Boeing 747-8

Yesterday the kids and I went with Grandma Joyce to watch the newest and biggest boeing plane yet take off on it's very first flight. This is a cargo plane that is 18 feet longer and 12 ft wider than any of it's other planes. It is neat to be able to say we saw it first! We had to wait about an hour and a half longer than planned as the weather was quite foggy. We just decided to go in to look around in the flight museum while we waited. It was a nice time and I am so glad we took the time to enjoy our day with Grandma. (It was her birthday too!)

We got free mimosas as there had been a party and they had extra food. The fruit, pastries, and juice were a pleasant surprise.

What an amazing site!

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Ethan, would you get that book from under your bed?
Why mom?
Because you fit better.
Why? Are you fat?

Nice son, nice.

Guitar Heros

Gary picked up a new video game for our family about a week ago. We have all been enjoying some good family time.

Every one is totally enjoying this!

Good Morning

So here is what happens when we don't have a table to eat on or a bed for the kids to sleep in.

Clearly, this is a miserable life.

Living

Here are some snap shots into our daily life.

Goldie Locks

Here is my pretty lady and her locks. Just so I have a nice photo, somewhere of how beautiful her curls are. I hope she gets to keep them for many more years.

Alone Time

When Ethan was invited for a night at his frineds house Avery got to have some extra special time at home with me. I asked her what she wanted to do and she quickly replied, "Paint!"

There was only a small amount of paint on the floor and on her shirt when she was done. Thankfully I love my new steam mop and it was an easy clean. With the fun she had the mess was waaayyy worth it.

The First Secret

I feel so honored! Tonight after we left church Ethan and I made a quick stop at the grocery store. While we were driving Ethan says,
"I forgot to tell the girls something."
"Ummm....what girls I replied?"
"I can't tell you mom."
"Why not?"
"It's a secret"
"A secret with who?"
(this is when I started thinking that he and some other boys were teasing girls or something, which we really haven't started with yet, but I would guess could start at any point....cuz girls do have cooties...right?)
"Just me"
"What if I promise not to tell anyone?"
"know one mom?" (he says cautiously)
"Know one" I assured him.
"Well, I wanted to tell the girls (who I'll keep top secret) that I liked the curly ribbons in their
hair."
Sigh...(as my heart thinks about how sweet that was.) "Yeah, I saw that too, I thought it looked pretty neat too."
"Mom"
"Yes"
"Can I have a drink of water" as we enter the grocery store...moving the conversation into a million other things.

I still feel so lucky that he told me THE secret. What a great feeling that he trusted me.

Mommy Moments

The past few days have been so much fun with the kids. They are becoming two peas in a pod at times, which makes me so happy. A few notable moments ...
Ethan saw Avery "reading" books while I was doing dishes after lunch. He told her, "Avery, I can read to you if you want." Of course that made her day, so they went and sat on the couch. It was lovely hearing him reading a book about sharing to her. Then all of a sudden Avery stared crying a hurt cry...so I walked around the corner to hear Ethan saying, "Avery, are you okay? are you okay?" Then I looked at him and he just started crying too. Of course, I asked "what happened?" "we hit our heads together while I was trying to cover us with a blanket..." This made me want to cry too.
Not only were they having such a loving time together but when they both got hurt he was being way more concerned about his sister than about his own head. This was just so memorable to me and makes me feel like we are building a great relationship with the two of them.

Then today we went to Great-Grandma and Grandpa Monten's for the afternoon. For some reason this house with two small dogs is almost always stressful for Avery. Of course, the dogs are the stress but we can not figure out exactly why. Anyway, as soon as we arrived I carried Avery into the house. When I set her down she stood very close to me. Ethan walked up to her while I was talking and said, "Avery, I'll hold your hand" and off they went into the living room without a hitch. Later, he jumped up to help her off the organ bench when she was feeling frightened to get down by herself. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that Ethan notices his sister and what she may want or need. It is so fun to watch them grow together. What a blessing to see...(cuz you know we have our rough days too. )

Things to Remember

Avery's quote of the day.

Avery: with a very sad voice, "mom, I hurt my bun."
Me: "I am sorry honey that you hurt your buns."
Avery: very frustrated, "no Mom, just one of them!"
This was her outfit yesterday.
Who can argue with a bit of glamor once in awhile?