Keeping up with Fred-n-Sara

After Christmas, I got a new camera. Finally. I’ve been using a friend’s since I broke mine on Calvin’s 1st birthday! It’s about time I found a good little camera. It’s just a point and shoot, but it’s fast and wasn’t too expensive. I think it takes pretty good pictures, but I’m not a photographer so it’s just a humble opinion. Anyway, because I have a fun new toy and because I think it’s important to have lots of pictures for my kids and I to look back on when we’re all older.

So, let’s review January. Someday I promise I’ll get better at updating pictures as I go.

Sunday, January 1

This was our first picture of the new year. Lulu woke up just in time for a new year's kiss. And she was so excited about it!

Monday, January 2

The video gamers.

First real snow! It's crazy that we've gotten into January before getting much snow.

Tuesday, January 3

A little after-Christmas snack just for me!

Wednesday, January 4

Sleepy girl.

Thursday, January 5

The boys were given another train set to keep at their Great-Grandma's house. Cal had to take it apart, after my cousin put it together, to figure out how it went together

Friday, January 6

Calvin loves to climb!

While not a climber, Oliver had a good time in the tunnels.

Saturday, January 7

Aren't they silly?

Sunday, January 8

Cal and his uncle reading.

Monday, January 9

Peanut butter english muffin and banana. Breakfast of Champions!

Or nutella.

Tuesday, January 10

Playing outside always brings the smiles.

Oliver's on a boat!

Wednesday, January 11

Thursday, January 12

Just playing around!

Friday, January 13

Cuddling with Dad. She was supposed to be sleeping.

Saturday, January 14

Snow fun!

I don't understand the reasoning behind giving a baby processed "cereal" for their first food. I think this is the last (and first) time I'll give her any.

**I don’t even know why I bought it. I never really gave Oliver any cereal either. It just doesn’t look appetizing. Shouldn’t a baby’s first experience with food be tasty?

Sunday, January 15

The boys like watching videos on Fred's "smartphone."

So this is it! The last 2011 picture post. Finally, right? Go easy on me, it’s been a busy week; Laura is now 6 months old, we started giving her solid foods, she was baptized, and we had our first real snow of the season (thanks global warming; usually we’re well into the snowy season now). More on all of that later, right now, let’s wrap up the year!

Monday, December 26

Playing with his new headphones. I bed he'd like them better if he plugged them into some music.

Oliver likes his too; they are a lot like Dad's...without the rap music (let's not comment on the pacifier in the over 2 year old's mouth)

Tuesday, December 27

A meeting with the new toys. A meet and greet, if you will.

Wednesday, December 28

Babyzilla attacks the local train tracks. Delays expected.

Thursday, December 29

Tonight we celebrated my youngest brother's birthday. Laura partied so hard she slept in her car seat from the time we left until midnight!

Friday, December 30
Fred’s niece got married today!

The bride and her dad.

We didn’t stay long at the wedding. All the kids and Fred have been fighting a cold. Plus the boys were recking havoc as they do late in the evening, even at home.

Saturday, December 31

Look who woke up just in time for the new year! Not that she cared, I think she was just hungry.

And that’s it, the end of 2011 for our little family. It was a big year for us, some things ended and some new things began, not to mention we welcomed our sweet baby girl into our family. I hope the year was good for you! Let’s hope that 2012 is even better!

This year Christmas at our house was very exciting. Cal really understood it and excited about it and whenever Calvin gets something, Oliver is right behind him. Of course, Laura has a while before she realizes what it’s all about, but I think she was excited too. While this Christmas was not impressively large at our house (not that it ever has been in the past; Fred and I are believers in letting others spoil our kids!), we thought we did pretty well in the gift giving department.  And we tried to teach the boys that Christmas isn’t only about getting presents. We talked about Jesus and his birthday and of course the importance of giving gifts to loved ones too. We made ornaments and picked out special gifts for special people in our lives. So be the time Christmas Eve came around, the boys couldn’t have been more excited. And by boys I mean Fred, Calvin, and Oliver. I don’t know who stayed up later waiting to hear tiny hooves and a “ho ho ho.”

But before the Christmas Eve nighttime excitement, we spent the day with family.

Laura attempted to open a few of her own gifts. And taste them!

The boys had fun giving gifts. And of course receiving them.

Later, at home, all the kids put on their new Christmas pajamas and put out some cookies for Santa.

Truely, our best gifts ever.

Then, in the morning, the real chaos and fun began. We actually had to wake the boys up, since they had stayed awake waiting for Santa so long, they actually slept in. Laura was up early of course, because she was starting to get a cold and was having trouble sleeping all night. No silent night for me this year!

Opening presents

Oliver got a race track from Santa.

Calvin got his train set, complete with 2-d police station!

And Laura got some stacking cups. See what I mean about letting others spoil our kids? (she also got a neat little picnic basket set with plush play food, but I didn't get a good picture of that)

Later we had more family over. But by the end of the day, everyone was really tired and needed a little down time.

The boys, with their aunt and uncle, enjoying a movie.

I can’t even begin to explain how much joy the kids and our families brought us this Christmas. It was probably the best Christmas our family has had yet, and I imagine they will only get better yet!

I can’t believe I let myself get so very behind…

Monday, October 17
Today Fred had the day off, so we took a little trip up to a local (well, kind of local at 2 hours NW of home) safari park. One that you drive through and feed the animals. I have to say, that although it was my idea, I was terrified that our new van would end up scratched or worse. Thankfully, the only thing that got scratched was Oliver. And that was because he tripped and fell. It wouldn’t be normal if he didn’t.

He's going to have a permanent scar under his nose. He always gets hurt in that same spot!

Did you know buffalo love carrots?

This guy followed us through the whole park. He was really hungry.

Kisses for Oliver from a deer.

And one for Calvin too.

I'm glad Fred was driving. I spent most of the ride in the back row with Laura and the camera. Safe from buffalo slobber!

The car, while covered in slobber and animal goo, came out of the park without a scratch! And we all had a great time. This was a family trip we will definitely take again.

Tuesday, October 18

After picking Cal up from school we stopped at a local park and took a little walk. Oliver likes to walk behind us and pick up leaves.

Wednesday, October 19

Thursday, October 20

Waiting on her brothers to get ready to do. As usual. What's not usual? The laughter in her carseat. She's usually not a fan.

Friday, October 21

Oliver loves this little baby doll. I hope he realizes it belongs to his sister.

Saturday, October 22
Today we did a little pumpkin carving.

Cal scooping out the "goop"

Oliver had his own pumpkin to scoop.

They turned out pretty good, I think!

Sunday, October 23

Doesn't everyone check their email from their baby bath tub?

Monday, October 24

Crabwalking through the house.

Tuesday, October 25

Seeing my boys play together melts this mommy's heart.

Wednesday, October 26
Tonight we went Trick-or-Treating at the nursing home Fred’s grandfather lives in.

Trick or Treat is serious business!

Sweetest candy corn I know!

Yep, serious business.

Thursday, October 27
Today was Cal’s Halloween party at preschool. While all the kids had cute costumes, I thought his was the cutest, just look at that little red scarf! I’m probably a little biased though.

Our little airplane at his preschool Halloween celebration.

Friday, October 28

Oliver likes to keep his sister entertained. Today he's offering alphabet letters. He knows if she's happy, he'll be able to play longer!

A little play-doh in the sun.

Saturday, October 29

Neighborhood trick or treat!

Sunday, October 30

Home made foccacia bread. Yum!

Monday, October 31
The boys like to play in my room in the morning. Today was no different. They were pretending to be “sleeping” and thought Laura would like to play too. She did. For a couple minutes.

Naptime?