New Year's Eve

Jen and John had everyone over for a New Year's eve Pajama bash that included a regifting party.  Fun was had by all and we managed to find homes for some gifts that weren't quite what we wanted :)

CK and I watched the replay of the ball dropping in NYC in bed so technically we made it to midnight for the first time in a LONG time. 

Christmas 2015

We had a great Christmas this year.  Snow on the ground, lots of family and the kids really enjoyed it.  Here are some pictures from Christmas morning with just the 6 of us, before the rest of the LaFond/LaPraim/Pankratz-Spencer clan came over for food, more presents and games.

and one from Christmas Eve

and the whole crew on Christmas day (minus Tanner who was on his way to the East Coast to visit his girlfriend and Wyatt, Daniel and Carson who were with their Mom).  Merry Christmas!

Asher is six!

Happy sixth birthday to our no-longer-a-little-boy Asher!  You started Kindergarten this year, are playing basketball at the YMCA right now and are into everything guns/knives/swords (which your mother "loves" :)  A few other things to remember about you as you turn six:

• You hate tomatoes and make me take them off of anything and everything.  You're fine with ketchup and even salsa, but don't like tomatoes on or in anything.  You pretty much eat everything else, though.
• Your first day of school was a bit rough but since then you've loved it.  You have a great teacher, Ms. Mihelish, and just got a PERFECT report card for your very first one (seriously, ALL stars).  
• You got a bag from Auntie Jennifer this year that has your name on it and you love to carry around all kinds of things in there.  It's essentially been attached to you since you got it.  You carry everything- screws, keys, rocks.  If it's not nailed down, it likely ends up in your bag or your pockets.
• You can't wait to read.  I can tell it frustrates you sometimes that Reese can and you can't but it's only a short few months until you will be reading on your own.  
• Speaking of Reese, you are definitely coming into your own but still get frustrated as she continues to act like the older, more dominant sister.  I don't think that will last much longer as you grow and mature.  You are emotional and thoughtful and those traits will serve you well later in life as you forge your own friendships and relationships.
• For your birthday/Christmas you asked for "fake knives", "fake guns" and "fake swords".  I guess at least you knew enough to put "fake" in front? :)
• You are really good with Soren and he loves playing with you.  You "roughhouse" with him (usually initiated by Soren, actually) but you're so gentle.  He really looks up to his big brother.
• You pay attention to everything and ask really good, really detailed questions.  Reese is all about speed, getting everything done as fast as possible.  You're much more measured, contemplating things and asking questions to better understand the world.

It's been so much fun to be your parents and we love you so much.  Happy birthday Asher man!  Try not to grow up too fast, ok?

Love,

Mom and Dad

Thanksgiving 2015 in Hopewell!

We headed to Jeff & Michelle's in NJ for Thanksgiving and it was a great trip.  We even managed to snag this wonderful family picture with Mom (with only one take before the camera battery died!)

 Sarah convinced me to run the Flemington Turkey Trot (only a 5K) which I haven't run in years.  Note to self: maybe run more than zero times in the last 2 years before attempting a race of any length.  One of my oldest friends, Jessica, ran it with us and it was so great to see her and her husband Terrance in our old stomping grounds.

 We also got a chance to see my oldest friend Elizabeth and her family in PA.  Here we are with our mini-me's.  I've known Elizabeth since I was Reese's age- crazy!  Her daughter, Ava (seen here) is 4 months younger than Asher and her son, Zachary, is 6 days younger than Emily.

The crew: Soren, Emily, Reese, Ava, Zachary and Asher (sorry Jason that we didn't get you in a photo!)

 Another benefit of visiting my hometown is getting to see my friend Casey who lives in Pennington.  Here is that crew: Reese, Emily, Morgan, Barrett and Asher (Soren slept through the visit and you can see him on the couch in background).  It was so great to see Casey and Lionel and their amazing home; can't wait for them to come visit us in Montana next summer!

We spent the week staying at Jeff and Michelle's and it was so nice to have so many kids around (and new toys).  The kids had a great time.
Soren and Hunter playing:

 The redheads: Becca and my beautiful niece Charlotte:

 Asher playing with Snoopy at MSP on the way home

 The "big" kids table at Thanksgiving: Emily, Grace, Reese and Asher

 Goofing around with Emily on the plane to NJ

 A moment of relative peace on the plane ride.

CK and I took Reese and Asher into NYC to see the Freedom tower and the Rockettes.  It was interesting trying to explain 9/11 to a 5 and 7 year old but they seemed to get it.  Reese asked me a really thoughtful question later that day: "Mommy, did the bad guys get their names on the memorial, too?  Because I think their families probably miss them, too."  Wow.  Excellent perspective from a 7 year old.

 The four not-so-babies hashing out life

 Just an example of the controlled chaos

 Asher in NYC being amazed by the tall ceilings in the WTC PATH station

 Charlotte celebrating the holidays and the Thanksgiving sunshine we got

 our family pic that Mom managed to snap

 riding the train back from NYC

 The four amigos again.  I think Elijah may be winding up?

Happy 3rd birthday Emily!

Emily,

It's hard to believe you're three years old today!  The time has flown by as everyone told us it would.  You are so spunky and fun and you're trying to figure out the world more and more every day.  Some things to remember about you on your 3rd birthday:

• You're still using your binky (mostly at night and during car rides) although we told you that when you turned 3- and were finally a "big girl"- that the binky would go away.  You were game up until yesterday, we'll see how you feel about it tonight :)
• You're a great sleeper.  You go to sleep easy, you sleep well and you really seem to enjoy your sleep.  Maybe you can talk to Soren about that?
• You're a little entertainer.  Lately you love to sing and dance and say "watch me" before you put on a show
• You've definitely got a little attitude.  You are stubborn like your sister and like to assert yourself when you don't get what you want.  Hopefully some day we can turn that into true leadership potential.
• You're not necessarily a picky eater but sometimes you just don't want to eat.  You'll just not eat dinner and then the next night you'll eat 2 or 3 helpings.  You just walk to your own drum.
• You are Soren are starting to act a  lot like Reese and Asher.  You love each other and play together so nicely and then, 2 minutes later, you're fighting and both of you are crying and running to tell us how terrible the other one is.  I'm sure your relationship will ebb and flow throughout your life but I like to think that you will always be thankful to have a sibling so close in age.
• You're getting close to being potty trained.  I'd say you're at a 75% success rate.
• You don't really like having your hair up or pulled back.  You'll tolerate a half ponytail once in awhile but usually you prefer to just run around "free and uninhibited" which usually results in most of your hair matted and in your face by the end of the day.  You do, however, tolerate wearing your glasses, which continues to impress me.
• You are a HUGE fan of milk.  You would probably drink a gallon a day if we let you.  You've also convinced Soren it's the greatest thing ever so thank you for that.

It is a lot of fun watching you grow.  You at a tough age where you challenge us every day but you also bring us some of the best moments of parenting and we are so thankful for that.  Happy Birthday munchkin.  We love you.

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Halloween 2015

Halloween was a lot of fun. The kids went as Superheroes

 Here's Soren with his BFF, Kinslyn

 the crew

 on our way to trick-or-treating

 one more group outtake

Shenanigans