tales from a far-land

Earlier this month, we attended "Santa at the Falls" at the Pointe Tapatio with our friends the Richards.  It was a very fun event.  The resort's pool area is transformed into a “Winter Wonderland”. The Pointe provided plenty of festive holiday treats and hot cocoa to sip on while our kids were able to participate in arts, crafts, and games at various holiday activity booths. Madi & Her New "Cheese" Smile  Aiden & His Puppy Bink   Th highlight of the evening was Santa's visit.  He arrived in style on a firetruck and was escorted to his chair so all of the children would have the opportunity to take a photo with him.  As we stood in line to take pictures with Santa, Madilyn was so excited to see him.  She talked about Santa the entire time.  She wanted to tell him that she wants Mickey Mouse for Christmas.  The closer we inched up to Santa, the more exci...

Today, Aiden visited his pediatrician for his 15 month old check-up.  He is developing normally and the doctor was very happy with his growth and development. Although his pediatrician did say that he had not grown too much since his last well-baby visit which I just could not believe.  I think that he is getting so big.  He received a couple more vaccinations and the flu shot.  He was very good and only cried for a short bit.  However, he was very upset everytime the doctor or the nurse would leave the room.  He wanted to go with them.  He would run to the door pointing and crying.  I guess he enjoys his friendly medical care providers. Aiden's stats as of this visit were: Head circumference - 18.5" (52nd percentile) Height - 31" (34th percentile) Weight - 25.6 pounds (81st percentile) Here are a couple of photos that I took while we were waiting in the lobby and while waiting in the exam room for the physician. ...

Last Thursday, the Farrell-Landers family hosted our first Thanksgiving dinner.  I am happy to say it was a great success.  The turkey was moist and the stuffing abundant plus we were surrounded by family and friends.  How lucky are we?.  Our feast was very traditional complete with mashed potatoes and gravy, the Swanson family fruit salad, collard greens, green beans, homemade challah and many, many other side dishes for us to over-indulge.  Thank you to everyone who contributed to the meal.  I think it turned out quite beautiful.  Here are some of the photos I was able to take during the day while the turkey cooked.  Unfortunately, I didn't even think about taking pictures once the turkey was out of the oven.  It seemed like we were all just trying to get the food ready to eat and we didn't even think about photos.  Too bad, as some photos would have been a nice momento.  Hopefully, as we perfec...

Halloween, this year, was even better than last year.  We, along with our friends, the Bukatas, decided to go "trick or treating" in the neighborhood of our other close friends, the Raetz family, in Moon Valley.  Five adults (minus a very pregnant Paige) and four kids traveled up and down the streets near the Raetz home.  What a great time!  Madilyn was completely into "trick or treating" this year.  She would run right up to the door and yell "Trick or Treat".  And was even more excited about all of the candy she was going to get to eat.  She thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience.  Aiden enjoyed being pulled around in our Radio Flyer wagon and every once and a while would totter up to one of the doors to stick out his bag to ask for more candy.  As for the adults, we also were able to participate in the joy of "trick or treating".  A couple of ...

This past fall for six weeks Madilyn participated on Saturday mornings in a program called SoccerTots.  SoccerTots is skill building, non-competitive, weekly soccer program.  During the six weeks, Madilyn learned several different components of soccer -- dribbling, kicking, throw-ins, and passing.  Madi's best friend, Keaton, also participated in the program with her.  These two toddlers were hilarious to watch.  Some weeks they were both very interested in the class, other weeks only one of them had any interests.  Even if they didn't really play any soccer games, they both seemed to better their soccer skills by the last class.  Plus, our kids had a great coach, Coach Maddie.  She was young, energetic and very patient.  It was a very fun experience for all.  Below are some photos and videos of Madi and Keaton at SoccerTots. Madi's soccer shirt from Grandma Farrell   Listening to their coach   Aiden hang...

Here are my two pumpkins on this Halloween.  We send you many "Bugs and Kisses!"  And hope that you have a "Boo-tiful" Halloween night.  Now, go eat, drink and be scary!  

Yesterday, when I arrived to pick up the kids at preschool, Aiden was sitting in the sandbox with his back towards me.  I quickly noticed something was a-rye.  It looked like Aiden was wearing a sports sweatband around his head.  As I approached, I figured out it was actually a bandage around his head.  I quickly turned to the teacher and inquired, "What happened?"  Madi responded for the teacher, "Aiden has a bandaid on he head."  Yes, I could see that.  The teacher explained Aiden fell on his way out the door to recess this morning and hit his head on the corner of the step walking outside.  As I said previously, this boy is crazy and has no fear.  And now that he has started to walk, he is even more fearless.  From the onset, he has always bumped his head on furniture, floors and walls.  I am not looking forward to the many trips to the emergency room I foresee in the future.  So,...

Each summer, we try to visit my parent's cabin up north in Munds Park as much as we can to escape the blistering heat.  Sadly, this year, we only made it up there a couple of times.  Here are some photos from one of our trips -- at the end of June.   Madi and Aunt Lynsey building with blocks Aunt Lynsey wanted to plant some flowers and Madi wanted to help Aiden playing with his ball on the deck Post haircut picture ... he looks like such a "little man".   Grandma made spaghetti for dinner.  Can't you tell? A video of Madi and Aiden dancing