Since Emma's still so little, we've been taking our time finishing the playground. We've been debating about when to add the slide because it's so high. We decided to build a real stair instead of a ladder, which we'll probably do for Emma's 2nd birthday, unless Tony gets really motivated before that. He went ahead and put the sides up on the fort yesterday, and added a little picnic bench underneath. The girls were super excited to eat their lunch outside on this perfect day.
I ate with them, and when I brought my plate inside, I came back out to realize that this little table is the perfect height for Junior to steal food from. Luckily, the girls were just about finished with their lunch! I guess I'll have to put him on a leash or something while they are eating. They wanted to finish the part he didn't touch up high in the fort. We let them play up there when we are standing right in front of it or up there with them. I think we are all looking forward to the stairs and slide!! Yeah for my awesome handy husband who really enjoys this little project!!
I ate with them, and when I brought my plate inside, I came back out to realize that this little table is the perfect height for Junior to steal food from. Luckily, the girls were just about finished with their lunch! I guess I'll have to put him on a leash or something while they are eating. They wanted to finish the part he didn't touch up high in the fort. We let them play up there when we are standing right in front of it or up there with them. I think we are all looking forward to the stairs and slide!! Yeah for my awesome handy husband who really enjoys this little project!!Here's a cute photo my wonderful friend Jessica took at her house while Tony and I were out on a date. Three big girls watching Cinderella. :)
Another sweet friend of mine with an older girl gave me a bunch of great clothes the other day. It included lots of leotard/tutu things that Anna loves to put on. I guess it's time to get motivated to take her to some kind of dance or gymnastics class! Joanna was over today and she wanted to wear one too. We intended to get the 2 of them together with their tutus but got distracted... 
Anton's surprise was a hammock. The girls like it alot too. It lives in his room while not in use just in case you're having visions of my girls flipping themselves into the air with it!
Happy Birthday Jesus!!!!
Finished at last!
The girls were so excited the next morning that they had to go out in their pj's!
And it was the first thing they wanted to do after church that Sunday. Good job dad! 
Anton likes to swing too!
Joanna and Natalie came over to play that week. Our 3 big girls bundled up to go play outside.
In full use... Just in case you are wondering, we didn't want to put a slide in yet because we were nervous about the height for Emma. We'll add one at some point, along with finishing out the fort and staining the whole thing.
The night before New Year's, Anton had his friends over for a little party. We offered to get some Dominos, but as usual, Anton had more extravagant plans in mind. They made homemade dough and pizza and a few other yummy creations that totally wrecked the kitchen.
Enjoying the fruits of their hard labor.
They are proud of the yummy desert.
"I love my baby sister SO MUCH!". By the way, Anna picked out that outfit herself.
Here's the timpani drums that took over our dining room. I guess it's a good thing I'm not so into decorating! They are gone now, but we enjoyed the nice music while they were here.
Sister love! They have enjoyed standing on the fireplace and dancing together lately. It is too cute!
The Sunday before Christmas our church had a live nativity in "Bethlehem". 
This was the only picture of the leaves we took this year. We were a little preoccupied with Tony's big project... 
He built a fort/swingset for the girls for Christmas. He cleared off the patio for the staging area. This is the Sunday before Christmas by the way. He bought all the materials the day before. It was a crazy week!
Progress!
And later that evening for the grown-ups' Christmas eve service.
Hopefully I'll actually make it to Christmas soon!
Anton also got to play in the orchestra concert. He's really loving music, percussion and being part of the band. He also performed at a region competition in December and got 3rd chair out of 54 kids. 
They're called timbalas (sp?). There's 4 of them. The smallest of the 4 barely fits in the back of my Jeep. I know this because Anton borrowed all of them over the break. His band teacher was nice enough to transport the other 3 in his pickup truck. Anton did this because he's super motivated to do well in the state competition coming up next weekend, and he wanted to practice over the break. The drums took over the dining room. He also borrowed a marumba (sp?) which is like a giant wooden xylophone. It squeezed into his room. They both were nice to listen to over the break. So proud... doesn't even begin to describe what it's like to have a teenager like Anton... we are so blessed and thankful!
