Three Months

So here are the two girls at three months. Even though Dalanie had a lot of hair, Ruby's makes it look a little sparse in comparison. Ruby's hair is getting so long, but I still can't bring myself to start with the ponytails already.

Uniform

My son has a self imposed dress code. One that includes button up shirts, gloves, boots, and a baseball cap. Here he is pictured with all of his favorites. Let me draw some attention to the footwear.
These well-loved and well-worn John Deere cowboys boots. They were the best thing I ever brought home from a garage sale- for free. (Some other boy had shown them a lot of love, broke them in, and wore holes in the toes already.)

Hudson insists on wearing them everywhere. He's gotten pretty good at sneaking them on right before we head out the door, so I don't notice in all of the commotion. I've tried to put my foot down and explain that they are inappropriate and that they reflect poorly on us as parents, but he continues to wear them. Let's see, he's worn them to preschool, out to eat, and even to my sister's wedding reception.

It'll be a sad day when he out grows them.

Faces

Queen of scrunched up noses, lopsided smiles, and crazy outfits

She still refers to herself as "me."
"Dat" is her favorite word. "Who dat? What dat?"
Her language skills are improving and providing us with lots of entertainment.

Bed Bugs

I have grown to cherish these lazy winter mornings where all of the kids come piling into bed with us. First they find Ruby and smother her with all sorts of loves and climb under the covers to snuggle up to her. Then Brent employs his reverse psychology tactics by saying that he doesn't want any loves. This inevitably ends in a dog pile of squeals and smooches. Aaaahh. What a way to start off the morning.

Sunny Days

The sun was shining and reflecting off all our snow, so the kids and I bundled up and headed outside. My first intentions were to go snowshoeing but the kids were playing with their sandbox toys before I could get them strapped in. Then they were right under my feet trying to pull out their lawn chairs and summer toys before I closed the shed door back up and instructed that it had to be warmer for all of that to come out.

I pulled them around in the sled behind the four wheeler but that still wasn't enough for them. They had to take the Kettcar for a spin, one pushing and one pedaling since the tires lack snow traction. We're all longing for warmer days and more time outside.

Get Away

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that my family would vacation in Albion, some 15 minutes from the home I grew up in. But for the past two President/Valentines Day Weekends, we've done just that. We spend the long weekend with family and friends, visiting, eating, and recreating in the snow on the mountain.

Some of the highlights indoors included my Dad's Olympic games and his thrifted outfit, Valentine Exchange, driving contests, chocolate fountain and sugar cookie decorating, manicures, and the talent show.Outside we went snowshoeing and sledding.

There was quite a gang of little boys, 11 of them running around. They played so well together. Dalanie had no other girls her age, but 3 little baby girls to take care of.

It lived up to Hudson's expectations.

Here are the Valentines that I made up.

Family Fun

On Saturday we packed a picnic lunch and set out to find a little snow for some recreating. The white stuff was a little sparse, so we shared the trail with snowmobilers. It made for easy walking which is always good with 3 little ones in tow.
Dalanie enjoyed strapping on her snowshoes for the first time and did quite well. Somehow the sled was much more appealing and both her and Hudson were begging for a ride. We didn't make it far before we stopped for lunch (always a favorite for my kids.)Once back at the parking lot, Hudson challenged everyone to a sledding competition. He's got the running jump launch down to an art. We might not have form, but the parents have the weight advantage. It was determined that everyone who had fun was a winner.

Liahonas

Finally Monday rolled around and the kids were delighted it was finally FHE night.

After Hudson's prompting, Brent called the family together and welcomed us all. He called roll and turned the time over to the kids to accompany the opening song with their ukuleles. (It's really quite spectacular seeing how neither one of them have received formal training and none of us could tune them if we tried.)

We had a quick discussion about the Liahonas in our life and then we set out to create our own with styrofoam balls adorned with feathers, buttons, and rhinestones. It was an absolute hit!

Sugar Cookies

Nothing says Valentines Day like a sugar cookie. Since I'm not much into the rolling out and cutting of shapes I found the perfect recipe that you scoop out and flatten. We make them festive by using appropriate colors and sprinkles for occasion.

Cream together:
2 cubes butter/margarine
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
Next add:
3 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon soda
2 teaspoons cream of tartar [I substitute 3 tsp baking powder and an additional 1/4 t. soda when I'm out of cream of tartar]

Combine and mix well. Roll/scoop into balls and flatten.
Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.

There's never a shortage of beater-lickers of frosters around here. And since both kids can't keep from licking there knives, I guess the entire batch stays at our house. . . Come to think of it, they must have had it planned.

Two Months

Tu-Tu Cute

The other day Hudson questioned if there was another baby in my tummy. He was a little disappointed when I told him no. He has loved every new baby that has come into our family and is a great big brother. I explained how Ruby isn't very old.
"But Mom, we have to fill up our suburban!" he replied.

Although she's not very old, she's growing and developing in leaps and bounds. Here are a few notables:
-she consistently wakes up at 3:00 and 6:00 to be fed
-she is filling out and getting all sorts of squeeze ems--double chins and thigh rolls are so cute on babies
-she will now smile and coo-- I love when they start interacting
-about every nap is interrupted by loves from her brother and sister (which are getting progressively rougher)
-her crazy hair continues to be the object of conversation (and just yesterday I had several people touch it. MEOW)
- she has more nicknames than my other two combined. [Roo, Ruby Doo, Rube-Up, Rubes] The other day I called her Sis and Dalanie corrected me. Apparently there is only one Sis in the family.