On the swing set

We put Henry in the swing for the first time the other day. He surprised us all by laughing quite a bit. It was fun for everyone.

It's been so nice. We had to get outside to play on the swing set a little.

Aunt Kathy took Alex to pick out his birthday present yesterday (Sunday). He couldn't have been more excited, he got this Atlantis Lego set he's been drooling over for months. He quickly put it together and played with it on and off all day. Thanks Aunt Kathy!

Birthdays and other stuff

Alex had his slumber party for his birthday Friday, the 12th. Originally 3 boys were coming, but one got sick at school and then one had to leave here about 9 at night because he got sick. So one boy made it all night. But they had a lot of fun. Randy brought home a projector from work and we took down the pictures on the wall and had a big screen for a couple movies. Alex had a great time and is ready for the next sleep over already.





Henry's birthday was Saturday. He seemed to enjoy his little party. He liked smashing his cake much more than eating it. And all the kids had fun playing with his toys. He was pushing the trucks he got making truck noises already.




We've got spring fever here, like a lot of you, I think. So here's a few snapshots of the kids outside. The chalk all over Sophia is from her drawing on the driveway and basketball post and then kissing the pictures. And the boys shot some hoops, tossed the football and pretended to poll vault onto the driveway.

Good News!

Number 5 is on the way! (They've already checked there is just one.) Due September 17. Everyone is very excited. Sophia actually said about 4 weeks ago or more, she wanted a baby sister, so we'll see. The boys both want another boy.
Also for those of you in IA we'll see you at Easter.
Love to everyone!

Around the House

Yesterday at school was their 100th day, and in kindergarten they have a party. It was also Dr. Suess's birthday, so here's Max in his cat in the hat outfit he made. He had a ton of fun yesterday.

Here's Sophia in Max's 100th day of school hat. I asked her why she didn't smile. She said let me see (meaning she wanted to see the picture of herself). I showed her and she laughed and said I don't know mommy.

Henry has 3 teeth right now. The bottom front two and then a fang (eye-tooth) on the top. I tried to get a good picture of all 3 of them, but failed and thought this picture was cute anyway.


Alex started taking guitar lessons yesterday. Despite his expression here, he seemed to really like it.

* *Snow ** * Day*

Sometime in the middle of the night (technically early Thursday am) untill the middle of last night (technically early Friday morning), it snowed a lot! Yesterday was a snow day from school and so was today. But the amount of snow we woke up today was very impressive! It was wet, heavy snow perfect for playing in.



Our neighbor's mailbox and shoveling the front step.


Climbing back onto our driveway after talking to our neighbor's plow guy.



The snow before the plow came.



After the snow plow came.



Time to play!

Yeah Sophia

Yesterday Sophia didn't have one accident all day (either kind)! So as promised we went to McDonald's. Everyone was so excited and had a lot of fun. Even Henry loved watching the kids in the playland. Today, the potty didn't go so well. I guess we'll try again tomorrow.

Winter Break & Cub Scout's Night

Tonight was the awards ceremony for Cub Scouts (as their new year starts April 1). Both the boys got badges and moved up to the next rank. It was a dinner for the whole family and was a good time. Henry stayed with Aunt Kathy and Uncle Dale, which was nice for us. (Max is in the red hat (that was his Grandpa Steffen's) and Alex is to his left.)


The kids had winter break from Feb. 15-19. It ended up being a lot of fun while relaxing at the same time. I felt like I had a lot of good quality time with the kids. They also played well together most of the time. Legos kept them very busy and the fort you saw pictures of in the last post (it's now down). Somehow I didn't get any pictures of the time we spent with our friends, but Tues. and Thurs. we were blessed with company and had a great time with them. On Wednesday morning we played lots of board games, here's a picture of Operation, that Max won. And following are a few other pictures of our time at home.


We watched a few movies.


Alex read a lot of comic books!



We all did a little shoveling, while Henry patiently watched us. I was really surprised how well Henry sat in the stroller just watching us.(Alex took the pictures) Then we went for a surprise drive to Little Ceasers to grab us dinner. The kids were very excited, (me too, I didn't have to cook!).