I don't know why sometimes the videos stop working...anyone know? So I posted it on youtube for those who want to watch it over and over again, like me. Here is the link..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXMcWJXPPUg

Look who's Dancing Now

I know the quality isn't great (our video camera is 6 1/2 years old) and the lighting is dark, but Maggie is a dancing fool now. Every time she hears any music she immediately starts dancing. It is way cuter in person, it seems like when I get the camera out she is less animated. But still something to entertain you. Sorry if you think it's too long--I am her mom, how am I supposed to edit her mad dancing skills?

Battling the Evil Empire

This past weekend we went down to my mom's house and took the kids to Disneyland. The boys wanted to go watch the Jedi Training Academy (they have a whole little production and pick kids from the audience to train as Jedi's, then fight Darth Vadar) and guess what? Tyler got chosen to be a padowan! (I know way too much about this stuff) So he went up, got a Jedi robe and a "training light saber." Thank goodness it was just a training one--he might have come back with no head. He was very excited (even though this was his 2nd time doing it).
They teach a fighting routine--right shoulder, left shoulder, duck, right leg, left leg, strike to the head....I think. Here is Tyler practicing for his battle. Then, behold! The stage rose up and guess who came to join us...
Darth Maul made an appearance too. Jacob was a little scared of him. Can you blame him?
Anyway, Tyler got to fight Darth Vadar. The video is at the end of this post, since I still can't figure out how to get things in the right order. I don't have the advanced video program so I can't rotate it (well, I can for $29.95...but you guys can just turn your heads sideways for that amount). I took it with my camera--not I know I have to take my videos the other way!

Anyway, the boys had a great time at my moms. Tyler is a little professional bike rider now. He goes off curbs, stops fast to leave tire marks, and dad even put a piece of plastic on his bike to make noise. Jake still hasn't mastered the bike--so daddy helps him.

Here Tyler is holding up a sign he wrote, "For saul." (For sale.) He is trying to sell the pieces of plastic. I told him there wasn't too much traffic right now so why don't we try again later--good thing he forgot about his business venture.
Here is the sideways video--you know, it is just to give the effect of the zero-gravity in space....

We took Jacob to see an Otolaryngologist yesterday (aren't you impressed that I can spell that?). Turns out we were right--he needs his tonsils and adenoids removed and probably needs eartubes. Poor kid--he snores like a banshee, has sleep apnea, has a hard time swallowing food, always has a runny nose, etc. I guess all that is supposedly caused by his adenoids and tonsils being enlarged. The doc took one look and said he absolutely needs them removed and was surprised no doctor referred us sooner. Actually it was me who fought for the referral! So we are in the works to schedule the surgery. I guess the week after surgery is supposed to be torturous (on Jacob and thus on me) but he definitely needs this. Jacob has been a little nervous about it (I told him it won't hurt getting them out but he will have a little sore throat afterward--but offered him ice cream, applesauce and go-gurts when they are out). But he said to me last night, "Mom, I don't want to but I want to get my tonsils out so I can breathe better." Poor kid. I am sure this will help him. I will keep you all posted about the surgery!

Hiking

Last weekend Eric took the boys hiking around Fort Irwin. The boys had a great time. Tyler was able to use his explorer pack he got for Christmas--complete with compass, binoculars, first aid kit, water bottles and pocket knife. They had so much fun. This next picture I put in for those of you who haven't been to our house--this is where we live! .....
Seriously, I know you guys think we are exaggerating when we say we live in the middle of nowhere, but we speak the truth! The road in the background is the road that we have to take every time we leave post--a 40-mile stretch of nothing between Barstow and Fort Irwin. Who knew we would ever consider a trip to Walmart "going to town." You all don't know how good you have it... Here are the boys atop one of the "mountains"--campfire and all. Looking through their binoculars. They felt so cool!
Back to things at home, not much going on since Christmas, just trying to get back into the swing of things. Maggie's new thing is putting her blanket over her head and walking around. She runs into walls, trips on toys, etc. It is so funny to watch. I wonder what is going through her head in moments like this?
Peek a boo!