I did it!

I just registered for the Newport Marathon. Crazy, huh?

Funny quote for the day...

Max and Molly, posing in the same way, Molly says, "look, Mom, it's like we're twins."

missed by an inch....

So, I was laying in bed last night, listening to the wind blow, and hoping that my big maple would not topple on my children sleeping soundly upstairs, when BAM, CRASH, RATTLE, I heard and felt a jolt. I immediately ran upstairs and saw that the kids were fine, and I proceeded to run crazy through the house looking for holes or damage. I was so afraid to look outside, but like the girls who follow the scary noises in horror films, I put my boots on and headed outside in my robe. Sure enough, the tree fell. Or half of the tree, to be more accurate. Since it was midnight, I just took a sleeping pill and headed back to bed. Of course, even then, my heart was racing so crazily that I couldn't sleep much. Of course, Jon was out of town, and I just kept worrying about the part of the tree that was still standing, you know, that whole waiting for the other shoe to drop thing. It never did, and when I awoke this morning, to a frantic call from Jon (maybe I was a wee bit dramatic in an email to him after the occurrence), and assessed the damage, it appears that we had a mighty strong angel who hefted said tree just a smidge to keep it from crunching our babies and losing our upper level. We are so grateful for a MIRACLE that kept our home and family safe. What a blessing!

Also, we have the BEST friends who all called concerned this morning and ran to our rescue. What would we do without all of these great people who bless our lives.

Comin' or goin' he's got his best side showin'!

This post is long past due. Ian is walking! He is so cute! He started walking on New Year's Eve, which is exactly 14 months, so he was right on track with his late walker siblings! It was worth the wait, though, because this little guy is loving every minute of his newfound skill! It's been a few weeks, and he still expects a little applause every time he starts walking. Of course, we are all happy to oblige. So, since I am lame, lame, lame, and can't figure out how to load video, here are some terrible, blurry pictures. I just couldn't wait any longer, or look at that old Christmas post another day! Soooo, enjoy the view!

(aren't those cheeks yummy!?)

Christmas leftovers

(Christmas morning on the stairs before they came down to see what Santa brought them!)

Our Christmas was simple, easy, casual, and laid back. A little different, but so nice. I felt like I really got to enjoy the kids and play with their toys with them. We really simplified things, and I felt like they got it more than in year's passed. We loved seeing their smiles and excitement over the toys, and enjoyed so many special traditions this year, new and old. We were especially grateful to have Parker with us, the last time for a while as he plans to serve a mission after his next semester at school. He is so fun to have around, and the kids just adore him, to say the least. Here are way too many pictures of some of our festivities:

Parker opening his Christmas Eve jammies (I

love how they act surprised year after year that their Christmas Eve gift is pjs)

Stud

Cookies for Santa (along with a really elaborate card from Olivia)

Wow, that is a cookie!

Parker is a great sport. Are his cookies a little too awesome?

Molly modeling her pjs. Yes, the top is backwards, but I have given up saying anything.

Softy jammies

Helping the kids open their Christmas pjs straight naked. I think holding my kids right out of the bath is my favorite.

These two boys are best buddies. They are 18 years apart!

Parker and Olivia read the annual 'Twas the Night Before Christmas

And then on Christmas morning everyone was very happy to see that Santa did, in fact, come!

Molly got a Leapster

Olivia got a Nintendo DS

Ian got Leapfrog toys (they are Santa and Mommy's favorite!)

Max got lots of "yegos" and we have been doing some major building over here. His favorite thing was his Batman helicopter.

Parker got a really warm winter coat and gloves. Logan is cold. He also got lots of I-tunes gift cards and some sweet Pumas.

All in all it was fun and everyone was very happy and grateful for what they received. We are so grateful for our family and Jen is especially grateful that Christmas is over. Here is to a new year and a new decade!