Silly Lily and Leif!!!

Lily wanted to wear my "I Voted" sticker to bed the other night. I let her put it on her pajamas and this is how I found her in the morning when she woke up! Silly girl!

I even got her dressed and breakfast eaten before she even realized she had a sticker on her forehead. What a goofball!

They look cute together huh! Don't let them fool you. Leif knows how to push Lily's buttons for sure.

What a poser!

Cheese!!!

Happy 7th Birthday Jake!!!

This Saturday we celebrated Jake's 7th birthday. Heather and I are still in shock that we even have a seven year old. We certainly lucked out! He's a keeper. He started the day with an early soccer game. His team, the Mavericks, won. Then we went home and opened some presents including a new silver bike that fits him better. Then he went to a school mate's birthday party that was all out. It was a Indiana Jones themed party. Jake had tons of fun. We had cake and ice cream and opened some more presents with Grandma and Grandpa Bushman, Ryan, Sarah, Cannon and Brenna who shares Jake's Birthday, and our neighbors the Bostons. Jake's been such a good son and big brother. We're so proud of him. Happy Birthday Mr. 7!!!

Jacob requested another soccer cake but this time with his soccer number on it (8)!! He also wanted me to put his age all over which is what all the sevens are about!!!

Jacob and Brenna blew out the cake together since it was her birthday too!!!

Jacob is opening uncle Ryan's present. Uncle Ryan was watching intently with a huge grin on his face!

Uncle Ryan gave Jacob a loaf of bread! I missed his confused look on his face when he opened it. As many of you know Jacob would gag and throw up at the sight of bread as a baby. We never thought he would eat bread. The other day we were at dinner at my parents house and Jacob asked for another piece of garlic bread. I told him he need to eat some of his dinner and not fill up on bread and all of the sudden Ryan burst out laughing. He said, "Who would have ever thought someone would have to tell Jacob not to fill up on bread!" Crazy!!!

Brenna gave him the game operation!! Thanks Brenna

Grandma and Grandpa Hansen sent Jake a great package. He was so excited to get a big box of 64 crayons! She also sent a big sketch pad which is definitely needed. Jake loves to draw!!!

Here Lily is kindly helping Brenna open her present!

What cute little cousins!

Ethan gave Jake his fourth transformer of his birthday presents! He loves transformers!!!

Historic Election

Well, Heather and I thought when we started this blog that we'd use it as a journal/scrap book.  To that end we want to say a few words about the history that was made last evening.  While we may not agree with all his ideas, we are at the same time proud of the decision our great nation made to see beyond boundaries that used to confine freedom, seeing beyond race to elect the first African American President of these United States.  Barack Obama will be our next President.  He is a great orator, young, energetic and passionate about this country.  Truly, this act by the American people shows that we are moving closer and closer to that credo of our visionary forefathers who knew and wrote that all men were indeed created equal.  We truly believe that.  We know that our Heavenly Father truly loves all his children equally and hopes that we can all celebrate our differences but work together towards the greater good.  We pray that in these uncertain times the Lord will bless our next President and help him lead the country closer toward prosperity and righteousness (and hopefully not tax us into oblivion in the process).  We hope that he will be inspired to surround himself with wise and righteous men and together they will make calculated decisions that will be in our best interests as a nation.  We hope that he can restore our great nation's international reputation and that we can once again be the beacon of light, the example, that other nations can emulate to bring peace, equality and prosperity to the world.  With many things happening in the world that make us fearful of the future our children will inherit, we find comfort and joy in the fact that they will grow up in a country where work and character are rewarded, regardless of where you start out in life.  

Our Little Multi-Cultural Politician

The other day our dryer broke down and we had to rent one while ours was being repaired. Two African American gentlemen came to deliver the rental and move ours to the garage. Lily decided to hang out with them and watch. After they had nearly finished, Heather walks into the laundry room and Lily turns to her and asks matter of factly "Why are they speakin' Spanish mom?" Heather's eyes got as big as saucers as she searched for the right way to tackle this one. Luckily, the two men burst out laughing. Heather informed Lily that it was in fact not Spanish. One of the men turned to Lily and said "No, sweetie, that's what you call Ebonics." We all had a good laugh.

It brought back memories of an "incident" at our local park just a few weeks ago. Lily had befriended a little African American boy about her age and they were playing all over the playground together. It became apparent that she had failed to learn his name however. At one point the two became separated. When Lily spotted the boy clear across the crowded playground from her, she yelled out in her not so soft voice: "Hey black guy!" over and over at the top of her lungs until reunited again with the boy. I had slunk down on the park bench, hoping for that brief instant that everyone else in the park was suddenly struck deaf, and waited for an opportunity to pull Lily aside. When I did, I asked her why she didn't call the boy by his name. She said she didn't know it. I then asked why she called him "black guy" and she said "Dad, he has a black shirt on." We had a brief chat about the importance of learning people's names.

HALLOWEEN!!!

INTRODUCING...

The Coolest Transformer Ever!!! Optimus Prime!!!


The Sweetest Angel in the World!!!
(Keep in mind it is a costume)

And
The Stinkiest Skunk Around!!!

We had a fun Halloween this year! Ryan's family went trick or treating with us in our neighborhood. We also walked around with our nieghbors the Bostons. The kids scored lots of candy and the parents get to hide it from them and eat it on the side. What a fun job! They are already planning what they should be next year!

What cute kids!

Of course Mike had to make sure Mia was a part of the action!

Leif wants to know what everyone is waiting for! Let's go!!!

Gimme Gimme Gimme

Are we done yet I'm tired!

Ethan was a great spiderman. Jake liked his costume!

I think Ethan likes our dog more than our own kids do. He always wants to walk Mia everywhere!!!

Typical Lily. Crying is always involved in having fun!!!

Trick or Treat

Can I have this and this and this and this please!!!!

Crazy Hair Day at School

Lily had crazy hair day at school on Friday. Jake did too but he actually went on a field trip so we didn't do his hair. Lily wanted lots of bows with all different colors! I think we did a pretty good job. She was so excited to show all of her friends! Her teacher loved it!!

FALL!!!

I love Fall!! Okay so Oklahoma does not have near as pretty of colors as Ohio did in the fall but we love our tree in our front yard. It is the most colorful in the neighborhood! The cool crisp air makes me so happy. I am not a huge fan of summer. I hate being hot! I know crazy, but Fall has to be my favorite time of year!