Hey everyone! It was a very busy and fun weekend. I worked for a bit on Saturday morning, then we headed to Brookfield for Emma's 3rd Birthday! It was a really nice party and Bill, Erin & kids dropped by on their way up to our house. Don and I discussed the change in Ian from last year at this time. He has really grown up. He was SO much nicer to the other kids and there was a lot less fighting. He is learning some self control as I saw him get angry a few times and he held back from pushing or whatever. It is hard to see big changes in your kids because you are with them every day. It was nice to see that (hopefully) some of our hard work at teaching good behavior is working.

Anyway, Sunday was Leah's baptism and it went by so fast! Our new church was so wonderful and she didn't cry until after the ceremony. She was very tired by that point. Later, after everyone had left and she had taken a nap, she took her first unassited step! It was very exciting because we were all there watching. She went from the coffee table to me on the couch. She is so dramatic and flops her arms down on the couch like she is hanging on for dear life. It is funny because the table is about a foot away from the couch, she is hardly falling.

Happy Tuesday everyone! In great news, I think everyone in our house is healthy (I don't want to jinx it). Yipee! We had a doozer of a week where me and Leah and Ian all had the pukeys. On top of that, I'm working like crazy, so it wasn't fun.

Leah has perfected the art of standing without holding onto anything. Don took a video with his cell phone and sent it to me at work. You should see the proud look on her face when she stands alone. No steps yet, but she is a little more receptive to walking assisted.

Ian has been busy playing with Transformers. He is a boy obsessed. He did ask me if he could have a little brother (I said no). That was a surprise. His friend Cameron is having another sibling soon, so maybe that spurred it on. He doesn't have pre-school again until mid-February as it is the semester switch for Tolland. They have semesters like college and need to take finals and get a new class aclimated before the kids go back in.

I have to mention how fun it is to watch Leah and Ian interact. It is happening more and more lately (now that she is becoming a talking and walking person). They like to tickle each other and chase each other. Leah gives Ian kisses when she goes to bed and Ian is dying to carry her around (we don't let him). A favorite thing is when we put Leah in her baby-stroller and he pushes her around. I'll try to get a pic next time.

Leah's baptism is next weekend and we are looking forward to having the PA Corne's visit for a few days.

Happy 2008! 2007 was such a wonderful year for our family. Don ran his first marathon, I dropped some pounds, Ian started school, and Leah went from blob to little girl. I can't wait to see what 2008 brings.

I was proud of us for New Year's. I actually stayed up past midnight! I don't think I've done that in 4 years or so. Rich, Lauren and Derek came to visit for the weekend and we had a great time. The boys fought a lot, but as soon as we separated them they would both be itching to get back together to play. We had some fun with the webcam that Bill and Erin got us. Kids in both houses got woken up because we were too loud.

Christmas was (of course) overwhelming for the kids. Ian loved getting presents (who wouldn't?) and eating lots of cookies. I told my parents to only get each kid one toy and they pretty much complied. That means that Ian got a ton of clothes (which he needed now that he is a size 4). He learned to recognize the boxes that held clothes and skipped those under the tree. I can't believe he is already jaded at 3. Transformers are all over our house. He got Bumblebee, Ironhide, Scorponok, and Blackout. Can you believe I know all these names? He also got a few Transformers books and an Optimus Prime mask. He is Transformers crazy all thanks to Jake from the Cancer Walk!

Leah's birthday was also last week. She turned the big 0 1. I made cupcakes (thanks for the idea Val). I decided to bake for the kids first birthdays. It will probably be the last time they ever eat anything I make (he he). She had a really small party and it was really nice. Leah now has some dolls and a carriage to play with. She likes to feed her dolls and ride in the doll carriage. She still prefers the Transformers though. I guess that older brother has some influence.

Coming up at the end of the month is Leah's baptism - finally! It took us a long time to find a new church and we are really happy with where we ended up. Ian loves Sunday school and we really like the people there. Meanwhile, I've begun year end at work, which means working some Saturdays and nights. Boo hoo!