Unfortunately we are unable to send actual Christmas Cards to everyone we know.  

But I do want you to know, everyone that reads this blog, that I am thinking of you and wishing you are

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

A few little tid bits about our family in 2011.

Thane:  Thane is still currently employed at the Sports Medicine Research and Testing Lab where professional athletes are tested for steroids and drugs of abuse. He really enjoys his job.  He loves the research aspect of it and loves the people he works with.  They love him there as well and wish that he was going to get his PHD and stay around for a long time rather than go to Medical School.  Speaking of Medical School.  We applied again this year, 3rd times the charm.  So far he has two interviews in January.  One with Penn State and the other with the Uniformed Service Medical School.  We are excited about both and hope that more interviews will come.  

Laina:  I am still loving being a stay at home mom.  I recently became a Mini-Van mom and am loving it.  I spend my days playing with the kids.  Trying to stimulate their little brains.  We do a lot of painting and drawing. We play with a lot of play-dough.  We run a lot, go on walks, dance.  I find time in the evenings or during nap times to read, blog, sew, cook. I have loved making time in the evenings to go swimming and feel a boost of happiness in my life when I do so.  I love watching my kids learn and grow and play.  I feel blessed to get to do so everyday.

Hobbes:  Now 2 1/2 years old Hobbes is getting to be so big.  He loves motorcycles, construction vehicles, and ATV's (jeeps).  He loves to run and nothing makes him quite so happy as having someone chase him around the house or yard. He loves taking baths with his sister. He loves taking toys away from his sister. He loves making his sister laugh.  He loves to sing and insert silly lines in as you do so, usually replacing words with names.  "There's a right way to live and be MAMA!"  He is so smart and has the best memory out of anyone I have ever known.  He LOVES Curious George.  We read lots of Curious George books and watch lots of Curious George shows.  He loves to read.  He would be happy reading stories for hours if Alice would let us.  He is a very picky eater.  He is an observer. He likes to watch other kids play but doesn't join in a whole lot yet.  He is shy around people he doesn't know but won't stop talking around people he knows well.   His favorite color is still purple.  He has no desire to potty train.  He loves to brush his teeth with his electric toothbrush.  He loves to give bear hugs and mouse hugs. 

Alice:  8 1/2 months old!  She is crawling all over the place.  She pulls herself up to a standing position on everything.  She is fearless, which results in a lot of head bonks.  She is a water baby for sure. The site of the bath filling up with water makes her squeal and she screams and cries if you take her out of the bathroom when the bath is being filed up.  She loves to bath with her brother, this makes her the happiest little girl in the world.  She wants whatever Hobbes has and Hobbes doesn't want her to have anything.  She is feisty, already throwing tantrums and demanding attention from all.  She is a happy girl.  Smiling all the time and laughing along whenever someone laughs.  She gets into everything.  She loves music and to dance with her Dad.  She is a Mama's girl at heart though, wanting me to hold her or play with her whenever I am in view.  She sleeps through the night, has 3 teeth and a 4th on its way.  She is tall and lean.  She gives the best hugs in the world.

We are so happy in life. We hope that you are as well and that you have a very Merry Christmas!