We're Back!

So I thought about not even mentioning that I haven't posted on here for many months.  Then I thought about coming up with some funny excuse but nothing clever came to me.  I thought about saying how much trouble I've had getting access to my blog and not being able to post (but that is only part true as it was really only since this morning).

But instead I'll just give an update on life!

I am still watching two little girls who turn 5 in April and 2 in May.  They come 4 days a week, are GREAT girls, and are full of imagination. They love the boys and the boys love them.  I am blessed not only to be able to be home when my boys get home from school but also to have watched these two sweet girls grow up!

Mike is still at GE Healthcare.  He works (4) 10 hour days and it's nice to have him home that extra day.  He was very sad with this year's football season - as we all were.  This was the first year since the boys were home that we didn't attend Packer Training Camp in Green Bay (it conflicted with our Ethiopian Adoption Group Camping).  That will be the last year we ever miss.  In fact I've already booked our room for this year.  We are just going to go earlier in the week before the Camping Trip!

Tomorrow is the 100th day of school for the boys - wow!  How fast did that go!!  John is in second grade and Ryan is in first.  John has continued in dance this year, his fourth.  They both do an after school program called Sportsmania run by our park district - a fun way to experience and learn about lots of different sports (and burn a ton of energy).  John is also trying out an eight week basketball league, also run by our park district.  They love wrestling with Daddy, playing in the snow (when it's warm enough to go outside), watching TV, reading and listening to books, and playing with friends.

They are getting big but are as cute as ever:

It's become a tradition to visit the Milwaukee Zoo on New Year's Eve

 Halloween 2013:

Ryan was a dalek - his favorite Dr. Who bad guy

John was that famous wizard Harry Potter (don't you love the pose!)

Ryan learned to ride his bike without training wheels this summer.  There is a train station at the end of our block.  Mike took Ryan down there a couple times on the weekend when the parking lots we empty - that way is Ryan wobbled, he had lots of room to weave back and forth and not have to worry about running off a sidewalk.  Apparently though all Mike had to do was tell him to pedal faster - and he got it!

blowing a kiss to his peeps!