Only Words

Inspired or motivated definitely do NOT describe me this week. Hence, no new blogs. I have a cluttered house, no new pics even taken on my camera for a blog, clothes piled in baskets (clean and dirty), a bare fridge, dirty dishes stacked in the sink, unkept bathrooms....well, you get the picture. Basically, the last thing I should be doing is blogging, but here I am. We hit the library today on the way back from an appointment. It has been awhile. Since I discovered the "HOLD" option it's rare I bother with a caravan into the isles to randomly select books off the shelves. I usually quickly select 8 or so books and allow Kai and Addie to each pick a DVD. I noticed today the DVD was more exciting than the books....how does that happen at the library!? Although new books for nap time reading is always exciting, especially when you're not having to buy them! So I can't complain about the library too much! Little E is sick again! I'm headed to the doctor with him later this afternoon. He seems suseptible to every little "bug" (that's a 3rd child for you I guess)! With a snot nose, diarrhea, and fever on top of introducing new solids and swollen teeth about to pop through, life couldn't be more agonizing! As cruel as it seems, he does sleep better with a fever. For this I am a hair thankful for. The sickness since Thanksgiving has provided a few setbacks. He's not sitting up, but getting closer. He loves to jump and be in on ALL the action! Addie is at a fun, entertaining age. Her vocabulary is exploding. She mimics words and has caught on to phrases that Kai teaches her, like "good to go" and "me, me, me" and "moe, moe" (more) and "peas, peas" (please), and many others. She has such a sweet little voice. We quiz her on words for entertainment and to sharpen her skills! She feeds her baby often and is so nurturing and she throws tea parties with Kai daily! A couple small toys can entertain her for hours! She continues to put on dances for us! We're considering a clip for America's Funniest Videos. Kai is too smart for his own good on most occasions! He picks up on everything and doesn't let anything down. He's more into imaginary play these days, lots of growling bears and stomping dinosaurs at our house. He includes Addie too, which has been fun. He pushes Addie in laundry baskets like race cars and has taught her how to tip toe. She's pretty good at playing along. Grandma also got Kai excited about the game hide and seek (which helped me realize we need to work on our counting)! He still loves to do "projects"....his own projects like crafts w/glue or scissors, playdoh, drawing/coloring or to help with our projects like fixing, sorting, cooking, etc. Well Skate Church at our house tonight, so better get back to the above list! Pics soon when I turn over a new leaf of inspiration!

Over the River.....

....and through the barren lands of Wyoming to Grandma's house we go! We spent Christmas 2010 in South Dakota again with my family! Kai got to ride with his Great Auntie to Grandma's 2 days before us to have a "sleepover." I was skeptical, but he did great! Among the unlimited snacks, movies, and attention I don't think he missed us one bit! The kids have spent the whole holidays season (since prior to Thanksgiving) sick! We just can't to shake one thing or another. Cold, flu, intestinal bug, diarrhea, Croup, coughs....you name it, we've had it. It caught up to Addie and Eli over Christmas. They really suffered through with smiles! Here's Addie and Eli prepping for our trip to SD through the night. Here's Kai passing gifts Christmas morning. He was the most enthusiastic present passer I've ever met. He was especially meticulous stacking his own gifts. It was quite the tower! Addie just could not figure out how to get her new baby doll out of the box......children's toys are quite a task to unwrap for all you parents who may not have experienced this excessive wrapping and strapping yet! Of course Eli didn't do any unwrapping this year, but he gave some huge Christmas morning smiles after he pooped through his pjs! Merry Christmas mom....I was giving him a wipe bath while the kids started their stockings! Here's Eli hanging with Grandpa. All smiles to be held. This more adequately captures Addie's Christmas experience.....snoozing on Grandma while her big brother sits having a snack. I did get a cute facial expression from Addie during an "up" moment. Just too cute to not include. Too bad I didn't think to rotate the pics before importing them.....guess a blog of this caliber is better than no blog.

On a Whim

It's been especially hard to get into the Christmas spirit this year. Last week it was in the 60's here in CO and there's only been ONE speakable snowfall. Not to mention my lame holiday decorations this year. Our Christmas tree amounts to a 3 ft fake with about 10 ornaments....enough said. I attempted to bribe myself early with some Black Friday shopping, daily Christmas tunes on the radio, trial of several varieties of Christmas cookies, and review of Jesus' true Christmas story in depth. But nothing really seems to be working. However, it is here. Christmas is nearly a week away. I will need to wrap up my shopping for the kiddos (hardly extravagant thanks to everyone who chooses to SPOIL our kids), and put the finishing touches on my Christmas card. Oh wait, correction: start my Christmas card! The delay and excuses on getting a family pic for a card are surmountable. I'd like one of everyone cheerfully smiling, however will settle for everyone at least looking in the same direction. On a whim, we decided to book an appointment for a little help in this department. The below pic is the chosen family pic of the year! Believe me when I say, for a before lunch, pre-nap shot, this is extremely "happy!" Guess it also helped put a little pep in my Christmas prep! For today anyway. I have been learning at church and reflecting on Christ's birth alot lately. I am surprised even as a faithful Follower how much I am misled about that story. I guess God is daily helping me to prepare my heart for the celebration of Christmas in these ways! Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving week

We are blessed and so thankful for all the ways God has worked in our lives and provided for us this last year. Funny as it may seem, I feel I had little chance to actually sit and reflect on all I am thankful for. On second thought, this is really not that uncommon these days. However, I know from past experience as I begin to profess big and small things I am grateful for the list quickly expands exponentially. This year is no different. Our Thanksgiving week was filled with people we love. We stayed overnight at camp with family, ate turkey in Denver, trialed Black Friday, ate, and visited family in Denver, Longmont, and Brighton over the weekend and ate some more. Here's a few pics from along the way. This is the Unrein family piling in for a quick pic together after stuffing ourselves with turkey (except Uncle Chad and fiance Jenna--but they are pictured below!) Daddy (Uncle D) is entertaining with a few loaded down horsie rides for the kiddos. Outdoor fun on our Longmont visit included 2 nephews and a niece riding ONE skateboard through a small cement bowl. It was very tricky getting everyone's feet off the ground at once and staying upright. Good times. Mommy and E-man soaking in the 60+ degree sun while sipping Great Grandpa's special cinnamon tea! What a great crew! All the cousins in one place looking in one direction. Amazing. From left to right: Drew (~6), Kai (3), Addie (18 mo), Isaac (3), Eli (5 mo), and Ella (18 mo).