Winter

Trent was thrilled to take his kids skiing.  He took Lexi and Ethan up to Massanutten a few weeks ago.  They got to have their first ski lesson and hit the slopes.  It was something Trent had been looking forward to since we had Lexi 101/2 years ago.
Our little Tess turned 2 on January 28th!  She loves the birthday song, and loves her new swing for her baby doll.  She loves taking care of her baby doll.  She is talking more, and we really enjoy our time together when the other kids are at school.
The storm a few weeks ago allowed for some good sledding, and Trent got the snowblower attachment onto the lawn tractor and it worked!  We bought it used, so he had never put it together before.
Cub scouts, play group and helping in Gavin's K-class is keeping me busy.  I am looking forward to spring and warmer weather!!!

New Year's

We had some friends over for New Year's.  We did a fake countdown at 10:00 so our friends who wanted to get their smaller kids home at a decent hour could participate and still make noise and have their toast.  Lexi cracked me up because she wasn't watching the clock.  She kept saying how she couldn't believe she wasn't tired this year since she was SO tired last new years.  At actual midnight Lexi just stared at us. She realized she was fooled and she didn't like it.  Lexi has never liked telling time or keeping track of it. I don't suppose it will last much longer. . . funny Lexi.

wrap up for 2010

We are coming up on the end of another year. We are in the thick of parenting and trying to keep up with life as it attempts to fly by us. We made it through the school year all last winter and spring, and hit the beaches when school let out in June. We were house hunting a bit and had not found the right fit. Finally we found a house that we both loved, but of course it required moving counties and schools and church buildings. After our reunion with my family in August, we moved and started over again. We love Virginia. We love how green it is and how beautiful the landscape is every direction you look. The kids have adjusted fairly well and we hope to stay put for awhile.

This is Lexi's last year in elementary school. I look at her and my heart swells. She is such a good girl, and so much fun to be around. She loves to read; right now she is really into Calvin and Hobbes. She's so helpful and kind. I hear horror stories of mean kids in middle school and I wish I could protect her all the time. I have to hope she has been taught well so far and keep working on her confidence and her morals. I am proud of my Lexi.

Ethan is a fun kid too. Trent took him to Lake Ana last weekend and they had fun throwing rocks and dirt onto the frozen lake. Then they hit Subway, Ethan's favorite place to eat lately. Ethan is helpful and very good at making people laugh. He also loves to read and play computer games. He is into history too-- he draws WWII planes and draws a good sinking Titanic.

Gavin is our builder. He is always constructing something. He is a sly one- I have to keep an eye of what he's doing. He is a good helper with Tess, and he could entertain himself for hours with some paper and tape. He sings most the time, and will do anything to avoid veggies. I love his expressions and his sweet voice.

Tess is a joy to have around too. She has learned so much the past year. She is starting to talk in sentences now and loves to joke around too. We said goodbye to her crib a few weeks ago, but she doesn't get out of bed by herself- she still calls to me! Funny girl. She loves baby dolls and girlie stuff. Everywhere we go people comment on her beautiful hair and what a cutie she is. So happy we have her in our family.

There are no guarantees in this life. Most of the time life is challenging, and there is always something to stress over. We try to remember to have good endurance and enjoy each part of life. Our family brings us joy and is handing us memories that will bring smiles to our lips forever. Trent and the kids sang happy birthday to me tonight, and that my friends is joy.

Newest News!

We're moving again! We're leaving the rental we've been in the last 20 months and buying house in the country! The house sits on 1.7 acres, so lots of space for the kids and a riding lawnmower for Trent. :) So we're cleaning and packing here, and painting and cleaning there, and we will get the kids signed up for a new school and check out the new church boundaries and go from there. I will get pics up as we take them and try to keep up!

Spring 2010

Yes, an update is due! We're doing great out here and loving the spring. Life has gotten busier with spring sports and the start up of cub scouts for Ethan. Trent took on 6 tennis students (including Lexi) so he teaches tennis lessons on Saturday mornings. He loves it!! Ethan is in soccer right now and his team is undefeated. He likes to play, but being new to the sport, before his first game he said, Mom- uh I've never played a game before and I don't really know what to do? It hit me right then that no one has ever gone over the rules with him or explained anything really. I felt so bad! We have had to do some practicing at home to catch up with the rest of them. He had to miss the first game due to the cast on his hand. I played soccer lots of years growing up, and I like to watch and cheer for him. Plus- I'm getting a tan while we do practices and games- bonus. Ethan likes cub scouts and is very excited to go fishing next week.

Lexi is wrapping up 4th grade. She loved her field trip to Williamsburg 2 weeks ago- fun field trips here with LOTS to see. She will be ruling the school next year as a 5th grader!! She is a sweetie and I couldn't live without her.

Gavin is registered for kindergarten now, so he is ready to start being busier. :) He has a pet frog this week, and he got a box and said Mom, here's his habitat. He has been taking care of it, and let me know when it and pooped on the couch. hmmmmmm. Gavin loves star wars and legos right now too. He is quite the builder.

Tess is 15 months and such a cutie! I get comments on her little curly hair all the time. She is really fun and starting to use words. She loves dolls and shoes!! Fun girl.

Trent and I are just keeping up with these kids and loving the full time day shift he works now. We have weekends now, and that has been fun. He was happy to switch out the earplugs to sunglasses and be awake in the day. No more night shifts!!

1 month left of school until summer!! Awesome--

Our family at Ethan's baptism, Gavin, and our beautiful children under a cherry blossom tree

Tess hanging out, then Tess at the park, then Lexi playing the recorder in her concert

Tess at the park

We made use of that pile of snow by digging out a snow cave. It is big enough for a couple of kids to sit inside. We get to dig it out again. The snow from the next storm was piled up on top of the entrance.

Looking our of our front door. You can get a feel for the depth by looking at that truck.

Storm of 2010

This is the first pile of snow when they plowed our street. After day two, the pile grew another couple of feet higher!

2010

The new year has started out smooth for us. We had a fun and very quiet Christmas, followed by a fun New Year's. We were surprised that the 3 older kids all stayed up to ring in the new year. Tess is walking and cutting teeth and just trying to keep up with the crowd. She will turn 1 on January 28th! Exciting new for us is that Trent is now working M-F during the day and is done with working night hours! Happy New Year to us!! We're feeling fortunate to have a healthy family and lots of fun to look forward to this year. We love our family and friends and really enjoyed the Christmas cards we received. Best Wishes in 2010!

Merry Christmas

We want our family and friends to know we love you and are grateful you are part of our lives. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year too, Love, the Seelys

The snow fort they made...

Tess and Dad on the Santa train

Me getting ready for sledding

Sisters in Red-- Lexi and Tess

Tess has company in her crib. Her bed doubles as a jail cell, fort, airplane, trampoline. . . you name it.

They thought the water fall was cool. But all they could talk about during the whole vacation was swimming. So we spent the last DAY at the hotel pool.

Hard Rock Niagara Falls. Tess had a blast.

Tess didn't like the rain coats. . . until the mist came then she actually went to sleep.