Before I forget. . . . .

Elisabeth
"Why?"
"What does that mean mommy?" "Why did you say ________?"

Ellie's favorite questions, which are great because we want our children to be curious. We want them to question the world and understand it. The problem is when I don't have a good explanation and "I don't know" just isn't sufficient even if I really don't know. No matter how much she questions us I still love it and wouldn't change it.

When I was pregnant with Ellie we went to the Bahamas. One evening this local Bahamian lady came up to me and started talking to me about the little baby inside my stomach. It kind of creeped me out at first, I'm not sure if she was a self proclaimed fortune teller or what. Anyways she was talking about how special my baby was and what great things she would do in the world. She said she would be a nurse or doctor or someone who would help and take care of others. She had me in tears (happy tears) by the time Kelly showed up to "rescue" me. I watch Ellie and see her caring about her big brother and how she shows empathy toward others and I always think about that lady in the Bahamas.

On our way to St. George in October our windshield was hit by a good sized rock and ended up with an impressive chip. As it turned cold the chip grew into a spidering crack across and up the windshield. It seems like every time we get in the car Ellie asks what caused the crack. A reply of "a rock" is not enough. EVERY TIME she wants to know where and when (on the way to St. George) and how (a big truck drove past and a rock flipped up) and why (there are lot's of rocks from the construction). It has become almost a ritual to have this conversation every time we're in the car. Maybe we should get it fixed.

Ethan
Every once in a while Ethan is in tears about Simba. We never realized how much the loss of our dogs would effect our kids.

Yesterday Ethan informed me that he wished he was already grown up so he could travel to any place in the world and that he worked at a business and made lots of money so he could travel. I re-assured him that he would be grown up before we know it and will be wishing he could just be a kid again.

Christmas 2011

Christmas seems to have come and gone in a flash. This year was the first year since moving to Logan that we didn't have several inches of snow either falling, or already on the ground. We didn't travel anywhere nor did we have visitors, which was another first. Just our little family, together, safe, happy, and healthy.

We always enjoy some of the classic holiday movies. Some of the movies we made time for were Home Alone, The Polar Express, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, the Charlie Brown movies, the old school Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (very nostalgic) On Christmas Eve we all sat down and watched a favorite: A Christmas Story.


Having kids makes the gift giving part of Christmas that much more fun. I love how excited they are to get to sleep so that Santa will come. We checked the "Santa Tracker" several times before going to bed. I believe the last place he was at before the kids turned in was Brazil.

Although they did not join us, Ethan and Ellie still had the opportunity to hear Grandma and Grandpa Krohn read the Charlie Brown Christmas book.

The most Wonderful Time of the Year

These are a few of my favorite things about this time of year:
* Christmas Music
* Holiday cups at Starbucks filled with white peppermint mocha
* Getting Christmas Letters (and cards) with updates on everyone's year
* Christmas Tree

* Christmas Lights



*New Traditions - this year we are having the "12 days of Christmas" One day was making cookies.

First trip to Build A Bear Workshop

. . . . .meet Rainbow
She started as Elisabeth, then Noah, and finally Rainbow which is what she continues to be called.

Thanksgiving

We headed up to Idaho for Thanksgiving where we spent time with family, ate, visited the botanical gardens, and attended the Boise State game.

Botanical "GARDEN A GLOW"

Ellie LOVES looking at lights so we were quite worried she'd miss the whole experience because she fell asleep (exhausted from a day of play).

Luckily Ellie woke up in time to see some of the lights, get cold, and enjoy some cider and a cookie.

Ethan and Ellie love spending time with their cousins.

Disney on Ice

Several weeks ago we took the kids to Disney on Ice. Ellie L-O-V-E-D it!!!! She loved it so much that there were many tears shed at the end of the show. Ethan had a good time; he wasn't very excited about going but there was enough entertainment for all. The best part for me was watching the kids' faces during the show, priceless.

Jr. Grizz Basketball

This was the first year Ethan played basketball. He learned some fundamentals and showed a lot of growth in the sport.






Ethan's last game turned out to be his personal best. He made three baskets, had several steals and many assists. Due to his genetice make up we're thinking that point guard may be the best position for him.

Family Pictures!

It's been two years since we last had family pictures taken.
Here are some of our favorites . . . . . . .

FIrst snow in the Valley!

Ellie was SO excited for it to snow. She all morning she was asking to go out and make a snow angel. We finally made it out there . . . .

"Mommy, IT'S COLD!!!!"

Halloween

skeleton & Ariel
Trick or Treating is so much more fun with a friend.


We were sure glad we brought the stroller.

Boise State vs. Air Force

Last week was our Fall Break so the kids and I headed up to ID. While there Kelly surprised us by coming to meet us with tickets to the Boise State game. It was last minute, and probably not our favorite seats but we had great time and couldn't have asked for better weather.

Ethan had been to a game several years ago (he was 3), but this was his first time going as an actual fan of Bronco football. He WAS SO EXCITED to the point of driving us nuts on the ride from Mtn. Home to Boise.