Rock-A-Bye Baby...

The kids were rocking their babies this morning.

Power Tools

Dustin decided that he should finally figure out what one of the switches in the living room controls. We've lived here almost 5 years and it finally got the best of him! Ha. Actually, we're (by we're, I mean Dustin) going to put a light up in the upstairs living room and he wanted to find a switch to use. Mason always wants to "help" and use the little drill but Avery was fascinated for the first time. She's going to be Daddy's helper, too. Lucky Daddy!!

This shirt says it all. Thanks Aunt Angie and Kelly.


The kids have been sick all weekend. Actually, Avery has been sick for over a week now. She went back to the doctor today and he thinks that she needs tubes in her ears. So, we are waiting for an appointment to set up the surgery. I'm hoping to get the same doctor that did Mason's tubes. We really like her and she's good with kids. We'll keep you updated.

Brownies=Success

Mason gave the brownies a rave review. No, he did not eat brownies for breakfast. We spent a large part of the day in pajamas.

I completely forgot to mention that Avery got her very first haircut yesterday. There wasn't too much cut off, but it made a pretty big difference. She did pretty good sitting still...for a 9 month old.

Aunt Miranda, Uncle Derek and Lucas came down to shop today and came over for dinner. We had a good time visiting with them. The boys played pretty well together. There was a little squabbling, but not too bad for two really tired boys.

Wouldn't you love it if your doctor picked his nose while taking care of you?? Uncle D was very brave.

So here is the lasagna. It was AWESOME! I'm not just tooting my own horn, everyone else liked it too. It was kind of messy but the pan cleaned up really easy (thanks, Dustin!) and I put a pan under it in the oven anticipating some spillage. I will definitely make this again. It was easy and very tasty. So far this pan gets a double thumbs up!

Kids, Kids.....Brownies

Mason's friend Spencer came to play on New Year's Day while his mommy, daddy and new baby brother were discharged from the hospital. His brother Grant was born on Tuesday, December 30. Spencer was really excited to see that Mason had trains too. Spencer absolutely LOVES Thomas. The boys played really well together and had a good day.

When I got home from work the other evening, this is how I found Dustin and Avery. She had completely passed out. She must have had a very busy day! Dustin said one minute she was jumping up and down on his lap and the next minute, she had sat down and then slumped over. How cute is that?

I have been so excited to use my new pan that I got for Christmas! It's called the Bakers' Edge Brownie Pan. The whole point is that it makes all brownies have edge pieces. So, here is the before picture.

And the after picture. They look delicious. They are cooling as I'm typing this so I still haven't tasted them. I'm sure they are tasty. I found a lasagna recipe for this pan and I'm planning on trying it this week. More details and pictures to follow...

Kids at Play

As promised, here are some pictures of the kids playing with various Christmas gifts.

Mason reading Click Clack Moo, Cows That Type. He absolutely loves this book! Thanks Aunt Angie & Kelly!

This is the doll that Great Grandma Connie got for Avery. She is very soft and cuddly. Avery loves her baby!

Mason and Avery both love the piano. Actually, I like it too. However, I don't push Avery out of the way to play with it.

Merry Christmas

Dustin got a new car!! It's a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. He just got it today. Mike and Paula brought it down to us. We bought it from Eagleson's in Olney, so we had to have it "delivered." It has remote start so it will be really nice for Dustin in the mornings.

Mason and Daddy playing with the new John Deere set that Aunt Ashley and Uncle Jason got him for Christmas. I know it pained Jason to buy a John Deere set but look at how much he loves it!!


Mason also got a Thomas the Train tank engine set. He loves it too!

Avery got her very first Cabbage Patch Doll! She likes it a lot. She also got a really neat all cloth doll from Great-Grandma Connie. I don't have any pictures of it though because we didn't take a single picture with our camera this Christmas. I know, I know, we're terrible parents.

Mason got a doctors set also. He not only doctors humans, but dolls too.

Thanks everyone for such a great Christmas!! The kids had so much fun. I got a new laptop thanks to the generosity of my darling husband and Mike and Paula!! You guys have no idea how much I appreciate it!! So, I am hoping to update the blog more often.

I will get pictures of the kids playing with all their new goodies and publish them soon! Thanks again everyone!

Daddy Home!!

Everyday when Dustin gets home from work, Mason yells, "Daddy Home!!" and runs to the banister to watch him come in the door. Avery has started following his lead. They both get very excited when Daddy gets home!

Look, Mason can spell out his name!!!