Three Years Old!!

For Ethan's birthday I made him a super yummy chocolate cake!! We had friends over to help us enjoy it. Ethan loved it!

I love how easily amused small children are. Ethan loved this card! He would have loved to stop there and not open anymore of his gifts. Thanks Grandma! He loved it! And thank to his other Grandmas for their gifts too. You sure know the way to your grandson's heart!

After the cake and ice cream we sent all those little boys outside to run off the sugar overload! We tried to sit them down for a picture... this was the only one that caught all six of them looking at the camera. I wish we had a camera going the other way to catch all six of their parents trying to get them to smile...

Here are few cute ones of Joshua. He love love LOVES to eat. Good thing too! He's continuing to get bigger and bigger. Yea!!!

This week we surprised the guys and took them out. It was so nice to get out without our kidlins. This is Casey and DJ Hovermale and Thomas and Delight Moser: the parents of all those boys that don't belong to James and me. We are really going to miss you guys when we move to Texas!!

We're back...

So... we didn't get lost on our way back from Minnesota! We made it back to Columbus all safe and sound... and a little bit frozen, but we've finally begun to thaw out.

When we got back my dad came out to help us finish our basement. James and Dad worked really hard and it looks great! Sorry Dad, still haven't taken any pictures of your handy work... I'll get on that.

Since then, we've been raising boys and getting a house ready to sell. Anyone looking for a charming three bedroom ranch with a finished basement? Yes, that's right we're moving to Houston, Texas. James has a year long residency there. I'm excited for a change of pace and for warmer weather.

Ethan is talking more. Which is great! Except that I still have a hard time understanding him. I catch most of what he's saying, but it's usually because I know what the context is. I am just glad he's vocalizing more and ATTEMPTING to talk instead of just jumping right into a tantrum. It is a blessing. He is making progress.

Joshua is finally growing!! YEA!!! When we first returned from MN he weighed 13 lbs 4 oz (for a child that started out at 8lbs 13 oz that is tiny!) Now a month later he weighs 16.5 lbs. YEA!! We had to juice up his formula and started him on solids. Now he's becoming quite squishy! Not quite chubby yet, but very very squishy.

So, if you stayed with me long enough to get here... I'll post more pictures next time.

Adventures in Minnesota..

So, this is Minnesota

And Ethan is just as surprised as the rest of us...

This is what those mountains of snow really look like... we're not quite sure what's underneath all that snow.... maybe a secret passageway into Canada.

One weekend we ventured a little bit west into Fargo, ND and went bowling. This is Ethan's victory dance. We love bumpers! Especially me! That was my best game ever!

Another weekend we went to St.Paul/Minneapolis and went to the temple...

and to Mall of America. That place is HUGE! And still I couldn't find any shoes that fit!

We have a lot of pajama days.

No stay in northern Minnesota would be complete without ice fishing. James went out on the lake right outside of our apartment with a guy from our branch. They drilled holes in the ice and waited and waited in their little hut until.... they finally caught a ..... minnow! Okay so that was just the bait, but Ethan was sure excited about their "catch." Until next time you slippery walleyes!

And finally our cute little elf man...

He sure is growing and growing despite the cold.

We made it!

After two long days of driving we finally made it to Minnesota! Whew! On Friday morning we packed everything we could possibly fit (I had zero leg room and stuff on my lap) into our car and drove about half way. It took forever because of all of the stops for Joshua. YIKES! Then on Saturday we did the same thing and arrived in Detroit Lakes on Saturday evening. It is beyond FREEZING here! I don't think we'll thaw out until we return to Columbus in the spring... The people we met at church were all very welcoming and kind.

My favorite thing about MN so far... is that everyone believes 20 is warm...

More of Joshua...

I can't believe how much Joshua has changed in the last six days... it's incredible. He is a cute one! So far Ethan seems to like him. He always wants to help, which can be a bit overwhelming at times, but mostly it's sweet. We've been lucky to have James' mom here with us this week. I don't know how I could have survived without her.

Joshua Danial Holt

So, on Saturday Joshua Danial Holt came into the world. He is a big boy. 8lbs 13oz, 21 inches long. He is so sweet! We are so excited to have him in our family. We are both home and doing very well.

Still Waiting...

So... this is what 40 weeks feels like... good thing it's been a good pregnancy. In the meantime.....

We went to the pumpkin patch last Saturday. It was stinkin' cold!! James picked out some pretty cool pumpkins... we have yet to carve them... that will be FHE tomorrow.

This morning while getting ready for church Ethan decided to be just like Daddy. He took out James' shaver, turned it on and began to shave. He sure is growing up!