It seems Blake is in a big stage right now where he's doing lots of new things.  We have all enjoyed watching the Olympics.  The kids catch about 1/2 hour before we shew them off to bed.  Samantha is sure she could do some of the same things the figure skaters due.  Blake has enjoyed watching with dad while they add  their own sound effects like "BOOOM" or "Niiiiiccceeee"

Although Blake continues to say mostly one-word phrases I can tell he knows most of it by heart. I'll say one word and he will say the next word.  It never amazes me at how much kids remember.

We had Blake's two-year pictures taken and they turned out great.  You'll find those posted above.

We made it back to Samantha's library time this week and she really enjoyed being back.  There were a lot of kids but she was thrilled that  th person doing it sang a few songs this week that she knew.

I took the kids to mall playground this week as they were getting cabin fever and wanted to run around.  I was so glad i did because they were in great moods the rest of the day and Samantha met several "friends" while there that she enjoyed playing with. 

Samantha enjoys Sabbath School so much and has enjoyed going by herself.  We've heard from a couple of her teachers that since she's satarted going by herself she has opened up and become juch more active.  Last night one of her teachers shared with me that Samantha said a precious and heartfelt prayer in Sabbath School.

We had a playdate this week with Gianna and her sister Alexa.  It was fun to meet them at the mall playground and then run over to little place that had kids rides.  It was so fun to talk with their mom Rhonda and have the kids play together.

Do you remember the song, "Who Let the Dogs Out?"  Well, its  alive and well at our house.  Travis has taught the kids and the song and Blake will walk around the house saying, "who who who who who."

We took the kids to a model-train show this weekend...

Randoms...

Here are Blake's two-year pictures.  I think he did so well!

Wow, another low-key week at the Renfro household.  Maybe this is the Winter normal.  Our car was in the shop again this week for a couple of days so it was a good excuse to stay home and get some much needed projects done.

The kids were pretty good while I got my work done.  They played together and "helpedl" me when they could. 

The kids have been wanting to play outside more and more and Samantha has started to ask when Spring is coming but they still love to see the snow when it comes down.  Spring and Summer will be here before we know it!

Blake has clearly started saying thank-you and ouch.  He has his own version of these words before but now they are very clear.  He also came up with a name for Samantha.  Previously he would just point or grunt but Thursday he came up with something.  It's close enough to Samantha that you can figure it out.

Blake is all done getting his top teeth with the exception of his molars.  His last bottom two are almost through.  I think this has been a reason for his better sleeping habits which I am grateful for.

With the exception of one night, Samantha has kept her diaper dry all night.  This is something she has done all by herself without our prompting and she is so proud of herself.  She often wakes up in the morning and with a smile tells me her diaper is dry.

Samantha has really gotten the concept of sounding out words.  We try to practice just a few words every day.  I'm trying to teach her to recognize numbers 1-30. 

About a month ago we were invited to join a small group that meets on Monday night.  We had to miss the first two weeks but were able to attend again this past Monday.  Our kids are by far the smallest but must say they did quite well.  The first week they played quietly upstairs while the other children played in the basement.  This week they both played in the basement with a couple of trips up to see us.  It makes studying and discussing a bit easier.

Our week at BeBe and Papa's was pretty quiet but so relaxing.  I was spoiled and didn't have to cook a meal or do any laundry which makes me relax!

We spent most of the week on the farm with an excpetion of one day where we went to "town" about 45 minutes away.  I enjoy shopping at a few stores we don't have here and it was fun shopping with my mom. 

Samantha especially loved spending time with Papa outside with the turkeys.  In fact, they day we were going shopping she wanted to stay home with Papa to work.  One day I took her out to help and she stayed with Papa for over 1 1/2 hours all by herself.  When she was ready to go back to the house he called my mom who watched Samantha walk back to the house all by herself. 

The next week Blake, Samantha and I spent another almost 2 hours helping Papa.  Samantha became quite the pro and loved her special time with Papa.

Blake enjoyed helping BeBe in the kitchen.  If she was cooking he was the cupboard helping her. 

We headed back on Thursday and thankfully we had great roads again.  We made a few more stops and made the trip in about 10 hours.

While on the farm Samantha learned how to zip her jacket and how to blow up balloons.  Now she just wants to blow up every balloon she can find and if she can't find any she'll want us to buy her more.

With the exception of one night, I think Blake slept through the night while we were there and Samantha stayed dry all night--these are two BIG accomplishments and I just hope we can keep them up!

The kids and I were so surprised to come home to a decorated house!  Travis had put streamers and ballons everywhere welcoming us home, he even included gifts for all of us (including rose and chocolates for me!)

Warming up with hot chocolate after being outside...
Playing with the baby turkeys...

We had a very different week this past week. We started off the week with car problems. Both mine and Travis' cars needed work. My car took priority as I was planning a trip to BeBe and Papa's at the end of the week.

My car was in the shop Monday and Tuesday and we put Travis's in in Tuesday also. Wednesday we had JumpStart at Midland so we took daddy to work and then I took the kids out to breakfast. Daddy went into work a bit later than usual so we didn't have to get up that early. The kids did well at breakfast and we finished just in time for JumpStart. The theme this time was exercise wellness. They completed the time with yummy healthy snacks.

We were home just for a couple of hours and headed out to pick up dad so he could watch the kids while I had a dentist appointment. Wow! What a busy day.

Thursday morning we dropped daddy off at work and headed out for BeBe and Papa's house. As usual, the kids were excellent travelers. We stopped twice the entire way and made it in 9 1/2 hours. Samantha didn't take a nap the entire way but Blake took a decent one. We ran into about a mile stretch of nasty roads but thankfully that was it.

The kids were so hyper when we arrived and ran around to get some of that energy out. They were happy to see BeBe, Papa and their cat Walter.

Friday I took the kids out to see the new baby turkeys. I made the kids take off their boots and Blake wasn't a big fan of the shavings on his feet. Samantha loved the entire experience. She loved picking up the turkeys, holding them and playing with them. Blake didn't like the feel of their feet on his hand.

Sabbath we went and visited my Grandma at her house. The kids enjoyed the visit and seeing the birds at her facility.

Sunday we found us out the turkey shed again. I helped my dad with a bit of chores and the kids played in the barn.

This afternoon we did a bit of sledding on the farm. Blake ended up back the house after just a couple of minutes but Samantha enjoyed going down the great hill and then being pulled behind the four-wheeler.

We're looking forward to the coming week on the farm