Catching Up

I just downloaded January and February pictures and realized how busy we were these past two months. Here are several posts of what we've been up to.

Beauty and the Beast

Last week we were fortunate enough to see the Broadway Musical Beauty and the Beast. Papa and Nana took all of us to see it downtown. The kids really enjoyed it and watched the whole thing. They thought the wolves were a little scary but stayed to watch until the bitter end! (happy end would be more appropriate) Thank you Papa and Nana!

Winter Fun

We had a lot of snow in February. I think around 18" or so in two storms. The kids - mostly Colton - enjoyed playing in it. Kinzie got too cold. We did make it out for a few fun snow activities. Here they are making snow ice cream, building things in the snow and snow tubing!

Gathering the snow

Mixing it up

and enjoying it!

Daddy and Colton built this candle and spray painted it - people who drove by even took

pictures

Kinzie liked the snowman a lot.

I don't know why they didn't get out the scarf, hat and mittens I have.

Both of the kids enjoyed snowtubing at the Brick. They went down the smaller slide many times. Colton was tall enough to do the big slide this year but after only one time, decided he liked the smaller slide better.

Colton is 5!

Colton turned 5 a few weeks ago! He loves to pretend he's a cowboy riding his horse and being a sheriff. So we had a Toy Story party and he was.... Sheriff Woody!! We had a few friends for a party at McDonalds and then a family party at our house. It was a busy weekend but a lot of fun!!

Sheriff Colton and his horse

(the horse's name was Bullseye until we bought the movie Secretariat)

He wanted ALL of the Toy Story characters on the cake - I did my best

Friends to help celebrate

His cousin and best buddy!

Zoo Fun

We had a couple of nice winter days and took advantage of them by going to the Zoo. The kids wanted to take lots of pictures that day. Here are just a few.


This baby chimp was born very close to Kinzie's birthday. Her name is Zoe and she is very playful and fun to watch.

Blizzard 2011

Today we had a blizzard. We had at least 10" of snow that came down horizontally a lot of the time. It has drifted in our front yard, sidewalk and driveway about 2-3' deep some areas could be a little more. I have not ventured out as the windchill is about -20. In the next day or two I hope we can get out with the kids to do snow angels and build a snowman only if it isn't so bitterly cold. If we can I'll put try to put up some more pics. Notice I didn't say anything about sledding? I will watch and make the hot chocolate but I will not let my husband pull me on a sled this year!!

From the front door. The light is no longer visible nor are the bricks around the garden.

Out the office door. The outline is the pet door. Think Chloe will use it?
The driveway. Needless to say, I won't be leaving the house for a day or two.

Out the back door.

The snail in the garden stands about 10-12".

Want to come join me for coffee on the patio? The chair looks pretty inviting doesn't it?

Boys and Girls

I realize the differences between girls and boys are many but it still makes me smile each time I see how different. I think it's fun to watch them and see it everyday! One of the big ways to see this is in how they play. He likes guns, she likes princesses. He bangs two toys together, she has the princesses hugging and kissing. Another thing we see each day is how they pretend. Colton and Kinzie love to dress up. Here they are............

He's a soldier. Notice that's a spiderman mask for a helmet and a transformer costume for his suit of armor. (Pretty creative, I thought)

She, of course, is a princess. Sometimes she wears 2 or 3 princess costumes at one time!

He's not a baby anymore

Much as I would love for him to stay little, I know he's getting bigger and will continue to do so. He's going to school at the "Big School" now, likes to eat with the big silverware and will be 5 in about a month. And this last week he lost his first tooth! At first I couldn't see the new "big"tooth but after the gum healed the top of the new one is visible. I realize he's huge anyway but this makes him look even older. It makes me a little sad as this is just one more thing to show me he's not a baby or even a toddler anymore. He is a definitely a little boy and growing way too fast.

Last picture with a full set of baby teeth

Proudly holding the tooth after Daddy pulled it out
(using Anbesol gel to numb it first)

Proudly showing the $2 bill the tooth fairy left him!

Pretty generous of the tooth fairy I thought!

Merry Christmas!!

I realize it's late but Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Hazzard House!

We enjoyed a great Christmas. We were able to spend time with all of our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents (for the kids) and saw almost all of our family including aunts, uncles and cousins! We missed Justin, Megan, Avyn and Dawson but did get to Skype with them and watch them open gifts we'd sent as we opened authentic French gifts! The chocolates were fabulous!!!

We enjoyed our time together and wish everyone a happy and healthy 2011!

Colton was very excited to see Santa Clause.

He got this "super cool" Star Wars Gun.

Kinzie still isn't too sure about Santa. This is the face she made when I said smile...

she was grateful for her princess baby, though. She kept saying "tankpoo, Santa, tankpoo, Santa". I think she thought if she said it enough I'd take her off his lap!

60 Years Together

On October 29th we celebrated my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary. The car they are standing by is the same model they drove away in after they were married. We had a big family celebration together complete with dinner and entertainment performed by their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. While watching a slide show of pictures throughout their lives it was evident that the song is right, "Everyone of us is here - all because two people fell in love. " What a great example they are to us of love and commitment. We are so blessed to have the opportunity to learn from their example. Congratulations!

Kinzie Turns 2

In October, Kinzie turned 2!! She loves Minnie Mouse so we had a "Minnie Mouse Clubhouse" party complete with ears. She had fun as she realized the party was for her. As my birthday was about a month before hers she learned to sing Happy Birthday as "Happy Mommy". So she would say "Kinnee's (Kinzie) Happy Mommy". She got some fun new toys and enjoyed her pink cake!! Thanks to all of our family who helped us celebrate!

the birthday girl "Kinzie Mouse"

Her pink Minnie Mouse cake

Very proud it's her birthday

Enjoying her "Pink Cake"