Jan. Stoke School Meet

Raquel had another stroke school swim meet and did a great job. She really enjoys her swimming and always has a fun time and does her best at the meets.

Raquel socializing with friends before the meet starts.

(She is the 3rd from the right with the maroon swim cap)

We sometimes forget to acknowledge the cheering support group in the stands at every swim meet. So here are a few pictures of the cheerleaders.

Natalya

Marcus

and Dad.

I Scream, You Scream Mmmm Ice Cream!

Natalya, Raquel and Marcus enjoying their ice cream cones.

Marcus is very proud of his very own ice cream cone.

Statesville

Mike has wanted a truck for a long time and he finally got it. He found a good deal on a new one in Statesville, North Carolina so we made it into a mini family vacation. We drove down in the Chrysler and traded it in for a new Nissan Titian Truck. After getting the new truck we spent the rest of the night enjoying the nice warm pool in our hotel. You would think that after a nice long soak in the pool the kids would sleep well. They fell asleep at a good time but were up at around 3:30am which meant we all were awake. They did finally fall back to sleep 2 hrs later but it made for a unrestful morning. After enjoying a good breakfast and a little fun in the pool we headed home in Mike's brand new truck.

Marcus and I waited in the Chrysler while Mike and

the girls checked out the new trucks.

We had some fun in the pool after making our new purchase.

Marcus wonder if he really wants to get in.

Raquel enjoying the warm water.

Natalya ready to get in

All the gang enjoying the pool.

Marcus loved laying back in the tube and hanging out in the pool.

Marcus loved to spin around in the tube and watch the lights on the ceiling.

Mike's new truck

We had to take a picture,

neither of us has owned a vehicle with so little miles.

Raquel and Natalya getting ready to head back home.

Fun Days

Raquel was off of school for the past 5 days and so we took advantage and got some work done around the house along with lots of fun projects and play dates.

I finally got our room painted, it only took about a year and a half.  Now I just have to spruce it up with new bedding, wall art and nightstands.  Any suggestions?

The kids really were good to let me paint most of one day, so we needed to make our other free days chalked full of fun activities we have been meaning to do.  First, we made cookie snow globes, then soap from a soap making kit and then lastly we did an experiment with soap and the microwave.

The girls had fun making the cookies, icing and painting the snow globes with edible paints.

Natalya showing off our yummy honey almond soap we made.

Our soap experiment! First we made a hypothesis, what did we think was going to happen if we put a piece of Ivory soap in the microwave.  The girls both thought it would melt.  Were they right?

Here is Raquel showing off a little piece of soap before it went into the microwave.

After about 90 seconds in the microwave here is what our little piece 

of soap now looks like. They couldn't believe that is what happened to their little bar of soap.  The best thing is the soap is still usable, the girls just brake off a little piece to wash their hands.

Mike

Mike came home with very few pictures of his time in Afghanistan. When I say few I mean like none, so when a fellow doc sent him a picture of his buddies he hang out with while there I thought it necessary to post.

Mike with his fellow army docs

Every friday at Raquel's school they send home a paper that they call the orange notes that tell about the happenings past and future at the school.  This past friday this is what we read in the notes.

Mike was also featured in the paper on Saturday 1/14/2012.  What a handsome doc! Anyone would be crazy not flock to his practice after seeing him in the paper. Welcome home Dr. K!

Outside fun

Marcus loves his little red car and wants to play with it whenever he can.  Its parked in the garage and if he can sneak out and get in it while someone has the door to the garage open he will, even if its freezing outside and he has no shoes or coat on.  After a week of dealing with sickness we all needed a little fresh air and so we took the kids outside to kick a ball around and play with Marcus' little red car.  Marcus was willing to share his car with his sisters for a while but soon took over and wouldn't get out.  

Marcus riding in his little red car

Videos of the kids playing in the little red car.

Natalya

Marcus

Our New Car

With our new addition expected in April we have been looking into bigger vehicles to accommodate our expanding family. After looking at and test driving a few this is what we got, a new Nissan Armada. Its great it seats 8, has a heated steering wheel which I like and a DVD player which the kids like and can't wait to use on our next road trip.  I did have to give up my sporty Rav4 but I think after a while I'll get the hang of this beast and enjoy all the comfort and room of our new car.  Thanks again Mike for letting me get the new car while you stick with the old used ones.