Merry Christmas!

Out little shepherd. Simon was able to participate in the telling of the Christmas story at St. Peter church on Christmas eve. Simon asked to be Joseph at the first practice but he quickly learned that is a part you have to earn after being a shepherd for several years.

Opening presents at Grandma W's on Christmas eve.

Simon and Sarah were thrilled with Santa!!

Sarah thinks her new scooter should be an indoor toy!

Tuesday-Snow day

Tuesday Simon and Sarah enjoyed a snow day Tuesday with Joseph. Both of their schools were closed and Joseph enjoyed the day off with them. (For my friends to the north, notice how much snow there was on the sidewalk-about 3 inches. We had a snow day because there was a layer of ice under the snow)

Sarah's Christmas program

Here is a brief video of Sarah performing Jingle Bells at her preschool Christmas program. She loved performing it in front of everyone. (you will notice toward the end when she saw Joseph and I in the audience.

We survived!

Ok, having a 1 year old and a five year old's picture taken together is a daunting task. Here are the best two that came out. Simon did wonderful but Sarah had her mind on something else and really had no interest in the photo session.

Another lesson from Sarah

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

11 years, 6 months, and 18 days since I graduated from EKU, I made my last student loan payment today. While I can say I am proud that I sent myself through college, I truly hope that Joseph and I can not put this burden on Simon and Sarah. Life would have been much easier if I didn't have this payment, especially when I was first out of school and living by myself.

(Joseph thinks that Simon and Sarah can just join the military like he did and go for free that way)

Sarah's dress up

daddy's shin guards

Veggie Tales "lone stranger"

Simon's scooby doo costume

Sarah loves to play dress up. Unfortunatly, we don't have any of the traditional things girls like to dress up in so she finds whatever she can around the house.

It finally arrived

I thought it would never come but I really shouldn't complain since it took me 9 years to earn it.

oh, my

This is what happens when Simon picks out his own pjs and Sarah "helps" put away laundry and proceeds to put half of it on.

I then came downstairs to see Joseph wearing similar attire.

I am so proud.

Poor little guy

I got the call today that a parent never wants. Simon's teacher called to tell me Simon got hurt during recess. He was running, tripped and fell on the concrete. The injury looks more like he was in a bar fight.

Happy Veteran's Day!

photo by Simon

Simon took this picture of Sarah and I think it is really a good one.

2nd annual Wethington Halloween party

Enjoying Halloween Bingo!

Decorating their own cupcakes. I am so glad it was warm enough to do that outside!

Ella (good witch)and Simon

Kaitlyn (sleeping beauty) and Kate (Dorothy)

Kaylee (sock monkey) and Sarah

Saturday night we had our Halloween party. Almost everyone we invited we able to join us and we had a great time! Thanks to our friends for joining us! I tried to catch everyone in their costume but that was very difficult. Some only wore them for a few minutes and some never put them on.

Halloween 2008!

Sarah's costume was so cute from the back when she walked. Her little tail would wave back and forth.

Sarah was such a trooper trick or treating. She walked much of the way before we joined our neighbors trick or treating. Then she rode in a wagon. It was a perfect night for trick or treating!

Let us not forget the sacrifice

Ok, here is my one political statement for this election season. Please watch this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4fe9GlWS8

A fun weekend

The weekend was a busy one but filled with fun. Friday night, Simon and I went to the annual St. Peter and Paul Halloween party hosted by one of the parents at their home. It was on a beautiful farm out Paris Pike. Simon enjoyed seeing his friends and teacher outside of school. We were sad to find out this is the last year for this party since their child is in eighth grade and is graduating this year.

Saturday morning we enjoyed breakfast with the works at Keeneland. I think Sarah could have stayed all day to watch the horses.

Saturday was also Simon's second to last soccer game and finally Joseph and I enjoyed a "date night" and went to the UK homecoming football game. It was cold but what a GREAT comeback at the end of the game. It was worth it.

Simon's day with the "big boys"

Simon and his teammate Winston

Simon's soccer team got to escort the Men's UK soccer team out on the field during their introductions and the playing of the national anthem. Simon thought it was so cool. It was tough to get good pictures but here are a couple.

Sarah's first school pictures

It wasn't Sarah's usual smiley self on picture day. Isn't her outfit adorable though? Also, you have to love those ratios in the classroom. Four teachers, six children. Those are better than at home sometimes.

Osmosis Osmosis

Oh how I wish osmosis worked in this way. (I am not sure if you can tell but that is his Bible)

Sarah and Gavin

Sarah enjoyed seeing her old friend Gavin on Sunday. They spent a lot of time together with their babysitter Alma prior to Sarah moving to her new school. It was Gavin's baby brother Jake's first birthday party.

Baby update

For those of you following Melissa and Shane...here is their latest blog entry.

http://www.rattpak09.blogspot.com/

A confession

I have to confess, I have been terrible at remembering to videotape Simon and Sarah. I feel especially bad for Sarah because I have a ton of footage of Simon from birth to 2 years old. I was religious about it since I sent the videos to Joseph in Iraq. While I am soooo glad I am not having to video tape for that reason, it is still not fair to her.

Here is my attempt to start up the videotaping again. This is Sarah playing one of her favorite games lately...name that body part!

Lucas and Simon's annual trip to the circus

It has become sort of a tradition that Dana and I take the boys to the circus. Simon has a fear of loud things like cannons and fireworks so it took a little while for him to get over that. Overall, it was a good time though. Next year, the girls Sarah and Brooke will be joining us.

Sarah first trip to the pumpkin patch

Joseph chaperoned Sarah first trip to the pumpkin patch with her school. It sounds like it was a little overwhelming for her but she very proud of her pumpkin.

Too cute

20 months old!

I am a little late but Sarah was 20 months old on Sunday. She is absolutely thriving and loving her new school. She enjoys art and playing with her new friends so much.

She is very interested in potty training. (Could it really happen that she could be out of diapers by two???)

My coaching debut

Saturday was my first game coaching Simon's soccer team. Here are some of my observations:

1) It is a good thing we don't have to keep score. I don't know how many goals the other team got but I know it was a shut out from our point of view.

2) It is a good thing this is volunteer position because I just might be fired if you count all of the goals we let happen.

3) It is very difficult to be both a referee and a coach but that is how it is at this level. Luckily the other coach missed what a lot of the calls should have been as well.

4) The most important things to the players is what number is on their jersey and what the snack is.

5) I truly love the game of soccer and hope the kiddos do to.

6) The most important thing to me is I hope Simon will always treasure that his Mommy stood up and volunteered to coach so I could spend quality time with him.

End of summer

Sarah loved the water table

Simon's favorite was the water simulation demontration using marbles.

Check out Sarah's fat lip. Face vs. concrete Sunday morning. We attempted to play outside for a few minutes and she got to running a little too fast.

Simon really enjoyed the batting cage.

We decided to make the last unofficial day of summer filled with indoor activities due to the 90+ degree heat. We went to the Louisville Slugger Museum and the Louisville Science Center. Both we big hits.