Rain, rain and more rain

So it was a rainy day which meant we couldn't be outside!  So that meant get creative with toys and such. 

Looking at the rain from the inside and outside!

Playing "real" soccer

So J has been in soccer for about a year and he's still loving it!!!  Well he's had the same Coach from the beginning and loves Coach Sarah.  Well this week- his team started playing "real" games- where one side is wearing a different color jersey and make goals for your team.   J caught on a little too fast as he took the lead with the ball and made a goal for the other team.  But then next round, he made one for his team. So proud off him and Dad is in his glory watching his boy enjoy the sport he loved / loves so much!

15 month update

15 months old

• Started walking around 15.5 months
• She is now sleeping on a mat at school and no longer in her pack in play.  She is talking more- saying night night, sock, shue (shoe), baf (bath), mo (elmo), mil (milk), chee (cheese), caca (cookie).  
• Is able to match simple puzzle pieces
• able to point to eye, nose, mouth, ear
• understands simple directions like: bring the brush to mommy, clean up mess, wipe the table, get books, go to your chair
• eats everything!  
• sleeps so well - from 7pm to 8am!
• Will go rushing to the bath when she hears the water running
• first choice of toy will always be sitting with her books or getting one of J race cars
• likes to ride in her toy car outside and chase the balls J kicks
• prefers to be bare foot
• will get her own shoes and jacket and wait by our red door when we tell her "time to go"
• loves to cuddle on your shoulder
• Ear tubes have made a world of difference for her - hardly ever sick!

loves bath time!

 look at those dimples on her hand!

 oh yea-- she is mad!

Granola girl

She will end up in Austin- one way or another.  This girl LOVES to walk around with no shoes and socks.  Her feet will be freezing, but she will ALWAYS take off her stuff.  We don't even put them on her until we get to our destination b/c she will just take them off- so why waste our time.

LoVe Day

So ever since we were dating, Rick & I have NEVER gone out to eat for V-day. We have always ordered take out or make a nice /fancy meal we don't eat too often.  It has just been "our thing" to stay home and enjoy our company by ourselves.  Well now that we have 2 littles, more reason to stay home as we are not going to ask someone to give up their V-Day for us to go out.  But not this year-- we went out as a whole family!!!!  Starting a new tradition?  Not sure!  But I do know I'm all about a deal.......and Qdoba had one-- BOGO free meal deal if you just simply kiss the person you came with!  Holla--- so we headed out early (like when all the blue hair people) go out to eat and ate a nice mexican meal for a really cheap prices since we only paid for one meal (J & H bring their own food).  And for the record -we did a simple kiss- nothing too big - we're not fans of PDA!

Paying it forward - Month 2

So Jonah and I made some cherry and blueberry cakes to take to our local heroes at the Fire Station.  We are making true on "paying it forward" for a year. Jonah & I take some homemade baked goods to our local Fire Station each month to tell them "thanks for taking care of our community." Well this month- Jonah got a special treat - the wonderful Firefighters took him for a ride on the truck and he got to push the siren and horn! The HEROES were so amazing to him while Jonah had the biggest smile on his face. Such a wonderful heartfelt gesture that made his DAY and beyond and our goal was simply to be thanking them. 

Just shy of 16 months & SHE is WALKING!!!!

She is walking-- she is walking-- can you hear us yelling it from the top of our lungs????  Harper is full throttle walking all around.  She is busy.  Has her arms out to the side and her mouth wide open.  And to celebrate we put her in a pretty dress- b/c after all this a big deal since you can't crawl and wear  a dress- it just doesn't work that way.  We are now on to a whole new wardrobe people!!!!

Jonah's 1st ever Dentist appointment-- I know we're late- that's how we roll!

So he's 3.5 and we finally got him to the Dentist.  We brush his teeth, read books about Dentist visits and such, but never actually made an appointment until now.  Well you know how Jonah does not take to new things or events well so we had lots of stress about this, we both took him there just in case we had to hold him down and we brought the iPad for bribery!  And who knew "the new and improved Jonah" would be the one to show up!!!! HE did amazing.  Before they even asked him to open his mouth, he had his mouth wide open.  He let them clean, floss, take x-rays and more and he sat in the big boy (rocket that goes up and down) chair all by himself.   He did keep asking for the treasure chest and was super excited to get something for him and the sweet boy he is asked if he could get something for his sister even though she didn't get her teeth cleaned!  

waiting our turn

Meet George the camera (x-rays)

 Looking at the x-rays

 Dr. Pollack

Finding his and Harper's treat!

Valentine Contest

Oh yea- you know our family has a contest game for anything and everything.  Well this LOVE holiday is no exception.  We each made a dessert and then we all voted on the best tasting and most creative looking.   Pleased to say- Kirsten won best tasting and Jared won for most creative!  

 Most creative 

 Tasting and Voting!

Most yummmy- brownie bottom, strawberry cake mix and cream cheese frosting!

Special Delivery

Thanks to Cousin Robby, Cousin Elli and Cousin Olivia (and Aunt Sherry) for sending kids Valentine's Day Cards.  Does she not rock?  A working mom like her and she has foresight to think of getting a card, getting it early, having all kids sign it and mail it off in time!  She is awesome- best sister in law EVER!!!!

Yea- they are ready for bed alright

So our time before nighty night is not what the "books" tell you do.  We don't have dim lights on - ours are bright.  We aren't using soft voices - we are all loud.  We aren't sitting nicely and reflecting- no we are going bouncy crazy all over Jonah's bed, saying prayers and talking about our best part of the day.  But hey- it works for our family- both kids hit the sack and knock out quickly!  

Jersey Day

So with the upcoming Super Bowl - kids were instructed to wear favorite Sports Team Jersey to school.  Harper had a super cute pink one from Aunt Sherry-- thanks to her for picking one out and mailing it to her.  Jonah had a UT one, but it was a little small, so we had to resort to a BEARS one we got as a gag gift!  You know this Packers Dad isn't liking this Bears jersey in the house, but it saved Jonah for this school day.

Really?

When I tell you this girl likes to climb- I am not joking- she climbs onto of everything!   Still will only take 5 steps at a time before she is down to crawling- but will climb up everything without any fear whatsoever!

Cute as can be!

Look at her~ such a pretty girl and a wonderful smile ~ when she actually does smile and not look us up and down!

Harper-ness

 Oh yea- this is her "look" and we get it quite often

 She loves bouncing on Jonah's pillow

 Of all the toys and I do mean "ALL"- she will most likely pick a race car!

 So do you like her form fitting pants that show all her curves?

Waiting

This is what they do in the AM while I am loading the car, getting jackets, lunch, etc.  

And this is how they both get to the Red Door (garage door).  Harper gets on her car and Jonah takes her to her parking spot!