chinese, chow, and chopsticks

The other night we had Chinese food carryout. We don't do carryout here in Delta Junction very often, so for the kids this was a special treat. The real treat came when I discovered the chopsticks they had included in our take-out bag. I gave each of the kids a set and did my best to teach them how to use them. They did great! Better than I do anyway. They loved it and had such a great time eating their food with the chopsticks, that they were disappointed when we had the leftovers and had to eat them with a fork. What a fun cultural experience for all of us!

Their biggest fan...

Since Zachary is too little to participate, he watches all of the activity from the comfort of his car seat!

Bars

Rumble Tumble Too

This post belongs with the "rumble tumble" post. I wanted to add a lot of pictures but had some difficulties with the formatting. Anyway, here are some pictures of Ethan doing his favorite tumbling activities!

rumble tumble

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We spent our Thanksgiving with friends, then I jumped ship and went to Anchorage for the weekend with three of my friends. I am now caught up on my Christmas shopping (yeah!).

Today is the last day of Gymnastics for our kids. Ethan has been going to a Mommy & Me group, and Madison is in the Swingers group for K-2nd grade. Cassidy is in the oldest group and is apparently very talented at bars and vault. The kids have enjoyed this so much that we even installed our own make-shift bar in the basement for them to practice on. We are so thankful that there are people here to offer things like this to the children of Fort Greely. Please check out the great pics of the kids doing their thing!

What we're thankful for...

As tomorrow draws near, I feel compelled to think about the things that I am really, truly thankful for. There's always the obvious things, friends, family, chocolate, but what else am I thankful for? I am thankful for uninterrupted long, hot baths. I am thankful for lazy Saturday mornings when we all get to sleep in. I am thankful for phonecalls from family and friends that are without purpose, except to chat. I am thankful for snow on Christmas, and colorful leaves in the fall. I am thankful for warm, breezy summer days, and bright, blooming flowers in the spring. I am thankful for playful Grandparents, mine and my children's. I am thankful for my husband and his work, that he is able to provide for our family. I am thankful for my (usually) well-behaved children. I am thankful for our nice, but not nosy, neighbors. I could go on and on, but there's just so many little things that I appreciate. I'm sure you don't want to read about them all. Most of all, I am thankful for the Lord, who takes care of us. I am grateful that we have such an understanding, forgiving Father. He puts the roof over our heads, and the food on our tables. Ask yourself this year, "What am I really thankful for?" You too may find yourself deep in thought, thinking of all of the wonderful little things in this world. Remember to share your Thanksgiving's this year. From our family to yours, May God Bless You on This Thanksgiving Day!

All is right with the world

Yesterday we finally got Mike back. He has brought balance to the force. He is now home safe and sound. Granted, he's a little screwed up from the time change, but that means breakfast in bed for me:) Actually, we are all so excited to have him home. Cassidy, Madison, and Ethan all fought for his attention last night after we returned from Fairbanks. Mike wasn't sure what to think of all of the attention! He just ate it all up. I know how much he missed the kids. He's been having so much fun playing with them and doting on them again. Even Zach seemed to not have forgotten who Daddy was and just picked up where he'd left off...happy and smiling!

By the way, baby update: Zach now has two bottom teeth! He weighs 17 lbs. and is now starting to crawl (I'm so thrilled about his new found mobility). I can't believe he's going to be one in March! He's such a sweetheart. What a pleasant surprise he has turned out to be!

While you were gone...

This post is for Mike. He has been gone since the beginning of September, right after Labor Day. He is flying home this Saturday (Thank GOD!!) and we will all be coming to the airport to pick him up. I just want to say that you were greatly missed. Not just by me, the kids missed you as well. I have learned how wonderful it truly is to have your extra hands around helping me out. Before it always felt like you were gone. I know that you were busy with work a lot, but your presence was always felt when you were home. I hope that you don't ever think that you have been taken for granted, because even though I may not say it every time you do something to help me out, I really am thankful for all that you do for this family. Congratulations on your new position! We're very proud of you. We love you very much and wish you safe travels and a speedy return home! XOXO