Random Moments with the Kids

Getting closer to getting caught up on blogging. Here are a few random pics of the kids. Some aren't in focus because I had my camera on the wrong setting, but Dan (Britt's husband) fixed it last night so they should be better from now on. Here is one of Malia. Scary! She reminds me of the little girl on "According to Jim". In your face....

Here's Abram again in his camo hat... I couldn't decide which one to post so I did both, just separate postings:)

One of Abram's recent struggles...

One of Mali's recent activities... sort of reminded me of a graveyard....I'm weird...

My Sleeping Beauties....

I woke up this morning sensing it was going to be a grumpy day. Feeling overwhelmed and "funned" out with this deployment thing. However, then the kids got up (in good moods...rare) and I snapped out of it. I realized how truly blessed I am to have these great kids and quickly got out of my funk. Thanks kiddos!

Supporting Our Troop(s)

At least once a month I get together a box to mail to David. We use the flat rate box from the post office ($11.95) and pack it to the hilt! Some of his favorite things are beef jerky, protein powder, canned chunky soups, candy (especially skittles and sour patches), packaged cookies (oreos and wafers), magazines (I collect Chris' sports/outdoor magazines and Mom's Reader's Digest, as well as church magazines), movies, Malia's artwork (every piece produced is accompanied by, "I send this to my papa", including all nursery drawings), seeds (pumpkin and sunflower), and whatever random things he comes up with. Now my ward here is gathering things to send to his entire unit (10 guys)! I know it will be greatly appreciated. His unit doesn't leave the COP, so they love anything they can get. What a great way to show our support for our brave servicemen. Here is Abram supporting the best way he can.... being cute! If you look close you can see his tooth (he has two now!)

Here is Malia helping make some oatmeal raisin cookies to send to papa...

I am so happy my ward is collecting things for his unit. I strongly encourage others to do something for servicemen in your area. The holiday season will be especially tough for them having to be away from family and friends. I am so grateful for all of their sacrifices and service. If anyone would like David's address, just let me know. They crave mail!

Muddy Munchkins

Still playing catch up on posting. This was quite a few weeks ago. We had a few days of rain and the kids were enjoying the mud....


Here is Malia deciding the mud would be better enjoyed if she could feel the mud squishing between her toes.... They also decided to FILL the boots with mud... good times....

Jump, Jump!

Pop a squat..

Her partners in crime...Love Nora's "cheeser"...

Now that we are getting rain again, Malia is begging to go out and play. She's not taking it well that there is a difference between August rain and October rain...brrrrr! Also for the sake of documenting, the outfit Malia is wearing is her FAVORITE! Stripped pants and her butterfly shirt. She would pick them EVERY time they were in her drawer and even try to wear them dirty. Unfortunately they survived the mud! Although I did pack away the pants (using the excuse they were 2T), the butterfly shirt lives on!

"Soup-er" Sisters

Sorry not the best picture. This was from our ward activity on the 10th. For those of you in the area you have probably heard of the "Taste of Dubuque". Well, they did a "Taste of Dubuque Ward". Lots of fun! Britt and I did a table called "Soup-er Sisters". We made four different kinds of soups: Harvest Bisque, Baked Potato, Smokey Black Bean, and Split Pea and Ham. They were a hit! We didn't win any prizes but got lots of compliments, especially on Britt's Bisque and my Smoky Black Bean. The whole night was lots of fun. There were 16 tables with lots of great food and themes. You just moved from table to table sampling the goods. One of the winners was a sister in our ward who is Mexican and made horchata, tamales, etc. Yum! Some people got super creative with their decor also. Good times had by all.

Quality Time with Grandma

Yesterday the kids built a Halloween gingerbread house with Grandma. Here is the final masterpiece... Here they are working hard...Not sure what Mali is doing with the salt and pepper shakers...and believe me when I tell you I TRY to contain Malia's hair, she just prefers the "grudge" look...

Further concentration... Nora appointed herself "quality control" by testing all of her candy...

Engineer Nathan checking things out...

Sweetie pie Nora...

My little man getting one of his breathing treatments... oh, so fun...

A costume preview... Abram had a super cute lion costume that I accidentially put in the dryer and ruined the mane... so we had this adorable puppy costume...its a bit big but it'll do...

My Big Helper

Although it is inconsistent and always on HER terms, Malia can be quite the helper!

Here she is feeding Abram some carrots...

Apparently Abram has something to say...

probably something about how Malia's aim is sometimes off...

Say Ahhhhh......

I love that they both love carrots so much. Just like their father!

Abram and Malia

Pobrecito! Here is a perfect example of Abram's recent separation issues....

Malia and her strollers! The girls LOVES pushing around strollers. She also loves her hats. I have great aspirations to learn how to crochet well enough to maker her more hats...

Britt was the one that took these photos. Malia was in no way cooperating with the 'photo session'... case in point...

Here is my little man standing... sort of... don't you just love his beautiful thighs? So cute on babies... not so cute on mamas!

More to come....