This was on the front page of the main newspaper here in Rochester. It is our ward's primary children re-enacting the Nativity scene. It was at the barn of one of the families in our ward. Ireland and Ethan were in the play. Ireland is one of the angels and Ethan was the trumpeter announcing the birth of Jesus. Pretty great huh?

A little commentary...

So I realized that I have lots and lots of pictures and not much commentary. Not that you'd rather read my commentary than look at my cute kids, but maybe it would be nice to mix it up a bit. So I thought to start off the sure to be boring commentary I would tell a few little known details about each of us.
Ireland--Ireland likes to sleep hanging off the side of her bed. When I check on her at night she always has a leg dangling off the side of the bed. I think she uses maybe a foot long strip of her queen size bed. Ireland has the hairiest legs I've ever seen on a girl. I am so tempted to shave them, but she's only 7. She loves drama (I can't relate!). She askes me every every every single day before she leaves for school if I am going to be home when she gets home. Every day!! So I ask her every day if she is going to come home from school.
Ethan--Ethan sleeps with the comforter over his head. He sweats like a man, so this is not a good idea. I keep telling him not to put it over his head, but he says he is scared someone will break into our house and if he is "hiding" they won't get him--(Just the rest of us). Ethan loves Thai peanut sauce on everything. I've seen him dip everything from chips to pizza to a peanut butter sandwich in it. He loves to snuggle. Give him a blanket and he's good.
Ryan--Ryan loves chocolate milk. He would drink this and only this for every meal and snack. Food means nothing to him. He loves to chase Ethan around the house with a play sword. He is our only child(so far) that has written on the walls and furniture with marker or crayon, dented the wall by throwing toys down the stairs, and broken toys by throwing them up in the air and crashing them to the floor. Any damage done to the house--Ryan.
Caleb--Caleb does not love to snuggle. He likes to be held facing outward. When people come up to him and smile and want to touch his hand, he pulls it away. He laughs at Ryan and Ethan all the time, especially when they are chasing each other or throwing tantrums. He loves his crib and will go to sleep on his own if he's wrapped up in his crib. He drools all the time. Never had such a drooler? And no teeth yet!
Scott--Scott is a fanatic about keeping the yard green and free of any debris, mowed and edged perfectly, and the driveway free of any snow or leaves. He has gotten up before at 4:30 am to shovel the driveway and has raked or mowed the lawn several times in the dark after getting home late from work. Scott loves to snack on any kind of fruit (blueberries are his favorite). He sometimes gets out a bottle of water, a diet pepsi, and a glass of milk at the same time. Rarely does he drink them all at one setting, but for some reason he does this?
Me--I love babies! I would have lots and lots of them if I didn't have to be pregnant and could give them away between the ages of 2-3. I love milk. I drink about 8 glasses a day. I clean the house from top to bottom every day, but I'm not a duster. I forget to dust frequently. I like to stay up late, even when I know I'll be up several times a night with the baby. My favorite TV show is the Amazing Race. Scott and I comment frequently on how we would go crazy if we were contestants on that show. We are not good with frustrating situations.

Little Hackings! This is a picture of a picture, so I had to take it at an angle. Ryan looks huge and Ethan looks small. Ryan was a bear for this picture. He looks so cooperative, but he about fell in the canal several times trying to get out of getting a picture taken. We could only get him to sit and look at the camera by letting him have the stick and pretend to fish! Love 2 year olds!

Caleb 4 months ago with no hair! Now his hair is reddish and sticks up all over. I have to glue it down and paste it to the side.

Ryan--this was the best we could get from him. He wouldn't hold still or look at the camera.

Again, picture of a picture. Isn't he a cutie!

This is a picture of a picture, so it looks a little off, but the original is really cute. I will replace this one when I figure out how to scan or copy a better one.

Caleb's first winter. Got him all bundled up. He was so excited! Can you tell?

Ireland and Ethan couldn't wait to get out into the snow. Notice the leaves in the snow. Fall was not suppose to end yet! It is very cold here--20's. I have to admit, I love the snow, but only for about a month or two. I'm sure I'll have plenty of it in the next several months!

Ryan and Caleb looked thrilled about Santa! Ryan is trying to get away and Caleb is just bored.

Thanksgiving Day! I made the full Turkey day meal--rolls, potatoes, yams, jello salad, brocolli salad, corn, carrots, and stuffing. We had our friends, the Truscotts, over (they are vegan), so the huge meal was enjoyed by just Scott and I. The kids had a few rolls. Needless to say, we have lots of left-overs!

At the ripe age of 36 (almost 37), Scott decided it was time to take a step up in the car market and buy a Volkswagen Touareg. The Durango was going on 10 years old and every time he left for work (5:00am at times), the kids would wake up from the vroom, vroom of the Durango. So, agreeing to a change in cars for me meant a couple more hours of sleep. Although I will miss being able to hear him coming home from work from a couple miles away.

Halloween 2007, Ethan was a Ninja, Ryan refused to wear anything but PJ's, Ireland was a Snow Princess for the 2nd year running (We actually forced Ryan into a pirate costume that he promptly took off the second we got home). They had lots of fun trick or treating. Especially Ryan, who was so excited that he would run into our neighbors houses when they opened the door to give him candy. After we pulled him out, he would take off to the next house, but in his excitement he would trip and all his candy would go flying. He did that about 5 times. Scott and I had a great time watching him!

September/October Highlights

Scott, Ethan and Ryan at the Joseph Smith Barn in Palmyra, New York.

We've been so lucky to have lots of company over the last month! Chad, Bren and Aden came to visit over Labor Day weekend. Julie, Will, and Alyssa came to visit the last week of September. My mom, Lorenne, Jen, and my nieces McKenzie and Mia came to visit the beginning of October. And Doug and Janet came to visit the second weekend in October. We went to Niagara Falls, Letchworth State Park, Brown's Berry Patch, Powers Farm Market, Stokoe Farms, Church History Sites, Bristol Mountain, Naples, and Strong Museum. We also took the paddleboat out on the Erie canal. We've stayed up late, eaten lots of unhealthy foods, and had a great time!! Thanks for coming to see us!

Hacking Highlights

Caleb at 6 months. Eyes turned green!