Final Ultrasound

Here is a video of the Ultrasound that was taken today of 'Baby #3'. Sorry folks, we didn't find out the sex and believe me, no one will be more disappointed than Carson. He has been working on us for a several weeks to find out.....he really isn't looking forward to being tormented by another sister so he has been reading the bible and praying that it's a boy. Go figure.

Qik App

The last video was my latest attempt to stay ahead of the 'old guy' curve. A new app on my phone allows me to sync videos that I take directly to Blogger. This may prove to be interesting.

The last video was something that I took of Carson and his friend this summer. They are riding a contraption known as a 'Rip Stick'--which is basically a skateboard with an articulating caster-type wheel on the front and back. It requires the kids to balance as they skate around and it's really amazing what they can do on them.

This specific device has just about killed me a few times when I thought 'This doesn't look too tough.' That would have made pretty good video as well....

Qik - Ripstick Wars by jstille1

It Can't Be Done

Carson has been obsessed lately with owning a BB gun. He talks about it constantly, wants his Mom and I to agree to get him one, wants a time line for when this purchase will happen, and on and on. He REALLY wants one.

So I drop the challenge on him yesterday....'I want to see you listen better than you have recently. You also need to help out around the house more than you have been.' It took him about about a day to marinate on those marching orders but today after school, he was ready to give it a shot.

He asks me again if he can get a BB gun; I again set the ground rules. Once we get home, he's off.....putting clothes away, letting the dogs out, feeding the animals, and pulling sheets out of the dryer to make his bed. He's literally gone for about 30 minutes doing things to help me out while I make dinner......and it's quiet around the house. Absolutely no fighting with his sister.

When Carson arrives downstairs for dinner, he has that look of accomplishment on his face and I make sure he knows that he's doing a great job meeting my expectations. Then he asks the question: 'Can I get a BB gun now?'

Well, that's a start but I expect you to continue on this path.....

This was apparently the wrong thing to say to an 8 year old. He put his head down and said, 'I just can't do this every day.'

Apparently being nice to his sister (and lending a hand around the house) is something that can't be done!

Filling in the Gaps

Here are a few photos of things past...

Hannah had a pie social around Thanksgiving where Carson and I came to visit. The kids decided that they wanted another piece of pie and forget about performing the skit they had rehearsed:

Hannah in her homemade Pilgrim hat:

I broke down and purchased a smart phone several months ago. When Hannah heard I was getting something different, she immediately had plans for mine and promptly called 'dibs.' She was so happy with her new phone, she fell asleep that night carrying on a conversation with some imaginary friend or relative:

Holiday Picture

Here is the current photo taken of the kids. This year (2010), the photographer we always use really did a great job of capturing Carson and Hannah's normal look.....none of those cheesy smiles or goofy poses inconsistent with the kids' normal actions:

As a New Year's resolution, I need to do a better job of putting content on the blog. Hopefully I can keep this 'promise' by following up this post with a few more.

Happy 2011!

~The Stilles

Congrats, Carson!

Carson is learning lots in 2nd grade....and so are we. Several weeks ago, Carson brought home his weekly spelling quiz and he missed a few. Even though Tara and I thought the words looked pretty difficult, we asked him, and his TEACHER, about the spelling test. What we didn't know is that Carson aces his regular spelling quiz every week....and if this happens, he gets another 'advanced test' that is quite a bit more difficult. Here is a photo of his most recent 'advanced spelling test':

As usual, GREAT JOB CARSON!!

Of course, school work isn't the only thing going on around our house. Carson just had his last soccer game of the season however soccer isn't over. He rolls right into another session of indoor soccer for the winter season. Here is a photo of Carson controlling the ball. It's really amazing how far these kids have come in the past 3 or 4 years.

If you ask Carson whats been going on recently, he will undoubtedly give you a big smile and tell you the same thing he's been telling everyone else for the past week......Grandpa (Don) in Elmwood is helping coach his Dominator's select baseball team. This is a really big deal to Carson and goes to show you that it isn't a $300 Playstation 3 or a $500 Ipad that means the most to kids. Carson says, 'Thanks Grandpa.' And he really means it.