We're Still Here!

It's been a long couple of weeks for our family!  We have had a couple different flu bugs in our house.  It all started about two weeks ago with Ace running a high temperature and then that same afternoon, Finley coming down with the stomach flu.  The stomach flu has slowly made its way through all of us...except for AJ.  Fingers crossed it stays that way!

We've all spent lots of time curled up over the past couple weeks!

And these sad little faces have been a common sight!

Just Because...

I put this on here because I love AJ's expressive eyebrows!  This is a look Brent and I see 100 times a day!  So cute!  In my head I can hear the sound coming from his mouth too!  :)

"Hey you two, what are you doing?"

I don't know what it is about our kids...as soon as we get home they strip down to their undies!  The other day, AJ had to join him!  They are all such good buddies!

Uff

Poor Finley...her stuff seems to be fair game to those little brothers!

AJ loves her snow boots!  :)

Mail!

Two packages arrived at our house this morning...for the kiddos!  

The first one contained the pet Finley ordered for her American Girl doll.  

A puppy named Cooper!

Freckles quickly took him for a walk...and plans to give him a bath after nap time.

The second was addressed to all three kids...

Finley and Ace anxiously tore through the tissue paper to see what was inside...

And how awesome is this...

A girly Green Bay Packers hat & scarf!

Ace quickly claimed the green frog stickers!  :)

And AJ loves the books!

A big thank you and HUGS to Uncle Danny & Auntie Elaine for the treats!  :)

WILD Hair

Finley loves how her hair looks after braids are removed!

Whoa!

There was static in her hair this day too!

MOM...no more pictures!  :)

Busted!

I think he thought if he covered his eyes...Mommy wouldn't see him!

Wearing a crown and using a hanger for a sword!

Quite the little boy!

Cute Kids

One afternoon the kids were all sitting in the window like perfect little kids...until I got my camera out! 

No teeth Finley?

Uff!  I can't help but smile when I see this!

Finley getting smiles from Ace!

Cute boy!

Ha!  I love how he wrinkles his nose when he smiles big!

And I love those big teeth!  He's cute even with the big tears falling down his cheeks!

*Don't mind my dirty windows...I gave up on trying to keep them clean a LONG time ago! :)

Computer Time

Finley and Ace enjoy "painting" or playing the match game on the computer...usually Ace watches Finley, but every now and then, she will give him a turn!  :)

Cozied up together on one chair "painting"!

They are very patient with one another...most days!

Puzzle Time

Ace was playing with a puzzle in his room one afternoon...

Notice AJ in the background...

Enjoying himself SO much!

Love watching their hands work!

Uh oh!  Can you guess what happened?  

Yep, Mr. AJ got a hold of some of Ace's work!

Don't crack a smile!  :)

Okay...all is forgiven!

He Loves His Blankets

Our kids each have special blankets...AJ has three that he loves!  His crib is full of blankets at night. One that he sucks on, one that he covers up with, and one that he pulls or wraps around himself.  

Snuggled up in his rocking chair with all of his blankets...and loving it!

He is sleepy...

This is a sure sign he is ready for a nap or for bed!

Night, night!

Ah...can you imagine how comfy he is?  :)

Winter Sleigh Ride

We took the kids on a sleigh ride on Christmas Day.  It was beautiful and I can't wait until next year when AJ is a bit older and we're able to reason with him a bit!  He refused to keep his mittens on and yet cried because his hands were so cold!  :)

Heading to the chalet.

All packed in...nice and cozy!

Pete & Julia (the horses) taking us out on the trail!

Finley was a bit owly that day...but we found a couple days later she had a valid excuse...

an ear infection!

Mommy & AJ all snuggled up!

Snuggling up with Papa!

Meeting Pete & Julia after the ride was over...

Ace looked very little compared to the horses!

First Comes the Laughter; Then Comes the Tears!

As promised a few days ago...more pictures of the "swords"!

The swords that Ace got for Christmas can be combined into one large one or two smaller ones.  

He is kind enough to share with little brother from time to time!

Ace thought it was hilarious that AJ kept swinging at Brent and I...

Ace was laughing SO hard!  Huge belly laughs!  And AJ was persistent!

And then the poor dogs got chased by the two of them around the living room...

...until the tears came!  :)

A Few of My Favorite Things - AJ

AJ obviously didn't have a wish list for Christmas...we knew that he would be most content with the box or really anything that he could push buttons to make noise!  He is such a good boy...very busy, but good! :)  He enjoys watching Finley and Ace play, but most of all enjoys being in the mix with them.  You can just see how hard he tries to keep up with them!  

I let him sit at the table the other day...

And he thought he was pretty cool!  :)

He loves to wrestle with Ace...and I think one of these days Ace might be on the receiving end!

Here he is playing with a Christmas present...pushing as many buttons as he can to make as much noise as possible!  HA!