Lack of Pictures

So, we have had dreary day after dreary day over here in Indiana. It just makes me miss those sunny but cold days in Maine. Needless to say, I have not been able to really take pictures of the boys since the light is so bad. And really what's the point if they are either blurry from too little light or totally washed out from the flash. I need to take some photography classes so I can get good pics in low light. Anyway, I feel bad about the lack of posts for so long so thought I would write about some of the things we have been doing.

Jonathan--study, study, study, write papers, write papers, write papers.....it is finals week--thankfully today is the last day and he has the next two weeks off from school.

Sarah--sew, sew, sew, clean house, take care of baby. I have been trying to make Amund all of his birthday presents this year....and most of the things I am designing myself. I hope it gets all done. And in typical me fashion, I decided I needed to hand-stitch most of the stuff....

Islwyn--Preschool three days a week in the morning. Obsessed with watching "Kipper." Also has been coloring and cutting and doing playdo.

Amund--Got over the ear infection. Is his usual happy self again. Napping a lot -- than you!!! Um, still not sleeping through the night consistently. Loves to play with the balloons that we have, his stacking cups, and his big brother. Also, currently OBSESSED with graham crackers. He even says "cracka.." when he wants one. His birthday is the 7th--I can't believe he will be one. Oh, and he got two more teeth in, so has 6 teeth now.

So that is what has been going on in our house. We are all very excited about Jonathan being around a little bit more for two weeks. We are also heading up to MN to visit my family for a week during break. I am really excited about it since we haven't been back in over 3 1/2 years. I am really hoping to get some great pictures of the boys with my grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins etc.

School Days

Big news at our house. Islwyn started pre-school today! I can't believe he is big enough. Here he is in his classroom.

By his locker. It has his name on it.
In front of the school. Getting ready to go in for the first day. Note his super cool backpack I made him.
Islwyn and Amund getting ready to head out the door. I did the front and sides of the backpack in this super awesome Michael Miller vintage cowboy fabric. The back and straps are red corduroy. It was the first time I ever put a zipper in or did piping and I think it turned out ok.
More pics of the bag.

When we took Islwyn into the classroom, he stood by me for a couple of minutes and then he just went and played and didn't even care that I left the classroom....

The backpack pattern I bought from made by rae. It's a great pattern, I did a couple of things differently, but it is a really good pattern and easy to follow.

Snow Day

We had two snow days last week. So Jonathan was home with us. We did all kinds of fun things.

Made popsicles with orange juice (in the ice cube tray). Islwyn really needed popsicles for his cough and sore throat. Here is Amund eating one.

We ate brownies with carmel sauce in the middle of them...the whole day.....
Islwyn did lots of art projects.
...and a giant floor puzzle.
The boys played the ukulele and sang songs.

Other things we did that I didn't take pictures of....

--drove in the snow to the dr.'s office with Amund.

--Amund had an ear infection

--Picked up Amund's medicine!

Poor baby--the highlight of his day was taking his medicine. He loves it. Other than that he has been a pretty grumpy baby.

Haiti

I know the people of Haiti have been in everyone's thoughts and prayers these days. My dad just spent the last week in Haiti helping bring supplies to the people there and also developing a plan for help in the future. He went with a great organization called Lutheran World Relief and Human Care. To find out more about what they did down there and how the people are doing, you can check out that site. Last night dad came home and Islwyn went to the airport to pick him up with my mom. The local news was there and they interviewed dad and showed some clips with Islwyn in them! You can check out the newscast by clicking the link below.

http://fortwaynehomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=20262

Happenings and Sweaters

Islwyn has been playing with playdo a lot lately. Here he is so excited about the dinosaur that he made.

Islwyn showing off the sweater that I knitted for him.

Amund in his donkey sweater I made him for Christmas. So cute.
We are just trying to enjoy the cold and snow. We spend a lot of time at the library these days...and playing indoors. Islwyn has already started working on presents and decorations for "valentinations." That's what he calls valentines for some reason. Amund can already climb the steps!!!! And he cruises around holding on to things all the time these days. Makes for a little bit of a crazy mama.He just wants to do what his big brother does I think.

Florida

We got to travel to Florida to spend a week with Jonathan's parents, grandparents, and brother and sister-in-law. Amund got to ride a horse...

Islwyn got to lead horses around, even two at one time.
Amund and Dada with Taz...
Islwyn leading a horse.
Amund getting snuggles from Lindsey.
Islwyn telling the horse to back up (by wiggling the rope).
Feeding horse cookies.
Islwyn loved all the dogs.
Amund and Nani.


A boy and a dog, what more could he want.

Handmade Christmas!

We were so excited this year to get so many great handmade presents for Christmas this year. My mom and dad got Amund this little couch. The cushion comes off and there is a toy box on the inside. Super handy for keeping the living room look toy-free during adult time! :) An Amish gentleman who lives around here makes them.

My mom made Amund this really nice and warm sweater and little booties! The booties match his Christmas stocking she made him.
Jonathan's Grandma made Islwyn a quilt that folds up into a pillow. She put his initials on the pillow--I need to sew the pillow on still..... She also made Amund his "ba ba bear" That's what Amund calls it. Amund's is the plaid one. Islwyn needed to have his bear in the picture too. She Islwyn's bear she made him 2 Christmases ago. These bears are a favorite toy around here.
I made Amund the three little pigs and the big bad wolf out of yarn scraps I had around the house. Islwyn really likes playing with it it. Behind the little houses is the bag I sewed up to keep the three little pigs in. I also sewed Amund a little felt ball for his St. Nicholas day present. Islwyn got a candy necklace and bracelet from St. Nicholas. :)

THanks to everyone who put so much time into making these amazing presents. We will treasure them always!