Closing out the Year!

We were still in New York for New Year's Eve so we celebrated at the bowling alley! They were having a family friendly New Year's Eve party so we went and got a few lanes. The kids enjoyed the bowling, the cool lights, food, and party favors. They didn't bowl as much as we thought they would because there was just so much going on and so many people around. But the adults bowled! Eric even did a double throw, one down each lane at the same time! What a talented hubby! Danny loved all the noise and commotion but really loved the disco balls the most.

The bowling gang. New Year's Eve 2010.

We celebrated early, 5-8. And only Rich and Erin made it until midnight to see the ball drop! Hard to admit but that's the truth! We did play card when we got home and had a lot of laughs. Grandma took us all for fools and although she didn't pull out the win she did better than most of us on her first time at the game. Mom was video taping and asking us for new years resolutions. While I said there was nothing I was ready to commit to yet, it was suggested that I choose trying not to get pregnant this year as my resolution! I'll agree. That one I will take! Although Eric then pointed out that there will be 6 months after the baby is born so am I sure I can do it. Very funny. We all had a good laugh.

Church at home. It always feels good to come home and go to church in the ward I grew up in. It is different now because there are not many families I know anymore but it still has the same feeling.

Our #1, Hannah! Hannah sure was a great aunt, friend, babysitter, entertainer, and sharer with all of us. Thanks so much Hannah! We will miss you all! Thanks for a wonderful trip. I know we are truly blessed to have such wonderful family all over the country and that we are able to see them so often.

10 on Tuesday

1. The girls got guess who for Christmas and have loved playing it. It is more fun for all of us if we wait for Eric to get home so we can have teams. So most nights now once Colt is in bed, us four settle on the couch and play guess who. It has really been fun watching the girls play and ask their questions.
2. The girls are Sunbeams now! I am late on this bur from traveling and sickness this past Sunday was only their second one in their Sunbeam class. They had a bit of a hard time the first week but loved it this time. Getting used to sharing time was different but they seem to like it a lot. The first week Rachel's name got called to go help with sharing time and she was so excited. Livy was upset because she didn't get called. She didn't understand when I tried to explain it to her how they chose names. Poor kid. I am glad they are loving it now and are happy to be going. And so am I.
3. I had parent teacher conference at the girls school last week and it was great. They had nothing but good things to say about both of them and that they are just a joy to have in class. They play well with others, listen well, are well behaved, fun to talk to, and are so very different. They are doing great with their skills and have both improved since the beginning of the year. They said that they are well adjusted because they will play with everyone and are still so happy to play with each other but don't need to be with each other to be happy. I guess that can be a problem with twins sometimes. It was a great conference and I am so proud of both of you girls. I love you so much and can't believe you are so old already! Stop growing!
4. We are finally getting the girls bigger beds. They have been in toddler beds and we just bought them "big" beds. Now we have to do some shopping and get their room ready. Room rearranging time before the baby gets here!
5. We are having a girl! In case anyone missed the announcing post! We are really excited but haven't thought of a name yet. The girls are thrilled to have a sister.
6. We went to a birthday party last weekend and as we were walking back to the car they both had a bag of chips and Rachel says to me "their mom makes the best chips ever!" Later that day she told me I make the best cheese sticks ever.
7. We finally started skyping with my parents. The girls love it and ask all day long if we can call them on the computer. It's so nice because if I have to do something they can sit there by themselves and chat with Hannah and show her all their stuff!
8. Livy is the little mom for sure. I was going to go to a baby shower this weekend. Before I left Eric and Livy went to get donuts. She couldn't leave with out giving me instructions though "Don't forget to take care of Rachel while we are gone. When we get back we will take care of Rachel and then you can go." And when she got back she came to tell me to make sure not to forget the present for the shower. Oldest child for sure, even if it is only by a minute!
9. I bought a big pack of full sized candy bars for Primary but someone else did too so they didn't need mine. Instead of being smart and returning it we opened it. This is bad news. I have already eaten 3 in the first day. I will let you know how long it takes us to finish all 30 pieces!
10. I am dreading the heat of a Houston summer that I know is coming but I am loving the fruit that is coming already. We have made two trips to Costco just for the blueberries already and they have been delicious. The kids eat them by the carton and have blue poop! Too much info, sorry. But I'm happy they are loving them and asking for them to eat over other stuff! Yea for summer fruit!

New York Happenings

The first few days of the trip we were covered in snow and Farmingdale was recovering from the storm. We hung low at the house, played outside, and of course at lots of delicious pizza. Grandma Barbara was staying at my parents house too while we were there and it was so nice to see her and spend time with her. We don't get to just hang out with her as much in the summer because it is so busy and crazy with people and we don't stay at the same house. She was in the hospital for a few days before we got there and mom sprung her from the hospital just as the snow was starting. We were glad she was back, and so was Gilgo. Colt started calling every dog "Gilgo" and chasing them all around. He especially loved Izzy and Gilgo, the two that don't like him at all. I think Izzy came to tolerate him because she figured out that if she sat near his highchair, he would throw her food. They had an agreement, then she would let Colt pet her every once in a while!

Rachel and Grandma Barbara doing some reading.

It was Richie's birthday the day he and Erin arrived. We slacked on making a cake so he got donuts with candles! Happy 27th birthday Rich!

Sledding on a beautiful day. We found a perfect hill that was just big enough for fun but just small enough that they girls could walk back up by themselves.

Double decker!

Getting everyone ready to go!

Trying the triple decker, lets see how it goes....

Uh-oh, losing it....

Gone!

They all had lots of fun, even if they didn't like a ride or two! Even Eric. It was a beautiful day and great sledding for 3 year olds. Hannah could have used a bigger hill but still she had fun. Just another fun thing these kiddos got to to while in New York this winter. They are already asking if there will be snow next time we go.

Eric loved it since it was his first time sledding. Colt liked it ok some of the time. Livy loved it and Rachel like it as long as no one was sitting on her. In jam packed ride Livy was sitting on her legs so she wasn't happy!

Surprise! We had a surprise baby shower for Erin while we were in New York on Richie's birthday. We said we were going out to eat and then, surprise, it was a shower. Rich went to celebrate his birthday with the guys and some friends playing some pool and eating. Erin got lots of blankets, some outfits, and lots of gift cards! She got an awesome little Northeast Builders shirt from the Lostrittos and it is adorable (that is dad's company). We had a great turn out and we were so happy that everyone made it. Thanks for making it a great shower everyone!

And #4 Will Be.....

A GIRL!!! In June we will have another little girl in our family! We are all excited, the girls were so happy they couldn't contain themselves. Eric and Colt are consoling each other but they are happy for this sweet little girl will have. Now Colt can be a protective older brother! They said everything looked wonderful on the ultrasound and that is all I could ask for. What a great blessing we have been given. Can't wait to meet you sweetie! (I can call you that becasue you are a girl. Rachel continually tells me I can't call Colt that because sweeties are girls and boys are called kids!) Man you guys make me laugh. I love you all!

10 Today

I have been slacking on my Ten on Tuesday and want to get back into it but for now this will do. I don't know what day this will post so it's just Ten for whenever.

1. I'm 18 weeks now and felt the baby move the other night for the first time. I haven't felt it since but I'm waiting for more! The girls ask all the time if they can feel the baby kick yet. And tell me they are so excited about having a baby. I hope that excitement lasts when he or she gets here!
2. Next week we will find out the sex of the baby!! I'm really excited to know and have no feeling one way or the other on what it is.
3. The girls got new bikes this week. We bought Savannah and Kylie's old ones that fit the girls perfectly now. They have been riding them around in the house, yes in the house, since the minute we got them. They picked out helmets at Target and put them on every time they take a ride, even if it is just to move the bike from one spot to another! They are too funny and loving riding big bikes.
4. Eric talks in his sleep sometimes. And sometimes he involves me. Usually I can't remember in the morning what he said but when he wakes me up I usually do. Last night he woke me up and was asking me how to turn on the ant catcher, whatever that is. He had his flashlight out and was checking the sheets on his side of the bed, I'm guessing for ants. Once I asked him "what?" a few times I realized it was one of his sleep talking things and went back to sleep. After a minute he woke up too and said, "thanks for putting up with all my stories." It was pretty funny.
5. I got called as the Primary secretary a few weeks ago and I am really liking it. It is busy on Sunday and lots of keeping records up to date and organizing which I enjoy for the most part. It will be more challenging when there is a new baby to tote around with me but for now it's good. And now I will get to be in Primary to see the girls as Sunbeams!
6. Colt is growing each day. He has been teething for a few weeks and now they are starting to grow in, the top front four teeth. He is looking so much older to me! He has gotten a lot faster at walking this week. He still has the wide stance walk that I love and I will miss it when he starts running around like the big kids. I will miss how he comes cruising down the hall with is wide stance walk and a huge smile on his face. Cutie pie.
7. He has started saying "No, no, Cote," when I start saying no to him. He hears me say it too much I think. Poor kid is telling himself no by name!
8. We are finally on the mend! Wohoo! After two weeks of being sick we are finally getting better. All the kids were sick and Eric for a few days too. They mostly had bad colds but there were fevers, some vomiting, total congestion, ear infections, teething, lots of snot, and worst of all lots and lots of whining and crying. I'm happy it is coming to an end. I know it will be short lived though. It always is.
9. The girls want a bowling birthday party this year. When they came down to our room the other night at 3 a.m., we have a blanket bed permanently set up on the floor in our room for late night guests, they couldn't stop jabbering about their birthday party. One would say "we want a bowling party" and the other would add "check" and then the other would say "and we need balloons" followed by "check." And so it went listing pinata, cake, decorations, friends, presents, etc. They were hyped about this party and it was hard to get them back to sleep. Lots of pressure now. Hope I can deliver!
10. I am going to Utah soon to see Cass and baby Luke. I don't know if it is just me or Eric, Colt, and I but either way I can't wait! I still haven't gotten to see baby Tucker. I missed them in New York this summer and we unfortunately haven't made it to Hawaii. Hopefully soon Beck!


Little Buddy running the house.


The girls enjoying their new bikes. Livy picked a Cars themed helmet and Rachel went for the Princess helmet. No surprise there!



Colt at 13 months. His top teeth are coming in now, looking older but still adorable!





This is what I will miss. This happy, smiley, wide stance walker charging down the hall.
11. A day after I wrote this Colt was sick again. 104 Fever and another ear infection. It has been a few days now and it is a lower fever at least. But still in the sick mode. Maybe next week we will be done. And I felt the baby again since I wrote this! Yea!

Luke Christopher Thompson

With all the holiday craziness and traveling I didn't get this post up here in a timely manner but I still wanted to have it up here! Cassie and Chris had their baby boy, Luke Christoper Thompson, on December 22, 2010 at 9:30 p.m. after about 30 hours of labor! Way to go Cass! He weighed in at a perfect 7 lbs. 13 oz. and measured 21 in. long. What a perfect little guy! He is so adorable and I just can't wait to go meet him, soon hopefully! Congrats guys! We love you!