"The Mysterious Pen Pal"

The Mysterious Pen Pal

Thanks Gram and Grandpa for a great book!  All the kids LOVE reading this book about a girl who writes and gets letters from an unknown pen pal.  Here is Carter looking at the book...he's got the pirate patch, heart on his collar, and a treasure map out...enjoying the fun.

Bench Pillow

Carter and Anja love to take the bench pillow off the bench and use it for various activities or "games" as Carter says.  He uses it for a safari ride, creating tents, making a huge game on the floor, and the train (as shown in this picture).  We're glad they have a good time playing together!

Look How Cool!

A 50's Bash!

We attended a 50's dance for a close friend...and we dressed the part.  Carter even got in on the action of slicked hair and a white shirt.  Clinton liked that he and Carter were matching!

Fischer's First Haircut!

That's right...my baby had long enough hair to cut...hair that had been around since birth.  So two weeks ago, I cut his hair.  He sat still and I think he's pleased with his new style.  We was only 6 months and 1 week old!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Anja really liked the green stickers she was sent and while Mom was getting ready one morning...she came in and wanted to get ready too.  This was her idea of prettying her face!  Anja thought it was hysterical!

Our Tulip Girl

Little Anja

A big thanks to Oma and Opa for getting this tulip dress for Anja.   She LOVES it!  Anja insisted on zipping her tulip sweater...so we'll have to take another picture of the top at a later date.  She is also wearing tulip hair clips and tulip shoes (she wore her tulip sunglasses to church--a BIG hit!).  Her tulip purse and tulip necklace are being brought by the Easter Bunny!

We Got our Number 1 Pick!

If you can't read the writing...we are going to Oregon...the Providence Portland Med Center.  We are thrilled!! OREGON...HERE WE COME!

We're Excited!

Look how excited Fischer is to match!

I'm a Knight!

Clinton made Carter a Knight.  Alright!

Check out the cool cap, snazzy sword, and crazy ear straws!  This kid knows how to win!

Activity Table

Fischer loves to walk!

So no...Fischer cannot walk on his own...but he loves to sit in this seat that is attached to the activity table and walk around from one activity to the next or follow his siblings around the table.  ps...he's wearing a diaper.

We Matched!

Clinton matched. Hooray!  He says, "I was trying for 1 of 250 slots in a non-competitive specialty.  If I hadn't matched ...I'd be a dufus."  Well since you put it that way...we're sure glad you matched Clinton!

Now we wait till Thursday....stay tuned...

He eats PANCAKES!

For those familiar with Carter, we know that he is a very healthy, picky eater.  He prefers carrots, avocados, broccoli, lettuce, any kind of fruit, cheese, milk...he even had a watermelon cake (a watermelon cut out in the shape of a cake) for his birthday.  He likes things separated out on his plate...nothing mixed.  He is nearly 4.  I've tried everything under the sun to get him to try and eat various foods.  For nearly two years---he ate his way.  Finally, when he turned 3 we got him to start trying foods.  He decided he could eat a "cheese/bread sandwich," instead of eating each piece separately.  Mostly because he would take a tiny bite and decide it tasted good.  So we were so excited yesterday when he tried, liked, and ate FOUR SMALL PANCAKES!!!  YEAH!!!  And then asked for them again this morning.  

We only hope he will actually eat his birthday cake this year...or a cookie...ice cream....any type of birthday food related item.  But if not...that's ok...we know that watermelon birthday cake is a major hit!

Way to go Carter for trying new foods!  We love you and all of your healthy habits!

Dr. Anja

The Doctor

The Patient

The Exam

Hmmm...do we see a future in medicine?  Maybe, maybe not...but what we do know is that Anja watches over Fischer like a hawk!...she makes sure he is well taken care of.

Thank you Dr. Anja.

Fun Family Activity

Bounce-U

We made another fun trip to Bounce-U, via a preschool group...(thanks Jana!) and Carter and Anja had  a BLAST!  Last year, Carter learned the ropes quickly and went from once place to the next.  Anja didn't want anything to do with the big toys.  She did like an obstacle course--but only when I went with her.  Needless to say, that was a total workout.

This year was a completely different experience for Anja.  She LOVED it!  We walked in and immediately took to the HUGE slide.  She could climb to the top by her self and did even wait for her dad to slide down with her.  Anja did her own thing (with her mom photographing her along the way).  Clinton followed Carter around; and together we all had a wonderful time.

Thanks to Gregg and Jenni for watching our little Fischer.  We simply have the best neighbors!...and wonderful friends too!

Anja and Carter coming down the huge slide

Clinton and Carter showing their excitement.  By Clinton's facial expression, you'd think he'd just dropped 100 feet!

Anja showing her skill down the slide.

Anja and Clinton at the bottom of the obstacle course.  This was a favorite.  Clinton got a bit worn out.

Anja just LOVING this whole experience.

We are so glad we got to go.  We hope to make it to Boune-U one more time before we move.

Playing Outside

Carter, Anja and Fischer--Enjoying the Playground

The lawn mower is a favorite toy on the playground.  And since we had some nice days, we though we'd go outside and play.

Carter LOVES to ride his new bike.  Craigslist find!  It's a little big, he still likes to zoom on his old bike...but he's getting used to the big blue bike!

Fischer enjoying swinging.  Hooray!  He was very happy to be able to sway back and forth...even get some big pushes in.  Carter came and helped push Fischer too.  They both thought it was hilarious.  Carter was laughing so hard.  This was Fischer's second time in the swing.

 It's starting to look a lot like spring time...the sun is coming out...(can anyone name the tune I stole to make the first two lines of my song from?...)

Carter's Big Day

Carter's First Talk

About 4 weeks ago (Feb 15th), Carter gave his first talk.  (I know I'm WAY late on posting).  He was so excited!  His talk was about how we is a member of a family.  We incorporated a story from the Friend, told by President Hinckley.  President Hinckley told us to have a strong family chain--not to be a weak link.  So we had Carter make his own chain.  He practiced his talk and had it memorized.  We practiced standing on a chair and talking loudly into a microphone.  When the big day came, he was very excited!  He got up, recited his talk (with a couple hints from mom), held up his chain, and did a great job!  Yeah for Carter!  He absolutely loves Primary and Sunbeams.  Plus it was a very special moment for his parents...their oldest child giving his first talk in primary!