Matt turns 4!

Matt turned 4 on Monday and had a great birthday. He woke up and went directly to the mirror in our bathroom, looked at himself and said, "I got bigger!" I think he was a little disappointed when the scale still read 39 pounds. Matt, Micah, and Luke all got to go to the airport to see Andi's uncle Ray take off in his airplane, then go to a bakery, and see Andi's grandmother who is also in town.
The party was in the evening. The boys played baseball with Karl and Jon before dinner. We had hamburgers, carrots with humus, and soup. Afterward we opened presents and and had cake and ice cream. The highlight was a Lightning McQueen pinata filled with "goodies" from Louise and Jon.

Nutty Runners

This morning was the first Nutty Runners race put on by a good running buddy of Karl and I. If we weren't friends with the race coordinator we probably would have stayed home! It was, in true Antelope Valley fashion, WINDY!! Not just windy but a cold wind! Karl and his boss/running buddy dressed as the Planter's peanut guy. The race was called "Nutty Runners" because the annual Almond Blossom Festival is this weekend. Get it...almonds...nuts...peanuts??
Anyway, Karl and Clay looked pretty funny and were quite a hit with the other runners and crowd. My sister came and pushed Luke in the jogging stroller, I pushed the boys, and Karl (aka Daddy Peanut) won the race! Matt and Karl stuck around to help with the kid's 1K race. Karl said Matt did a great job handing out medals to the kids. Micah was not a fan of the cold and kept asking to be held and cuddled and was crying, "keep me warm." The boys were so proud of their Daddy Peanut and truly knew they have the coolest dad ever!!

We took Micah for his two year old pictures a few weeks ago. I know I am a little biased, but is he not adorable? Wow...what a cutie!Daddy gave the kids a bath tonight. That can get a little silly! The boys love taking baths in "mommy and daddy's bathroom." At least the bathtub get some use this way!

Fireflies

To Infinity and Beyond...

So, I have been a little hesitant to blog on our latest "big family happening." That is what this blog is for though so here it goes...I'll get over my embarrassment! The news is...Matt has given up his binky (aka pacifier)!!!
Yes, my almost 4 year old was going to bed each night and napping with a pacifier. Am I a lazy parent for letting this go on for almost 4 years? Maybe, but I prefer to think of it as being more of a tired parent to needs to sleep at night and clean during nap time!
Matt has been wanting a Buzz Lightyear toy for a few months. His buddy Max got one for Christmas and Matt thought it was the coolest thing ever! So, Karl and I made a deal with him. If he gave up the binky for one week he could go out on a special trip with daddy to the toy store and pick out a Buzz.
Matt did such a great job! The first few nights were rough. In the middle of the first night without the binky Matt called to me and when I went into his room he said in the saddest little voice, "Sleeping without Binky is so hard Mommy." He never cried or asked for it though! The second night was filled with night terrors because he was over tired from not sleeping well the previous night. Now we are good...Matt and Buzz are cool!
I'm so proud of Matt. This event was similar to potty training. Once he put his mind to it and decided it was something he was ready for he did it!

Today is my dad's birthday...HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PO!!!!!

Baby Jesus

The boys have become parents!
Here is the story:

Matt came up with this totally on his own!

He started taking care of this doll this morning. He asked me to get the baby bouncer and some cloths out of the garage. He then came up with naming the doll "Baby Jesus." He told me he and Micah got married and had a baby. Matt and Micah have been feeding the baby, rocking the baby, giving him baby toys (which I also dug out of the garage), changing diapers and putting the baby to sleep. I was just told, by Matt, that God left Baby Jesus here for the night. He will be back to get him in the morning and if he doesn't come we can write "To God" on the baby's forehead and put him in the mailbox!
I guess if we ever have another baby we will have lots of help!! Yeah, right!!

Side note: Micah's face is not hurt or scratched. We had spaghetti for dinner!!

Movie Night

We had a movie night tonight. Dawn's husband, Bill is out of town so she brought the kids over for dinner and a movie. We watched Lion King. My boys have never seen this one. I was a little nervous about the death scene with Simba's dad. When we watched "Finding Nemo" I skipped the scene when Nemo's mom dies. Matt of course asked what was happening and what was wrong with Simba's daddy. I told him he died and went to heaven. He asked what died meant and I told him it meant Simba's daddy wasn't alive anymore but was in heaven with God. Wow...maybe I should have thought that explanation through little more. Cartoon characters in heaven with God...I don't know! We brought the futon mattress into the family room and snuggled the kiddos up!
We took an intermission during the movie to make banana splits...yummy!! I have been so proud of our family's diet the past month, up until tonight! I made a new year's resolution to feed our family a mostly organic diet with focus on plant based foods. It is amazing the yummy things you can make. If anyone has any recipe ideas for me let me know!!!
We watched the documentary Food Inc. on New Year's Eve (yes, I know we are pathetic) and Karl and I decided to make some changes. I won't start in on our new food philosophy...just watch the documentary or ask and I'll love to tell you about the importance of organic produce, organic free range chicken, and organic grass feed beef!
Have a great weekend...oh, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRAYDEN!!! Our little nephew is turning one!!!

Mom & Matt, Dad & Micah

While Andi and Matt went to the snow to go tubing, Karl and Micah had breakfast at the airport diner, went to the park, and then came home to play cars! More pictures to come.

Dinner & Show

Oh Yummy Organic Goodness!!!

My soup for dinner tonight is so beautiful!

Please enjoy the entertainment (sorry for the poor quality) while the soup cooks! Karl, Luke, Micah, and Matt rock out to Beat It! I am currently listening to the 15th live encore!

Christmas Events!

As usual we have been a busy crew! Last weekend we went to Las Vegas . The band Train was doing a concert at Caesar's Palace and Brad and Jeanette were so kind to babysit Matt, Micah and Luke so Louise, Jon, Karl and I could go to the concert. It was awesome! This was the 4th time I have seen Train and Karl's 5th concert and this one didn't disappoint. If you don't recall who Train is think "Meet Virginia" or "Drops of Jupiter."
Henderson had a Christmas festival downtown on Saturday. Before the concert we took the boys to see Santa, listen to choir music, ride in a horse drawn wagon, and just run around and play. Matt and Brayden did great with Santa. Matt is old enough to realize how special Santa is and Brayden is too young to care! Micah was a little hesitant although he got close enough for this picture.

This morning was the High Desert Runner's Jingle Bell Jog. Karl pushed the boys and we ran together. We let the boys get out of the stroller about 100 meters from the finish and run across the finish with us. They thought that was really cool and kept saying "we won!"
Tonight we had the Fitch's over for dinner. We then went out and walked up and down a street where the homes are coverd in Chirstmas lights. After giving the boys a quick bath we watched Polar Express. We put our futon mattress out and cuddled the boys up with blankets and pillows. We all watched the movie and drank hot chocolate. Karl said watching a movie with Matt is as bad as watching one with me because we both constantly ask "what is that?" or "why is that happening?" during the movie! After hearing Matt I agree, that is pretty annoying!

One week to go until Christmas!
Merry Christmas!

Christmas Card Preview

Here is a sample of pictures from our Christmas card photo shoot!