Everybody Move Up One Place Again!

Olympia in 2012

Austria in 2009

Anya in 2008

 http://blogaslovenia.blogspot.com/2008/04/okay-not-quite.html

http://blogaslovenia.blogspot.com/2011/03/everybody-move-up-one-place.html

White Christmas

This year we wanted to experience a different type of white Christmas, white sand, instead of white snow.  We were not disappointed.  We wore shorts, went swimming and went to the beach.  Though the water was a little too chilly for my liking, Anya and Austria didn't seem phased.  John's parents and sister were able to join us.

And no, we didn't get sick! We are now at more Christmases healthy than sick since Anya's birth by 1! John wasn't terribly excited with my picture choices, he kind of does look rather humorous in them . . . sorry John! Notice there are none of me :).  That's the advantage of taking most of the pictures and posting.

Presidential

During election season, Anya became a huge fan of Mitt Romney, though she first had no idea who he was. Anya: "Who is Mitt Romney?"
John: "The man challenging President Obama for the presidency."
Anya: "I want him to win, I'm tired of Obama." We do not do a good job at talking about politics with our children, so I'm not sure why she was so tired of Obama...but she also remembers everything she hears.

Anya on election day: "Dad, are you voting for Mitt Romney?"
John: "I don't know yet."
Anya: "I really want Mitt Romney to win. You have to vote for him."

Austria: "Bah-ram-you."
Me: "What is bah-ram-you?"
Austria: "The name of our president."

We don't know what changes will occur during the next 4 years, but we do know who rules the Salmon roost:

Backyard

We don't exactly have a backyard or driveway, so we have to improvise. Fortunately, we are very close to some great places that fill the void. 

Anya Talk

John: "The MARTA did a number on my stomach today."
Anya: "Can I see it, can I see the number?"

Anya to Austria: "Santa isn't real."
Oh great, already?
Anya: "Jesus is really Santa."

Anya to me after Primary one day: "Mom, I need 10 dollars so I can pay 1 dollar for tithing."
Me: "You are supposed to work for the 10 dollars."
Anya: "Oh, then forget it."

Visitor

In between our fever fest and puking party (Anya has been to school two days in the last two weeks), we had a visitor (that we probably made sick).

We had a great time!

Camp Out

Austria has been wanting to go camping for awhile now.  We (I) haven't dared brave a night in a tent with all the girls.  The last time I camped was while I was pregnant with Anya and that was uncomfortable enough :). Fortunately our friends have a yard that is like being in the forest and allowed John and Austria to camp out one night there.  And they even left a door unlocked for bathroom privileges.

She was so excited!  They went just a week or so ago, the low was 60 that night.  She was a little cold, but she had a great time.

Halloween Fever

This year I vowed to take more pictures of the Trunk or Treat since my friend who did it for me last year has moved!  Then I became too sick to go.  So, once again, no pictures of John's 5-minute-before-the-Trunk-or-Treat costume.  This year John was a lamp post.  Next year we'll do better :).

Olympia went trick or treating next door with Austria.  She knew what she was doing.  That Reese's Pieces in her hand did not come out easily.  In fact, she chewed on it with the wrapper on.  I gave in and let her have a bite (after removing the wrapper :).  Anya stayed home with a fever.  Our neighbors made this giant scarecrow in their backyard in early October and it seriously scares John and I every time we see him out of the corner of our eye from our back windows.

Happy Halloween!
PS: Anyone notice John's new look (at least until Sunday morning . . . )

Fall

Though we miss summer swimming, it is nice to have a break from the heat.  October is a great time of year in Georgia.  We celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving (with a chicken this year), went to a pumpkin "patch" and John's annual department picnic at Stone Mountain.  Just to rub it in for all you Northerners, it is going to be 79 today.  I'm wearing shorts.  And flip flops.  

Walker Girl

Olympia has been our slowest walker.  Now, when I say "slowest" I mean she just learned to walk and she is approaching 15 months.  Anya learned at 13 months, Austria at 11 months.  But I guess when you are only 15 months old, 1 or 2 months is a lot.  Olympia thinks it is very funny to walk.  She laughs a lot when she walks and loses focus, but it is cute and we all laugh (which probably perpetuates the laughing while walking).

Girls

Our girls are girls.  They like to dress up pretty.  They like to do calm activities like coloring and reading for hours.  And we are fine with that.  But every now and then, there is some wrestling . . . I'll let you decide who is beating up on who.