Happenings

So we haven't been too busy-at least not compared to the few weeks around Christmas and New Years.  Just getting the daily stuff done does seem to keep me busy enough these days though.  It is hard to believe that we were planning to schedule an induction for last Wednesday, Jan. 4th.  I am so happy that they were able to join us earlier and that I didn't have to feel miserable for another 3 weeks.  We are back into the swing of things with school and other stuff.  Ellie started up dance again and Jackson starts basketball next week.  We are heading back to small group this week and hoping to start it up again at our house next week.  I've even ventured out to the store with the kids.  The first time I went to Wal-Mart it was with Ellie, Lincoln and the twins.  Ellie did a pretty good job of helping me with Lincoln.  But the next time I went to Aldis and Wal-Mart with just Lincoln and the twins.  He did a good job of holding on to the cart at Aldis but was done with it by the time we got to Wal-Mart.  He was also really distracted by different items that caught his eye and he would have to go check them out.  We made it though and it wasn't that bad.  It really helps that we have been having such nice weather. 

The kids are still keeping busy playing with their new toys.  Jackson will spend hours building with his Legos.  We set him up in the bonus room so that he can lock it up or else Lincoln will destroy his stuff.  Jackson has also been enjoying the book we gave him for Christmas, Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein.  Andrew and I both liked reading those poems when we were younger and Jackson finds them pretty entertaining too.  Jackson also lost his two front teeth the other day.  He lost one in the morning before he went to school and then Lori Ann pulled the other one for him at school.  She said it was just hanging there and knew it would be a distraction all day. 

Jackson also got his deer back.  He and Andrew were pretty excited.

Ellie has tried out most of her crafty stuff and has enjoyed her toys that are supposed to help her learn to read.  And of course she spends time singing along and dancing to the music on her "ipod".  Lincoln just goes from one thing to the next but a lot of it has to do with tractors or trains.  He likes his new Mickey Mouse bike but just hasn't figured out how to pedal yet.  But he likes to ride on the training wheels while Ellie pedals around for him.

Miles and Bennett are growing.  We think they are over six pounds now.  We are supposed to go to my dad's office on Friday to weigh them.  They are crying at me right now so it must be time to eat.  The kids like to call them by their "Italian" names.  Andrew made them up and said it is how you would say them in Italian and they pronounce them Meelase and Benito.  They went to church for the first time on Sunday and slept through the whole thing.  I know that won't always happen though.  My mom had Kathy Powell's sister make them these onsies.  They say "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made" and I think they are perfect.  They wouldn't cooperate for the picture though.

Ellie singing to them.

Getting ready for church

Bennett giving Miles a kiss

We continue to have wonderful help.  The twins have stayed at my parents two nights-once my mom and dad got up with them and then the next time was my mom and Lissy.  People are still bringing us meals for a few more nights which has been great.  Again, I am overwhelmed by everyone's generosity.  And I am so thankful to have these little boys screaming at my right now because it means I can avoid working on our taxes a little longer :-)