OK - so we're not really into the "Blogger" so much.  Then again we're not into Blogging in general, opting to do more social media communications with family. However if you want the latest (albeit outdated) posts you will want to hit http://galvin-family.net.  Generally it's available but the provider likes to continually change things to break us. Grr.

New Beginning

Time for a new beginning with our family page.  We're going to try using Blogger for awhile. Who knows, maybe Laura will jump in and contribute an entry once in awhile.

You can still find our old site at: http://galvin-family.net/

Tooth lost

After several weeks of waiting and wiggling, Claire has lost her first tooth yesterday. We were running around town delivering May Baskets to our friends, she was chewing a Tootsie Roll and said "I think a piece of my tooth broke off".  Dad looks back at the tooth in her hand and says "Claire, that is your tooth".  She was happy to finally have that tooth out.  She put the tooth in her little tooth-chest, and the tooth fairy brought her a $2 bill last night.  She awoke early and came running to our room, full of excitement that the fairy had come.  Now she says she's one-part-grown-up.

Catching up

We've made it through the Christmas season and have been weathering the extra snowy winter wonderland, and now preparing for a couple rounds of ice. The kids have been enjoying sledding, snow-princess, snow-bear, snow-fort, snow-angels, and plain snow balls. Garrett celebrated his 4th Birthday and says he cannot believe he's 4 already. Neither can we. He had a Transformer party for his friends, 3 boys, 3 girls, and Claire. Thanks to the weather, daycare woes, furloughs, and holiday's I've had plenty of time together with the kids over the last few weeks.

Christmas Break

The kids have been having a wonderful time on Christmas break! Last night our friends Eric and Lisa came over to play Wii. Garrett rocks at Wii Resort Swordplay and devastated our friends. Today he played the computer for about hour and only lost twice, and is borderline pro status already. Today we played outside in the snow after lunch. The snow princess, bear, and fort we made earlier in the week are all ice. A fact my little man learned the hard way with his face, left side of the poor kid's face is road-rash. Poor guy. Claire had fun staking chunks of ice from the street plow into snowmen in the neighbors yards. Tonight we had plenty of family snuggle time watching movies.

Change of Christmas plans

Well it's official. Thanks to the weather we're staying put in Ames for Christmas this year. It's difficult because we're on the rainy side of the winter storm. However our destinations are iced and snowed in and we'd be hard pressed to make all 7 hours of our journey without incident. They're talking a foot plus snow just 15 miles from here, so it's tough. Well, the kids still wanted to get out some holiday cheer this year so we made a few quick videos last night that I'm posting here. Hoping everyone is staying put someplace warm and safe this year, and have a very Merry Christmas and celebration of the birth of Christ.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! Another year as passed and it's time to take a moment to remember the reason behind Christmas and the celebration. It's also a special family time, a time to slow down and reflect on the true gifts we've been given. Claire and Garrett are our greatest joy and they bring smiles to our faces even on the toughest days. Both continue to grow, learn, and always make us proud.

Claire started kindergarten this year, and is starting to read and write. Gone are her imaginary stories of Penny the Dog and Tiger Dragon, now she expresses her artistic side through drawings, crafts, and dancing. She continues to take dance lessons, and has learned to swim in deep water this year. During summer vacation she learned to kayak and ride her bike without training wheels.
Garrett started preschool this fall and absolutely loves it. In a room of peers your realize just how big he's going to become. Garrett took swim and soccer lessons this year and loves riding his bike, playing video games, and solving puzzles.
From our family to your's, may you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!