day trip - April 6th

Driving along the Needles Highway

Needles Eye

The fam right below Needles Eye

Sylvan Lake

Haircuts

Brad's first haircut was in April, just a little trim job. My mom cleaned it up a bit, and he still looked like a little handsome baby.

Then by June, it was looking like this.

Out of control curls and frizz. Granted, this was a particularly crazy hair day after his nap, but his hair got to that point quite easily.

So we decided it was time for a buzz, like his older brother. And now he looks like a big boy, and a clone of Carter.

carter update

My little Carter Gibson isn't so little anymore. He is just the sweetest kid, and so smart. He's doing really well in school, especially in spelling, math, and reading. At the last parent-teacher conference, his teacher told me she wished she could clone him. I'm so glad to have him as our oldest, and know that he will be setting a good example for his siblings in years to come.

He has really been into dollar bill origami lately, thanks to a book he received at Christmas. This one he took to show-and-tell at school. He's also made (with a little help) a jumping frog, elephant, and a different style ring.

We went on a day trip to Custer State Park awhile ago, and here's a few Carter shots. He was totally gung-ho about climbing up any rock and crevice he could. And there were plenty of spots to do just that.

He has also been loving soccer, and we've seen a lot of improvement just from the fall. He always volunteers to be goalie, and has saved quite a few goal attempts from the other team.

In warm-up

Waiting at the goal

Carter got a speaking part in the 2nd grade musical - he was Mako Shark. He did a great job reciting all his lines, and participating in the song actions.

The superhero valentines he handed out this year - they were a hit.

My cute boy

addie update

And now Miss Adelynn

This girl loves to draw, color, and write. I've come into the dining room on several occasions to find her practicing letters in her workbork, all on her own. She is so ready for kindergarten! And lately, she's also been drawing pictures of our family and her friends. I love her little people.


She turned 5 in March. Even though she acts like she's 15, I still can't believe she's already 5. We had a small birthday party with friends one morning, with a polka dot theme. Here they are decorating cupcakes.

Addie is definitely a girly-girl. Although she doesn't always like getting her hair done, she always loves the result. And it's been all about hair lately, from a recent haircut, to a valentine's day hairstyle, to her first hot rollers.

We get in a lot of mommy-daughter time too, which I am going to miss when she's at school next year. Of course there's always the matching outfits, and just time spent hanging out and doing silly stuff.

Adelynn - I love your missing tooth, your sassy little attitude, your ever-constant tang mustache, the way you light up when it's time to paint nails, when you model in the mirror and tell yourself you're gorgeous, your daily thoughtful little cards to everyone, your teeny bum in your skinny jeans, and that you tell me I'm the best mom for you. Love you, Mom

Brad update

Brad-man, over the last few months
He turned one! And we had a "Pigeon Birthday." We love the author Mo Willems, especially his piegeon books, the kids always crack up while reading. So we decided to go with that for Brad's birthday.

Eating his first bites of cake
We didn't really do any presents, but I made Brad this book.

Things he likes doing:
Stealing sodas from the fridge and "drinking" them
Waiting for, and taking a bath
Playing in the shelf where his toys are kept
Sippy cups
Reading. I always find him in his room, flipping through books.
Trying to get where he's not supposed to. We keep this walker in front of the table with the xbox to try and deter him, but he's figured it out.
He likes stealing Addie's dog and sucking on it, which annoys her to no end.
Things I love about him:
The way he sleeps - either with his bum up in the air, or legs crossed like this.

That he loves blankies. This is how he gives hugs to everything and everyone, just lays his head down on it.
The way he looks in this awesome hat.
This funny blank face he always gives
And everything else about this (snot-nosed) little boy. He definitely has his own little personality that adds to our family.