New Name

I was just explaining to a friend that a lot of Army brats like to change their names when they move. And then Adam tells me, "When I am five, I am going to have a new name. It will be Chuck. And my middle name will be Optimus."

Girls' Day

It's that time of year again. We celebrated Hinamatsuri today by displaying Lottie's dolls. I didn't make her any special treats, but we did eat lots of Girl Scout cookies! Lottie also picked out a special dress, so we had to take some pictures.

Our newly blooming daffodils.

These pictures capture much of Lottie's unique personality. Life would be so boring without her!

Of course, I had to take some pictures of Adam too.

His Father's Child

Chris just loves the Weather Channel. It has apparently rubbed off, because yesterday, Adam requested that we watch the Weather Channel. It was on for a few minutes, then went to commercial. Adam was playing (he's a great multi-tasker), then looked up when it went back to the weather report and said, "Hey look, there's more!" with great enthusiasm and surprise. I don't think he realizes that it's on an endless loop of weather reports, not just a special treat for him!

Hanging Out

We really are spending a lot of time inside. The kids are going stir crazy. This is their method of eating their apple fries.

If the feet go down, they prop them on the coffee table.

Lottie built a tower of blocks.

She also put a banana and a street sign to bed under the treadmill belt. Very motherly.

January Pictures

We had quite the cold snap in January (and continuing on into February). That meant lots of indoor campouts!

We also spent lots of time in the warm tub. Foamy soap is fun!

And we cuddled under blankets to stay warm.

Crazy Kids

I think the ice day today went to the kids' heads. They were extra crazy tonight.

Lottie: Mom, are you happy?

Me: Yes, why?

Lottie: Because you are my friend!

Adam: I don't want to go to school tomorrow. Tomorrow doesn't start with "S". I don't like it!"

To top it off, Adam requested bedtime tonight. That is truly a first!

St. Nicholas Tag

We didn't forget St. Nicholas Tag (St. Nicholas Day) in all our celebrating this December. Adam wakes up to a shoe full of surprises.

I'd be happy if I got presents first thing in the morning too.

Dinosaur and fruit.

More Princess stuff!

Christmas at Fort Croghan

We liked Fort Croghan (in Burnet) so much that we decided to head to Burnet two nights in a row to attend their Christmas celebration. We don't have as many pictures, since everything was lit with candles, but we had a great time. Adam checks out some animal furs with the Indian tribe.

The kids enjoyed all the old fashioned Christmas trees decorated with cornhusk dolls, paper decorations, and popcorn!

The kids had fun eating popcorn and looking at the tree with Gram.

Fun with Bapa!

Main Street Bethlehem

On December 11, we got to visit Main Street Bethlehem. A Baptist church in Burnet puts this on every December - it's supposed to be a representation of how Bethlehem might have been on Christmas Eve when Jesus was born. We knew to arrive early. Adam and Lottie had a grea time jumping on rocks and kicking the dirt. They even shared some candy canes with new friends.







Enjoying time with Daddy (home for a court martial). Gram and Bapa were also along to visit.

Visitors camping out in town for the census.

Roman soldiers patrolling Bethlehem.

Adam and Lottie got to pet the goose. Really soft!

Adam inspects the reeds used to make bedding mats.

Uh oh! Someone got in trouble.

Double trouble.

Reading the Torah at Temple.

Paying their taxes.

Testing a newly made rope.

Lottie was excited to pet the camel.

The main show. Adam was really excited to see baby Jesus. I think he was a little disappointed that he didn't get to hold baby Jesus. He would have been REALLY disappointed if he had realized it was just a baby doll. We had a good time. The people at the church did a great job of conveying the atmosphere and events of the time.

Early Christmas

Because Chris had to return to Halfghanistan before Christmas, Santa came early. Lucky kids!

Lottie shows off her Princess scooter.

Adam and Lottie were super excited about their new kitchen. Lottie tests out the phone's reception.

The tree before the present-opening frenzy.