Catching up

So I haven't been updating the blog very good lately.  Here are some pictures from the last few weeks.  We took a trip to visit my family in Kansas, we Skyped with my brother and the kids got to see their cousin live for the first time, we have been able to spend some time outside in our backyard, my mom came for a visit, the kids got a new baseball bat and balls that are what they will use when they begin T ball.  We've been to the playground and have had our first month of school.  I can't believe I haven't posted anything about preschool.  Ev was doing some homework (practicing writing her full name) and Hobs joined in too.  Today while Ev was in preschool we took the boys to the batting cages and let Hobs play on a real field.  I took a lot of pictures and video so I'll post about our baseball filled day in the next post. 

Happy Valentine's Day

We have been enjoying our Valentine's Day for and are very thankful that the weather is really nice today.  We started the day off by getting the older kiddos off to preschool.  I was a little excited for them to be able to not only go back to school but that they were going to be able to participate in some Valentine's day fun.  More on that in a minute.  Todd, Ian and I went to the post office to send off his application for an US passport- yeah!  We went to Panera for Valentine's lunch with a cute little guy and we made our monthly large grocery run.  I went back out to get a few things and pick up the kids who made some fun things for Valentine's day.  They ate cupcakes for snack and had plenty of sugar to keep them up during nap time.  They both gave and got Valentines for the first time. 

Ev has been dressing herself for a long time now.  She usually picks out her outfits so lately she has been not only dressing herself but her brothers too, and the funny thing is that they let her do it!  If only I could get her to change dirty diapers- just kidding!  I think Ev's style is unique and very Ev.  Her favorite things to wear are tiered skirts, legins and a head band.  If you look closely at Hobs his socks are not matching her response was, "I couldn't find the other one!" So different socks it is!  If she could get Ian out of the crib she would dress him too so instead she dresses him up in dress up clothes.

For more great pictures like these check out Kara's blog at  http://www.karamoseby.com/
I love the first picture on her post from yesterday.  The kid's expressions are priceless!

Photo Book

I really should have thought through the winter blizzard more carefully.  How in the world did I get myself caught in our house without ANY craft supplies???  I have been going through craft blog after craft blog writing down which items I want to make.  I got desperate one night and even went into the kids closet searching for any clothing that they have grown out of since being here.

So instead of sewing or crafting I have been working on a photo book.  I finished it today and am really excited about it.  It is a book of our past 3.5 years and I am pretty happy with the result.  I can't wait for it to come! 

P.S.  I am a BIG fan of My Publisher.  Their software is so easy to navigate... love it!

Jaozi

To celebrate the Chinese New Year the kids helped me make a favorite dish of ours - jaozi.  I had lots of help from cute little people.  Ian wanted to sit up on the island too but I felt if was going to be safer if he just sat in his highchair.  Since I couldn't get a couple of ingredients because we haven't been out of the house yet since the blizzard  I managed to wing it and the came out almost just like I like them.  The kids didn't complain!  I cooked about 4 jin of jaozi and they were all gone by the end of lunch.  This was my first time making them, back home we are spoiled and they are made for us whenever we want them.   Happy Chinese New Year 新年快乐！

While we are stuck in the house after getting 14 inches of snow I'll show you a picture of our family taken by Kara on Saturday.  Crazy how it can be 75 degrees on Saturday and then 14 inches of snow on the ground Tuesday!  I LOVE this picture didn't Kara do a great job.