Milestones...

We've hit a couple of milestones in our family over the past couple of weeks.  It is fun to watch our kids grow, learn, and gain independence. 

Recently (due to not wanting his friends to one up him) Aiden wanted to take the training wheels off of his bike.  After begging and waiting and begging some more, Aiden was sporting his bike sans extra wheels.  Unfortunately after taking them off we discovered that his wobbiliness wasn't him learning to ride on two wheels, but his bike was missing a spoke.  He was sad but little did he know good things come to those who wait.  This past weekend Shae took Aiden's bike to the local bike shop to get fixed.  Of course Shae can't just walk in a bike shop, get his business done and walk out.  After talking shop with the owner and looking around a bit he came home and told me that there was a used bike that would be perfect for Aiden.  Later that day we went back to the bike to get the fixed bike and ended up coming home with two bikes. This was not only good news for Aiden, but Brooklyn too now had a new bike (Aiden's old one).   Aiden was very exciting and there was no more waiting.  We hopped the car and went down to the church parking lot.  It wasn't more than 15 minutes and here are the results.  Enjoy our little rider...

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He loves his new freedom and can't wait to ride tomorrow!

Aiden's Action Shot

Brooklyn sporting her new wheels.

Our other milestone of the week comes from Brooklyn...Yes we are proud to say Brooklyn is POTTY TRAINED!!! Okay so it is a milestone for mommy and daddy too.  Less diapers is always a plus.  She is so proud of herself and we are grateful that with potty training success all other bowel issues have resolved.  YEAH!!!!  One of Brooklyn's potty rewards was watching the "potting dance" video found HERE.  I find her all the time singing the song and doing the dance, but as soon and she sees the camera she clams up.  Here is the best we could get of her singing the song and doing the dance...



Christmas on Mars

Did you know that Earth isn't the only planet that Santa visits? It is true he also visits the aliens on Mars too.  I know I didn't believe it either until I witnessed it first hand.  We were fortunate enough to be able to experience the Christmas on Mars exhibit made possible by one of our local bank owners.  I love that our small town has so many fun things for our kids to do.  Here is a glimpse of our fun time with the Martians on Mars.  

Here is the space ship that Santa uses to get to Mars.  Aiden loved going through it and pressing all the buttons and controls.

Here are some various activities from Mars.  Brooklyn's favorite was making cookies for the Martians.  Aiden loved playing Martian games and racing the Hex bugs.

Family Photo Op!

The other highlight of our (well some of us anyway) Christmas on Mars experience was seeing Santa.  Aiden was very excited and willing to sit on Santa's lap.  Brooklyn however, would have nothing of it.  In fact he asked daddy to get her "pink computer" from Santa for her.  Luckily she accepted the fact that he didn't have it right now but would bring in on Christmas.  She cracks me up.  

Caitlin's first picture with Santa.  

We had a blast on Mars and can't wait to see what next years experience will be like!

Christmas Recap Part 1

TRIMMING THE TREE

This year we finally bit the bullet and purchased a pre-lit, artificial  Christmas tree.  Actually we decided last year that we would do it this year.  I have to say, although having a real tree, is fun to pick out, smells nice, brings back childhood memories, etc.  I LOVE the artificial one more.  Why didn't we do this sooner.  I love the new tradition of not going to a tree lot in the rain, not letting the tree "dry out" before we can bring it in the house and decorate it, not waiting 4 hours for Shae to put the lights on oh so perfectly, and not having to carefully maneuver the watering can so we don't get the presents wet every other day or so.  But most of all I love (my vacuum thanked me this year) not having to vacuum up pine needles every other day and not worrying that my house will catch on fire because the tree dried out two weeks before Christmas.

The kids had a great time decorating the tree this year.  Here is Aiden adding his "special ornaments" to the tree.  Handy Manny would be proud.  I think he was a little anxious to get the ornaments on the tree.

Aiden and Brooklyn were very into decorating the tree this year.  Taking out each ornament was like opening a present for Aiden.  We had a great time talking about the memories of each one as we hung our ornaments on the tree.  Our tradition is to put the star on the tree last.  Aiden was very patient because he really wanted to put the star on top this year.  

Our Beautiful Tree...

...if you ask me looks pretty real.
 Oh yeah, and be sure to notice the lack of pine needles on the floor.