Slipping By

Time has been slipping by. It doesn't feel real that 2010 is already here! Sometimes I don't realize how big Ella's getting until I look at the pictures off the computer. Other days I forget that William was only 3 months old when we first moved to Florida and now he's a busy walking toddler. Suzanna I must say has been the most surprise to me, especially with my new calling of being the primary music leader.
Out of the blue she'll say "I know how we can teach the kids this song, Mom". At dinner tonight she quizzed Casey on different sign language and said "What sign does this mean". It's been enjoyable to learn these new songs with Suz right along side of me, a big help too at times my mind goes blank while singing and signing (all I have to do is look over at Suz and she gets me right back on track).
It's also extremely helpful Alisha and Mom are both veteran music leaders, they are excellent sources for me to tap into. I'd say 2010 will be a great year, great callings, great family and great love.
By the way Peter & Joni we just love the coloring sheets you sent us. Thanks!

Singing Songs the Celtic Way

William the Brave

William is at that in between age of still being little but big enough to want to do what the big kids are doing. Carol took some snapshots of him when she was here.

The Beach Bunch

At our Navarre Beach they are rebuilding the pier that was destroyed during Hurricane Ivan. You can see it to the right of Suzanna here. We love how no one really knows of our white sanded beach, that is unless you are a local or are locally stationed at Hurlburt or Eglin AFB.

William enjoyed watching the seagulls and the ocean waves.Building the sand castle.
Auntie Carol and the girls rode in the back of the van. She was teaching the girls some Scottish children songs like Skinny Malinky Long Legs", "Oh Ye cannae shove yer grannie aff the bus" and other fun ones she learned in Scotland as wee lass.

A Very Merry Christmas

Our first Florida Christmas was just perfect. It was nice to be home and being able to enjoy the outdoors. We've got family coming in town (Aunt Annie and Auntie Carol) and maybe some more visitors soon after. Casey's got a Boy Scout camp out planned with the boys next week. This really is the optimal time for camping.
William has discovered yet another item to push around the house. He's found Nana's old baby crib.

Cousin Maddy and Lizzy sent their old dress ups. Once they opened it under the tree they quickly jumped into the fun dress ups.

All day Ella was Strawberry Shortcake and Suz Cinderella.

One Might Think...

William races through the house nipping at your heals with his shopping cart. We've noticed he will put things in there too; shoes, toys, trash. Speaking of trash, our pantry is quite large and the girls have put their table and chairs in there for "secret snacks" as they call them. Often it is the place where they hide when playing hide-and-go-seek. I heard some rustling in the trash and wondered if someone was hiding in there....and I found Bud. Not only was he in there but rummaging through the trash, eating last night's popcorn.

First the cart and now the trash.....oh our son has taken on the ways of a bag lady!

Suzanna & Ella

We had our Christmas program today at church. Suz and Ella have been singing the songs (Stars Were Gleaming and Christmas Bells) every day now since they learned it in Primary. I walked both girls up to the front and thought since both of them were there perhaps Suz would overcome her shyness and sing out with her beautiful voice. By the time we hit the stairs she began to pull away and said she didn't want to sing. One of the other teachers took her and set her on her lap. I know it was very difficult for her to get up there, maybe next time she'll sing.

Looking back in photo albums of my youth, I love the pictures of me and my sisters. There's one where I'm in the back of the car looking over at Annie. I hope the girls will also enjoy these pictures of them for years to come.

the Puzzle Master

This puzzle was a gift Suzanna brought home from preschool. It only took a few times and now she's got these magic fingers and concentrating brow and she'll reassemble it in 2 minutes flat. I'm impressed.

Just Enjoying Life

The weather has been treating us really good. I am amazed at how comfortable Florida's winters have turned out to be. Now and then I'm tempted to turn the A.C. but for the sake of it being December, I refrain. Life seems to be marching on.
William, oh William. As said by Suz, he's really the best baby in the world.

Suz and Ella being silly outside.

Life right now couldn't possibly get any sweeter. We are really enjoying the ages of the kids now...4 1/2, 2 1/2 and 1 I think so far is the best combination we've yet seen.

Getting the Mail

I'm not sure how it is in your house, but getting the mail is a privilege and brings such excitement. I love watching them as Suz reaches up on her tippy toes and hands the mail one by one to Ella. Not long William will be running along side them, right now he watches with me on the sidelines.

70 degrees in December

The mild winters of Florida have been just a blessing. I'm amazed that it is still flip-flop and skirt weather. There are some afternoons we spend entirely in our backyard. Sometimes it's more fun to play back there than go to a park mainly because of the sand. Our house and ward fit us perfectly. We love the new house and its location. Next year we'll walk the 3 blocks to school with Suz.
Ella's ready for me to give her a push.

It's amazing to watch children play, and without being told what to do, they play the same way you once did. I like watching the girls on the swings, especially now since Suzanna can pump her own legs.

Future Mountaineer

If I didn't know any better, I'd think he was training early. Watch out Mt. Rainier, here's the next mountaineer in training!

Little Bella

This is one of the sweetest toddlers I know. Sometimes I forget she's only 2.

This chair has become one of Will's favorites. Can you tell?

Sharing Ballet Time

Some things in life are better when shared with your sister. I think Ballet is one of them. It's something special just for them, and everyone (including little brother) can only watch behind a window.

Squeezed in Tight

There are some days the girls would just like to ride in the stroller rather than ride bikes along side. Honestly since we don't sidewalks here in this section of Florida (who would have thunk)....it makes it a lot easier, especially when I'm all by myself and out numbered.

This was one of those days. I wonder how long William will be able to squeeze in the front like that. I never hear him complain. We load up the blankets, snacks, water and we're off. I just love this stroller/trailer!

Cart Pusher

This boy not only pushes his cart everywhere he goes but it is also the first place I look when something has gone missing. As I organized the freezer he came over and started loading up his cart. It's a good thing there's no speed limit here too, he's very fast and turns corners on a dime with this cart.

Pensacola....Fort Baracus

We just made it a long afternoon with Nana and Papa. Here are some pictures of the lighthouse and more of the Fort. It was lots of fun, and the girls surprised me with the amount of energy they exerted in and out of the tunnels.

Papa and Ella walking around the lighthouse.

It was just one of those days, maybe we have a hand full of them where the sun isn't shining brightly....it was a bit overcast. Of course it happened to be the week Nana and Papa were in town. Regardless it was fun.

Fort Baracus.

I love this shot of Papa carrying Ella.