Boa Sorte!

Dianne and Wayne with Grant


Dianne and Wayne with Madelyn, Grant, and Aaron

In case you are wondering, the above Portuguese statement translates to "Good luck!" (thanks, Traci!)

We are sad to bid farewell to Wayne and Dianne, Mike's parents. They leave this week for a six-month sabbatical to Curitiba, Brazil. Wayne will temporarily leave the Smithsonian to conduct research at the Federal University of Parana. He received a grant from the National Science Foundation to fulfill the assigment. We wish them the best of luck and hope they enjoy being immersed in a new culture. (Although, not totally new to Wayne as he served his mission in Brazil as a young missionary.)

Wayne and Dianne, we will miss you so much but look forward to seeing you again and hearing about your adventure. I can only imagine that it will be a wonderful experience. We hope you have a great journey! Safe travels!!

Grant's Six-Month Stats

Height: 27 1/4 inches ~ 75th percentile
Weight: 20 pounds, 4.2 ounces ~ 90th percentile
Head circumference: 27 44.3 cm ~ 75th percentile

Grant is still growing like a weed! He is attempting to crawl, loves to do yoga moves, and loves to blow "raspberries." I have never seen a baby so smiley. He is a happy little guy and keeps us smiling - even when we want to cry! :)

p.s. In response to my friend Laura's comment, yes ... pretty much time for a new car seat for Grant! As our friend Brian put it, he "overfloweth" in his car seat. :)

New Year, New Me

I am a New Year's resolutions girl. When I make a New Year's resolution, I take it pretty seriously (see here); therefore, putting it in writing means I am really going to hold myself to it. Do I really want to do this??? Okay, here goes. In an effort to be healthier, and mostly to fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes (that I really like), my resolution is to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day three days a week. This can include walking, running, or any other form of aerobic activity. Wow, can you imagine if I accomplished this goal? That would be so cool. I was seriously considering a four day a week challenge, but let's be realistic. :)

The year challenge will be called "New Year, New Me." I WILL REPORT BACK AT THE END OF 2010!!! I will post "before" and "after" pics, and there had better be a difference to be seen!! :) I may also report in periodically to keep you informed of my progress. I am hoping that this next year's challenge will be lifelong habit-forming.

So what is your New Year's resolution or challenge? Warning: If you tell me, I may hold you accountable. :-) Just kidding. Seriously, please do share any goals, dreams, or aspirations you have for the new year! ...And wish me luck in mine! :)

p.s. Mike's New Year's resolution is to (and I quote) "lose weight and get in shape." He is in awesome shape - I don't know what he's talking about!

Little Photo Shoot of the Boys!

It was so fun doing this little photo shoot. I don't profess to be a good photographer, but you get the idea. :) Just trying to document the boys in these early years. Grant is growing like a weed, and Aaron is talking up a storm. It was fun to see how the shoot progressed ...

Our Little Monster and Duck

{Double-click to enlarge collage}

We had so much fun getting the kids dressed up and ready to embrace Halloween night. This was Aaron's third Halloween (though his first to go trick-or-treating), and Grant's first. Mike and our neighbor, Jon, pulled Aaron and Jon's son J.T. around the neighborhood in a wagon. Aaron scored quite a bit of candy! Mike said Aaron didn't quite understand what was going on; he was just along for the ride. Probably better that way! :)

Our neighbor, Lisa, and I stayed behind with the younger boys to distribute candy. We sat outside at their house with our bowls of candy and enjoyed the beautiful, not-so creepy evening.