Great News!

Great things have been happening around these parts. Depending on who you ask (Noelle) both are of equally great importance.

First and foremost, we'd like to introduce you to Nicholas. He was born into our craziness on July 8th. He was very kind to his mother and came out with a nice small head and no hesitations. If only all births could be that easy. Drug free was much easier than I thought it was going to be. I'm definitely making myself a mother's merit badge for that.

Nicholas is 12 days old in these pictures. He's a pretty easy going little "brother-man." I did my best not to capture too much of the craziness that was going on behind the camera. It was insanity in a nutshell if you can't tell from his expression.

When he wrinkles up his forehead (more than what is happening in this picture) he has a wicked good widows peak of a hairline. That would be from the Albertsen genes.

The second major event is that Noelle lost her first tooth! Hooray, one less to brush.

She's been anticipating this event for quite a while and when it was time to actually pull on it she was too scared. Eventually she gave it a flick and out it came. The tooth fairy brought her a one dollar "ticket" which she can't wait to spend. I'm not sure when she'll stop calling them tickets and realize its real money, but I have no plans on spoiling her innocence in that regard.

Currently, Noelle is sporting an almost equal gap on the top and bottom.

Next up on our exciting life, First Day of Kindergarten. Stay tuned.

Happy Fourth of July

We're enjoying temps below 110 today!

Sis is Two!

Yes, its true little miss Sis, you're two. Noelle has been anticipating this day because she just knew that you'd instantly turn terrible, at least that's what she told me. She was partly right. On your second birthday, while having dinner with some friends at their house you did bite their daughter. I'm sure you felt justified, like when you bite Noelle.
Despite the biting and other things that two year olds do, you're quite delightful. During your two year old exam at the doctor's office the doctor said if she ever needed to do a demonstration of how to examine a two year old that she would call you because you were so good and funny at the same time. She was amazed at your speech and you weren't even saying some of the crazy stuff you come up with. Some of my favorites are when you tell people goodbye and to "Have a good day"or when you ask for a movie, which has been a favorite past time lately, and you insist that it be a Barbie movie or the one with "Kayla the elephant." Your talking is constant and sometimes I don't know what you're saying and you look at me like I'm an idiot. I probably am.
For your birthday we gave you Barbies and a set of markers that won't draw on anything but their special paper. Noelle was very jealous of the Barbies and has cried on more than one occasion because she seems to think your birthday celebration has lasted way too long. As for the markers, you bit off the tops of all but one the first time we played with them. Lame. You are beyond markers that have a delayed markability and go straight for the pencils and pens to be just like Noelle when she draws.
You also got some clothes for your birthday. You did your best to try them all on as you unwrapped them. You even put on a skirt that Grammy gave you and then proceeded to go swimming with it on. We ended up stripping you down to nakedness and let you swim in your birthday suit.
Speaking of swimming you took your first swimming lessons this season. You're a fish and it scares the living daylights out of your parents when you dive right in. Good thing we only have a kiddie pool.
Sis, your happiness is contagious and many people love you for that. You're an easy going child and as your parents, we thank you for that. Happy birthday!

May 2011

Whoa, where did the time go. May got away from me an now its July for cryin' out loud. Here is a picture update for those following along.

Mother's Day 2011

Trying to capture my girls in their Easter dresses for a second time. Can you tell how excited they are? I usually like to take a picture of myself with my kids while we're all still in our Sunday best, but the Dad's Sunday schedule doesn't permit unless I do it myself with a timer. No bueno. I bet you're all jealous of my 1980's window fashions in the background. No?

This picture worked out a little better.

Noelle suggested to Boo that for Mother's Day they should make chocolate dipped strawberries. They were pretty darn delightful. Boo did a good job and it helped make up for Mother's Day 2010 which was a bust.

Preschool Graduation

Hooray Noelle graduated from preschool and was very pleased with her performance for the parents.

Noelle loves her teacher Miss Miles and has been doing "summer camp" with her so she doesn't get bored during the hot summer months. I like it because she has somewhere to go three days a week and gets all sorts of excited about the themes they've had. We had a really hard time getting a picture with just Miss Miles because all of Noelle's friends kept jumping in with her. Too funny.
Near the end of May Auntie and Jackson came for a visit. I know you're all thinking, "Weren't they just there in March?" But hey, a visit in March, a trip together in April and another visit in May still isn't enough Auntie time for some of us.

During her quick weekend visit we went to the train park to ride the carousel and train of course. It was nice weather and ice cream cones topped off a fun park visit.

I only got a picture with Sis because Noelle was riding in a cattle car with a bunch of strangers at the back of the train. When we went through the tunnel I'm pretty sure I could hear her screaming over all the other kids.
Not to let it go undocumented, but Boo and I also celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary.

Go Team Albertsen!