July - September 2012

From Summer into the beginning of Fall, we were still on the move.  We visited Vermont, where Anna ran with Mom and Dad in a 5K race, and we all got to have fun playing with our friends.  During this trip, Jack and Anna learned how to ride bicycles without training wheels, so Dad took off the training wheels on the bikes at home.  We got out to the Great Plains to visit our great-grandparents, and got back in time for Dad to start teaching and for Jack and Anna to start Fall soccer.

Sunset in Vermont

Kate and Ruth

Tres Amigos

Anna and Susan finishing the 5K race

On the Fort Ti ferry

No training wheels!

Kate rides the trike

Kate plays grocery

Learning to hoop dance

"T-Rex, this is Kate. Kate; T-Rex."

Anna goalie

Anna with a takeaway

Anna traps the ball

Jack in position

Jack gets a shot on goal

Jack on offense

Keeper Anna

April - June 2012

We kept busy during the spring and early summer.  There was spring soccer for both Jack and Anna.  Anna's spring ballet recital was an interpretation of Peter Pan; Anna was one of the bluebirds who decorated Wendy's house in Neverland.  We all got down to visit the Children's Museum. In late June, we all visited Granny and Grandpa.  Jack, Anna and Kate all ran in the kids races at the Blast and then we had fun playing in the sprinkler.

Jack in action

Anna goes for the ball

Bluebirds

Digging for fossils

On the Children's Museum carousel

Helping with the watering

Clearing the ball

Goalie

Kate's long day

Kate at the Blast

Anna at the Blast

Kate with her finisher medal

Post-race milk and cookies

Anna post race

Fun in the sprinkler

water dump

it's getting wet out here

January - March 2012

We've been busy since our last post, and we didn't get quite as many pictures taken as we often do.  This year Jack and Anna learned how to ice skate.  It wasn't too cold this winter, so we were lucky to get all of our lessons in before it got warm.  Jack, Anna and Kate all participated in the indoor track meet this year.  Kate turned three in January, and Anna and Jack celebrated their seventh birthday in March.

Anna ice skating

twins on ice

Jack on the rink

I am three!

Mom let me blow out the candles twice

Ooh, yummy!

Birthday girl - new tiara, new dress, new backpack and new bike!

Anna helps shovel the one "big" snow we had this winter

Anna starts the 200 m dash

Jack give the turbo-jav a giant toss

October - December 2011

We spent Fall keeping busy, as usual. Jack's soccer season continued; the "Express Pros" team had an admirable 5-1-1 record in the first year of keeping score. Anna lost her first tooth. Anna is continuing with ballet, and Kate likes to dress up as a ballerina, so she may join her sister when she is old enough. Halloween was fun, but we only did three events this year (instead of four) - the two Zoo-based events and trick-or-treating around our neighborhood. We visited Granny and Grandpa for Thanksgiving and got to see some early Christmas decorations there. Then, we hosted Granny, Grandpa and Aunt Amy here for Christmas. Only a little snow that didn't last long so far this year, but we keep hoping to get out the sleds.

Jack with some serious keeper equipment

Jack goes to the ball

Anna's missing tooth

"my nice dress"

the crew ready for boo at the zoo

Behind you! Watch out for that spider!

Ladybug races the cheetah

eating the ghost cookies

the icing is definitely the best part of the ghost cookies

playing catch at the tailgate in Ann Arbor before the Michigan-Purdue game

Halloween III (we went to three different events this year)

our spooky jack-o-lanterns

helping with the Fall cleanup

Clearly, we need to ride in the wagon to help pick up the leaves

The Crossley children

showing Granny the flowers at the holiday display

Anna having fun at the park

in the jungle with Dad

Our 2011 Christmas card

ballerina holiday

snow falls at Tuckaho

working on the "make-a-bear" with Aunt Amy

racing with Grandpa

Anna at the Sidewinder art installation

Jack at Sidewinder