Christmas Card Outtakes

These just didn't make the cut...

Actually

Grant has added a new word to his vocabulary.  It's actually.  He actually says it around 2 times per sentence.  The other night he said to me, "When I actually turn 4, it will actually be my birthday."  Or "Actually, I changed my mind, I actually want that."  I actually cannot count the number of times he says actually per day.  He also has all of a sudden started saying banana instead of bana.  And tonight at dinner he was crying about something, and Leah was helping the situation by screeching along when Grant sobs, "Mommy, Leah said I don't love you , but I do!"  Wail!  Troy and I couldn't help it, we both burst out laughing.  Oh Grant.

These Boots Are Made for Walking

We got the kids snow boots the other day. Leah was so excited. She saw me bringing the boots downstairs and started whining and moving her feet like she knew they were for her and for her feet. You can see how happy she is in the pictures below. Once the boots were on she went to the door and started patting it to tell us she wanted to go out. Grant was pretty excited about his light up boots too.

Here Leah walked up to Grant and held his hand. So cute.

Did You Miss Us?

Making birthday cards for Daddy. Grant drew a lawnmower and a fence. Leah will take a nap after this and wake up with a 103 degree fever.  But she doesn't look sick here...






Leah LOVES the football pads. She'll beg to have them put on and once they're on she's happy as a clam. I tried to get a picture of her wearing them while riding the panda rocker, but of course she got off as soon as the camera was out.



Grant is totally cracking me up in this picture.

We're still here! Same old same old. Leah is eating a ton, Grant is eating hardly anything. Leah is a happy girl, Grant has been really whiny. Leah has bitten me and Grant so far. She really really better not turn into a biter. Both kids like playing "climb all over Mommy and Daddy" games, and if you get up before Leah is done climbing she pushes you and pulls at you until you get back down. It's kind of funny. Grant is very interested in when people's birthdays are and how long it is until his birthday. And first thing when we get up we have to do the advent calendars. I tried a new thing this year where I wrapped a Christmas book for each day, but he's not into it. He opens the book, looks at it, and says he'll read it later. I thought for sure it was something he'd be really excited about. Oh well.

Hard Hat Fun

The kids have been in to wearing hard hats around the house lately.  I can't add captions for some reason and it's driving me crazy. So... The kids love writing on the chalkboard together.  Leah loves the chalk in general and if we don't watch she tries to eat it and draws where she is not supposed to.  At least it's just chalk and wipes right off.

Touch a truck was this weekend. The camera got left in the car, so we only have this one from the library camera. Grant didn't seem scared of any of the vehicles this year and really got in to driving the school bus. He also liked driving the police car.

Random Grant story:  The other morning he kept telling me how his food gave him running power and how only boys can run fast, not girls.  We argued about this for a while then I asked him who told him only boys could run fast.  He didn't even hesitate when he said "Uncle Adam" (who has denied this).  Then on the way to school this morning he tells me "this book right here says only boys are fast runners."  Grant and mommy might have to have a little race tonight. 

Leah is going through a big developmental spurt right now.  She all of a sudden started signing "more" with out being prompted and also says more.  She shakes her head no when she doesn't want something (and sometimes when she means yes). She points at everything and wants to know what it is.  She can also follow directions.  When I went to get the camera to take the chalk board picture, she of course got up and followed me.  I said "Leah, go sit down so I can take your picture" and she sat right down on the floor.  The other day Troy was doing something in the kitchen and she brought him her shoe.  He was busy so she put it on the floor.  When his hands were free he asked her to get her shoe, which she did, he asked her to sit down, which she did, and once he put the shoe on he asked for a hug and a kiss which she gave him.  She's also been enjoying books a lot, feeding the baby its bottle, and making noises when she plays with the trains and dinosaurs.  She's so much fun right now.

Fall Fun

Poor neglected blog. Anyway...


We took the kids to a farm the other day.  Leah enjoyed the slide and running around in the straw.

We took a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch.  Grant said this was his favorite part.

Leah looks like such a big girl here!

Grant's class took a field trip to Leeds Farm.  He thought it was funny when the goats licked him.

Grant did a good job making the tubes move, but he wouldn't go down the slide.

This was his favorite thing by far.  He could have spent a lot of time riding around the track.

Leah is wearing barrettes!

Making music together!

Grant and Daddy built a giant tower!

Happy Birthday Leah!

Leah Kristien is 1 today! Leah is still such a happy girl.  She loves being on the panda rocker, even rocking on her knees.  She loves trying to climb the stairs and thinks it's even more fun when you come to get her down.  She's still in love with her cups and is eating a ton.  Leah is getting really opinionated and if she wants something (or doesn't want it) she will let you know.  She's turning into a daddy's girl, and that was especially obvious at her birthday party.  She only wanted Daddy.  She is walking more than crawling now and wants to get into everything.  It's so fun watching her grow and explore.  Happy Birthday Leah!

We took Leah to the zoo on Friday.  She was all about climbing on the statues.

Sweet Girl (and ornery!)

Grant wanted to hold Leah's hand for this picture.

Trying on her new clothes.

Leah loves her new shopping cart!

Every girl needs a matching bag and shoes.

Checking out the cake

This stuff is pretty good!  (And she ate the entire cupcake)

Trying to get a picture with Paw Paw Joe and Great Grandma

It was the community picnic in our neighborhood so we braved the 97 degree heat to check out the fire truck.

Where Did August Go?

Really, where did August go? I can't believe I haven't blogged since our vacation. We had some visitors, went a few places, and did a bunch of nothing. These pictures are not in order.  And don't have creative captions.

Leah opens up an early birthday present from Uncle Adam.  She loved her new UD shirt and carried it around and wouldn't let anyone else see it.

We went to a Clippers game as Grant's prize for doing the library's summer reading program. 

Grant had a blast going on "tractor" rides at Grandma and Grandpa's.

We went to a wedding.  This is our attempt at a family picture before the reception.

We went to COSI for the farm equipment exhibit. Leah is showing you how big this tire is.

Grant checked out the little tractors.

Leah thought driving the tractor was pretty fun.

Posing next to a $400k combine.

Grant wanted Daddy to sit in the little seat. It looks like maybe he's warming up to the big equipment.

And a funny story:  Leah has been eating a ton of food.  One night at dinner Daddy told her she was a piggy.  Grant thought this was pretty funny and said, "She's not a piggy, she's Leah Grill!"