Good-Bye Winter?

The crocus is definitely one of my favorite flowers, mostly by virtue of its impeccable timing. Just when you think the dreary winter will drag on indefinitely, the crocus pops up its cheerful head as if to say, "Hang in there! Spring is on its way."
(Here are some of the few that Alex hasn't stomped on, that {adorable} little turkey!)

Katie's 4th Birthday

Katie turned 4 years-old last week! Here she is with her best friend, her puppy Rosie.
Never wanting to be predictable, she asked for an "Ariel-zebra cake." So . . . that's what she got!

Katie frosted it by herself (with help from Mom on the lettering.)

For entertainment at her party, we watched a DVD that Abby had compiled showing pictures of Katie set to fun music. (That's right, 6-year-old Abby made it! She's amazing with the computer.)

At age four, Katie is:

spunky . . . she loves to ride her bike, jump up and down, and climb on the treadmill.

responsible . . . she is thrilled to finally have her own chore chart and dutifully checks off each chore as she completes it each day.

opinionated . . . she knows what she likes and doesn't like, and that's that (especially with clothes!).

nurturing . . . she is constantly tending to the needs of her baby dolls, stuffed animals, and Calico Critters. She really misses Jane the Gerbil, who passed away a few weeks ago. Katie took very good care of her.

beautiful . . . those big, blue eyes just melt your heart.

smart . . . she writes all her letters and can spell all of our family members' names.

fun . . . she and Alex can entertain each other for hours by chasing each other around the house giggling.

Happy Birthday, Katie!

A White St. Louis Christmas

We stayed in St. Louis for Christmas this year. It was sad to miss seeing our relatives and friends, but we had a great time here. (And we sure didn't miss the craziness of holiday travel with young kids!) We enjoyed the coziness of our home and the companionship of good friends.
Christmas Eve brought the best layer of snow we've seen yet here, so of course we had to build some snowmen!

(Katie, Alex, and Luke with some cute neighbor friends)

Christmas Eve and Christmas morning:

Alex immediately fell in love with his musical train from Santa and snuggled up by it for most of the day. (He had no interest in opening any other gifts!)
This was one of my favorite Christmas moments, when I looked over and saw all three kids playing together (harmoniously!). Definitely a Kodak moment. :)

Happy Holidays, Family and Friends!

Here's our Top 10 of 2010:

10. Another great year in St. Louis--the farm, the zoo, the botanical garden, fun parks, fireflies, wonderful friends and neighbors

9. New adventures in gardening (for Carrie) and home improvements (for Luke)

8. Opportunities to serve at church with the Primary children and the young men

7. Alex's favorites: trains, balls, books, chocolate milk, his hand-me-down Barbie trike . . . and chattering to us about all of them

6. Katie's favorites: preschool, bike rides with Daddy, her baby dolls and critters, dressing up as a ballerina, and giving our gerbil lots of attention

5. Abby's favorites: reading, reading, and more reading; drawing, playing the piano, and riding a two-wheeler (without training wheels!)

4. A fall trip to Nauvoo, Illinois, to learn more about our pioneer heritage

3. Visits from both sets of grandparents :)

2. Summer road trips to Colorado and Utah to see love ones (lots of family bonding time in the car!)

1. News of another big move ahead: Cincinnati, Ohio, (summer 2012) for Luke's pediatric radiology fellowship! (you're not cool unless you live in four different time zones for your medical training . . . )

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Love, the Linscotts

Thanksgiving Visitors

Grandma and Grandpa Linscott joined us for Thanksgiving!
~"The Spread"~


Moving on to Christmas preparations with Grandma . . .

A chilly visit to the zoo . . .

Snuggly jammies and carols by the fire . . . very fun!

It's always great to have visitors!!