Return of Spring

We were cooped up all last week as a nasty virus took its toll on Josh and Emmy. After the kids began to feel a little better, we went for a little drive on a sunny Sabbath afternoon and took some pictures of the ice breaking up on Torch Lake. The ice chunks were floating downstream, under the bridge here.

The Shape Sorter

My kids were impressed by their cousin Lissette's abilities to name and sort her shapes! I like her sorter better than ours, though. Josh is a lot better at it than Emmy, of course, and tends to get frustrated by her efforts pretty quickly. March 16, 2007.

Emmy and the Vaccuum

This is what happens EVERY time I get out the vaccuum cleaner: I cross to the far side of the room and start pushing it around while Emmy jumps up and starts chasing it! This wasn't really a problem until she began to get really good at walking! I used to be able to avoid her pretty easily, but these days, with my belly getting big and her legs getting faster, it has come down to this: now and then I just have to stop and let her explore it. She's just so fascinated by it! March 15, 2007.

Fly Boy

We had some nice WARM weather earlier this week, melting much of the snow and leaving patches of actual bare ground! I almost took a picture of the first bare ground I saw to celebrate, but decided it would probably be better to wait until some green grass showed up to make it a little prettier! Josh can get on the trampoline by himself now, and had a great time playing on his old friend. It has been more than 2 months since we've seen the ground, and we enjoyed the fresh air tremendously! March 13, 2007.

Busy Weekend!

Last weekend was busy in the baby department. On Friday Raini had her ultrasound and found out she's having a BOY! On Sabbath I had a message on my machine when I got home from church, "Hey, it's Mike. We've got a little boy here!". My nephew Christopher was born early Saturday morning, March 10! On Sunday I went to Joya's baby shower, which is where this picture was taken. Then on Monday, both Amy from our church and Cristy, an old classmate of mine, had their daughters by c-section.
In this picture is Raini, 20 weeks pregnant, Me, 32 weeks, and Joya, 34 weeks. March 11, 2007.

He's Here!

Is It Spring Yet?

Close to where Colby has been working is this lake, Big Twin, where even in March they are still out on the ice in their shanties, fishing and hanging out. This was the day I forgot to send Colby to work with a lunch. He called me up before I left home and asked if I'd bring his checkbook and the iron as well as his lunch. So I packed up the kids and headed out... with no lunch, no iron, and no checkbook. When I got into town, I decided to just get a pizza that we could all eat, and headed on up to the jobsite. When I got there, Colby asked me where the iron was, and reminded me that if I didn't bring it he'd have to leave work to go get it. So I said I'd go back home and pick it up, which took me a lot longer than expected. I couldn't stay awake! I barely made it home with my eyes open before pulling in the driveway, putting the car in park, and leaning the seat back. I napped for 20 minutes with the kids in their carseats wondering what was going on! Then I ran in the house, grabbed the iron and checkbook, and headed back out. To make the rest of this long story short, I left the jobsite with a check and deposit slip to deposit for Colby, which I promptly forgot and headed straight home. Only to make a 3rd trip to town to right that oversight.
Let's just say that "pregnancy brain" has hit me particularly hard during this third trimester. Just be happy I haven't forgotten the kids anywhere. Good Grief.
March 8, 2007.

Emmy's all ready to go! March 4, 2007.

Playful Twerty

 

Twerty was having fun with his squeaky toy last weekend. March 3, 2007.

Another update for those of us expecting a little bundle!

 
"Aren't I a cutie?" Feb. 28, 2007. 

Emmy's New Look

This is Emmy's new Easter hat and gloves! She LOVES her hat and wants to wear it all the time. She likes to try her gloves on and practice her Miss America wave, but they don't stay on long. I'm hoping to get some pictures of the kids in the next few weeks at WalMart or Sears in their spring duds. Feb. 28, 2007.

Poor Toad!

 
When he didn't fall asleep in the car on our way home from town this week, I thought he'd probably just go to bed early, but while cooking dinner I found him like this - even with a Mimi Screaming in his ear! Feb. 27, 2007. 

 
Even after the cat finally (even reluctantly) escaped from the snake when the knot came loose, Josh still found the whole thing pretty hilarious! Feb. 23, 2007. 

Josh, the Cat, and a Snake...

 
This is what happens when you combine a 3 year old boy, a very patient cat, and a six-foot-long rubber snake. He wrapped the snake around the cat and drug it all around the kitchen! Feb. 23, 2007.