Launching a Comeback

Hey, I think it's about time I catch up! Hope everyone escaped the January blues. Realizing that my procrastination will make this look like a second Christmas letter, I give you our family's headlines for January:

• Peter Reinstated as World Traveler (or, at least a national one)...After NINE interviews across the country, our boy returned home never wanting to see another airplane - ever. He almost accidentally drove us to the airport on a recent outing to Kansas City...it's like the car was on auto-pilot or something after having made so many trips there. The interviews all went exceptionally well, and we've submitted our rankings. We are now in the waiting process (again) to see where the computer says we will go. Match day is February 26th, so we'll keep you posted. We are all enjoying having him around more this past week, since he is done with classes and all he has now is work and his research! Yay!


• Michelle & Kids Party in Washington...We had a great trip up to see my family mid-January (see pictures on Flickr at left). We rode the train up from Portland to Olympia - you can only imagine how Parker reacted on his first real train ride. It was so cute. While there, we hit the Children's museum, Chuck E. Cheese's (another first) and had a great time just hanging out with everyone. Since I've returned, I'm full steam ahead with my New Year's resolutions and it feels awesome. Lots of things I've wanted to do for a while, and all of a sudden I feel like I can!


• Parker Starts Playschool...This was something we did last year as a co-op and we started up again this last month. He loves it, and I'm just happy to see Parker having more social interaction with real children instead of Handy Manny, Charlie & Lola, and Diego. We've also started a little "school time" at home, for an hour a day. Above you will see Baker Parker on "Kitchen Day." Every Monday, he makes the treat for Family Night. This particular treat was "Snowy Cupcakes," in light of the snow we received that week. Speaking of, Parker also built his first snowman (looking a little sad...we actually made a bigger one and didn't get a picture). The boys and I have had fun playing in Parker's clubhouse and tunnel, which has saved us all from potential cabin fever in these freezing weeks.


• Tyler Approaches Age One - Are You Serious??...I look at the pictures above and think to myself, "When did this happen? When did my newborn turn into an 'almost-toddler?'" He crawls at light speed, mooches off of our meals, now says "daddy" and can hold his own with his older brother. As evidenced above, he insists on self-feeding and every meal is a major disaster! I am not used to this, as it took our prodding Parker with a spoon for nearly two years before he finally caved and started to do it for himself. Tyler is a happy, sweet, adorable boy and we are SO blessed to have him.

Well, that's the update. Hopefully I'll be a little more regular on here so I won't have to spend forever catching myself and everyone else up...'til then....