No recognition

This is me my senior year of high school (with a really good camera)
This is me now
Okay, so I cut and colored my hair and gained a few pounds (okay a more than few, but those 2 kids were worth it), but do I really look that different? Over the past couple years I have run into a few friends from high school and they don't recognize me. At all. Not even a little bit. Now I'm not talking acquaintances, I mean people that I actually hung out with after school and knew since 9th grade. They have all changed too, but I recognize them. I guess I am a little self conscious now. I just don't feel like I have changed all that much. Hopefully someone will recognize me at my 10 year reunion this summer. Has this happened to anyone else?

Budding Photographer

Last week we were able to go to the Living Planet Aquarium and Sydney brought her camera that she got at Christmas. Here are only a few of her masterpieces (and I do mean a few because I think she took a picture of every inch of that place!) Her camera isn't the best, so I may have to translate for you.

That would be a sting ray

That would be a shark

That is a really cool looking starfish with killer red spikes

Lucky shot of a creepy eel

Bruce (think Finding Nemo)

and finally, the dreaded Connor fish

Here were a few I took that I just really liked. I couldn't tell if this first one actually had a yellow eye or if it was for protection. I couldn't find the name of this creature, so I couldn't look it up. But kind of creepy right?

Gotta love the Jellies

They loved petting the sting ray, which I was happy to see Sydney got over her fear. When she was about 18 months old, we went to the aquarium at the Mall of America to pet the sting rays. Sydney scared one of them and it splashed her, really good. She was soaked and scared. I haven't been able to get her to pet one since. Here's to overcoming our fears! (I just won't tell her about my hero, the Crocodile Hunter)

Our Great Country

Even though I didn't vote for President Obama, and at times I get a little nervous about his policies, I couldn't help but be proud of your nation today. It is just wonderful that we have a black president and the we could've had a women president. Our county has come a long way! I really enjoyed watching President Obama's inauguration today. He is a wonderful speaker and I believe that he is a good man. I believe he will do what he believes is right for this country and I just hope that he can help this country. He looked a little tired today and I can't help but feel a little sympathy for him and all the challenges that face him at the beginning of his presidency. I was also impressed by the ease of the transition. We really live in a wonderful country that was set up so well by wonderful men that were no doubt led by God. I was filled with pride and thanksgiving for our country and the many people who have and are and who will continue to fight for my freedom. I know we still have a lot of challenges ahead of us, but I hope that Obama can help bring us together to work for our country.

Winter Fun

If you have not had the opportunity to play Rock Band or Guitar Hero, you simply should. It is quite fun and the whole family can be involved!



We also copied a little science project from one of our good friends back in Milwaukee and the kids absolutely loved it! Click here to see to instructions.
Also, on a very happy note, we were able to buy some couches for a very good price. We are very excited about this, because we have never had our own couches, they have always been old (okay, very old) hand-me-downs. They are microfiber and quite comfy.

BFFs

Sydney and Connor were walking around the house holding hands yesterday while I was making lunch. They came into the kitchen and this is what Sydney said:

"Mom, Connor and I are best friends forever. We always hold hands. But not when we eat."

Hopefully she will always feel that way!

Not Quite Ready

So I got a little ambitious yesterday and thought I could potty train Connor. Hmmm, don't think he is ready. He actually loved sitting on the potty, which I think had a lot to do with me making a fool of myself. He wanted me to sing "5 Little Monkeys Swinging in a Tree" at least 5 times every time he sat on the potty. The problem is, I don't think he knows when it is coming. In the first hour and a half, I went through 8 pairs of underwear. As soon as he would go in his underwear, he would run to the potty, but alas, too late! So yes, I am giving up for now. Any advice for when I try again in a couple of months? (I really think Dad should take this one!)

Happy New Year!

We celebrated the New Year by letting our kids stay up until 8:30 (hey, they got to stay up later than normal and if it was any later, it would not have been fun!) and then we left them with their grandma while John and I went out with my brothers. We went to dinner, visited a party (where I got to experience for the first time an official Halo party, very interesting), and then played games, Apples to Apples to be exact. I don't think we went to bed until 2:00! It was a lot of fun, but we are definitely getting old. We were wiped out the next day.

My brother Mitch and his girlfriend, Linsey

We started off the new year with a bang. I think our kids thought we were the coolest parents ever! We took them sledding for the first time, and they had a blast! Yes, it was the first time because it was to stinking cold to go out in Milwaukee and we didn't have any sleds. It's not like they would have remembered it then anyway. Although our kids did have a blast, I think the adults had more fun!
Sydney and MarieTackling the big hill
Sweet Jumps!
Mitch sledding on John (???)
And the photographers
( I did do some sledding, there just weren't any pictures)