Photos

Friend Amy gave a class on photography a little while back and since then I have been trying my darndest to apply her professional advice on the subject.

And what can I say, I'm a work in progress. Here I am trying to capture some memories at home...

And as suggested the natural light made a big difference

A few friends wondered where we got Saydee's hat. So here's a little plug for our good friend Jill who is so crafty and talented. We love your cute stuff! http://www.showoffthis.com/

It Snowed!

It has snowed here only a few times. And each time it melted before we could enjoy it.
So, today was Saydee's first real experience playing with snow. And I know you guys back home are thinking "What snow?"

But she was still excited...

Until she got a little in her face and we were back inside.

My first day with the Sunbeams

So I am the Sunbeam C teacher at our church here in O'Fallon, IL. And I'm loving it just like I thought I would. Man, little 3 yr olds never disappoint. They are a bit demanding but hilarious.

Today was my first day teaching. I walk in and sit down in the front row of opening exercises and I kid you not, 10 seconds later I am already telling the little guy next to me to please stop picking the nose of the kid next to him.

His response is "I will not subject to you. And I will not marry you."

This little defiant, rambunctious one was not in my class. A bit relieved and disappointed. He really is a cutie.

My class is great, they are adorable. But, I understand why so many teachers. I only have 4 and I'm glad. I'm anticipating more entertaining Sundays at church.

Funny little girl

Yesterday morning I told Saydee she could go find something to wear all by herself. And it was again reaffirmed to me why we give her options. But oh what the heck, we had no where to go.

Then today on the way to play group we shared some delightful conversation

S: Mom, Ana has blue eyes
H: That's right she does
S: Daddy has blue eyes and Saydee has blue eyes
H: Yep
S: Tyson have blue eyes?
H: No, Tyson has brown eyes.
S: Spongebob has blue eyes.

ok spongebob in, mom out. I didn't even realize she was a big fan of that little squarepants.

Kansas City

Heath has been on a training trip near Kansas City. And since it is only 4 1/2 hrs away we decided to visit him for the weekend.
The girls were awesome little travelers. So maybe now we'll venture out more.

I was unaware till now that Kansas City houses the main headquarters of Hallmark Greeting Cards. The company funds this incredible play and craft place called Kaleidoscope. We had such a fun time here. My terrible pictures do not do the place justice. I felt like we were walking into a cartoon. Everything, even the walls were bright and dimensional. It was nice that they had sessions every hour so it didn't get too crowded.

Elli was content to just look at all the bright colors. Saydee loved the music room, the water colors and making her own puzzle. There was so much to do, we didn't get to do it all. So maybe one day we'll go back. If you're ever in the area you should look it up.


While we were there Saydee developed a terrible cough. She couldn't eat or drink much and didn't get hardly any sleep at all. We started to get nervous that if it got worse it could turn into pneumonia so I decided to head back early. But she's actually doing so much better.

Tolerance

For the third time these past two days elli has woken like this

Does nothing bother the girl. I heard her squirming around a bit, but she wasn't at all upset.

Its moments like these that I always keep a camera close by. I know, what kind of mother stops for a photo before rescuing her child. She definately has impressive tolerance to frustration and discomfort.

So, looks like another refitting. Sometimes I feel like they should just hold a room for us there at that hospital.

A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

We had a great Christmas with our growing little family this year. We missed our families but still enjoyed good company with our great friends the Clays and the Christiansens for Christmas Eve and Christmas Dinner. So glad I didn't have to be responsible for cooking everything myself and it was delicious and fun.

We had a nice relaxing Christmas Day. The girls were so cute. When Saydee woke up we rushed into her room to tell her Santa came and left her some gifts under our tree. Still not quite completely grasping the concept of Santa Claus she said, "Santa brought a present for Saydee, Cool mom. ok." And yet we still had to coax her out of her room to the tree.
When she saw the presents she just stood there and pointed.

Saydee was so excited about every little thing she got to unwrap, even Heath's dress shirts. Elli focused all her attention on the tissue and wrapping paper. We missed being with Tyson but it was fun to talk to him and listen to all his excitement. Kids make Christmas so much fun. It was fun to see Saydee begin to learn the story of Christ's birth though I think when talk of Christmas comes again next year, I'm sure she'll be thinking presents. Still a week and a half later she gives us little random "presents" throughout the day and says "Merry Christmas!"

Little ones :)

I love Christmas and the start of a New Year. And even though I know a few of my past resolutions were broken after the first few weeks, optimism is in the air.