Update for the kids later on

So much has been going on this year.

I don't have time to post pictures, but I wanted to at least get this on record. I'll have to add pictures later.

2010 was an amazing year. We got to see the birth of Marin and the 3rd birthday of Jonas. I'm half-way through my first year of Grad school in SLP, and Clint, who got his MS last year is with the same company - ICXt, which was purchased this year by FLIR.

Marin took her first step on Dec.15th, 2010 and by Dec.30th, she was walking on her own! She has 8 teeth - 4 on top and 4 on bottom, and as of now, Jan. 12, 2011 - she is getting her canines and upper molars in.

Marin is very steady on her feet and is curious, strong and beautiful! She says Dada, Mama, Bubba, "dat" "dis" all done and signs "more" and "all done". She is bright and cheerful - with a very pleasant disposition. People constantly stop me to tell me how beautiful she is. She's rarely fussy, unless she is sick or tired, and is generally a great communicator. She loves to walk around and explore and is a great road-tripper!

Jonas is getting taller, smarter and stronger every day. We've really enjoyed watching him grow. He asks intelligent questions and surprises us every day with new nuggets he's picked up about the world and how things work. He's very social and sweet. He's also the best big brother a little sister could ever hope for. He will do anything to get his little sister to smile.

Watching the two of them together is the sweetest thing imaginable. Jonas is Marin's favorite person. She lights up in the mornings when he comes into the room and can't wait to give him hugs and smooches. Jonas also loves Marin more than anything. He is patient, sharing and kind. He's also very gentle with her and keeps a careful eye on her. She's fascinated with his cars and trains and he doesn't mind sharing them with her, or patiently fixing his track after she's demolished it. ;) People stop me to tell me how cute Jonas is and I always get comments about his gorgeous red hair.

This winter break we went tubing in Angel Fire, New Mexico. It was a warm winter in Oklahoma, so we decided to pack up the car for a last minute trip and brought Papa Mark along to see the NM Mountains. We had so much fun. There were unexpected twists and turns in our trip. The day we planned on going the tickets were sold out and there was a white out on the mountain that closed down the entire mountain, and the day of our departure, there was such a deluge of snow that we almost got stranded in Angel Fire. We ended up staying in Las Vegas, NM, and Marin started full-fledged walking while we were in our hotel room. Tubing was great! We only got to go for an hour and a half, but we each got to do a few runs down in our inner tubes before we had to pack ship and head out. We alternated, and the one person not going stayed at the lodge with Marin. The kids loved the snow and we loved that they loved it! Next time we may even be brave enough to give skiing with Jonas a try!

Earlier this year, Clint, Jonas and Bapa Wichert (Terry) went on a guys' camping in New Mexico. they also stopped by Carlsbad Caverns and saw the bats - which Jonas loved! Jonas caught two fish on their trip, with is Snoopy fishing pole. Dad caught zero.

Just after the new year, Mommy, Marin and Nonna went to Austin to visit Aunt Jennica. We got to stay at her apartment and Marin and Bentley, Jennica's puppy had so much fun getting to know each other. Marin was unsure at first, but by the time we were leaving she was giving Bentley smooches and petting her puppy ears. We got a lot of snow on the drive home, but Susan skillfully navigated the roads and we returned safe and sound.

We can't wait to see what 2011 has in store!