Reasonable Resilience

The kids and I took a trip to Ann Arbor while Eric was out of town one week-end. Ann Arbor got so much snow we were stuck inside for most of the day. When Uncle Scott came home we managed to make it to a playscape for some tumble fun. Aunt Kate and I got in on the fun while Uncle Scott watched the game on a big screen with Noah. Curious little Noah pulled a lamp off the table and burned his head, but as you can see the scab has fallen off and we are on our way to healthy skin again. I think bath time may be Noah's favorite activity. He stands at the edge of the tub and yells, laughs and pleeds with his eyes to get in. Grace doesn't always love sharing, but he holds his own and pulls her hair if she doesn't make room. We can't wait for the snow to go and we plan on making a trip to Florida next month to see Aunt Karen and Uncle Ryan, and also to rid ourselves of heavy coats and boots for at least a few days. I'm sure I'll have more pictures for you then, so...

So, I'm a "real" tree kind of a person and I think Eric is too. My family used to tredge up north in the early parts of December and cut down our own tree for Christmas and I'll never forget it. I want it to be a traditoin for my kids as well. We went last year with Grace and the year before when she was really little and have always ended up with a tree, cute or not. Last year it was a long two days of searching and finally we found a tree place that had tons of "good" trees, so we went there first this year. Eric, Kara, Grace, Noah and even Lucy went for a walk in the woods for "the" tree for 2008. We found it rather quickly which was nice, and I'm starting to not care so much what it looks like, just that we ALL go get it. It came home atop the new minivan and made it in one piece. Eric set it up outside and dragged it into it's "place" in the house shortly after. Lights (white this year) were hung and all the pretty ornaments...

This is a good one to have. Our vicar told us that if you don't write your resolutions down you're only 4% likely to actually do them. Well, I'm not a resolution type of a girl, but there are some things I would like to "change in 09. # 1 I need more time outs #2 We need a new computer (although that may not happen until closer to 2010) #3 I need to play with Grace more often, "with no Noah bugging us Mommy" #4 clean #5 turn off the tv #6 call friends #7 listen #8 least likely, but most helpful, possibly find a job.

Here's what we're up to Sleeping Eating Being Silly Growing bigger every day Raking Hitting Deer Car searching Playing with the camera Crawling Having a big sister Standing and sleeping

Bath time fun in Arizona I'm in a basket and you can't see me. Apple Cider donuts just might be a little too good Lucy Baby Fall fun 2007

Here are a few pictures from my sister's computer. I'm beginning to think people are hoarding pictures. I love Grace. It was hard to find a picture that she wasn't smiling too hard in. Grace and Andrew are kindered spirits, with a little devil in each of them. Icouldn't pass up the beautiful eyes Looks like it's time for a new Christmas picture with all four kids

I realized recently that Eric has all of the pictures from Grace's first year of life on his computer. I am sitting at it right now and thought I would share just a few.