be colder than 20.  But the kids had fun anyway.  (And yes, they're in their pj's outside.  It's good to be on break.)

After popping bubbles the Sophia, Henry and Timmy played in the snow, until Timmy left our yard and had to come in. Then not too much longer Sophia and Henry came in saying it was raining!  Sophia made many snow angels.

Henry was so excited to be outside.

The swing set even got quite a bit of use .  Timmy cheesing it up before zipping down the slide.

Tim and Luke hanging out.

There was plenty of video game time.  Max takes his turn while Henry and Sophia watch.

Alex playing Mindcraft, it has become almost all he and Max are able to think and speak about.

All the little monkeys having a pancake breakfast one morning.  The kids also took turns having friends over.  And got along amazingly well enough on Thursday to cooperate and work together making 2 different forts. We ended break with a very fun outing for cub scouts -  snow tubing!!!  We left the littlest 3 with their wonderful Aunt Kathy and headed out in the snow to do some sledding. It was a blast.  It seemed Sophia loved it the most of all. Everyone cheered, smiled and laughed as we zoomed down the hill at Four Seasons.  It was a great way to end to end their break.

And today Lucas rolled over!! Yea ! Another great highlight to end winter break.

Suprise!

Sophia got her ears pierced today!! We were at the mall and Randy asked if she wanted to look around at Clair's.  She of course did, that store is made for girls like her :).  When she and I came out, Randy told her if she wanted to get her ears pierced she could, and she said no at first then changed her mind and now has Hello Kitty earrings in.  She can't take them out for 6 weeks,but is already making plans for what earrings she'll be wearing next!

Here it is, the Hello Kitty ear ring up close and personal.  Did she think it hurt? Yes! But was worth it.

Timmy got his first buzz! We couldn't believe how different he looked. Getting in and out of the van today he said, "mine head cold, mine head cold."

At Lucas' two month dr. appointment I mentioned he really favored looking to his right.  By his 4 mo. appointment I told the dr. there wasn't much change.  It turns out he has torticollis, which is a fancy way to say he has  tight muscles in his neck, causing him to not want/be able to look to his left.  It is not a big deal, he's seen a physical therapist and gets 3 baby massages, we're also doing some exercisers the physical therapist told us to do everyday. Here he his getting some tummy time which is important in correcting the condition.

Alex continues to camp out with the boy scouts, despite cold and snow.  The above picture is a camp out he and Randy went on the 2 or 3 week end of Jan. There isn't any snow, but it was cold!!!  The first weekend of Feb. Alex camped out with some scouts, without Randy, but plenty of snow!! Burr!

Getting ready to dive into his sleeping bag. Despite the cold Randy and Alex slept out in Alex's tent both nights of the cold weather camp out. Both Randy and Alex said their sleeping bags proved to really be warm enough, sleeping outside wasn't all that bad.  Unless you have to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom like Randy did.

After a fun weekend of camping out, Alex set up the tent inside and had the idea maybe his little brothers would like to join him.  So Timmy, Alex, Max, and Henry all camped out in our living room.

Nov.27 - Dec.27

Lucas at 2 months old, hanging out in his swing.  Love those smiles.

Before coming back to Iowa for Christmas Alex had his Christmas concert.  He plays trumpet and was the only experienced student this year in band (meaning the only student that had been in band longer than 1 year).  So he was the only one eligible to play in the Christmas concert, and so had his first solo! We were so proud of him. He did great!

We got back to Iowa early Friday morning , so we had a few days to relax before the fun of celebrating Christmas began.  Here's Grandma Steffen with her grandkids and great grandkids 4 years old and under. Our muchkins are to her right.  Henry holding Luke and Timmy.

While in Iowa we couldn't miss a trip to the Dunkerton Fire Station, where 3 of Randy's brothers are volunteer fire fighters.  Everyone had a lot of fun.  Sophia, Henry, Timmy and Alex are checking out a fire engine.

Christmas Eve.  Aunt Sara and Uncle Eric had the great idea of getting everyone matching pajamas!  Don't they look terrific?! (L- R) Henry, Oliver, Max, Alex, Sophia, Parker, Timmy and the front row the babies, Julia and Lucas celebrating their first Christmas.

Christmas morning checking out all their goodies. (Max, Alex and Henry)

Oliver, Sophia and Randy checking out the new ipad our kids got from Great Grandma and Great Grandma Leymaster, Uncle Pat and us.

After a relaxing Christmas morning, we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Leymasters to celebrate with them and my brother's family.  It was nice and also a relaxing time.  Grandpa Leymaster and Lucas just hanging out.

Kale and Timothy playing with all of Nick's old legos!  Dad and Cheryl got all Nick's legos out for Kale and Brady to take home.

On the 27th we celebrated Christmas with my brother and his family, plus Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Wood. Timmy, Alex, Lucas, Sophia, Max, Brady, Kale and Henry at Nick (my brother) and Joni's.

Playing operation together with Uncle Nick.

Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Wood celebrating Christmas with us.

Randy, Luke, and Great Grandma Leymaster for a short visit over Christmas.

Great Grandpa checking out what the kids are up to, it's Max, Alex, Timmy and Henry.

Dec. 27  Lucas is 3 months old. 

Thanksgiving

Here's Luke ready to celebrate his first Thanksgiving.

All of our children except Alex have gotten a semi ride on the double drop trailer.  Here Lucas is getting his turn.  Everyone, even Timmy took a turn driving the truck.  Luke smiled and seemed to enjoy it.

We were so thankful to have my Uncle Pat come for Thanksgiving this year. We all had a great visit, and enjoyed our time together.  George, a guy who works at Syracuse Stage with Randy also spent the day with us. George brought an amazing pecan chocolate chip pie we all gobbled up.

  I promised to put this on the blog. Their so thankful to be together. for the holiday. :)

Henry checking out the adds on Thanksgiving.v