Mardi Gras 2007

Caleb and Ariel's Aunt Amy came over on Monday night and brought some Mardi Gras hats and beads and Caleb had the greatest time! He likes to put on all the beads and then shake his whole body to shake them off and laughs the whole time. Yesterday morning before we went to our bible study at church he insisted that I wear some red beads because I had a red shirt on and he also wanted to wear blue beads because he had a blue shirt on! Thanks Aunt Amy for such a great gift! It has been a hit!

Here are a few pictures of the past few days

Swinging the night away!

On Saturday night, Dan and I went with three other couples to a Big Band Dance in Bella Vista. Dan and I had never done any "ballroom" dancing before but thought that we would at least give it a try. Caleb and Leah had taken a years worth of lessons so the weekend before last Dan and I went and learned a few steps to the Fox Trott and Waltz. While we were there at the Dance, the dance intructor that taught Caleb and Leah was there and she taught us to swing and then Dan and I picked up the basic steps on the Cha Cha on our own. So we were able to keep up with the basic moves. It was packed though. There were a lot of college students from the University that were there that took a ballroom dancing class and they got credit for being there. We had a blast though. It was so nice to be able to get out without the kids and be with a few couples that we are close to.

Dan and I before the dance

The whole group
Dan and I
Caleb and Leah
Clint and Mandy

Jason and Lindsay

Caleb Changes Ariel's Diaper!

Horse Racing at Connection Group

We have our Connection Group on Sunday nights and we try to keep the kids upstairs with a babysitter while the parents stay down stairs. This last Sunday our babysitter was unable to be there so I went up there to watch the kids. There was only three of them...Caleb, Ariel and Olivia so it was pretty easy.

To keep the kids entertained, they rode on the rocking horses for what seemed like forever. They had such a good time! Then Olivia discovered that the saddle on the brown horse was "broken" (it was actually just unsnapped) so Caleb went over to his tool bench and said "We need to fix it!" He got the hammer and the screwdriver and the Olivia got the nails (which she called batteries) and then together they fixed the horse and then started riding together again!

Snuggling on the couch

Here are a few pictures of Ariel and the things that she has been doing the past few days. She has been real intrigued by playing with her feet. I think she has finally figured out that they are hers, she will sit and look at them for a few minutes and try to play with her toes.

I found her asleep in her jumper again today. She never looks comfortable when she is asleep in it but I guess if she is not complaining then it isn't bothering her.

On another note, I mentioned a few weeks ago about giving Ariel the pacifier, she still doesn't like it. I think it is a blessing that she doesn't have to have it all the time!

Sledding

Last Saturday Caleb was finally able to play in the snow. Dan and I went outside and taught him how to sled. He did a great job, except he wouldn't sit on his bottom and insisted on sitting on his knees. This is what worked for him and he had a great time!

4 Month Smiles

Ariel is 4 months old! Here she is smiling! Our happy little girl!

Sickness, Snow, Shaved Head and Mini Van

Sorry that it has been a while since I have posted anything. We have been a little under the weather the past few days and there hasn't been many picture moments. Dan, Ariel and I came down with what we think was the flu on Tuesday and since then we have been trying to rest as much as possible. I am still not feeling great but I think it is because I am nursing Ariel and she is taking everything from me and I have been up several times in the middle of the night to make sure Ariel is ok and to calm her coughing so I haven't had a great night's sleep in a few nights. Caleb on the other hand has been feeling great...the same ol little boy that is full of energy (which makes it harder on me when all I want to do is rest!). We got about 3-4 inches of snow on Wednesday and I haven't even taken Caleb out to play in it. I just don't want to risk him getting cold and wet and getting what Dan, Ariel and I had earlier this week.

On Tuesday morning I got the urge to shave Caleb's head. Why I don't know, I guess I was just wanting a new look for him. I got the shears out and was just going to shave up the sides and then leave the top a little longer for spiking but he ended up moving his head and I had to shave it all off. I was a little mad at myself after I did it but now that it has been a few days the change and the shock has worn off. I keep telling myself that it is only hair and it will grow back!

Last week Dan and I made the big purchase of getting a mini van!! Yes a mini van!!! Never thought that I would own one but with having two kids, two car seats, a double stroller and all the other stuff that goes along with our outings, we needed some extra room. We sold our Jeep to some dear friends of ours and took that money and bought an older used van with low mileage. It is a White Chrysler Town and Country Limited. It is really nice and loaded with everything but the kitchen sink...well that and a DVD player which we didn't need anyway! I honestly haven't driven it that much since I haven't been feeling that great and then when we got the snow on Wednesday I knew that I didn't need to get it out. So since it has been parked in the garage I haven't taken any pictures of it yet but I will do that soon!

These pictures were taken this morning. They are so cute when they cuddle in bed together!

This is Ariel and I before we got sick.

This is Caleb before and after his head shaving!