Christmas Time

Just a few more pictures for those of you who still follow my blog. We finally got our tree yesterday. We were searching in between rain downpours, and timed it fairly well. We had to stop for lunch between place 1 and place 2 and it was just barely drizzling when we looked at the second place. After we got it home it started to come down pretty good. We even had a VERY LOUD and startling thunder and lightning crash around 12:30 this morning. It sounded very much like a gunshot (very loud) and I would have been concerned if I hadn't seen the end of the lightning flash.




This morning I even managed to get Sarah's hair into a ponytail. She's been letting me play with it a little bit more each day. I put it in a ponytail and she tried to hide while Rob was attempting to take pictures. It was very cute. Oh, and did you notice that Sarah helped us decorate the tree in her bathing suit? That's her favorite outfit these days. Go figure. Happy Holidays everyone.

Thanksgiving weekend

We went to visit my parents for Thanksgiving this year, just like we do every year. The kids had a blast visiting their grandparents as usual and we enjoyed a great thanksgiving meal. After that we ventured on to Santa Cruz to camp at the beach. The kids enjoyed playing in the water, Hunter more so than Sarah who fell down once and requested to go back to the RV for the rest of the morning.

We then went to the beach boardwalk for a little bit. We played some games in the arcade for a while and then walked around. We all went on the carousel and the kids seemed to have a good time. I got a little queazy standing backwards and capturing video and stills of Sarah but it was worth it. They also rode the little helicopter ride and that was enough for them.

On the ride home they were both quite entertained with their technological babysitters. Even Sarah is starting to play and enjoy video games.

This morning when Rob went in to give Sarah a kiss goodbye he found only a foot peeking out of the covers. We eventually stopped laughing long enough to get the camera, take some pictures, and find her head. It was a great way to start our day.

Sarah's big doctor adventure

Yesterday morning the kids were playing around the house and their roughhousing became too rough. Even though they were right behind me I didn't quite catch what happened until I heard a thud and turned to see Sarah on the tile floor, on all fours crying. Soon I discovered that she was really hurt and she wasn't able to put any weight on her right foot at all. She seemed ok as long as she was sitting down so I gave it a day to see if it would get better. She was quite fussy all day yesterday but she figured out quickly how to get carried all around the house, just like a princess.

This morning wasn't much better so I decided to take her in. We spent most of the day going from the doc to the hospital to get x-rays and then back to the doc. The prognosis is optimistic, it doesn't appear that she broke anything but with kids I guess you never know for sure. I have no idea how my parents got me to take x-rays at 3 with two broken collar bones, maybe they gave me some sedating medication. Sarah was less than thrilled and decided to practice screaming at the top of her lungs, which by the way is really loud.

So I took a picture of Hunter while he was entertaining himself at the doctor's office. He was playing with the exam table and he discovered the stirrups. We discussed that they were usually for women but he wanted to demonstrate to Sarah how they were used. We also went out for lunch after the scream-fest at the hospital. I wanted to make sure that they understood that sometimes when you're sick or hurt you also get to have special goodies, hence the special lunch AND milkshakes.

Considering the day that we had they both did pretty good. Hunter really did well going from place to place without causing a total path of destruction behind us. The day is coming to a close and it's time to finally get some much deserved rest.

Halloween Fun

After all of the dressing up and trying Buzz Lightyear, Thomas the Tank Engine, and the Princess, Hunter decided to be a fireman, the costume that he's used for the past 3 years now. Without even knowing it he fit right in with the Oksner boys who were both firemen as well. As we set about on our trick-o-treating excursion we ran into a 4th fireman(firewoman), Zoe. So off we went around the neighborhood with our own Fire Company in tow. Sarah didn't seem to mind that she didn't match. They all had a really good time together. We came home and Hunter fell asleep on the couch while Sarah helped daddy hand out candy. Yeah Halloween!

City to Sea Half Marathon

So here are a couple pictures from my recent half-marathon. Rob and the kids followed me along the route so that I had a cheering section in three different spots, it was very sweet. I finished in 2 hours 34 minutes and 5 seconds. I even crossed the finished line with my favorite son. He ran the last little bit with me. In fact I was so pooped at that point he was almost running faster than me and I couldn't help it :) It was an interesting experience although I can't say whether I'll ever do it again.

Halloween dress-up

We went out today and the kids got to pick out their costumes for Halloween. Hunter told me he wanted to be Buzz Lightyear before we got to the store and I lucked out that they had one there. Sarah picked out a princess dress. After we came home they tried them on and played for a while before deciding to switch. Doesn't Hunter make an adorable princess?

Hunter Started Soccer

Hunter started playing soccer this month. Here are a few pictures of his practice. They usually do drills with the parents for the first 1/2 hour and then they play a practice game with each other, 3 on 3. It's so cute. The first day they were kicking the ball and they just kept on going, through the girls' field and onto the blacktop before an adult could catch up with them. They often all run huddled together following whoever is kicking the ball. It's too funny. He seems to be liking it more and more each week and I'm glad for that. Next year they may actually play real games on the weekends but I'm not really sure on that. We'll see.

Sarah Started Preschool

Sarah started preschool last month and she's loving it! She goes two days a week at the same time as Hunter so they get to play together and have snack together. Her teacher says she's one of the most "energetic" kids in her class, I guess that's a common theme in our kids. It's a lot of fun however to see her run in the classroom in the morning and sit right down where she's supposed to. She also has a lot of friends already, how cute is that? I also included a picture of her playing with Daddy's iPhone. It didn't take long for the kids to figure out how awesome they were too.

Silly pictures

I thought that I would put up a few pictures that I've wanted to post but I haven't had the time. Just a few cute little pictures of my kids just being kids. I hope all of you are doing well and I will try a little harder, again, to post more often.

Sarah's fix-it cut

So I decided to give Hunter a pass this time and I took Sarah to get her hair "fixed" while he was at school this morning. Sarah actually sat quite well for her first official haircut. Unfortunately she doesn't have much hair left. The second picture is her new doo. It went from a bob to a short cut but it looks much less butchered than it did last night. Her bangs are still at an angle but when you sweep them to the side it looks ok. I guess lots of dresses, so I don't have to hear how cute "he" is.

Sarah's Haircut #3

I HATE scissors, and showers! You would think that I would be able to take a 5 minute shower while hubby's out of town. Not so much. I hid the scissors from the last self-haircut, which I've learned with haircut #2 that it was really Hunter cutting Sarah's hair the whole time, however today he found the kitchen shears (in the drawer with the kid lock that he now knows how to open) and cut Sarah's hair again. There are a few more cuts around the back too. I was just thinking that her "new cut" wasn't so bad and Hunter had to make it bad.

We'll be headed to Supercuts later to see what they can do, I will be putting up all things sharp, and Hunter will join Sarah in his haircut punishment - pictures to come...

Sarah's Self Haircut

I've learned that I can't take a "quick" shower anymore unless I can see my children or they are sleeping. Usually the kids watch a tv show and are quite content. Well, last week I came out of the shower to find Sarah sitting on my desk with the scissors in her hand. The picture shows what the rest of my desk looked like. Needless to say she now has a bob and her beautiful curls found a new home.

Dress up

While Rob was away for the past few weeks Hunter decided to put on a fashion show. He went through our closet and paraded down the hallway to the coat rack by our front door. I mean EVERY pair of shoes, mine and Rob's. Oh what a pile of shoes there was when he was done.

New Baby

Sarah got another new baby today as a late birthday present. It came
with a bjorn like carrier but Sarah likes to put it on her back.
"Baby" has been for quite a ride today.

Catching up - Part 2

March

We FINALLY got a sandbox for our yard. The kids have been digging in the dirt around the yard for the past year so I gave in. Of course we find sand everywhere in the house, including the bed. It's worth it though, the kids play out there for hours.







Happy Birthday!!!

Yeah, Hunter turned 4 on the 30th. What a big boy he is. We had friends from the neighborhood over and they all had a great time. It was "Cars" themed in case you couldn't see all of the decorations. We played some games and really the kids just ran around and played. We had some cake and then Hunter opened his presents. That had to have been my favorite part. He was so animated and excited over every single gift. It was great to see it and the guests were thrilled to see that he enjoyed their gifts too. The next day we went around and "mailed" our thank you cards. It was a lot of fun.

Catching up - Part 1

I apologize, yes again, for the slow posting. We've been a busy and tired family lately. I have posted a bunch of photos to update you on the past 3 months of our lives.

January
This month the kids learned how to "throw a party" on Hunter's bed. That really means to take all of the toys from his toy box and put them on the bed. Well at least they're playing together right?


February






The weather was quite nice in February around here. The kids were finally able to play outside without many, or any, clothes on. They decided to make a mud puddle with the hose and splash around. Oh what fun!

Holding hands in the park

> Rob sent me this picture this morning while he was taking the kids
> out. I thought that I would share. Don't mind Hunter's crazy hair,
> we're trying a new look and that's not it. We did however have to
> cut Sarah's bangs a little so that she could see. She was starting
> to look like a sheepdog.
>

Cutest pictures EVER!

We took our annual trip to Sears over the Christmas holiday and I just had to share how great the pictures turned out. Sarah was pretty cranky and Hunter was a little hyper so it was an interesting experience but we were SSOOOO pleased by the outcome. These are the best pictures we've ever had done professionally and by far my favorite of the kids together. We had a very busy holiday, lots of family, lots of traveling but the kids had a blast and we love showing them off :)
We're back at home and starting to get back to our routine. The holidays were great and we loved getting to see everyone but it's nice to be back home where the kids actually nap. The last picture shows all of Rob's immediate family including his sister Kim's new husband Henry. She had to move all the way to England but I'd say it was worth it. Hopefully he will find America intriguing enough to hop the pond someday so that we get to visit more often.