February Family Fun

It's been a month of lots of family visits and family time. Granny & Grandpa came for the first weekend this month and we had a great time. Played, went to a Science Exhibit downtown, out the eat, church... it was really fun. The kids helped Granny & Grandpa bake blueberry muffins and Granny & Grandpa helped make valentines with the kids (lots of fun.) The following weekend, Grandma D came in town for Valentine's Day. The kids had a party at school (including dancing, decorating cookies, art projects) got hair cuts and played like crazy again. We also played in the snow at the start of the month (yes Henry is wearing pink snow pants,) cooked a lot, played with a lot of playdough and read lots of books. I usually use this blog to really just give updates about the kids, what they are into and how they are changing, but this time I have to just comment on how cute they are!




Ella came in to my room yesterday after her nap, decked to the nines! She took it upon herself after her nap to get 'pretty.' She put on 2 dresses (one is a flowered one that she would wear everyday if I'd let her) and then a Cinderella princess dress on top of it. Cinderella socks, Snow White high heeled shoes and a tiara. Now we're not into pageants or anything, but she loves a good party dress and high heeled shoes. Actually, as I'm writing this, she came into the room wearing the same outfit again! She just smiles and waits for me to tell her how beautiful she is. It's the cutest thing. I captured some pictures of her as she watched a little TV on my bed while still waking up. She is so cute! I can't believe she is growing up so fast.





Henry is also at a really fun age. He giggles and giggles. He loves to take something of Ella's, walk towards her and get her attention and then turn around and bolt in the other direction (just teasing her.) A chase ensues and he just laughs so hard. He love his Sissy. He also loves blueberry muffins and Nutri-Grain fruit & cereal bars. Now you know Henry will eat anything, but you haven't seen him eat until you see him with one of these two items. Quite the love affair. Usually ends with some crumbs all over, food all over (hair included) and a big smile on his face. It's hysterical. Love that boy. Twice this month (only read on if you have kids b/c you might be scarred for life by reading any more) Henry has gone toto (yup, that's right) in the tub with Phil. It's quite the panic and has yet to happen to me, but lucky for me, he saves it for his #1man - Daddy!

These kids keep getting cuter and cuter and we feel so blessed to have such amazing wonderful little children. Watching them learn and grow and smile is the best feeling in the world.

Too long

I'm embarrassed that it's been so long since my last post. With the holidays, family visiting, Phil traveling with boat shows... I just have really neglected the Team Smoker blog. I'm sorry! But, it's a new year (still kind of) and I'm back. We had a wonderful Christmas in our new home. It was so fun to decorate and celebrate with the kids. They were very 'in' to it this year. We were so blessed to spend time with really everyone over the holidays with the exception of Chris & Candice who were honeymooning in Europe (lucky ducks!) Nevertheless, very fun. It's been down right frigid here in January, but we stay busy with playdates, the library, the mall, really anything to not go stir crazy in the house.

Update on the kids:
Ella recently moved up to the next classroom at PreSchool. She's now in the PreSchool II room - which means there's only one room left before Kindergarten (still 2 1/2 years away, but crazy.) She is this little dramatic person with a vocabulary that is amazing. You can see her learning each day. The other day, we were at McDonald's and she asked me "Tienes hambre?" which is 'Are you hungry' in spanish. I was floored. I thought for sure it was Dora or Diego or something, perhaps from her new classroom since they learn spanish and french there, but no, it was from another show - in passing. It was crazy. She is loving dance class on Tuesdays and is currently in a Disney Princess phase. She wakes up in the morning, slips on some high heel shoes (you heard me right), grabs anywhere from 2-4 baby dolls and about 3-5 books and a purse and comes in to wake me up. She's intense about her passions and is so fun. Such a little girl but so independent and developing her own likes and dislikes.

Henry also moved up to the Toddler room at school and LOVES it. He could care less when I leave (he goes 2x a week.) He loves the slide and sitting at a big kid table. He is a constant 'wanderer' and is always on the go. He walks from room to room all day long (at home) and runs whenever possible. He doesn't fall as much as you would think by watching his 'drunken sailor' walk as I call it (butt and belly out with his legs apart and not quite balanced it seems.) It's hysterical but so cute. He has this really funny laugh, in fact, it may continue to be funny to hear as he gets older. He climbs everywhere and is fearless (unlike Ella at that age.) He even climbed up the huge play area at a local restaurant and went down the slide solo... of course, I'm not as nervous this time around either so perhaps it's because I let him try and do more and know that he'll manage just fine. He chases Ella around and just adores her. He plays so hard that his falls asleep in his food at lunch time about every other week. It's hysterical. He also puts himself to sleep just like Ella (even still) with about 5 books under his body... I don't know how he does it. His most favorite thing is his binky (pacifier) and his monkey blanket/lovie. I'll get a picture and post it soon.

In the interim, here are some fun pics from the past few months (at "Sesame St. Live," Chuck E. Cheese, Christmas time, Henry's real 1st big boy hair cut, etc.)

Ella's Birthday & Reunion

We decided to skip a party this year and instead headed to Chicago for a night for Ella (& Phil's) birthday. We had a lot of fun at American Girl. Ella got a new Baby (we named her Molly Jane) and enjoyed our tea party. It was a little overwhelming after skipping a nap but the orange soda she had made up for it! She said, "Daddy, this is the BEST orange soda I ever had!" (make that the only!) We also had fun at the Shedd Aquarium the next day... Ella's favorite was the shark tank. Henry just went with the flo and hung out. He had a great time, too! One of our favorite parts about the weekend was walking back to our hotel in the dark and swimming in the hotel pool at night! Pretty cool (it was indoors by the way!) I think Henry's favorite part was when we let him destroy an entire roll of toilet paper in the hotel.

The kids' school also had a Thanksgiving Program (that the 2+ yrs performed at) and so I took a few pictures. Ella's now one of the oldest children in her class so it's amazing to see how much she's grown since last year's performance!


Lastly, we hosted a Yoder reunion (Sally's side of the family) this weekend. It was very casual, but really a lot of fun to get everyone together and visit without the stress of the holidays. Thanks to everyone for making the trip. We had a great time.

Festivities...

There are so many things going on around here lately. Henry started walking literally on his first birthday (10/29), of course he turned 1 (can't believe it), Halloween & trick or treating, Ella's school had a fall festival with face painting and games. Grandma D came in town for the Halloween weekend. We had a blast. Ella dressed up as (my version of) a scary witch (more like a fairy witch) and Henry was a little bear. Henry could've cared less but Ella really got into it this year. Running from house to house yelling 'trick or treat' and then a quick 'thank you' as she cut through the yard to the next house. Henry also started swimming (parent tot splash time really) and Ella is doing some basic dance and gymnastics classes. Finally, our new house has lots of trees and leaves so we jumped in the pile of leaves today and really enjoyed the beautiful weather that we are having for the moment.

Ella turns 3 on Sunday so we are heading to Chicago for a night and have lots of kid things planned. Heading to American Girl (she's young, but she loves a good tea party!), Shedd Aquarium, the Children's Museum and of course deep dish pizza and a little pool time at the hotel. Ella is very excited and I think Henry will enjoy it as well. We are really just having a great time being together as a family and finally relaxing a little after an extremely busy spring and summer. We love our new home and can't believe the holidays will be here soon!

With all the activities, it's just easier to post a slide show so enjoy! Be forewarned, there are a lot of pictures of Henry eating his bday dinner (ravioli - his fav) and his first taste of birthday cake (which he LOVED.) Lots of mischeif and laughter!

Click Here for the slide show (it's also running on the right side of the screen.)

Movies & Mug Shot

Henry by the fireplace (OFF of course) just chatting and standing up.


Ella riding her bike for Granny & Grandpa with Henry hanging out, too!


Happy Halloween PJs (more like a mug-shot)

Time Flies!

It's been inappropriately too long since my last post. We've been settling in to our new house pretty well. Finally got the old house on the market (sad and glad) and our new house is feeling like home. The kids really enjoy running around like crazy and I think things are calming down a bit for us.

Henry is really just growing and changing each day. He's on the verge of taking his first steps as we sometimes find him accidentally standing by himself. He'll walk to you with encouragement (a step or two) so it's not far. He's on the move: conquering steps, pushing a little car, dancing, investigating our new fireplace. Since he doesn't walk yet, he's just packing on the pounds but he's as cute as ever with his goofy smile. He looks like a bruiser with 6 teeth but Ella is still the man-handler of her little brother... but not for long. He's the cutest little thing and really is developing a personality.

Speaking of Ella, she continues to grow each day. Her imagination and vocabulary are incredible. The other day she correctly used "Henry and I" and then "with myself" correctly in a sentence. It was crazy. She talks about a 'Auntie Brenda' and the funny thing is that we don't know anyone named Brenda. It really drives Phil crazy... like is Auntie Brenda an imaginary friend (he'll say: Is she here with us now? and Ella looks at him like he's lost his mind.) For now, she seems to be a friend she's imagined that is usually traveling long distances and calls on the phone a lot (hmmm - see a pattern here?) Anyway, she's really fun and is less and less of a toddler and more and more of a chatty little girl. She's so much fun and as determined as ever.

I finally posted some pictures and videos... enjoy!

(Wagon Ride Outside)

(Tub Fun)
(C&C Wedding Reception in Dallas)

(Playing Around)

Big Week for the Little Man...

Last week may have been the best and busiest week of Henry's life (perhaps next to being born!) Anyway, besides our new house, he accomplished some major tasks last week!

1. Really started to crawl. He was starting to move a little, but man oh man... he's really going and even learned how to go up a couple of steps already! Needless to say, the baby gate is out again...
2. He learned to clap. Here I was, a little worried b/c Ella was clapping at 9 months and then all of a sudden, he's a clapping fool... move over Ray Charles!
3. Henry got 2-4 new teeth! He had the bottom two and then on top, the two on either side of his two front teeth were on their way out, but then the two front teeth also (finally) showed up. I was again worried that maybe he didn't have front teeth!
4. He got his first hair cut! I had been trimming up around his ears, but Ella was getting a quick trim and so Cheryl (our hairdresser) said she's shape him up as well. Even used the trimmers on his 'burns. What a cutie! Watch out Myla... he's tough to resist now!
5. This is the funniest of all. He found his favorite destination in our homes... he LOVES to play in the toilet. Gross, I know, but as soon as it's quiet in the other room - I know that I better check the potty to make sure the seat is down. It brings him such joy... I keep it pretty clean, but it's just priceless to see his little grin over that big bowl!

Have a great week all!