Bushwar Top Ten for 2010

THE 2010 BUSHWAR TOP TEN

10. After 32 years of wishing on stars and offering up little toes in exchange for victory, Jon’s Texas Rangers finally advanced to the World Series in October. Jon made it to four post-season games, including the final game of the World Series. Despite the Rangers loss, Liam and Jon are still flashing claws and antlers at each other every now and then.

9. The Bushwars took their first family-of-five road trip to Minnesota for Thanksgiving. They made the trip in record-breaking time. Apparently, parents are extremely motivated to reach their destination when confined to a 175-square foot area with three kids under the age of three.

8. In May, Susan took a break from work and began “bed rest” throughout the duration of her pregnancy. She interpreted bed rest to mean lounging on the couch watching TV, shopping trips to Target, going out to lunch with friends, and occasional afternoon matinees. Bed rest rocks!

7. Quarantine was issued for the Bushwar house during October and November. In those two months there were four total days when all family members were cold- and/or fever-free.

6. Because the powers-that-be frown upon families camping out at malls overnight, the Bushwars were forced to relocate to a hotel for three days in February due to the snow storm that hit Dallas and left them without electricity.

5. Liam turned two in April and immediately decided he no longer needed his Mom and Dad. He could do everything by himself, including manage his personal toy portfolio, eat candy to his heart’s delight, and drive himself to Wiggles concerts.

4. Jon said goodbye to his beloved Saturn in March in exchange for a new family roadster, a Honda Pilot. Despite the plasticity of the Saturn’s body, three car seats just wouldn’t fit inside that tiny back seat.

3. The Bushwar’s summer vacation consisted of frequent trips to Sam’s Club for diapers and formula and plenty of happy hours at Sonic for much-needed caffeine.

And the # 1 and #2 Top Events of 2010…

Marin Jane and Ellery Kate made their grand appearances in the wee hours of June 15 to complete the Bushwar clan. Marin came with a smile on her face that hasn’t disappeared yet, and wide-eyed Ellery arrived with curiosity, wondering what the commotion was all about. To her delight, she soon discovered that there is never a dull moment around the Bushwar house…

Six Month Check-up and Pictures

Over Christmas break, we took the girls for both their 6 month check-ups (including lots of shots) and pictures.  It's good that we did pictures in the morning before the doctor visit in the afternoon, or these two little girls would not be cooperative at all.  As it was, Ellery refused to smile until all cameras were off of her, but I think we still got some good ones.

Marin...18 pounds, 25.75 inches long

Ellery...17 pounds, 3 ounces, 25.75 inches long

The girls are growing well and learning lots of new things everyday.  Marin can't wait to crawl and shows us by rocking back and forth on her hands and knees.  Ellery is taking her sweet time, but when she wants a toy she'll be able to find a way across the room to get to it...or charm someone into bringing it to her.  Both girls can roll like little gymnasts, giggle at their brother, and are refining their palate to include select vegetables, fruit, and cereal.  The best news of all is that both are healthy.  After sketchy newborn screens, we had a sweat test done this past week on both of them to make sure they didn't have cystic fibrosis, and both test came back negative.  Now if we could just nail that sleeping completely through the night thing down, we'd be golden!

And here's big brother Liam's pictures, too. 

He's getting to be such a big boy.  It 's been such fun spending so much time with him over the past couple of weeks.

Herding Cats

As a Christmas gift for Jon's Mom, Jenni and I decided it would be fun to have a picture made of all the grandkids.  Even though it was a little like herding cats at times, we managed to get a few good shots. 

The Bushwar/Mikeska Wrecking Crew.  When they all get together, you'd better watch out!



Sweet Girls...Marin, Rylann, Gracyn, and Ellery



Big Boys...Gavin, Liam, and Keaton



And to All, a Good Night!

Six For Six

Our little girls are six months old...half a year!  Jon and I were talking about how our life before the girls seems so foreign to us now.  It was quite a bit different around our place then.  It's pretty incredible to see how two little girls can blend a happy family of three into a joyful, blessed, and complete family of five.  For our little six-month-olds, here are six adjectives to describe each.

Cuddly, Determined, Engaging, Smiley, Expressive, and Cooperative

Tenacious, Chatty, Inquisitive, Giggly, Playful, and Energetic

 

All Bundled Up

It's been cold the last couple of days in the Dallas area.  In fact, it feels a little like Christmas.  The heat is running, the coffee is brewing, the candles are burning, and the winter coats are on! 

 

Seeing is Believing

We took the kids to visit Santa last week.  We've had the same Santa for the past three year, so Liam is convinced that all others are just impostors.  It's hard to fathom how much life has changed for us in three years, but seeing is believing...

2008

2009



2010

Christmas Tea

Each year my wonderful Mother-in-law takes Jenni, Jon's sister, and me to the Dallas Arboretum for tea.  Some years we go for the fall tea and some years for the Christmas tea.  Saturday afternoon we had our tea party, and, as usual, it was delicious!  I'll think about those creamed cucumber sandwiches, orange currant scones, and cranberry bread with orange butter and turkey until we do it again next year.

North Pole Express

Part of the fun of having a two-year-old is that you get to do things that sound like fun, but as an adult, it would be totally not okay to do without a kid in tow.  Like the North Pole Express.  That's what we did on Friday night with our friends, the Daultons.  The kids are encouraged to wear their Christmas pajamas, which is pretty cute, and, let me tell you, some of those little kiddos had some pretty sweet pj's.  The night started with a Christmas program that was lead by the train conductor, and then the doors were flung open and the adventure began.  Everyone was escorted through a maze of Christmas trees, and it began to snow!  Then we loaded the train for a half hour ride filled with lights, songs, stories, and the grand finale...a visit from Santa Clause.  If you have kids under the age of five, I would definitely recommend this Christmas activity.  You'll The little ones will love it!



Liam and Owen getting ready to ride the train.



The fearless boys helped entertain the crowd by jumping on stage and singing with the other kid who volunteered to go up to the front.

Look!  It's snowing!

Here comes Santa Claus!

The Daultons on the North Pole Express

Here we are at the end of the night

Big Shoes



Sometimes Liam likes to try on his Daddy's shoes to see if they fit yet.



They're still a little big.

After all, they're pretty big shoes to fill.



Sweet Baby

A precious, small face with dimples to tweak,
Bright, shining eyes and shoft, chubby cheeks,

The tiniest fingers that cling to your heart
And little feet kicking right from the start,

A cute, wispy curl,
The first, gentle coo,

The powdery fragrance of someone so new,
An angel from Heaven all wrapped up in love...

A baby's a gift from our Father above.




by  Robin Fogle

Liam @ MOA

While we were in Minnesota for Thanksgiving, we took Liam to the Mall of America.  He loves going to the  Rain Forest Cafe at Grapevine Mills Mall, but a couple of months ago was sad because his favorite attraction, Tracy the Talking Tree, tragically disappeared, only to be replaced by a giant stuffed tree frog.  Bummer.  Well, much to his delight, it appears that the Talking Tree just moved to the Rain Forest Cafe at the MOA in Minnesota.  He was very happy to be reunited with that crazy tree.  We also went on a few rides in the amusement park.  He.Loved.It.  I think our his favorite was the hay wagon mini-roller coaster, as you can see by the many happy faces.

Thanksgiving Snap Shots



Marin loves her Grandpa.




Grandma and Grandpa with the Bushwar kids




Sweet Avonlea with Mama




Debby holding Avonlea and Ellery...sounds like a song, doesn't it?




Jon in the middle of the Baby Bermuda Triangle



Thanksgiving dinner--restaurant style--at Timber Lodge Steak House. That's right--steak house.  Love it!  Less time slaving over an oven and more time enjoying everyone's company.

Debby and Jeff have their own little Thanksgiving gift this year--Miss Avonlea Grace.

Gary and Noemi--Welcome to the crazy family, Noemi!

The anticipation before digging in!

The kiddos take a turn on Great-Grandma and Great-Uncle David's laps.



Great-Aunt Peg feeds Ellery a Thanksgiving bottle.




Back at Mom and Dad's for Thanksgiving dessert

 

Marin's yucky yummy feast--squash.



Grandma Moline with four out of her five.



Some watch football, and some nap.  Ellery is my kind of girl!

Ellery and her Mama

Uncle Patrick is definitely on Liam's top five list.  Please come and live with us, Patrick!



We're so thankful for our little Thanksgiving blessings--Liam, Marin, and Ellery.