About Average

So I have not been good at posting (but what else is new?) and it has been 4 months since I posted.  You would think in 4 months there would be interesting amazing things that would have occurred.  But, life has been very normal for the last few months, and we are not complaining at all! 
Since the last post

• Nettie turned 7
• The holidays came and went
• Tiffany finished 2 classes for her Masters and is working on a third
• We are in the midst of girl scout cookie sales
• We spent a fun super bowl weekend in the mountains with Ben's family

Overall, the time has been fun.  Nettie skied for the first time this year and loved it, so there will be skiing in the future for the girl.  John wanted to try it, but we were asked to get off the magic carpet since we didn't have a lift ticket (whoops) and so he got hot chocolate instead.  He can try next year, but my vote is ski school and maybe after 8 years I can get my sorry self back on skis:) 

These kids love their electronics - Merry Christmas!

The kids and Poppie

Our Christmas photo

The kids getting ready for skiing

The holidays were fun, and busy as usual.  Lots of time with family and enjoying a break of reality.  The kids enjoyed Christmas and were very excited for Santa to come. 

Going back to school has been an experience.  It is amazing how much easier writing a paper is with the internet.  The library is on the internet, my classes are on the internet, and a plethora of information (although I clearly check the sources) is available.  I sound like an old person, but it is ODD not going too the library and hunting down a book, but I will take it.  There are sacrifices, Ben is taking on a lot around the house, I don't see friends as much (if at all) as I did before.  I am enjoying the experience, but looking forward to taking a break over the summer and finishing when John finishes first grade. I couldn't get through this without my wonderful husband who has been a great support.

New Camera - New fun

I recently got a new camera, it is smaller than then old one, and most importantly the shutter opens all the way to take pictures. Quite a few first day of school pictures were ruined due to that malfunction on the old camera. I am figuring out all the gadgets on it, but so far, love it! Here are a few shots from the last month or so:

John as Spider Man at Chik-fil-a Family night

Nettie and Poppie on a walk

The kids with Grandpa Jack on his birthday weekend

Mini Me

Ben at about 3-4 years old

John at 3 1/2 years old

You can't tell in this picture, but John's eyes are just as blue as Ben's. As much as Nettie looks like her Mommie, John looks like his Daddy

John's turn

John doesn't have much to report, he is starting Pre-K at "school" and is already getting homework. He is getting through it as best as a 4 year old can get through homework. He recently decided that the curly hair had to go, so I cut it short...I miss thouse cute curls.......I can't believe these pictures were taken only about 6 weeks apart.

Firsts

This is Nettie on her first day of First grade. She was SO excited, she was up and dressed by 6AM. A small feat for her and one that has not been repeated. She is enjoying first grade so far. Getting to do new things, apparently she has the "real" gym teacher this year. I am not sure what that means, but hopefully we will find out at Back to School night. We celebrated with a girls trip to Glenwood Springs. It was a fun weekend, playing in the hot springs, shopping and going to the Fairy Caves. She is already wondering what we will do next year....

10 years

August 11, 2001

August 11, 2011
It has been an amazing 10 years. We are blessed with a wonderful family and an amazing life. I am excited to see what the future holds.

Lots to update

Since it has been about 6 months since the last update (Really????) I thought I would get news out about what we have been up to. Obviously it has been busy, why else would I have not posted for SOOO long? (Maybe has something to do with me sucking at blogging). Here we go - update by person in order of age - youngest first

John turned 4 in February. It has been a wonderful transformation from 3 to 4. The temper tantrums have decreased considerably. He has turned into this most wonderful little boy. And he is truly a boy. Not so much the sporty type boy, but the playing with my Star Wars, turning everything into a battle between good and evil kind of boy. With the weather warming up, he is starting to enjoy riding his bike which is fun for the who family as Nettie is riding with him. As mentioned before John LOVES Star Wars. He plays with stuff at home and even better, when we go to Nonna's he plays with Uncle Paulie's old toys. Uncle Paulie could be his favorite for just this reason. He has recently moved into the new class at day care, and is starting to learn more. He can spell his name, knows his numbers and we are working on writing his name. He is also is swimming lessons for the summer, we are hoping he will venture away from the wall at some point.

Nettie graduated from kindergarten at our elementary school. It has been an amazing year for her, she is now reading on her own, writing and ready for first grade. The graduation was cute, and Mom didn't even cry!! She is excited for the summer, a break from homework, although she is joining a couple of reading programs. We took the training wheels off he bike last week, so she is working on balancing and riding. It is so fun to know that this summer we will be able to ride bikes to the park! Nettie is also in swimming lessons, she is still scared of the water as well, so both kids go every day, we are hoping they conquer the fears quickly so they can enjoy the pool with cousins this summer.

Tiffany is enjoying work at Archstone. It has been a wonderful change in jobs, and I enjoy my team and my co-workers. I am busy keeping up with the kids and trying to find new things to entertain them for the summer.

Ben is spending summer making the yard beautiful and enjoying time outside with the kids. He is also playing softball in a summer league with co-workers. So far, they have played one game and he hasn't hurt himself (yet). Work is going well, he is constantly taking on new projects and learning more about the business.

We had the annual family camping trip over memorial day weekend. I can honestly say I think this was the best year yet. 3 nights of everyone in their own sleeping bags is a success!