A Winter Walk Through the Forest

This morning after we took Alivia to school, Addison, Asher and I visited the forest. It was seriously cold, at 5 degrees WHEN WE LEFT the forest. Brrr! But, when I asked the kiddos if they wanted to go, they were so excited!

We started downstairs. The kids stacked blocks, I read them a winter story, put together puzzles and more. Then, they were ready to venture outside. We walked on the boardwalk around Acorn Acres looking for animal tracks. We spotted what I believe were fox tracks, turkey, and deer tracks. The kids were excited about that. Funny, they never complained about being cold.

We went back inside, had a little snack, and played downstairs a while longer. What a fun way to start the day!

Addison & The Things She Says...

Chris: "Addison, who was the first President of the United States?"
Addison "Jesus." Notice, she did not ask, she just told him it was Jesus.

Addison to Asher in the car 2 days ago:
Addison "Asher, do you remember Grandpa George? He is in Heaven now. He was nice man."
Just FYI...My Grandpa died 3 years ago when Addison was just 1 year old! Does she talk to him or something?

While we were watching "The Cat in the Hat" tonight, Addison told us,
"I would NEVER make that kind of a mess while you guys are out."

Thank goodness, Addison!!

She is so funny for a 4 year old little girl and will never cease to amaze us!

Our 3 year old Stock Buyer

Today, Asher became a stock trader, or at least stock buyer.

Every year, I buy the kids stock with their Christmas and birthday money. I know, perhaps that is not what their great grandparents and my parents have in mind with the money. But, they do not specify...so we are saving for their future. The kids do tell them in their thank you notes that they will be buying stock with the money, whatever that is.

This year, I decided to have the kids buy the stock themselves. Alivia decided she wants stock in McDonald's. She first said Justice, but who knew they are under the Dress Barn (Really?) and are not a recommended buy. So, her next choice was McDonald's. Addison, who has a lot of cash to spare in her account, wanted Von Maur, which is a privately owned company. So, I am looking at Mutual funds for her and perhaps a stock to mix in with her portfolio of companies like Google, Berkshire and Apple (Addison's portfolio is a rock star portfolio if I do say so myself. But, that is not saying much since I know absolutely NOTHING!).

And Asher, oh Asher, he bought his own stock today! Okay, he bought Apple stock before I heard that the CEO was taking an indefinite leave of absence for health reasons. That does not sound good. Hopefully I did not just throw away nearly $350 from his college fund (or he didn't!).

Now, back to shopping for stock. Humm...what to buy what to buy...

Day Off = Play Dates!

Today Alivia did not have school. So, Alivia decided to fill her day with play dates.

First, her friend Ellie from her previous school came over to play. Ellie walked into the house and it was like they just saw each other yesterday. It is so cute how well they get along. They played with play-doh, made projects with shrinky dinks and just played and caught up. They had a fun morning.

Alivia then watched Ramona and Beezus (which is a super cute movie based upon the book) before inviting Zoe over to play. Zoe lives practically next door to us and is over quite often.

As Zoe was leaving, Alivia had her friend Emma over. Alivia loves having Emma over and called her by herself. Too cute! Emma plays well with all three kids, and they all love having her over. We made more shrinky dinks, ate dinner and the kids watched part of another movie.

All is all, Alivia had a fun day. She clearly loves having friends come to play, and she now loves talking to them on the phone, too! I do believe we are in trouble...

Addison, Alivia and Ellie - looking alike!

Addison & Alivia waiting for Zoe

Today's Favorite Things...

What are your favorite things? Ours vary by the day. This is what we have to have around...at the moment:

1. Almond M&Ms: Love almonds, love chocolate, love them together even more.
2. Greek Yogurt, Vanilla flavored. Greek yogurt is an aquired taste, but with its 12g of protein...it makes one fuller longer and we get the protein  this non meeting eating family needs! The kids all agree...Mmmm!
3. Special K Cracker chips. These are new...and just the right mix of sea salt and crunch. Mmmm.
4. Berkshire sheets: Okay...enough with the food...love love love our Berkshire soft sheets from Bed, Bath and Beyond. Grandma Kathy set the kids up with new sheets of a different brand that may even be better!
5. Netflix: For this family without cable, Netflix is a lifesaver during the long, cold, Nebraska months. Thank you Aunt Marsha for the great gift!
6. Diet cocoa: Yes, I know, sounds gross. But, it is only 25cal per serving so one can afford to have many servings per day when it is SO COLD! Have I mentioned that Nebraska winters are not one of our favorite things?
7. Target: Think I will buy stock in Target this year. Seriously, one can go there for clothes, toilet paper, food, furniture and more. I can not say that about any other store. LOVE Target.
8. Ipod: I run with mine...so I love it. Chris has a touch...and he does everything on it. We considered buying the Ipad...but opted against it at the moment.
9. Camera: I have to have my camera at all times to capture as many moments as I can. With that said, our current camera is pathetic. We purchased a new one at the Mart, one that was to be in stock, until pick up time. Now, it seems it is not in stock. Nice...so we wait for its arrival...someday.
10. Old Navy slippers. These slipped were many $10, but they are so warm that I wear all the time. LOVE THEM!

This completes the list for the Austin Top 10 at the moment. Okay, can't live without our computer either...but that is like we can not live without our house or something (we have done that though).

Until next time...

Let's Rock

For Christmas, Chris bought himself a guitar. Now, in the evenings, we get to enjoy Chris teaching himself to play. He is getting better...and we are enjoying the tunes.

Hold My Hand

As Asher sits with me, or falls to sleep, he likes to hold my hand (and I like to hold his, too!). Such a sweet little boy. Now...for working on my winter hands!

Addison's Half Birthday: 4 1/2!

Today Addison is 4 1/2 years old! Addison is still, and will always be, our little girl. She has changed a lot since turning 4. She finally said good-bye to her Taggie, has learned many things in school, but still loves playing with her dolls. Addison is learning to read and perfecting writing with her LEFT hand...yes, Addison is left handed! She likes to read stories, color, play with Asher, and loves going to preschool and playing with her friends, especially Bella. Addison loves stuffed dogs and has a ton of them. She also loves Mickey Mouse and is requesting to go to Disney World soon.

Addison loves to chat and ask questions. But, she is also full of not so nice things to say that we have no idea where she got those words! She seems to know things before they happen, too. She keeps saying that she is going to have a baby and live at Grandma Bets' house. Addison is definitely one of a kind, just the way we like her!

Happy Half Birthday, Addison Rose!

Snow Day #2

Another day, another snow day! Today Alivia and  Addison were both home due to school being cancelled. Zoe came over about 8:15 to play, too.

The kids played inside a bit before begging to go sledding. I tried to tell them it was too cold to no avail. So, we loaded up in the car and drove up to the school's big hill to sled. Alivia and Zoe wanted to go yesterday, but I could not convince Addison to go. Today, I just told Addison we were going.

For 25 minutes, the kids went down the hill with the rest of the kids there. I heard screams, laughter, and then "It's cold!" as the wind picked up.

Nothing that a little cocoa and a lot of marshmallows could not fix.

The afternoon was full of naps, Netflix and more cocoa.

Tomorrow, back to reality...school and 2 degrees. Gotta love January in Nebraska.

At least there are snow days.

Alivia watching Netflix

Ready to go sledding in the Brrr...

Zoe & Alivia...Weeeee!

Mmmm...Hot chocolate!

The Golden Rule

If someone were to ask me the best thing I learned from my Mom, I would have to say, "The Golden Rule."

The Golden Rule?

Yes, you know...
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".

I try, at least try, to follow the Golden Rule. I try to do things for others and act to others as I would like to have them to behave towards me.

With that said, following the Golden Rule is so hard and sometimes simply exhausting. And, I would like to meet a few more people who know what it is, too, and follow it.

Until then, I will keep plugging away...and teaching my kids to follow the Golden Rule.

Snow Day!

Today was the first official snow day (aka day off of school), and did we ever make the most of it. After sending Daddy off to work, the kids and I headed outside to play. We stayed outside for an hour and a half at least, welcoming our neighbor Zoe over to play as we came inside. Zoe stayed and played with Alivia all day. We made muddy buddies while sipping hot chocolate, played beauty shop as I curled hair (and then had Addison do mine filling my head with nearly 50 hair barrettes) and painting fingers. The kids then jumped in the big bathtub and played a while there. After playing inside a bit, it was time to go back outside for another 2 hours of fun in the snow. Asher even helped me clear the driveway (I shoveled 2-3 times today to ensure it was clear for Daddy when he returned home). The kids had fun on the playset, sledding a bit, and building tunnels. We ended the day watching a Netflix movie.

Love love love snow days!

Falling snowflakes

My 365 Project

I have undertaken a challenge starting on January 1, 2011. I have started my 365 project where I will, with any luck, take a picture a day for the next 365 days. I figured, I take about a picture everyday anyway. And, I usually take my camera everywhere. So...I will give this a try.

After all, I am always saying how the kids are growing up too fast, my life is flashing before my eyes, and how I don't want to miss a thing. Well, this is a way to capture at least one memory a day on film. I am hoping my 365 project will help tell the story of 2011 for our family.

I will try and give a monthly update. Wish me luck!

Here are the first few pictures from my project...

The Austin Family 2010 Photo Album

Here it is...complete!

If you see any errors...leave me a comment because I have yet to actually purchase it. But, yeah...I am done and it is only January 4! Now, I just have a few days to edit and purchase before the sale is over.

Here is the Austin Family Photo Album for 2010.

January at the Zoo

Alivia is still on vacation, the sun was shining, and it was not as bitter cold as it had been...so we decided to make a trip to the zoo!

I was surprised to learn the zoo did not open until 10 this time of year (Didn't it open at 9:30 last winter?).

Alivia was excited to go since she is usually in school when we go during the school year. We stayed close to the entrance going in and out of the buildings. It was actually hot! The jungle was wet (and hot), we watched the penguins get fed and then off to the stinky desert. The Butterflies are only open for 15 minutes at the top of every hour weekdays (which is also a new thing), so we missed them. We also hit the building with the jeep. This was my first visit to the zoo without a stroller...and we did fine. My arms were sore from carrying everything around, though.

A bird ate a mouse right in front of us....yummy!

It was a fun morning. We got exercise while learning about the animals in fresh winter air. Just another day in Nebraska!

2011 Home Goals

Happy New Year!

We accomplished a lot in 2010, but we hope to slow down a bit in 2011. We are not sure how long we are going to stay in Nebraska. Chris and I are considering moving in a few years, far away, for a few years. Things change with the years, so we will see. But, we have found that we do not get the return on investment on the things we do to a home, so we are better off to save our money than to put in into our home. We still want our home to be OUR home, though.

With that said, here are are 2011 home goals:
1. Paint the interior with NON flat paint. We have a number of areas left, but we look forward to having it finished!
2. Recarpet the basement post kitty (I can not wait for this goal!).
3. Add curb appeal to the front of the house. We just want to add a few finishing touches since this home sits up on the lot...we just want it to be something to look at when we do go to sell "someday."
4. Wrought iron spindles. These were on our original check list of things to be in our next home, which is now this home, so we would like to add them.
5. Patio: This we decided against adding the patio...but we will see. We have a covered patio now...so we are not sure it would add to the value of the home when we go to sell. We will see. I WOULD LOVE ONE myself...but not sure it is worth how much it would cost to install.
6. & Maybe, just maybe, add the surround sound to the basement. Chris has the main level and music hooked up throughout. So we can now listen to music through the house. But, he would really like to get the speakers in the basement working (if we can only figure out how). We believe we need to upgrade our system first.

Guess it is time to get at it...well, maybe.

Keep up with the Austin Crib on the Austin Crib Blog.