Alive and Kickin'!

Here is where I apologize for never updating the blog and yadda yadda yadda. Truth is: I'm busy and tired. That's my excuse. The end.

I do plan on updating with pictures soon but I wanted to get on here and share a few awesome websites I have found. One of the reasons I have been so busy is that I'm developing my own preschool curriculum for Norah. She's not ready YET, but she is showing some signs of interest and readiness, so I'm preparing! Ok, so here they are..

#1 Mighty Book Jr.
This site is home to over 900 adorable animated books. They are well made and interesting for ages 2-10. Their mission is to is to "help children discover the joys of learning to read with books that captivate their imagination and hold their interest." Love. It. And so does Norah. The membership fee is normally $99/year. On their website, you can sign up for a two-week free trial. BUT if you use the code learntoread on the registration page, you get ONE WHOLE FULL YEAR FREE. You don't even have to enter any CC info. Type. Click. Done. Pure awesomeness. Am I the only one excited about this?

#2 We Give Books
This website is on my top 5 list of all-time favorite websites in history (get my point?) Here is how it works: you create an account for FREE, choose which organization you want to support. For each book you read online (did I mention it was free?), they donate a book to that organization. Amazing. Here is one of my favorites that Norah and I read together recently: See How They Grow: Duck.

Update in a nutshell for you lurkers (just kidding): Joe is in Idaho for 3 weeks (6 more days!) Waaa! The kids and I are in Jersey packin' up, packin' up, packin' up, paaackin' up my Grandma (go here if you don't know what I'm referencing). My Grandma sold her house (waaa), my Mom's house is for sale (anyone? anyone?) and they are buying a house together. Norah is SO BIG. She is officially 2-and-a-half. Can't believe that. She says the funniest things every day and is constantly making me laugh. Ivan is chunky as ever and we are loving him. He is a pure joy to have in our family. I'm in school, full-time, online. Did I mention I was busy?

Ivan is 7 Months

Can anyone else find it hard to believe that this...


is the same baby as this...



and this...



and this...


We love our little man!

{be sure to scroll down and read the longest post ever}

Pictures Pictures Pictures (Longest Post Ever)

Wow, the last (full) post I made was in November. Dang, so much for that resolution to blog more. So to play catch up..

November
For Thanksgiving we made the trip up to NJ and spent it with my family (minus my sister and nieces, tear). It was a great weekend. My Mom and Grandma spoiled us (like always) and took us to Bethlehem, PA for a craft-fair-type shindig. Here's Norah and Nay Nay waiting for the bus.

Daddy and Ivan all bundled up.
Yep, that's Norah on stage! That girl surprises us all the time. She was not one bit shy to get up in front of the audience and show her stuff. In fact, we had to convince her to come down!
Nay Nay also bought tickets for us to go see the play called "Babes in Toyland" at a little local Theater. It was Norah's second play (the first was Busytown) and she loved it.
Kind of a creepy looking theater from the outside, I guess.

December
Once again Norah surprised us when we found out she is not the least bit scared of Santa. She is actually quite fascinated with him and could not wait to sit on his lap.
Kind of a creepy Santa, if you ask me (what's up Ivan!)

Occasionally Norah earns a piece of her leftover Halloween candy. She is so funny because she just stares at it until she decides which one she wants. When I asked her, are you going to pick one? She said, "Not yet, Mom."
Good morning!
First snow!
Happy boy.
Cute little Christmas outfits.
Classic.
Little Who girl.
Christmas Eve was spent at home. We had Joe's cousin Jenny, her family and the missionaries over for dinner. It was so nice and relaxing.Wow, we need some window treatments and something right there on that wall. Yep, that one.
Norah loves loves loves her second cousins, Houston and Brady.
Christmas morning, the kids and some of their loot!
Daddy's gift to Norah was some "princess" clothes.
A few days after Christmas we flew out to Utah for Joe's oldest niece's wedding. Here is Joe with his parents and all of his siblings. It was so fun to see them all together again.
Norah and her cousin Olivia. They were born three days apart. They are so cute, we wish we lived closer (and when I say that, I mean I wish you lived closer Kristine! Montana is not for me! hehe).
The kids were angels on the plane.
(not really, but I'm trying to be more positive this year)

January
Happy to be home and playing in Ivan's crib.

Like Father, Like Son

Ohh I have so many good intentions of posting but this is all you get for now..

Mount Vernon

One of the fun parts about living in the East is the history that surrounds us. I grew up in New Jersey and had the opportunity of visiting many historical sites on field trips, etc and never really appreciated it until now. I hope my kids get the same opportunity. Anyway, we went to Mount Vernon last weekend which is the home/estate of George Washington. It was amazing - and I didn't even get to see all the interesting stuff! Our good friend Alicia attempted to take an updated family picture for us. Let's just say the chiclets were not cooperating AT ALL that day, but we managed to get a few where we are all looking at the camera (SCORE!) It was a beautiful day and a beautiful place, we can't wait to go back and really spend time learning about what is there.

Maci and Norah are best friends for sure. So sweet.