A new “toy”

I’m calling it a “toy” because the kids are definitely not allowed to touch it. But Adam and I are having such a good time learning how to use our new camera. Adam has been wanting a nice camera for a while now (many years). (FYI, nice (to me) = removable lenses). I’ve always liked the idea of a nice camera, but with a young family I never felt like I would have the time to learn how to use it properly. Well, the time has come. After extensive research (by Adam), and talking to some people who have nice cameras, we ended up getting the Canon t2i. There was a nice deal at Costco which included the camera body, two kit lenses and a bag.

So I’m planning on doing more posts that have to do with photography. We’ll see how well I do at that. So Adam had taken the camera to work a few times to take pictures, but usually it is at home with me during the day. This is an early morning shot of the capitol building.

This is the view from Adam’s window at work without any zoom.

And here is the same view with the telephoto lens! I know, those of you who have nice cameras are not impressed with this, but I am! This is all new to me, and I am amazed at how far we can see with this lens.

This was our first attempt with indoor pictures. This is Emma with her cousin Rachel. I thought they were so cute! The lighting was terrible here, so I’m pleased with how well the pictures turned out anyway.

And here’s Sydney. That is Emma’s finger in the picture, she’s trying to make Sydney smile. Well we still have a TON to learn, but we are really enjoying it. The quality of our pictures is SO much better. So I have a couple more posts I’m getting ready about the camera/photography. Maybe I’ll get them posted soon.

A quick trip to the park

A little while ago on a Saturday we all went to the park together. It was pretty cold.

Spencer thought he needed double ear warmth. Consequently I had frozen ears most of the time. But he looked really cute!

We’re fortunate to have a park within walking distance of our house. Emma prefers not to ride her scooter on the rough part of the path. So I decided to help her out a little. Have you ever ridden one of those razor scooters? I highly recommend it. :)

This is the boys’ favorite climbing tree. It’s a good thing they are better climbers than their mom. Hey Chris, remember looking for frogs in that pond? Too fun!

It’s birthday time!

We’ve had a couple birthdays around here! At the end of January Spencer turned 4! Spencer is a fun, active, sweet, big boy. He tries hard to do what he should. He really loves his new sister Sydney and takes really good care of her. He didn’t request a certain kind of cake (except that it be chocolate), so this is what he got. If you can’t tell those are supposed to be Lego squares.

Ben’s birthday was a couple of weeks later at the beginning of February. He turned 7 years old! Ben is a good, sweet, smart boy. He really loves the outdoors and animals. He’s also really into science lately and wanting to do science experiments.

Ben decided he would like to have a solar system cake this year. I really have a good time trying to make different cakes for the kids. Some of them turn out better than others. I thought this one was cute. (Obviously my tray was too small to put the planets in their correct order, but you get the idea.)

Toothless

I think a kid who is missing his two front teeth is one of the cutest things ever! But Ben just happens to have the cutest smile of all! (Well equally cute with Emma when she had no teeth.) Something about that gummy grin melts my heart every time.

There is also a small bit of sadness for me that comes with losing those front teeth though. Once the new teeth grow in it seems like the child's whole look starts changing. Making them look so much more grown up. Officially passing into the big kid world. I know it’s the plan, and really I’m happy about them growing up, but it still makes me a little teary if I think about it too much. So for now I enjoy the toothlessness for as long as I can. :)

Feeding the baby

Now that Sydney is only on formula, the kids love to be able to feed her. And she’ll take food from anyone willing to give it to her. She is a healthy, hungry, growing baby.

Unfortunately for them they don’t actually get the chance very often – because I really love feeding her myself! Does that make me a bad mommy, or a good mommy? I’m still not sure. I admit that one of the parts of nursing I really like is that I’m the one who nourishes the baby – the only one. (Well maybe I don’t always love it so much in the middle of the night when I’m beyond exhausted and the baby wants to nurse every hour). But in general that is something that I secretly (almost selfishly) enjoy.

But regardless of who feeds her, she is doing really well on formula. Super really well. She is now the happiest baby on the block. And that makes for the happiest mommy. Which in turn makes for a happy family.

It’s Scripture Time

Adam thought we looked pretty cute all cuddled up together for scripture reading. I wish they always sat this still. :) Actually I am usually up stairs feeding Sydney and putting her to bed during scripture time. So Adam and the big kids do it on their own – yay Adam!

I’m only two months behind!

We had a really nice Christmas. On Christmas Eve we went over to John and Megan’s for dinner. Then all the cousins acted out the nativity, and we played songs with our chimes. It was really fun. We didn’t take very many pictures this year. Probably from lack of sleep/baby brain. When we got home the kids opened one present (pajamas), and we sent them off to bed.

The kids of course had a great time opening their presents.

Sweet Ben colored a fun picture on my present.

And Super Daddy took care of Sydney most of the day. She always loves to be held by Adam.

Adam’s parents stayed the night at our house and spent Christmas morning with us. It’s always fun to have Pa and Grandma here!

Then a little later in the morning Megan and John and their family came over. We all opened a few more presents and just hung out. Also Uncle Chey was here! Unfortunately I don’t have a picture, but it’s always nice that he makes the trip all the way here from sunny California!