Thursday, January 20, 2011

Playing in MinneSNOWta

Liam loves playing in the snow.  When we were visiting my family over the holidays, Liam had a blast, and it didn't matter that it was 5 degrees outside.  Kids don't care.  If you grew up in a climate that had snow on the ground for regular periods of time during the winter, you know the feeling of snow sneaking into the cuffs of your mittens, your damp hat covering your eyes, causing you to have to tilt back your head to see what's in front of you, and that blast of heat you experience when coming back into the house after being outside for more than ten minutes.  Well, Liam experienced all of these and begged for more.


All Bundled Up


Avonlea


Jeff, Debby, and Avonlea Brave the Cold



Getting Used to the Snow


Taking the Plunge!



Making Snowballs



This is fun!


Time to go Sledding with Uncle Patrick


Jon Joins the Fun


Don't do it.


Building a Snowman


Liam and His Snowman


Nicely Done, Boys!


Monday, January 17, 2011

Church Correspondence

When we picked the kiddos up from the nursery yesterday, all had notes of correspondence reminding us how big our babies (all three of them) are getting...
Since the girls are both sitting and scooting around, it's time to promote them to the Creeper class.  They'll miss the sweet workers in the infant room, but the teachers in the Creepers are great, too!

That's right...we've had a GREAT weekend of potty training.  I don't want to jinx it, but I'd say the boy is (90%) potty trained!!!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Seven Months








Thursday, January 13, 2011

Winter

It's cold in Dallas right now, but not cold like this.  I took theses pictures when we were up visiting my family in Minnesota at the end of December.  Brrrrrrr...  

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Potty Training Haiku

We're getting closer

And making lots of progress,

But still have glitches.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Christmas Post, Finally.

December was filled to the brim with Christmas festivities--church programs, tree trimmings, attending parties, hosting parties, drives to look at lights, shopping, wrapping gifts, mailing cards, baking cookies, trips out of town, out-of-town visitors, visits from Santa, no school for two weeks, and lots of time with friends and family.  Here's our Christmas in pictures:

GETTING READY FOR THE BIG DAY...

Christmas Party Time...the whole family at Erika's party.


Marin loved the lights and Christmas carols


I love baking cookies at Christmas, and my book club does a cookie exchange that's starting to become tradition.  Lots of fun! 


Ellery loves Christmas!

Looking into the living room from the den


Debby, Jeff, and Avonlea stopped in Dallas on their way to Minnesota, so we had an early little Christmas celebration with them.  Look at how big the girls are getting!


Avonlea likes her Christmas gifts.

Five stockings this year on our mantle


One of my besties, Marybeth.  It was fun to spend some time with her while she was in town over the holidays.


We have birthdays to celebrate at Christmas, too.   Here's the Bushwar gang at Gracyn's birthday party.


Kati playing with birthday girl, Gracyn, and Liam.


Liam's Christmas gift from Memaw and Poppie was a set of drums.  The boy loves drums right now.

CHRISTMAS EVE...

The kiddos with Nana and Papa on Christmas Eve after going to church.


The Bushwar/Mikeska gang on Christmas Eve


The five of us


Liam decorating his cookie for Santa


Christmas p.j. picture with the cousins


Cookies and milk for Santa

CHRISTMAS DAY...


Santa came!


The girls didn't really know what to think...


Liam loved his bike and decided he needed to wear his super hero cape when he jumped on for a ride.  He still puts it on when he flies around the house on that bike.


Super Liam!


Jon and Ellery opening gifts on Christmas morning

MINNESOTA CHRISTMAS...


Debby playing with Liam and Avonlea


Liam likes to help Uncle Patrick make coffee.


Snow Baby Avonlea


Liam opening more presents


Great-Grandma Moline and Liam

Marin loves Lisa


Thursday, December 30, 2010

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…