Is that a Jelly Belly?

NO! It's a tie tack.

My dad gave Bryan and all of the other boys Jelly Belly tie tacks when he was here at Christmas. Blake discovered them and was obsessed. Finally, I told him that he could wear one with his tie on Sunday to church. He was so excited. Bryan wore one too.

Sledding!

We decided to head down to the cabin for a Sledding Trip. We got there Friday night around 9pm. It was such a beautiful night with a full moon that we couldn't pass up getting in a few runs before bed time.We slept in and took our time getting out to the snow. When we finally did the kids had a blast. They got braver and braver with each run they did down the driveway.




Getting in one last run while mom & dad were loading up the truck.
Train
I couldn't pass up getting this shot. This is a typical "angry Sara" face.

Sar-bear

Sara is a princess x100 - not prissy, just obsessed with all things romantical. Marriage is especially on her mind. She can't wait to marry Wyatt, Bronco, or Chase. Hopefully when she is older she will think they are gross. My mom, not knowing about this current obsession, bought her this "weddin' dress." Oh, she is in love!

She marries her dolls, Barbies, Littlest Pet Shop animals, etc. She even kisses the snowman.

She loves to put on shows where she sings and dances. At night she does this as she watches herself in the glass on the door.

Sara-originals are often heard throughout the house. She makes up songs as she plays, as she cleans, as she holds babies, etc. She is so creative.

Sara loves/ed the puppies. "That's because I'm their grandma."

She loves to be "in charge." With her a little power goes a long way. I have absolutely no idea where she gets her bossy nature from . . .

Sara has a passion for learning. She knows her letters and the sounds they make. She is starting to sound out words. She is discovering that letters are everywhere. "S-A-L-O-N. Mommy, what does that spell?"

She has discovered computer games and enjoys playing on starfall.com and pbskids.org.

Oh my, does this child have a keen sense of smell. "Mommy, what is it that I smell?" Unfortunately my smeller is not that great. I usually have no idea. However, it does come in handy, "Mom, Blakey is stinky!"

Little Miss Independent is very opinionated about her wardrobe. She still thinks she needs to wear dresses and skirts all of the time, but I can usually talk her into pants if there is a good reason ie: riding scooters at Classic Skating.

She is very polite and rarely needs to be reminded to say 'please' and 'thank you'. It is the talking back and sassing that we need to work on.

Sara is very social and loves to play with friends.

Sara is a wonderful big sister. She is very protective of her brother and keeps praying for a baby sister. Actually, on several occasions women from church have approached me because Sara told them the "good news." I reassured them that I am NOT pregnant, Sara just wants me to be.

The Blakester

Blake is at such a fun stage right now. I think that I'm enjoying it so much because I don't have a baby to take care of. His personality has really bloomed this last year. This kid makes me laugh so hard.

In October he went through a stage when he carried his stick horse "Cowboy" with him everywhere he went. I heard the phrase, "Giddy up, Cowboy," at least 20 times a day.

About 50% of the time he talks with a scowl and a deep voice.

When he gets mad at me he will say, "You not gonna be my friend anymore. I only dad's friend." I don't take it too personally. He says the same thing to Bryan, Sara, and anyone else he gets angry with

Blake loves music. Whenever he hears something with a good beat, he gets up to start dancing. This generally occurs during a movie. He jumps up and down and pumps his arms. Lately it looks like he is playing the drums. He really likes "Low Rider" when we play Guitar Hero.

Rockin' Out - his name for Guitar Hero. He loves to get the guitar and 'rock out'.

One of his favorite words is "scoot." He climbs into bed with Sara and I during Sara's bedtime story. "Scoot Mom! I gonna fall off the bed."

He has a bizarre fascination with poop these days. Not really the actual stuff, but the word. "I love you Papa . . . poop!" or another variation "I love you poopy Papa." He also will sing a song and randomly replace a word with "poop." This is only encouraged by his father.

I do it my own self!" Blake has been exerting his independence lately more than ever. Even in Nursery he refused help with the prayer. The teacher said she could make out that he was thankful for the cabin and four-wheeler, along with the other usual things.

He loves Sara! They wrestle and play together which usually leads to fighting, after all they are not perfect.

When he wants me to hold him, he reaches his arms out and pinches his fingers and thumb together (like a crab) while saying, "I want you."

When asked how old he is 75% of the time his response is to hold up 5 fingers and reply, "ten."

He still loves to smash his cheek into my mouth - wanting kisses. Oh, I love that!

Blake is tough! He will hit his head on the counter and not even think twice about it. "I'm alright. I'm tough," is his response.

He is interested in all fighting things: swords, guns, etc

He wants to be just like his daddy and is basically Bryan's shadow. Wherever Bryan goes, Blake is not far behind. From working at the cabin to feeding the animals, he is his dad's little buddy.

Saramina Ballerina

Today Sara had her first ballet class. Of course she had to have her hair fixed in a Ballerina Bun. She watched Angelina Ballerina before she went because she was so excited.These are some of her classmates:
Kiana, Charlotte, Reiney, Evynn, and Sara

Warming up

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Today was the first day that we let the puppies loose outside.

The kids had fun trying to keep track of them.

Sara and Daddy decided that to build a snowman.

Blake didn't help much, but had to get in on the photo op.

She was so proud of her handsome snowman.

While I was inside I spied an intense conversation going on between Sara and Mr. Snowman. I grabbed my camera just in time to catch this through the kitchen window:

Watch out boys, here she comes!

Happy New Year!

This is their favorite part of welcoming in the New Year.

It's a miracle those glasses didn't break.

The next morning Sara saw the champaign glasses on the table and exclaimed, "Mom, can I have some more 'Happy New Year'?"