Runnin' with Santa

High-five, Santa!

Saturday, Dec. 10th, we were fortunate to be able to spend the morning with Santa! Let me tell you, Santa has slimmed down! But I guess it's hard not to shed extra pounds when you're training for a 1 mile fun run! This was Chesapeake's 1st Annual Santa Run. Of course, we jumped right on board! It was a frigid morning, but nothing a little bundling and hot chocolate wouldn't cure. The kids each got their very own Santa hat and had an amazing time running with Mr. Clause.

Ethan is at such a fun age. He ran right up to Santa and gave him a huge hug! He was so excited to see him. Ethan was the first to notice Santa's vanishing cookie belly. He leaned over to James when we first got there and said, "Where did Santa's belly go?" Don't worry, E, I'm sure he has many a cookie to eat come Christmas Eve.

Here's AJ leading the pack of runners, yes he has left everyone in the dust. It may be a fun run to all of the other kids, but to this competitor, it's a race! Not quite sure who he gets that from :)

Ethan and I had so much fun running together. He even got to take a piggyback lap which was a great leg workout for me. He was such a great sport and never complained about being cold. This is definitely a fun, active, wonderful tradition that we were able to be a part of.

Turkey Trot 2011

So, after a year and a half of ignoring this blog, I thought I'd make a New Year's resolution to start updating it. Because, let's face it, I'm not scrapbooking and need to somehow keep up on documenting our family fun. So I thought I'd start early.

Turkey Trot 2011!!!

AJ had such a great time at his 2nd Annual Turkey Trot at Russell Dougherty Elementary School today. It was a windy morning but the kids braved through the chilliness and had a great time!

Aidan got to ride the bus to the Children's Safety Village for the Turkey Trot.
This is a rare treat since our school doesn't have a bus system.

Warming up

And he's off!

So focused!

AJ's Biggest fans

Celebratory beverage

Celebratory hug from his favorite brother.

My Mama's Boy

I love this three year old!

I can't believe how lucky we are to have Ethan in our family! I can't imagine what it would be like without him in our life. He is such a ray of sunshine that brightens my day, no matter how gloomy it may seem. He is so laid back and forgiving that he can take the sibling rivalry that AJ dishes out. He is always thinking of others' feelings. He LOVES to hang out with the big boys (AJ & his buddies), and has no clue that he is the younger bro. He has such a nack for sports! He can throw a ball far, catch it with ease, drop kick a soccer ball, walk on a balance beam without losing his balance, and shoot a basketball with excellent form. Ethan is so social and has never had issues with separation (when going to the nursery (at church or the gym) or other people's homes). On Family Night, he loves to "tun-duck" (conduct) and sings "I am a Child of God" so angelically. He is such a morning person (like me!) and runs in our room to see if we are awake. He gives me a great big bear hug to start the day. On days that I work, he always falls asleep on the car ride home. This sweet child lays his head on my shoulder and lovingly pats my back as I carry him inside the house to put him in bed.

I say he's a mama's boy because he loves to cuddle and hang out with me. But, don't get me wrong, he is all boy! He loves to play in the mud and pretend to do kung fu. He especially loves to hangout with Dad! He is so well-rounded.
WE ARE SO LUCKY!!!

For his third birthday, Ethan wanted to have his birthday dinner at "the pancake store". So on to IHOP we went where kids eat free! (Ya gotta love it on a law student's budget!). He enjoyed his pancake face dinner and the ice cream birthday treat. He had a blast celebrating over a 3 day weekend. He had a fun birthday party with his friends at the park, an overnight campout, and played in his soccer game. It's so fun that he is old enough to find his own individuality. He can decide what HE wants to do without riding on the coattails of big brother.
Happy Birthday big boy!

FIVE YEARS OLD

5 things I love about you:

Your heart You are concerned when others are sad. You LOVE your baby sister with all the love you have in your heart. I love the way you have to touch her hand whenever your walk/run by her. You sing her songs and continuously talk to her throughout the day. Although you think you are too old & embarrassed to kiss your mom, you will give Avery a kiss in a millisecond. Although you may not show it as much, you sure love your play buddy bro, Ethan too. If he is not around, you want to know where he is and what he is doing.
Your Sincere Prayers First of all, you and Ethan will fight over who can say the prayer. If it is Ethan's turn, you say, "Mom, I can bless the breakfast tomorrow, right?" You try so hard to keep your eyes closed, you fold your arms every time and remind me to do the same. You thank Heavenly Father for our family. You ask Heavenly Father for so many wonderful things such as the happiness of your grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, parents, and siblings. Sometimes you even ask to bless your toys.

Your obedience (I'm hanging on to this one, I know it will waiver the older you get!)
Your Sunday School teacher informed me that you are reverent in class, raise your hand to answer questions, are the first to help her put the chalk away. I'm so proud of you for being respectful towards your teachers. Although you are occasionally defiant, for the most part you do whatever Mom & Dad ask you to do. You put your dinner plate in the sink, your shoes on the red rug before walking on the carpet, your coat on the closet hook.
In the end, You Don't Quit Two years ago, you started playing soccer. You did not enjoy the spotlight on yourself. You did not want to play! You refused to play! But you didn't quit. Each season we would ask if you wanted to play, and you said yes. Begrudgingly, we would again enroll you in soccer. Each season you did better and better! When playing basketball, you were discouraged about not making a basket each time you practiced shooting. But you didn't give up. You kept practicing and had a great basketball season! Enjoying yourself the more you played! You love to play sports with your buddies no matter who is watching. You can get up in front of your classmates at school for show and tell and you can conduct our Family Home Evening without nerves getting in the way. You are really coming out of your shell and growing up!
Your example Although you fight over toys and Dad's attention, you teach your brother so much. You show him how to build train tracks, how to put things away, how to love broccoli, how to love sis, how to love reading and writing. He looks up to you and wants to do everything that you do.

I love you so much! You most definitely keep our life colorful. You have grown in so many ways this past year. You make me so happy, I love the sound of your laughter! We are so lucky to have you in our family for eternity!

Happy Birthday, AJ!!!

Weeks 9 & 10

I've been terrible about taking pics each week! Here's all I have for weeks 9 & 10 of Avers life.

Week 9

How can you not fall in love with this child?!!

Week 10

Excuse the poor photo quality. Look at those sweet heart-shaped lips.
Love her!!!

Avery's Blessing

We have the best family. Here's all that came for Avery's blessing.

Those included in the circle:
James, Jeff, Scott, Mike Hansen, Tyler Larsen, Joe Orgill, Donnie Waggoner, and our awesome Bishopric.

I wanted to show how much my daughter "LOVES" wearing headbands & bows.
Picture #1:
Early Sunday morning, just after waking her up and getting her dressed.

Picture #2
After placing the headband. Come on sis, it's not that bad!


And random cute pic of my parents, Avery, & cousin Abigail (this was taken at Gwen's b-day party).