Happy to be online again!

Hooray! Hooray! We got a new computer. I no longer feel isolated from the rest of the world. As a result I am spending way too much time reading blogs, facebooking and internet surfing. Just making up for lost time. My kids can feed themselves, right? : )

Our adventure in Idaho is going well. Our family life runs at a slower pace up here, and that is a nice thing. We miss seeing everyone all the time and having family close by. But the kids are happy for the most part. Here's a rundown on everybody:

Phil and Heidi- we were lucky enough to have a Hawaiian vacation with Phil's family at the end of January. We've been home a month and I still find myself trying to adjust to the real world. It was paradise. We loved the trip and can't wait to go back soon. I told Phil that we needed to go back for our ten year anniversary. Then we realized that our 10 year is in November. Funny. All the more reason to go back soon! We're keeping busy with these kids and dog of ours. And trying to keep up on 24 and Lost.




Akaka Falls on Hilo





Pearl Harbor


The whole group at Pearl Harbor


Last night in Honolulu


Abram is loving 2nd grade again. Hallelujah! He is a happy little kid. He loves all things Wii, DS, anything computer-related, writing stories, and his new interest is origami. He likes to switch things up. He has to wake up super early for school (6:15) but handles it really well. He has yet to score anything but 100% on a spelling test and is an amazing reader. His latest favorite books are from The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.


Abram was the videographer at Alex's party


waking up EARLY for school

Alex is doing great in Kindergarten. She loves her teacher and friends but still has a hard time with the long school day. Her birthday was this last week and I don't think anyone has ever looked forward to turning 6 more than this girl! She had a countdown chain going for the last month and a half. Alex got her ears pierced on her birthday and looks so cute!


waiting excitedly and nervously to get her ears pierced


Her Dad and brothers nervously watched through the store window


Both are relieved it is over!


Alex and her Littlest Pet Shop birthday cake


Sammy is awesome. He is the best little boy. I said to him yesterday, "What should we do today?" He said sweetly, "Just be happy today." He plays with his choo choos all day long. He talks like crazy, loves his doggie, loves elevators (calls them "alligators"), root beer, and keeping up with Abram and Alex. He does have quite the temper, but I'm usually more amused by it than anything. We know he's mad when he calls one of us a "dummy." He reserves this word for his worst fits. For the most part he's an angel.


Sam loved Alex's birthday party! He was a part of everything and took it very seriously!


Sam has decided that he doesn't need naps anymore. But then he often falls asleep around 5:30 or 6:00. His Mom tells him that he still needs naps, but he won't go for it. He just says, "I can't. I'm not tired." Yup, he still has a binky. We're awesome, huh?