Swimming Lessons

Colin and Megan started swimming lessons this week - "Preschool Water Adjustment" class. Nate and I wanted to get them exposed to the water a little more so

1. Colin will develop a respect for the water and
2. Megan will not be so scared of the water.

And since we're headed to Disney next month and summer is just around the corner the time was right.

They had the first of eight lessons Monday. The second lesson is tonight. Colin was fearless. This is a piture fo him kicking along with the teacher while blowing bubbles. Not bad for a first lesson.This is a picture of Megan in the water - smiling. Nate and I have a bet going about how many times she will get in the water. He bets 3 lessons of 8 or less...I think I'll win.

Easter Eggs

We did the traditional coloring of the Easter Eggs last weekend. Our big extended family Easter Egg hunt is scheduled for next Saturday. Hopefully the weather will cooperate. We had a big debate while coloring the eggs about which colors were "Girl Colors" and which were "Boy Colors." Notice the "Girl Colors" are on the top row of the carton, while the "Boy Colors" are on the bottom row.

At one point, Nate and Megan had a battle of wills. I was lucky to catch this on camera. Fortunately for me, Nate can be stubborn. I'm usually no match for her. We make a good team... Poor Colin, he takes after his mother.

Duck Pin Bowling

My New Year's Resolution this year is to do something fun with the kids at least once a month. March is the first month that produced any pictures. January we went to the Children's Museum and February we went swimming. I forgot my camera both of those times.

But in March, we went Duck Pin Bowling with Lindsey (she remembered her camera). If you aren't familiar with Duck Pin Bowling, it is similar to regular bowling. You use balls that are closer to softball size. And I think you get three rolls per frame. I'm not sure about all the rule differences since we didn't really follow the rules! The only rule Lindsey and I insisted on was taking turns. Anyway, we had fun. Afterwards we ate at the 1950's style diner upstairs.

One thing that made it more fun for the kids was you were able to walk as far down the bowling lane - as close to the pins - as you wanted to. It made for less gutter balls for sure.

The things kids say...

I have to share this funny one quote from Colin (age 5).

We were having a discussion about dangerous situations, what to do in an emergency, not talking to strangers...

Jen: "What do you do if a stranger offers you a piece of candy?"
Colin: "You say 'Trick-or-treat'!!"

So funny.

Lindsey's Birthday

Happy Birthday to Lindsey today. Colin, Megan, Bill, Chompers, and I celebrated with her this afternoon. I made her a milk chocolate cake with peanut butter cream cheese frosting decorated like Cindergrella.

On a different note...I found this next picture on the camera when I downloaded Lindsey's birthday pictures. Something tells me that Megan has been jumping on my bed...we should give Colin bonus points for his creativity in tattle-taling. :)

Ft. Knox

Today I visited Fort Knox for work purposes. It is an army base in Kentucky. Lots of gold is stored there. Street names are telling like Bullion Boulevard.

From http://www.treas.gov/education/fact-sheets/currency/prod-facilities.shtml
...
Bullion Depositories of the United States:
The Fort Knox, Kentucky Bullion Depository -- The site for this installation was formerly a part of the Fort Knox military reservation that was deeded to the Treasury Department. The Depository was completed in 1936. The Fort Knox Bullion Depository protects Gold Bullion and Assets of other Agencies.

http://www.knox.army.mil/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Knox

WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!

I know there are some of you out there that are sad.

BUT NOT ME!!!!!!!!!!!! The Colts are awesome! What a season! This was the first time that Nate and I have ever had season tickets to anything. We got to go to most of the home Colts games this season including the stunning AFC Championship Game. Wow! What a thrill. I stood out on monument circle today from 4 to 4:30 waiting for the Colts parade to come. I decided to throw in the towel and head home after a half hour of single digit temps and negative wind chills. Good thing I did because the parade didn't come through there until 7:30!!! I would have been a popscicle by then. We watched the parade on TV. :)

As I promised, here's a celebration picture. Nate and our friend Doug celebrating with the Great Peyton Manning.













Saturday we went and celebrated our nephew Kraig's 3rd birthday. He had the neatest birthday cake. Each of the cars were like cupcake sized cakes, individually decorated. It must have taken my sister-in-law, Sarah, HOURS to decorate. She said her sister, Catina, helped. She also said my brother, Jason, made the track. Such a cute cake!

I have to tell you this funny thing Megan said. When we got to the party and I was helping her out of her car seat she said "Mom, everybody is going to be so excited that I'm here!" So funny.

That evening the kids and I got to spend some time with my parents. Mom read them a few books, which they loved. Jason came over and gave Colin a ride on the snow mobile. A thrill for Colin. I didn't get a picture of that one.

Winter Finally Made an Appearance!

Well, I was starting to wonder if winter was going to come this year, but it did. We got ~6 inches of snow so Colin and Megan went out in the back yard to play. Megan didn't last too long. She got snow under her gloves on her wrists...I almost forgot how uncomfortable that is.

Colin lasted a little longer. He made a snow angel.

We went to the children's museum a week ago last Friday...but I forgot to take the camera. We had fun in the new Clifford exhibit, with the dinosaurs, riding the carosel, running up and down the ramp, climbing in the tunnel thing. It is a kid paradise. And to make it even more unbelievable, no one got sick afterwards.

This past Saturday Nate's sister, Amanda, was visiting with her new husband, Nick, and new baby, Bria. We got to visit with them for a while. I got 1 picture before my camera battery died. Can you believe how great the picture is?

Another recent highlight for us is the Colts are going to the superbowl!! We were at the Patriots vs. Colts game (AFC Championship) and it was AMAZING! I don't think I've ever been in a more energized atmosphere. The crowd noise was absolutely deafening! Hopefully my next post will have pictures of us celebrating the Colts winning the superbowl!!!

Go Colts!

Bria Marie

Here is the long awaited picture of new neice. Isn't she beautiful?

Chrismas Time!

Last weekend we went to a Christmas tree farm and got our tree. We had a pretty good time. Our tree is all decorated and ready for Santa to put the presents underneath.

Last night was the Daycare Christmas Program. The kids had fun posing for pictures beforehand.

During the show, we didn't get the greatest seats, so you can see the backs of heads better than the kids...but we tried.

New Addition!

GREAT NEWS! Nate's sister had her baby yesterday (December 5) around 4:20 pm CST. Bria Marie weighed 5# 11oz and was 17 in. long with lots of black hair. Just a tiny little thing. When she called last night from Iowa she was just beaming. I wish I could meet my new niece...but that's a long drive. She promised pictures soon.

And another cool thing is going on this week. My old friend Eddie from San Antonio is here helping us at work. He wouldn't let me take his picture. Its nice to get some help at work, especially from someone like Eddie. The downside for him is our recent cold snap. He lives a couple mile from the Rio Grande, so he doesn't like being cold AND he doesn't really have an appropriate coat. Fortunately, he just has to cross the street to get to the hotel from work. It looks like it might snow tomorrow. He's experienced snow before but he said he'd prefer not to experience it again. :) We'll see. I guess I'd prefer it to not snow tomorrow, too.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a great day with family. The weather was beautiful! Here are a few snapshots.

Beax let us all have a moment to tickle Colin's belly.

Later, Colin was laying low...playing it cool.

Megan and Sisty...

The Smoker clan - minus Nate...

Colin and Kraig had fun playing with the trains. Beaux too...

Here are my siblings plus Bill watching National Lampoons Christmas Vacation...nothing gets you in the Christmas spirit like Chevy Chase.

Hello!

I'm joining the the rest of you who've created a blog! We'll see how well I keep up with it.

Colin and Megan had a fun halloween. Colin was Darth Vader. Megan was "Cinder-grewa." Yes we videod the pronuciation for posterity.

Here are four pictures that Colin took. I went to download the halloween pictures, and there were 55 other pictures that I didn't take. These are the cream of the crop.

Megan and her doll "Sisty."

A mugshot of Sisty. This isn't really suprising. Sisty gets in trouble alot. Megan had her in timeout for several days recently for "Hitting the house." Sisty is a trouble maker...

Of course, Colin couldn't miss an opportunity to take a picture of his best bud, his blankie....the poor thing has seen better days.

This is the last of the pictures Colin snapped. Not bad...

I just think this one is funny. It was taken May.
Here we have the three moods of Megan...Not Happy.

Suprised/Excited (With paci...that she has very recently given up.)

Happy.

And a good shot of Colin from this summer.