EP #2

 A Monkey Pod tree...

...my kiddos and their friend hugging one.

The Ethan Project #1

I've been trying to go through my photos on my computer and delete ones that didn't turn out, hoping it would free some memory on my hard drive so it might run a little faster. Then I came across a folder of Ethan's photos from his camera, which are numerous since he takes pictures of everything (his file might be the reason my computer is running a little slow). But I had a hard time deleting any of them because he captured all the things around us that I normally wouldn't take pictures of...and they were all from our last year in Hawaii. Seeing those great memories made me homesick. So I thought I would post a few in a series I will entitle the Ethan Project (EP). It will be a fun walk down memory lane...at least for me.

First, my baby...was she really that little just a year ago?

And a self-portrait of the kid who took the photos!

schooling in the house

These are pictures I never think to take or post. But this is us doing school. I promise these are not staged. They are so studious looking aren't they?

lost teeth

We're losing teeth left and right here. Jude's first loose and now missing tooth (has lost a couple more since this picture was taken).

And Ansley's first non-loose tooth that was knocked out when she tripped and hit it on a chair. She still thinks it's pretty awesome.

snow day activity

We found this fun idea in a magazine someone gave me and decided to try it out on these cold snowy days we've had lately. This whole 'being inside all the time' is a new concept for us warm weather people. There was rarely a day that the kids weren't outside playing or riding their bikes or going to parks, etc. So we've had to figure out ways to keep everyone occupied and entertained besides the TV (which gets used more times than I would like). So when I saw this article and realized we had a role of painters tape in the garage, we tried it out. Huge hit! Even with the girls. There are roadways, driveways, parking lots and one way streets. And since we had a big bucket of matchbox cars everyone had their own cars to drive around. 

Lane-Lane

Our little girl is growing like crazy and talking up a storm. This kid brings so much entertainment to our house and sometimes so much drama. We love her so!

So proud of herself for stacking her bananas!

We love how she says "you're welcome". We will say thank you to her for no reason just to hear her say it. The other phrase we love is when she comes up and says "what happened?" I still need to get that on video.

sisters

It's so fun to see these two having so much fun together lately. I love that they have each other and I hope their friendship and special bond as sisters continues to grow. I find Ansley "reading" to Lainey a lot and now they even play games together. Too cute!

Life goes on...

Well I was going to do a catch up post but that would have taken too long...and I'm not sure my brain would be able to think back that far. My camera has been out of commission (battery went dead and I kept forgetting to buy new ones) but the past couple of weeks I have taken some pics (now that I finally remembered to buy some batteries). So I will try to get those up and hopefully remember to take more pictures. There are so many things that we've done or places we've been that I didn't get any pictures of and I keep telling myself I will be better about documenting it all...but then life happens and time goes by...with no pictures or blog posts to reflect any of it.

So anywho, the big thing going on right now is the SNOW!! We love snow! We are the crazy Hawaiians that say it's cold when it's 60 degrees out but we are the first ones out the door when the first snow flakes fall. We play and sled in as little as a half inch of snow. My kids love it! I love looking at it (maybe even sledding a little in it) and I even video taped some of it (don't worry I won't post it) because I love the peacefulness of snow falling. So here we are enjoying the snow.

For some reason Ansley prefers to go down feet first.

 Isn't it so pretty!

4 years old

I'll download more pictures of Ansley's party but this is all I have on my camera. Once the party started I forgot to even pick up my camera. My mom has pics on her camera though. I can't believe our little girl is 4. She has grown up so much these past 6 months or so. Apparently maturity does come with age. She loved celebrating with her cousins and family. Plus she even had snow on the ground for her party...that was a first. Before she went to bed she told me that was the best birthday she ever had. Fun times!

let it snow, let it snow

Our second "snow" of the year! It accumulated about an inch and is melting quickly, but not before the boys and their cousins sled, threw snow balls, built a snow man, ate some, rolled around in it until we had mud and they were soaked to the skin.

And Lainey got to go out in it this time. She had her sisters boots on (which were a couple sizes too big) and  all of her pink puffy snow wear. She was definitely the cutest little snow bunny out there.

Awwww, winter wonderland!

Day 25

These were the only pictures I took of Christmas day. Thankfully my mom got some good ones when we went over there to continue the festivities.

Day 24

Christmas Eve church service attire...loved having a message the night before Christmas to remind us to focus on why we have this holiday, our Savior.

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 Wood family tradition...sleep by the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve night...except mommy. I sleep snugly in my own bed.

Ansley's first year...we'll see if she makes it the whole night. So far all I've heard is "Jude keeps waking me up" and "Ansley, get off my feet" and "I can't go to sleep". All the while daddy is over on the couch fast asleep.

Day 23

Walked into my room and saw this lump under my comforter...

 and found this underneath.

I think Bella even thinks it's too cold.

Day 22

Meramac Caverns with Grandma and Grandpa Wood! So cool!

Day 21

I love these kiddos!

Day 20

Okay this makes up for the dreary, cold weather of winter...seeing my kids see their first snow (at least the younger 3). Even though it was hardly called snow, they still managed to scoop up enough to make a snow ball. So much fun!

Day 19

Trying to see the beauty in this gray, dreary time of year. I'm starting to miss the green, colorful, sweet smelling Hawaiian scenery...and weather.

Day 18

Thanks to nature (and God) again for our free decorations. These pretty red berried trees are everywhere around our house and I have no idea what they are called. But they worked great for our second Christmas party.

Day 17

Running is a favorite pastime.

Day 16