Kai jumping

I am having a really hard time getting videos to upload to the blog, so I will just have to record here that Kai can now jump (within the last week, his feet are both finally leaving the ground at the same time). He can also now say Daddy, Mama, uh-oh and ME (if you ask him, "who is Kai?", he yells "ME"). And "me" is also the word he now uses if he needs anything (more milk, his turn with the tablet, ... ). =) And we think we heard him say Avery today, but there is not full agreement between the other 4 of us that he actually did..... =)

The last few days

A couple of random shots from January. Kai eating a cantelope rind that he pulled out of the trash can, Audrey and Avery sleeping in their bunkbed, and Iain and our neighbor installing a new microwave. Also, an anniversary present of snow!

Audrey is SIX!

Audrey had cupcakes at school, dinner at Olive Garden (thank you, Mim) and a party with friends at Chuck E. Cheese (she decorated her cake herself with a self-thought-of and self-designed "Mr. 6". And for the very first time since she turned one, she let us sing Happy Birthday to her without tears (birthday #2) or objection (birthdays 3 - 5). =) Audrey, we love you soooooo much! You are smart and funny and beautiful and an amazing artist and have a giggle that makes me laugh every time I hear it. Happy Birthday! (Also included a random pic of Kai and one of the girls and Iain playing Sorry (their new FAVORITE game)!

today

Merry Day After Christmas

It snowed a bit last night and more this morning! Avery wasn't interested in going outside, but here are a couple of pix of Audrey and Kai having fun.

Merry Christmas

My best Christmas present ... all 3 kids slept until 7! Sweet! =)

We had a super time opening presents and eating breakfast. After Kai's nap, we took the Metro to DC to see the National Christmas tree at the White House (lots of fun trying to throw coins into a train that was going around the tree ... of course, we hadn't actually brought coins ourselves, so we all looked like monkeys trying to reach our arms through the bars to pick up other coins that hadn't quite made it).

We tried again to go to the model trains at the Botanical Gardens, but the kids were having too much fun at some bike racks next to the Washington Monument that we didn't make it to the trains.

We missed everyone on Florida! Love you guys!

Merry Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve eve eve, we went to the Botanical Gardens to see the model trains set up for Christmas. We got there too late to see them, but were able to see the Gardens. The girls' favorite plant was one named a Lollipop plant. =) Our friends were borrowing our van, so we went in the Explorer. I really liked it ... the kids weren't spread so far like they are in the van, so we could all have an easy conversation and singing together.

On Christmas Eve eve, we went to the National Cathedral for a Christmas Eve eve service. It was packed, but we got great seats in the side balcony, right over the stage. We only stayed for a couple of songs, but it was a fun experience. We left there and stopped by the zoo to see ZooLights (it is what is sounds like .... Christmas lights everywhere at the National Zoo). Again, a short stop because it was freezing and let's face it ... how many lights in the cold do you really need to see?

On Christmas Eve, we made cookies for the Christmas Eve service at church and just played around the house.