Odin's nemesis

The Day before the blizzard of 2011, this "little" dude was just staring into our house at Odin, probably about 3 ft from the house. By the time I got my camera, he had moved the street, but circled the house a few times (and the neighbors)... apparently he thought Odin was something good to eat, but little did he know, Odin is massive compared to him!

The Start of 2010

January is half gone, cannot believe it.... not sure what we have done or that it has been spectacular, but whatever, they are happy-- most of the time--- and as I write, Anika is screaming her head off because she does not want to nap more than 45 minutes. Awesome... :)

We did happen to ring in the new year with the kids both having ear infections, so, in case you are keeping track, we were sick for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. I am sooooooo looking forward to Valentines day! HA!

Shay has delivered a new name to her sister Anika. She can clearly say Anika's name, but has chosen to call her "Ka-ka." Excellent, right? Kylie has started some new classes at the Y, loves them. She's got a "sports" class which is a glorified open gym and a Dr. Suess class. In the Suess class they read a suess book, do a craft and either act out scenes or cook something. She loves it and I love it because I go upstairs and get a run in without the kids to worry about. (the twins are at home with a sitter in case you were worried about them)....

Besides that, not much new here-- and we'll keep it that way. We are coming up to 3 weeks post last sickness, so we are bracing for another round. We normally get hit every 3-4 weeks, so watch out!

Here are some pics below of the kids the past few weeks... enjoy---- and I cannot figure out how to rotate pictures from Picasa-- and for those who want to help-- my pics are saved correctly on picasa, synced to the internet and then when uploaded turn. I gave up, so turn your head and you'll be just fine...

Odin waiting to come inside-- the girls stand at the window and laugh at him while he is outside...

The "big" snow day-- KMD did not have school and they were projecting a ton of snow, but only got about 8 inches.


Kylie in her new dress Buppa made

Yeah, I don't know...


Anika and Shay both putting on all the hats, gloves, boots they can find.... can you tell they were stuck inside for too many days from the never ending virus-- all they wanted to do was play outside!

"okay Dad, I'm ready!" (Shay)



This is the day Shay locked herself in the bathroom. Anika was outside the door laughing so hard, she fell to the ground and continued laughing. When I opened the door, Shay was just sitting on the toilet with the bar of soap washing her hands. She looked at me as if she wanted to say, "I just wanted privacy" (which she happens to hear often in this house!)

Kylie is getting her sisters ready for the princess ball. She was getting quite annoyed with her sisters because they did not want to wear what she gave them. Anika wanted to wear my hat and Shay wanted to wear Kylie's underwear on the outside of Kylie's pants... Needless to say, they did not get to attend the ball.

Anika heard the timer for the brownies, ran to the drawer and got the potholders... she was ready to take them out of the oven..... its funny, because she doesn't eat the brownies or anything sweet besides popsicles these days.

Anika wearing her dress Buppa made with a fabulous cheesy smile

Shay wearing her dress too, but did not want to stand-- too busy eating to stop.

Christmas

Christmas came and went in a flash....Despite the kids being sick, they had a great time. Anika was the first one up, but she had to wait, 5:30 was too early in our books. Anika had to wait until 6:15 before we let them out of their rooms and start the opening of gifts. Anika was really into opening the presents, Kylie just wanted to see how fast she could open each gift, and Shay was into trying the toys/clothes out after opening them. All three completely different.


I think the highlight of the weekend (for me) was when Chris was trying to teach Kylie to chug her medicine. Kylie was on a regular dose of Motrin and cough meds and she likes to sip her meds instead of chugging it and getting it over with... So, that being said, Chris decides to show her how to chug her meds using his beer. And as you might expect, his beer after "pretend" chugging it, overflowed all over the counter, himself and up his nose and eyes. Too funny for me and Kylie just looked at him like he was crazy. It was definitely a memory I will have to keep fresh in my mind.

Below are some pics from the days before Christmas and Christmas. We do have video, its just slow going-- sorry....

Anika stealing Kylie's seat on the couch-- and also Kylie's "sheepy."

Shay choosing the other side of the couch

The girls on the couch watching Muppet Christmas Carol- thanks Pepplers! Shay and Anika are clutching their new toys and don't like to share them at all.

Shay taking the term Christmas stockings literally. She tried to put all of them on her feet on Christmas Eve.

Managed to get them on, but was a bit slippery on the wood floor.

And this is what the girls did while we finished getting the Christmas Eve dinner done. They took every shoe in the laundry room, moved them closer to the kitchen (but not in our sight) and tried all of them on. They knew to stay out of sight, otherwise they would have gotten busted for doing it... Usually this activity is in the middle of the kitchen....


Christmas Tree-- yes a fake one. We will get a real one again, its just been really helpful with the kids being really young and pulling everything off the tree. We couldn't put 1/4 of the ornaments on this year because the little ones kept taking them off--- as you can, the lower part of the tree is pretty bare from them playing with the ornaments.

Odin surprise on Christmas Morning. He made sure to carry the bone into get the little girls out, he was so proud. Within the first day, he ate everything but the two "knobs" on either side. Now he just carries them around and growls at you for even looking at him.

Opening stockings

I got hair bows!!

Anika and Shay in their "boat" otherwise known as a sled.

Shay opening her pillow from Nana. (And Nana, both girls have them in their beds- sometimes used and sometimes not)

Chris getting help from Shay opening his presents.

Shay wearing her new dress Buppa made her.

Chris and his girls dressed in their presents from Aunt Cathy--- they LOVE them!

Anika and Shay dressed in their new aprons from Aunt Connie.

Chris refereeing the girls playing dolls.

Kylie crashed on the couch-- the fever finally caught up to her by early afternoon. Motrin could only do so much, the girl was exhausted.

Shay wanting to play outside with all the new mittens.... didn't happen... :(

And this is what happens when you are the only male dog in the house--- you get dressed in girlie things. The girls thought it was hilarious, but Odin didn't think so.

Snowmen

This past week (I think) we were due for some major snowfall... really did not add up to a bunch, but it was enough for the twins to get their first dose of snow outside vs. last year. Last year they just got to see it when they were taken in and out of the car. Kylie on the other hand is ready to make snowmen the first time a flake falls.

Kylie and her finished project-- I think she ate as much snow as it took to make the snowman.

Tilt your head, I still can't figure out this stupid program

Kylie on her big ball of snow

And this is what Odin thinks of the big ball of snow

Destroy!!

Anika's first time in the snow

Shay in the snow-- she was more facinated with the mittens

Anika yelling at Odin because the snow is now yellow and not white. Anika is a mess finder in this house-- she is always putting things away or pointing out the mess that needs to be cleaned.

Shay

The Homefront

Kylie and Shay reading. Kylie likes to read to her sisters-- A LOT.



Anika playing with her pots-- in and out of the drawer all day long. She tries all different configurations to get the drawer to close. Whatever keeps her happy somedays!



The POOR neglected Dog.... Do you think he can get any more comfortable? I mean seriously...


Shay playing outside-- sorry, I cannot figure out how to rotate and save with our new program.. give me a few more tries.

Anika and her popsicle-- again, sorry, cannot rotate properly... uggghhh...