Little Laugher

Andrew got this funny remote controlled bird as one of several prizes for selling magazines in a school fundraiser.  (Thanks to those who helped him make his goal!)  The bird is pretty cool and goes really far outside.  But, Charlotte just proves how fun the thing can be inside too.

Enjoy.

Video taken in Dec. 2012, 10 months old.

Major catch-up, Eliza's birthday

Emptying this basket was an obsession for a while.

Eliza's 7th birthday.

This girl is ALL dolphin this year thanks to her viewing

A Dolphin Tale.

It's been good fun.

This lead to an under the sea birthday party...

All her buddies.

Going fishing. 

Andrew was behind the blanket and kept his identity quite the secret!

The girls dug for treasures in the sand box (good use of that wagon, thanks Mom and Dad!).

Little ocean creatures were hiding in these baby food jars.  Girls had to find them in the colored sand.

We did a lot of cute stuff at this party, it was a fun wan to plan and do!

Birthday morning (Sunday, before church!):  Abby gave Eliza a dolphin necklace and figurine.  It was sweet, these were Abby's treasures and she just knew Eliza would be thrilled to be their new owner.  She was right.

Play time.

She takes after her Grandpa Koski.  This is excitement over circus peanuts.

And to top it off, a dolphin quilt from Grandma Stewart!

Too good to be true!!

Major catch-up, even more fall 2012

A trip to the muddy pumpkin patch.

Awww.

These types of pictures are usually such duds and I don't treasure them.  

However, this one is a bit catchy.

Eliza made a card for Andrew and Daniel. 

 It is full of things BOY.  

I just LOVE it.

I will be quiet and let you enjoy the details. 

Daniel took Andrew out to the BYU vs. Notre Dame game this year!  

They had a great time!

Some pumpkin carving.

I helped Charlotte with hers.

This year's costumes...Garden Gnome, Bat (easier to see when she spreads her wings), wizard, and dalmatian.  This dalmatian costume has been worn by 3 of the 4 kids.

This is always my favorite of all the fall pictures.

Rally #2

Clearly not as exciting for Charlotte.

Acutally, we were stuck outside while the luckiest people were in a warm building....they must have come eeeearly.  Anyway, we got sound outside and still really enjoyed it.  Mitt even came out and said a few words to us afterword.  Everyone loved that.

Daniel's birthday.  We did a bit of a squirrel theme and played some childhood games.  

We have a running squirrel joke at home, just in case you don't.

This is a rootbeer cake.  So fun and different.  

And yummy.  

Especially with vanilla ice cream.

Major catch-up, more fall 2012

Abby practices despite her little distraction.

Playing in the leaves.  The kids love to rake a city into the leaves.  Or houses with bedrooms.

This is a good view from upstairs, you get the idea.

We are so mean.

Turkey.

She's right, it's disgusting. 

Little beauties, might I say!

 Andrew runs up "Killer Hill."

Major catch-up, fall 2012.

This is guilt-free blogging catch-up time.  I'll work until Daniel walks in the door (after being gone 9 days!) then I'll work again tomorrow!  

A little from September...

Charlotte and I attended a rally where Ann Romney spoke.  I went to two this election. 

It is fun living in a battleground state.

We were a little too entertained photographing Charlotte while she was not enjoying foods.  

She used to like peas!

A little OSU gear from Bill.

October now...

Mom and Dad visited from Arizona!  Oh, they came at the perfect time of year!

They also brought a gift!  An old wagon I used to play with as a kid. 

Dad even put on brand spankin' new wheels.  It's beautiful. 

Did I mention they drove all the way here, via Mt. Rushmore!  They are amazing.

We had a wonderful time!

It's good to see a picture like this while we are in the dead of winter.

There is so much to love about Wisconsin.  

I hope Mom and Dad come next fall! :)  We love WI the most when they're here!

(Note:  Across the street a new house is being built--very exciting.  It is now complete (besides landscaping) and the neighbors have moved in.)

I took Mom and Dad to Holy Hill, a beautiful Cathedral, where we hiked to the top and enjoyed the view.

Stunning.

Mom introduced us to this rollicking game of 

suck-the-marshmallow-onto-the-straw-and-drop-it-onto-the-plate

for family night.  It was nuts.  We are nuts.

Andrew decided to follow in his Mom's footsteps and run cross country this year.

I couldn't have been prouder.  That kid worked hard and ran his best every time.

I loved cheering him on.  We all did!  I was glad Mom and Dad could make it to a meet

and enjoy the excitement!

I just love the view out my window in the fall.  This tree goes from green to yellow/orange to deep purple.

 Mom is waaaay back there by the tree clipping branches from a bush.  

The drought killed a lot of plants this year.  So sad.  

A bit more trimming will happen in the spring when we see what comes back to life and what doesn't.  Charlotte is looking on.

!!  Love them  !!

The ash tree leaves are the best to play in.

Eliza and Bella can't get enough swinging time!