Just Three More Bites.... Or, Maybe Not!

James has been talking and talking lately and he has been coming up with some very clever responses to questions when asked. Just a few nights ago at the dinner table, James attempted to foil our attempts to get him to eat a few more bites of his meal. Normally he says that he is finished, we ask him how old he is, he says three, and then we tell him he has to eat three more bites to be all done. This time he tried to out smart us....

James: "I'm all done."
Mark: "You have to eat a little more. How old are you?"
James: (while glancing at Mom across the table with a glimmer of mischief in his eye) "I'm two.... "(pause, and flashes a big sly smile) "No, I am only one!!"

Too bad for James! We were on to him and he had to eat three more bites anyway.

Ella's Sledding Outtakes

Ella had tons of fun trying to sled over a jump that Mark built on our hill. Here are several very short clips of her adventures.

Down the Hill --- Take One

Down the Hill--- Take Two

Down the Hill---Take Three

I've discovered an excellent way to keep the kids entertained... Ella clicks play, they watch, laugh and James says, "Do that again!" I don't know how many times the kids have viewed these sledding clips...

Another Visit from Friends...

We had a house full again when our friends Stacie and Scott and their two boys, Zach and Cole, came to stay with us for a couple of nights at the start of January. Stacie and her family made the trip from Colorado so that they could attend the funeral for Stacie's grandma. We were fortunate that they were able to hang out with us for a couple of days afterward. Their youngest, Cole, turned one the day before they arrived and we were anxious to finally meet him.

Though Stacie and Scott were tired from traveling, Mark had to work some of the days that our friends were here, Ella had to go to school one morning, and I was feeling quite "morning" sick for much of the visit, we still managed to squeeze in some fun. The kids went sledding a couple of times and we again enjoyed some much needed adult time once the kids were all sound asleep. On Saturday morning our friends Jenny, Shane, Kate and Devin came back to visit. Jenny, Stacie and I were all roommates in college. Since we were all living in different states until recently, I think we haven't all been together since the summer of 2001! It was good to be together again.

Sledding

James all bundled up

Zach trying not to crash while sledding...

He had a couple of close calls with our trees and swingset.

Scott, Mark & James

Stacie introducing Cole to Kate

Three Former Roommates

Just the Guys

Just For Fun!

A Visit from Jenny, Shane, Kate and Devin!

I've finally made it to 2009!!! Happy New Year Everyone!!!!!

Our friends moved back to Minnesota from Washington State this summer and we have been thrilled to see more of them. The weekend after New Years, Jenny, Shane, Kate and Devin came and spent the night. The kids loved having their friends sleep over. Kate even slept in Ella's room. After the kids were all tucked in for the night, the moms and dads got to play. We enjoyed some fun with the Wii and several Blokus tournaments. And, those that could partake, had more of Mark's drinks...

Since we had success on New Years Eve with a group picture, we attempted another group shot with these friends and it turned out pretty good. Why is it that our kids seem to do so well with self-timer pictures, but dislike having their picture taken by a live person?

Here are Ella and Kate dressed quite creatively.

Since my babies seemed to lack rolls of chub as infants, I was amazed by Devin's many cute rolls. He is just shy of six months old and a very happy boy.

New Years Eve

We spent lots of time with family over the holidays, but we were also fortunate to see some good friends as well. On New Years Eve our friends Shawna, Jeff and Julia joined us for some fun. They live in Michigan so we don't get to see them as often as we would like.

Here's Shawna and Julia (sitting on Jeff!).

An attempt at a pic of the three kiddos. I think James has a serious crush on Julia, though it isn't evident in this picture!

Lucky kids opening another Christmas present...this one is from Julia.

Shawna and Me!!!

Later on New Years Eve we were joined by Lisa, Josh, Aiden, Kiera and Owen. Here is a rare pic of all of us together!

Here's another rare pic.... Lisa and Me!

A happy Kiera with her present

And, finally Jeff with some very yummy chocolate cake that he and Shawna brought to share. Jeff is also drinking one of Mark's new favorite drinks to make--a chocolate martini. Of course, Mark would decide to make something tasty like this when I can't have one... He's promised to make me one after the new baby arrives, though!!! On New Year's Eve, Mark drank his share of martinis and mine. He had a good time, but he doesn't recall our friends leaving... I wonder why??

Had to throw in this pic... James can finally "plant corn" with his new corn planter.

More Christmas!

Grandma Ruth wasn't able to come to my parents on Christmas Day, so we stopped by her house a few days after Christmas so the kids could give her a few gifts. Here is Ella and Grandma Ruth.
Grandma Ruth's dog, Abby, has always been a favorite of Ella's. And, Abby has always been very patient with the kids...

James with his Great Grandma Ruth


Mark, Grandma Ruth and me taken by Ella, our budding photographer

On the Sunday after Christmas, it was time for another get together at the farm. This time, we gathered with extended family from my Mom's side. Cousins Bella, Hannah and Emily joined the kids for some more sledding fun. The weather was warmer and a lot of snow melted, but there was just enough snow left to enjoy!

Ella ready to go!

Mark and James

Bryce, Ella and Hannah

Uncle Greg and Trista

Bryce and Ella heading down the hill together.

Here's a short sledding video of Ella and Mark...

Christmas with Mark's Family

We enjoyed another fun Christmas celebration with Mark's sister and her family and Mark's parents. Mark, James, Jack and Jenny "playing".

Cousins!

Isabella, James, Alexis and Jack with their Grandma and Grandpa O.

The Whole Family

Our Family!

James with his new favorite game.

James and his always curious sister.

Christmas Day

A quick pic before the kids find the presents!

Two happy kids!

A happy husband with his new bowling ball and shoes!

James excited about his Wall E shirt.

An excited Ella in her new Hannah Montana shirt. As soon as she opened it, she put it on!

Cousin Trista getting ready to say a prayer before Christmas dinner at the farm.

A lively Christmas feast.

My dad and mom on Christmas Day.

How many kids can sit on Grandma's lap at once?

Goofy cousins and me holding James, who was camera shy as usual.

James opening his brand new manure spreader. It is just like the real one Grandpa Jim bought for the farm before Christmas.

Ella and her cousins playing with her new crawling and crying baby.

James cuddling with the new pillow Grandma Judy made for him.

Trying to tackle Uncle Greg!

After food and presents at the farm, all the kids went out to go sledding. It was pretty cold so I stayed inside. It wasn't long before the little kids were back inside too. The big boys (Mark and my brothers) stayed out longer to play in the snow with their snowmobiles... I should have taken a few pics, but I didn't want to freeze!