Valentines Day

So we started out our Valentines celebrations this year on Thursday, which is when Nate and I decided to celebrate Valentines so we could avoid some of the crowds at the restaurants. On Valentines day itself I had a trail of paper hearts coming from the boys rooms leading them to their little Valentines day treat bags and our Valentines day breakfast. The boys each got two extra hot wheels and a Thomas the train DVD. Needless to say the day included plenty of hot wheel racing and Thomas watching. We had a yummy breakfast of heart pancakes with strawberries and whip cream. Latter in the day we went mini golfing. It was a good day. I hope every one had a good Valentines Day. :-)

Baby Fin

My brother and his wife had their first baby January 30, and this week I got to take pictures of my adorable nephew Fin. I do love to take pictures of my own kids (obviously their pictures are all over my blog and my home) but taking pictures of other people was a very fun change. It was fun enough that I might try and do it on a more regular basis. Here are some of my favorite pics of baby Fin and Jamie.

Time

Sometimes I feel like I have very little time. I have found myself more and more telling Carson that I don't have time to play because I need to clean the house, make dinner, or do any number of countless errands, chores, or hobbies. This week I tried to balance my life better and take more time with my kids. Here are some of the things I found time to do this week: paint with Carson, play dinosaurs, play farm animals, make and decorate cookies. I ended the week with a family trip to the zoo. It was a good week. Lots of time well spent.

Carson showing off his "meat eaters"

Lincoln and his farm animals

Carson letting his creative juices flow

Carson driving Nate around the Zoo

Lincoln stranded on the grass (if you place him on an uneven surface he tends to just stand there and wimper unitl someone moves him to a surface that is more solid)

Oh, and Lincoln found time to play with his food

Lincoln Bug

So Lincoln's birthday came and went and I didn't write down anything that he is doing at age one. First, he still has some nick-names. We mostly stick to Lincster or Lincoln-bug. I am always calling him Lincoln-bug; I think it is because he can be so sweet. You can be sitting on the couch and he will come over and give you a head hug. This is definitely new since Carson was never really one to give lots of hugs. He took his first steps a few days before his birthday and now walking is his preferred mode of transportation. Also, Lincoln can say a few words like: Dada, buzz (like a bee), and do a decent car "vroom." He can also sign "all done" and "cookie." It is soooo adorable when he signs cookie because he will make his little sign and then go over to the pantry and wait for someone to get him his treat. Yes he does have us pretty well trained. Also he is a pretty good eater. His favorite meal is Ravioli in tomato cream sauce, and he has been known to eat as much as me during this meal. Lincoln's favorite book is "Ten Little Lady Bugs." His favorite things to play with are the plethora of cars and trains that we own. Lincoln can also be a VERY loud child as I'm sure anyone who has sat by us in church can attest to. Overall, he is a very jolly kid and has always laughed easily. He loves to be chased and about half the time when you chase after him he collapses because he is laughing so hard. Even at the age of one you can tell that he thinks he is pretty hilarious. Lincoln is a Joy and we love having him in our family.