Super Bowl Sunday 2010

100 quarters=$25=getting the kids excited to watch the football game!

Looks like some of us were having more fun than others!

A family divided! Girls for "the horse team" aka the Colts and boys for "God's team" aka the Saints. And yes, we are teaching our children how to gamble. Hey,before you knock it you should know that they took turns paying up and picking their squares, no one fought, and Thomas was a good sport about not winning in the end. A miracle if you ask me and better than any family game night we've ever had. Claire was our lucky jackpot winner! She decided to split the winnings due to the fact that she had no idea what was going on and because the other kids were such good sports. This was definitely one of my most memorable Super Bowls. I THINK (but no promises) that I will be able to tell you during next year's super bowl who played this year.

A Visit From Uncle Mike

Mike came in from San Diego for the Lobo basketball game. What a great present from his wife Helen! We missed Aunt Helen and little cousin Ian this trip, but hopefully we will see them sometime soon. Thanks for being a good sport for this picture Mike!

Sunday Sugar High!

Everyone recognizes this delicious goodness right? After receiving an excellent report from their babysitter, the kids reaped the rewards...an INSIDE trip to Krispy Kream! We occasionally hit the drive-thru, but today we treated the kids to a dozen donuts and a glass of milk sitting right next to the giant conveyor belt. Watching the donut making process added some extra fun. Thomas and Lauren even tried their hand at "quality control" by making sure they notified the workers every time they saw a donut that didn't flip and get cooked on both sides! Ronan and Claire had their first turns in restaurant high chairs. They did well and even sampled some small bites of glazed donuts....anything made of that much sugar just dissolves in the mouth anyway...no need for teeth or chewing. I think they liked it!

I neglected to bring my camera so these shots are from Brian's cell. I am pretty sure the KK people and the other customers are thinking "Wow, that family must not get out much. Look how excited they are to put on hats and eat donuts"!

And so begins the Sunday Sugar High!

Ronan!

Only fair that Ronan gets a special blog after his sister's. At almost 8months old, Ro is really getting some personality. He is a social butterfly just like the others...he smiles at everyone and anyone can pick him up. Thomas (his older brother look a like) has been wanting to play with him more lately and Grandpa Denis was kind enough to let Ronan slobber all over his glasses and accept a nose tweak! You only have to look at Ro to be treated to a great big smile! The only time he seems to get really upset is if I am not shoveling the food into his mouth fast enough.

Claire's Chompers

Yesterday I brought out the camera in hopes of getting a picture of Claire's pearly whites. She was happy to bat her pretty big brown eyes at me, but would she deliver a smile showing all four teeth???

OH YEAH! Well maybe it isn't a smile but it is definitely showing all four teeth. I don't really know how to type out the vampire hiss sound effect that should accompany this picture. Does anyone know if they are casting for the fourth Twilight movie yet? I think I have a candidate to play Edward and Bella's baby!

Snow again!

All of my East Coast and Midwestern friends are saying, "What snow, where?"! I know, I know...but even if there is a quarter of an inch on the ground they simply must go out in it. I guess it is like using an umbrella in the rain....very fun when you don't get to do it often. I have to put them in all of the snow gear because they still roll around in what they think are significant amounts of snow. Really it is mud after the first roll. Oh well...they had fun! All except for Claire that is...she wasn't too thrilled with being plopped out in the cold.

January Fun

So far most January days have been full of fair weather and plenty of sunshine. Only recently did we get a little rain and some snow on the mountain. The kids have been enjoying the scooters that Santa brought. Brian gets out there and races with them...I just get out the stop watch and do "time trials". It seems that lately a parent either has to be participating in or organizing activities...otherwise everyone ends up crying...even me!

Lauren insisted that she and Connor take some unbrellas outside so that they could have "a meeting". Don't know what they talked about but they walked all around the yard and sat in the grass for a while. I guess it is just fun to use an umbrella...we hardly ever do it around here.

This picture was taken just two days before the one above! I was locked up in my room with a stomach flu that is working its way through the family. Everyone else was apparently having a topless party in the jumper and catching some rays! And before you ask...yes, we do feed Thomas. :)

Twinnies are seven months old and thriving! Sitting well now, and Ronan army crawls at an amazingly fast pace. I think that Claire is generally pretty ticked off that she can't move like he can. But she has the teeth advantage with four to his zero.

Ronan has his tounge out ALL the time. Hope it is not a permanent condition. "Waz uuuuuup?"

Here are some more sunny day pictures. Notice that I still have the kids in hats and coats. Well, I was informed after my sick day that "Dad is way more fun".

Kesley is back in Albuquerque and going to UNM. She has babysat for us since Thomas was about four months old. Did you ever think we'd keep you this busy, Kelsey??!

Ronan likes to see if he can get equal amounts of food on his face and in his belly.

Claire is much more ladylike.

My cousin from TX came to visit and the kids attacked him! I told him "what ever you do...don't sit on the floor! Stay on your feet and they won't be able to do too much damage".

Little GG (Grace Grady) is getting more generous with her smiles!