A know I'm a little behind but...

I have some pictures from Christmas time I wanted to post and have never gotten around to it.... So here goes...

December started with a little birthday party for Cosette at Lance's parent's house. Marilyn made a pretty Big Bird cake for her.

Mom came out before Christmas and we had a little Christmas/Cosette's birthday vacation in Branson.

 We had such a great time but the highlight, I think, was the polar express train ride

We bought a cupcake and some candles for a little birthday for Cosette on her actual birthday.

This year we had a lot of fun with our train set under our tree. 

There is something magical about watching the train go round in a room lit by the Christmas tree

We had loads of fun writing notes to each other and let the train deliver our messages. 

For Christmas we had our traditional Christmas Eve fondue at Shane and Shana's

Violet loved to eat Shana's decorations

and it was there we were about to get a family picture. I think it was the first time that we have had the ENTIRE family (including Violet) in a picture together 

We were able to celebrate Christmas the weekend before with Lance's whole family

All of the cousins together:

Cosette, Lucas, Javan, Isaac, Violet, and Creighton

Its been a snowy winter... but there is always fun to be had at Monty and Marilyn's house (This is Lance driving a tractor pulling the kids on a sled)

This is Violet and Isaac... just about 2 months apart. Little cuties.

For Violet's birthday, we had a little party at Monty and Marilyn's

The PA Rushiks bought Violet a bunch of pink balloons!!

Sneaking a little taste of the cake 

Meet Nora... or Dora as Cosette likes to call her. 

We have been babysitting her 3 days a week for a friend.

Cosette loves having a playmate around :-)

Violet has gotten to courage to walk around now. She's a little wobbly now but it won't be long she will be running around chasing her siblings.

Its not easy getting pics of the kids lately. Someone is crying or not looking or making a silly face or running away... ah well ...  Here are a few random pics from my phone 

Bubbles at the library storytime

Violet likes to get pushed around in the doll stroller

Hide and seek. I wonder where Cosette is....

Found her!

We got a little but if snow

Happy First Birthday VIOLET

Violet is one today. It always blows me away how fast the first year
goes but this year seemed to go by especially fast. These kiddos sure
have been keeping me busy!!

She has been walking very well while holding one hand and has been
known to be a bit daring and take a step on her own from time to time.

She pretends to talk on the phone like her sister does and she likes
to put things on her head (like a towl or blanket,etc) but only for a
second. Of course, if I try to put something on her head like that
headband in the picture - it comes off immediately.

She has learned from the master (her sister) how to throw some serious
temper tantrums however I think she has a bit to learn (I hope not)
because she is pretty quick to calm down and "get over it".

She LOVES to go up the stairs but doesn't (yet) know how to get down.
We are working on that.

She must be watching her siblings because I have noticed lately she
has been trying to draw and color. She makes this homeschooling mom
proud that she naturally holds the pencil the correct way (phew, one
less thing to teach).

Happy Birthday Violet!!

Potty trained!

Phew...it took a little longer considering we started at 4 months but she finally got it.

2 days of dry pants...YAY!! Just in time for her 2nd birthday.

Oh my she is getting big.

I just realized i need to stop calling her 9 months because she is  10 months!!  She finally has the crawling in her knees down now. Not that it matters because she would much rather be on her feet. She is working on her balance and can stand without help for a short time and she LOVES it when we walk with her.

Violet now has a top tooth and 2 on the bottom. It is a good thing too because she is a BIG eater !

You got it dude!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H_getvWiS4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Speaking of apples...

Look at that huge apple she is taking a bite of. Oh wait...that's not an apple haha that's a tomato. Makes no difference to her...its all yummy.

For the record she is normally not allowed to sit on the table. She was being sneaky....

Dentist appt today

Javan and Cosette got to see the dentist today.

They both had beautiful teeth and no cavities.

Lets celebrate by giving them both frozen high fructose corn syrup  O.o

...i guess it would be weird to give out apples although a little more appropriate.

KCPT television spot

We were so fortunate to have the opportunity to do a little commercial with Kansas City Public Television. Javan did great and it was so much fun. Maybe they will ask us again :-) There are a couple more spots that they haven't put together yet (i think) but these were the ones Javan was in the most.

Outdoor Safety #1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5hpfUgDO8U

Water Safety
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc-8Hhxz5X0

Indoor Safety Spot #1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAuO6iR7a08

8 1/2 months and she is moving back and forth from the coffee table and couch. Getting so big!!