Biggest Fort Ever

It's always fun finding ways to entertain kids while Rachel is at school...especially when pregnant.  The request on this cold December day was that I make the "Biggest for ever!  Bigger than the whole entire world!"  Done.

First for Hannah

In November Hannah had a couple of firsts.

 Hannah's first black eye:  This picture doesn't show it in all its glory.  We think it was Lincoln's fault.  Hannah gets her shots in at Lincoln so I had a hard time feeling too sorry for her.

Hannah's first bed: Hannah moved out of her crib in the closet to make room for the new baby.  We tried it before with disastrous results, but to our surprise, she's been doing really well this time. 

Our Illinois Trip

We went up to IL for my dad being released from his Stake President calling November 11th.  He gave great service in his calling and is a good example to me.

Here's Hannah waking my dad up from a nap. (Picture courtesy of Lincoln)

This is my Grandpa Lunt and my niece Ellie.  I was glad my kids got to see their great grand parents.  I think it's notable that both Lincoln and Hannah won the "Don't laugh while Grandpa plays the Grandkid guitar" game.  Normally you can't look at Lincoln without him laughing.  There was some disputing afterwards because Rachel got a dime and Lincoln got two pennies...who really got more?

It was beautiful weather while we were there and I was able to show Joe Lincoln Log cabin.  Abraham Lincoln never lived there but he visited his parents there a lot.  We also got to spend time with my grandpa and meet his new wife Jill.

   

 They had fun games in the visitor center.

 Outside they had a lot of animals.  I think one boar was pretty frustrated he couldn't get through the fence and eat Lincoln.

Visitors

My friend Sarah and her kids came to visit from North Carolina at the beginning of November.  We raided the Wal-Mart clearance costumes and added some of our own to make this fun dress up session.  We always love when they come to visit.

Halloween 2012

 Rachel and Lincoln with the pumpkin they made with Dad.

 Rachel, Lincoln, and Joe left earlier with this group of friends.  

 This is Hannah later.  We were surprised Hannah used the stroller.  Usually Lincoln winds up in it.

Our kids and some minions.  We have a nice route around our neighborhood that we've been taking each year with our friends.  It's a lot of fun.  The only part that the kids could have done without is the scary sasquatch that stayed right behind us the whole night.

Things I don't want to forget

There are some things my kids do that I don't want to forget, and since this is my journal of sorts I want to record them.

1.  One Sunday I was having a weird pregnancy emotional break down and Rachel and Lincoln were concerned for me.  Rachel decided to make me this nice card.  Lincoln decided to make me feel better with a song. He said, "Mom I made you a song!"  Then he marched around the couch singing "March....march..."

2.  Rachel is a good second mother to Lincoln.  One day I overheard a conversation that made me laugh.  Rachel was getting down gold fish and Lincoln asked for some.

Rachel: You need to put your plate away first Lincoln.
Lincoln:  Yes (in a sad voice)
Rachel:  Yes mam (with the tone and the look)
Lincoln:  Yes mam.

Rachel will even punish Lincoln and I listen to see if he'll obey.  He does!  I need to take tips from her.  If Rachel wasn't so nice to him he might not be as compliant.

Rachel lost her first tooth!

In September Rachel lost her first tooth.  She just wiggled it out herself.  I asked her how much she thought the tooth fairy would bring her and she said $10.  The tooth fairy didn't end up being that generous.  As a side not Rachel asked me a couple of weeks before if Santa and the tooth fairy were real.  I gave her an honest answer but she decided to believe in them anyway.  It's hard to not believe in someone who gives you stuff.