They love the pool

Look at Myla our little poser. She never fails to pose. I love having an inexpensive activity they can enjoy.

I already started making a list of all the things we can do this summer. The list is getting long and I'm trying to figure out a cute way that they can pick their activities and get excited about them.

Ethan excited for swimming

I asked Ethan if he wanted to go swimming? He is so excited!! I figured this is the perfect day with no extra activities besides swim lessons to go to.

We (Ethan and I) think Myla will be very excited with our activity.

Myla and Math

Chad has really stepped up in teaching Myla her multiplication tables. She has taken off and her confidence in what she is doing so rewarding. Myla is getting faster and faster in her recollection of the facts. Her homework is enjoyable and breezy to her. (It is just addition and subtraction)

The first picture is of all the multiplication facts the ones on the right is what she does not know and ones on the left are all the facts she does know. Very impressive!!

Now they switched gears and are working on her addition and subtraction. Thank goodness for Chad teaching and Myla's desire to learn.

Ethan the Snuggler

If you are sitting somewhere Ethan wants to sit RIGHT next to you. Cuddling, touching hands even if he sneaks into our bed he snuggles right into my back or on my side. There has only been two times he has ever snuggled next to Chad in the middle of the night. Then and only then on those two times has Ethan wet the bed. Which I was very happy he was not next to me. Though Ethan is a tank and having an accident at night is not normal for him.

He is probably the reason I have pictures of Myla and Ethan sitting right next to each other.

Ethan the sweetest little boy

Ethan is very fun. Funny with the adult things he says. He is handsome and can make me smile any time I look at him or shake my head and smile. Either one brings a smile to my face.

Ethan thinks of things on such a different level then Myla. I think the biggest challenge I have is realizing they are so different. They have different personalities in the way we have tried raising them. Ethan we put in Preschool and Myla we didn't. Ethan thrives on structure and guidelines. Myla would make up her own.

I love that Ethan was put in our family. I can't imagine our family without Ethan. Chad and I marvel at how their personalities take after us. Though in different ways. Chad and I sometimes have to explain the Child that we are alike to have the other parent best understand them. Chad and I laugh a lot during these talks.

I love seeing Ethan learn and when he repeats stuff. We are excited when he gets it.  On the other hand when he doesn't get it we are laughing that he is so far off the mark. Thinking wow we really need to teach that subject again.

So grateful for Ethan!!!

Myla's Swim Lessons

The last time Myla had swim lessons is when she was around 4 years old. Her teacher is shocked that it was so long ago and only once. Grace commented that she has a lot of the skills down and is naturally doing a lot of the strokes. Which I'm not sure why she would be but either way I'm glad Myla is loving it.

December 2011 -- A Jam Packed Month

M at her Ballet Recital.  This is her first dance class she has taken and loves every minute of it.

With her Sugar and Spice Ballet Class

In May we bought a brand new Sonata and decided to hold onto our Neon for sentimental reasons.  Lighting is 14 years old and after 10 years we sold Lightning McQueen to a friend.  I bought this car a month after I came home from my mission (paying cash) and the first day that I owned her Chad drove her and did a Donut in the snow.  Now she is attending High School.  The kids cried saying goodbye commenting that Mater (our tan Odyssey) and Sally (our blue Sonata) were going to be sad not having Lightning around.

E at his Christmas program for Preschool.

E and M were very excited to visit with Santa Claus and Mrs . Claus at the dentist office.

They were even more excited to get Donuts and Chocolate Milk.

M started Gymnastics this year and loves it.  She now can do the splits.  She has come so far since June.  Her muscles are so strong and has amazing definition and her stomach is solid. 

M

Showing off some of her moves.

M - At her Jingle Jam for school.

Our Neighbor is in the Tabernacle Choir and gave us tickets to see the Christmas Concert.  We were so excited that M was 8 and able to go with us.

My friend from growing up blessed her baby girl and we were so glad we were living here to be apart of it.

Christmas Eve -  We were able to see all family from all sides and really had a wonderful day.  Thank goodness for no throwing up and emergency dentist visits for the kids like last Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve with my family.  With a new added tradition after our Mexican dinner of breaking a Pinata.

M - With Grandfather Brick and Nana

E's turn.