Naomi - Month 7

Looking back, I didn't get many pictures of Naomi this month, but here are a few of the ones I did get.

I just love toys that are as big as she is. 

It just wouldn't be the same if we didn't have a picture of our last child "drinking" a beer at this age. 

We were hoping for a good pucker when we gave her applesauce for the first time, but apparently homemade applesauce isn't near as tart as the store bought stuff, cuz this is as close as we got to a pucker. 

Have I mentioned how great of a help the older two are??  I am so blessed!

Dr. Fish

Before the kids started back to school after winter break, Grace and I had another girl's day and went to get pedicures again.  This time we went to a place that had Dr. Fish.  They are little fish that eat the dead skin off of your feet, and in all honesty, I can't decide if it was a pleasant experience or not.  You see - my feet are really ticklish, and having little fishies  nibble on my feet nearly drove me mad for the first 5 minutes, and I had 10 more minutes to endure after that...  But it did get better so my legs were finally able to relax after a little while.

I absolutely loved hearing Gracie's laughter and huge, genuine smiles while her toes were being nibbled! 

Nibbling at her ankle. 

Attacking my entire foot!

 I realize now that I have spoiled this little thing and am going to be paying for pedicures for a very long time... But it is well worth the cost to get to hang out one on one with my first born.  She is growing right before my eyes, and though I am sad to see her growing so fast, I am very happy to see the wonderful person she is becoming.  I love you, Gracie K!

Basketball

Tristan had his first basketball game on Saturday - and we almost missed it!!  I totally spaced the fact that he had a game, and David came out of the bedroom just before 10:30 and said, "Isn't there a basketball game today?"  Being basketball season, I thought he meant a Kentucky game on TV, so I replied, "I don't know."  He said, "Doesn't Tristan have a game today?"  OH NO!!!  It started at 10:30, and Tristan was still in his pajamas!  I am so thankful that all he had to to was throw on his shirt and shorts and make a quick 2-3 minute walk to the basketball court!  He made it just before half time, and was able to play the second half!

He had a great time - as he does any time he is playing sports!

And next week I'll be sure to have him there for the whole game.

Cowboy

Tristan received his Christmas gifts the other day from the Nebraska Samuelson's, and let me tell you what - it was perfect!  This little boy just has cowboy in his blood...

And he is so excited to finally have his own bandana!

He even put everything on to go to scchool on Friday - and even had a rebuttal prepared because he knew I was going to tell him no.  "I will tuck this (the bandanna) in my shirt, and I can hang the rope and my hat on my hook."  But I just couldn't let him do it - I have already promised his teacher that I would keep the hats at home...

Thanks, Uncle Dana, Aunt Joanie, Chase, Chad, Emily, and Erik - this guy LOVES his gifts!

First Teeth

Naomi's two bottom teeth broke through New Year's day, and I finally got a picture of them. 

It's funny how teeth change a smile, and she is just too darned cute!

Play Time

I was so sure that the newness of Naomi would wear off, but Grace and Tristan continue to think she is wonderful and love playing with her.  I just happened to have the camera close by today when Tristan was playing with Naomi.

He loves to get in her face and make funny noises and silly faces. 

Spinning like a top

Hmmm... Which ones do I want?

 She is getting very mobile, so things are going to be getting interesting around here very soon!

The Escape

Yesterday when David was giving Naomi a bath, she decided to jump overboard, so I thought I'd be prepared with my camera if she did the same tonight.  And lo and behold, she did.

She was just hangin' out, splashin' about in her tub,

when suddenly, she decided that maybe she was done.

Or maybe she saw something that caught her attention on the dining room table.

Whatever it was, she decided she was bailing out of her tub and gonna get it...

Even if it meant bailing all the way off the kitchen counter.

Boy, that Daddy is sure handy to have around - it's a long way down there after all. 

Boots

I bought Tristan a pair of boots before we left Arizona almost 2 years ago, and I think he finally outgrew his old boots a year or so ago.  Well, he has worn these boots so often that he wore the soles right off of them!  The wonderful thing about being in Korea, is that you can have just about anything made or repaired.  So, we took his boots in and had them resoled so he can wear them until they no longer fit him.  After getting a good look at them, David decided that they really needed to be polished, so we picked up some boot polish and the boys got busy.

David is the master boot shiner - I remember when he used to polish and shine his Army boots until you could see your reflection in the toe! 

Tristan got 'em all polished and buffed and they look like a brand new pair of boots!

Sledding

Another thing we decided to do while the kids were on break from school and my mom was still here was to go sledding.  There is a neat little place about 40 minutes from us that makes their own snow and provides sleds and tubes.  So, we packed up some sandwiches and hot chocolate and headed out.

Grace lost her sled a time or two.

And Tristan wrecked at least once.

Woah, David! 

Man I love these kids!

We had so much fun.  I imagine we'll be seeing a lot more of that place this winter.