It's been a long time.

So, a lot has happened since the last time we have left a post here. Lucie and Lotte are now big girls. They love playing with each other and are very sweet and sensitive. That doesn't mean that they always get along. But, they do very well.

They have changed physically, emotionally, and mentally so much.

These are the most recent photos I have.

We take a lot of pictures on our front Porch.

We did a fair amount of traveling this year. We just got back from a quick trip down to St. George.

We visited family in Arizona.

The girls seem to gravitate towards water. Always.

We went to Disney World.

We went to Disneyland

To the Cabin:

And more.

Physically, Lucie has changed the most. She has gone from this:

To this:

Lotte has changed a lot too:

In a short year to start becoming a little lady:

We've really enjoyed watching the kids grow this last year.

We have also done quite a bit around the house. It used to look like this:

To this:

And we are moving Saturday to here:

That's about as quick and dirty as I can make a year long update. Amber has been great. I have really changed up a lot this last year with work, home, and more. I couldn't have chosen a better partner, friend, and eternal companion. I'm looking forward to so much more with her and hope she wont kick me to the curb.

Dragon Training 2015

Each year during the summer my sister and her kids come to visit. In 2011 for Indy's birthday we did a National Treasure party with an elaborate treasure hunt. Everyone had a great time and of course I loved all the crazy detail that went into pulling off such an event. A few years went by and the kids started asking for another treasure hunt. I chose the wonderful world of Harry Potter. Each child was sorted, selected a wand and then followed clues that led them through classes such as Herbology, Rhunes, Care of Magical Creatures. (I am planning on getting the pictures soon for this and posting in more detail)

This past summer we embraced the How to Train Your Dragon craze. All the kids became vikings with the gear, a new viking name, and a dragon. After all this fun they had to complete all the training activities.

Everyone decoded their name using the stones above and then they received an engraved tag with the viking name on one side and the English translation on the back. We had all sorts of names: Echo, Snort, Slurp, Hum, Click, Smooch, Whistle, and Gurgle to name a few.

After getting their viking name they chose their dragon.
In the sandbox we created a nesting ground with dragon eggs.

We tossed sheep to show our viking strength.

We faced our fears by eating Dragon Toenails (bugles dipped in chocolate), Dragon Dung (no bake cookies) and Dragon Spit Fish (gummy fish in slimy jello). I was so proud of the kids for trying all the "gross" foods.

Each kid had a helmet, a shield, a dragon, and a viking name tag. Each time they completed a training/activity they would get a gem to add to their shield.

The kids had to save a nest of eggs that needed to be moved to the hatching ground. Using spoons they carefully transported the eggs to safety. Their were a few other activities such as target practice, a team building game and an art activity.

We ended all the fun with a mock battle using Genuine Imitation Dragon Flame (silly string).
I think the whole event was a success and now I just have to figure out what craziness
I will be creating next summer.