Ten Years of Marriage and Three Kids later...

...Here we are.

Art-ing

 Art making is the favorite activity of late.  Brian and I are often surprised at their skills.  I suppose we can't stop the children of two artists from wanting to be artists themselves.  Resistance is futile.

 Charlie is in his blue period.

 Viola brought home a "How to Draw" Scooby-Doo book from her school library this week.  And although she felt too sick (with a mildly sore throat) to stay at school more than an hour today she found the energy to school herself in the art of Shaggy and the gang.

 I'm impressed.

 Charlie chose The Napping House to work on for his master copy.

We spotted spring so we headed for the hills.

 These little yellow babies just popped up in our yard.  Although we are certain to have plenty more winter days it's always a comfort to see a glimmer of spring.

 I had a hard time keeping up with these two mountain goats.  Do you suppose it had anything to do with the backpack, camera, and screaming baby strapped to me?  Probably not.

 Almost immediately upon summiting the peak we began our simple picnic of sandwiches, bananas, apple sauce, kiwi, and salami.

 I found a cold yet comfortable rock chair to sit on while snuggling Peter to sleep for his morning nap.

 Peanut butter sandwiches are better with a view.

 There was some wild life spotted including: a couple of hawks, a very small fluffy dog, a fly and some climbers with dreadlocks. Very educational.

Fun

We've been enjoying very fine weather and the kiddos have been begging for an outing to Old Town Square to climb on the bear and fish.  I finally gave in on Wednesday.  We packed a snack (they were hoping for ice cream but had to settle for apples, bananas, and bars) and headed downtown.  

 There was also music to be made.

 Snack break.

 Peter enjoyed himself enormously.

Happy Birthday Aberham Lincoln!

 I noticed that today was old Abe's birthday so why not celebrate with an apple pie, which just happened to be his favorite dessert.

 We also had a reading of the Gettysburg address and calculated that he would be 207 years old.  So educational.  And there was pie!

And who doesn't like an excuse for pie? Thanks Abe, for the emancipation and the pie.

Three Months

Peter has been working on his sitting up skills lately.

 Sometimes he gets a bit of help from a big brother.

But that never lasts very long.

 He can sit for a moment by himself.  A short moment.

Finally!

 This tooth has been wiggling for quite a while and thankfully it came out at school. (So that the nurse could deal with the bloody aftermath instead of me.)  And the other front tooth is already wiggly!

 She's very pleased with herself.  Until she tries to eat a hamburger.  

At Random

 Peter's favorite way to be toted around.  Just like a sack of potatoes.

 The three little Newells.

 And Peter has been giving the Bumbo a chance.  He lasts a bit longer every time.

The Brothers Newell

 Oh how they adore each other.

 Although sometimes Charlie's love is just a bit much for little Peter.

 But for this moment it's all smiles and giggles.

The Puzzle Man

The best way to get this guy to calm down and focus is a puzzle.  

Otherwise it's all spitting and stomping.

Some of us are more excited than others about the recent snow fall

This is what snow means for the little people:

 This is what snow means for Brian: