Carli's First Day of Hearing Impaired Preschool

Carli has been getting speech and hearing services through Early On, but since she is close to 3 she needed to transition to regular special education services. Our county has a Hearing Impaired Program and offer a HI preschool. We are so fortunate considering we live in such a small area that they even offer this because in most large areas and school districts this would be hard to find. Carli's prechool teacher, Miss Katie has been coming to the house every other week for the last few months, so both Carli and I know her well. Carli has been counting down the days until she can go to school like her big sisters. Friday was finally the day! I took her and got her all settled. She rode the "bus" home. It's not really a bus. It's a minivan with a few other kids. They pick her up and drop her off that the house. What a dream! 

There are only 3 other kids in her class. She had a great first day and can't wait to go back next week.

She even has her own locker

What the Difference a year makes

A year ago today we flew home from Sao Paulo, Brazil. We missed snowy recorder breaking cold January and the contrast from one of the hottest Januaries on record in Brazil to one of the coldest in Michigan was sever. Here are some pictures of Eric' snow blowing a year ago, and the snow pile by our house.

A year later this is what it looks like today. Ironically school was actually cancelled today due icy road conditions. However it's much warmer and less snowy than last year:)

It's been a busy year for us.... Gretta's baptism, John & William's birth, a job promotion for Eric, a new house, celebrating Grandpa Huff's 90th birthday in Boise,  new schools for the girls, major ear surgery for Gretta,  Thanksgiving in Rochester, Christmas in California with the Fors, and Florida/Disney Cruise in January with the Snyder. We feel very blessed! 

John and William-11 months

John and William at 11 months

Both...

1. successfully traveled to Florida for Snyder Family Vacation 2015.

2. Now have 6 flights under their belts and 1 sea voyage. 

3. enjoyed a day at the Magic Kingdom

4. Loved playing in the sand at the beach on Castaway Cay. John especially enjoyed eating sand and spitting out sea shells. William enjoyed crawling straight into the sea. 

5. Are super easy going and happy. 

6. Are pretty much down to taking one nap a day due to the families busy schedule. Waking up 8am, napping from 12-4 and bed at 8pm. 

7. The pups are delightful and we are so happy they are part of our lives!!!!

8. Can't imagine life without them. It's so fun to see them play, crawl over each other and always have a friend. 

9. Have seen all of their two Great-Grandpa's, All of their Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, First Cousins and even a lot of their 2nd cousins in their first year of life. 

10. Are going to be walking soon and I am sure running soon after that. 

11. We wish they weren't growing up so fast!!!!

John....

1. Can now successfully crawl on all 4, but still prefers to arm crawl and is super fast!

2. Can pull to standing and cruise. Likes to try and open drawers and cupboards. 

3. Climbs up the stairs with ease.

4. Claps

5. Eating more finger food and gets excited every time he gets put in his high chair for food. Haven't found a food the kid won't try. However his first bite is also cautious.  

6. Loves to clap and is super happy.

7. Loves to sleep a little more than his brother. 

8. Will still put everything he finds in his mouth. 

9. Loves baths and books.

William....

1. skillfully crawling on all 4's.

2. climbing the stairs with ease.

3. pulling to standing and cruising around. 

4. Also trying more finger foods and hasn't found a food he doesn't like, however, I do think he has some food allergies. He has more sensitive skin and excema on his legs.  Breaks out in a red rash after eating avocado. Has been vomiting less since he switched to formula. 

5. Claps and is super happy too. 

6. Is a night owl and now sometimes doesn't want his morning nap. 

7. Loves baths and books

8. Will smile on command and has a super fun laugh. 

Fun at the Pumpkin Patch

Daddy Daughter Selfie

John and William 10 months

The boys turned 10 months while we were in California, so the pictures are a little bit late. I have been good about taking the pictures, but not so good about posting them and writing something about them each month. Some how the time just keeps flying by!!!

Someone also gave me these Thing 1 and Thing 2 shirts for Halloween for them to wear. I never took a picture of them all dressed up. I was hoping maybe the shirts would last until next Halloween since they are 2T, but that's HIGHLY unlikely. 

Here is John--

I like to...

1. eat anything that someone puts in my mouth or I can find on the floor to put in my mouth. If you aren't careful I am the human vacuum and will make sure that every crumb is picked up. My mom has found candy wrappers, twigs, hair ties and all manner of small chocking hazards my sisters or the cats leave around. Luckily so far I haven't swallowed any of them.

2. Clap

3. Giggle & Smile

4. My mom- I finally have a little bit of stranger anxiety and prefer my mom to anyone else. 

5. Snuggle

6. Sleep- John is a good sleeper and still takes two naps and sleeps about 12 hours at night. 

7. books

8. balls and cars

9. my sisters

10. I have 4 teeth. My two front and two bottom.

11. I am perpetual motion. I never stop moving and I can army crawl super fast. 

Here is William--- I am...

1. Recently I have decided I really like to eat and out eat my brother. I still however throw up more than he does. Make sure to stay your distance after a meal.

2. A night owl- I dislike early bedtimes and prefer to stay awake after all my siblings are asleep. However I still take 2 naps a day and sleep well during the day and once I get to sleep at night. I might be a little scared of the dark.

3. I have 4 teeth. Two upper and Two lower. Don't put your fingers near my mouth or I will bite you and it hurts.

4. Super interested in the cats. 

5. Smile. I will smile on demand and LOVE to have his picture taken. I swear he even posed for the pictures today.Check out my poses below

6. I may have been second to crawl, but crawling on all 4s has it's advantages. I can now go up the stairs with ease and win every time I race my brother.

7. I love electrical cords. I will find any cord in the room.  My mom can't figure out what I find appealing about them. 

8. Books

9. Baths

10. My sisters

11. Taking off my socks!!!!
12. Sucking my right hand the last 2 fingers. I like my binkie to go to bed, but I will find my fingers when I am out of my bed.
5

Both of them are pulling to standing, eating finger foods with a pincer grip and will eat just about anything. It's not going to be long before they are cruising. Let's just hope it's after the cruise. LOL!

We love them so much and are so grateful they joined our family!!!!

Here is Will in action.