2017 Recap (Jan - Apr): Nick Update, Science Projects, Death by Chocolate Cake, Easter Madness, and More

So, we ran into a funny problem while recapping last year: we let a whole other year pass by without writing about it! Is it just me or do the years seem to fly right by now? So now we get to recap 2017. And let me tell you, a lot happened just during the first few months. Here are some highlights.

The Nick Update

Our resident cutie-pie has made some serious strides in his ascent from baby-hood. Some of our favorite developments included:

#1. Becoming a mess-maker extraordinaire. Nick loves unpacking the DVD shelf, which is why we had to move our collection into the guest room. In the video, Robbie's trying to clean up the mess, but Nick wasn't quite done making it.

#2. Mastering rolling across the floor. Nick picked up rolling and used that to get around for a while. It was really cute! Take a peek.

By Easter time, he had crawling down pat.

#3. Becoming a chatterbox. Nick started doing the baby babble and we couldn't get enough. (But the high-pitched screaming we could do without.)

#4. Perfecting a giggle that's so cute, we just can't even! Nick also started laughing, and it's positively infectious.

#5. Exploring his boundaries. With his advances in locomotion, Nick began discovering the limits of his world. His arch-nemesis was the cool custom baby gate Cassie's dad built for the stairs. But even that turned into another outlet for Nick's cuteness.

So let's hear it for our wonderful Nick!

Science Projects

Eric and Beth started at a new school in February. Here they are on the first day of school.

In their school uniforms, we discovered that very often, Eric and Beth matched dear old Dad's work outfit. Matchies!

Part of the fun of going to a school was doing science fair projects. Beth did hers on electro-clay, and Eric did his on using Mentos to make Coke overflow. Here are their exhibits.

Grammy came with us to see the exhibits. Here we are afterwards outside the school.

Death by Chocolate Cake

Beth had her b-day, and she requested a very special, very chocolatey cake. We call it the Death by Chocolate cake, and it is AMAZING. Check it out.

Easter Madness

Easter can get a little crazy around the Alleman house. I blame the Easter Bunny. He's always leaving notes where he boo-hoos about getting kidnapped by pirates and aliens and what not. He leaves clues that the kids have to find all throughout the house, which eventually leads to their Easter stash. Then Mom and Dad have to hide the eggs for the actual hunt. (Stupid Easter Bunny, making US do all the work.)

Here's a taste of what we went through this year.

Other Adventures

Of course that's not all we did during the first part of 2017. Here are a few other fun events.

We made time-lapse videos. Blink and you'll miss it!

We crafted miniature men made of snow.

We had a fun visit from Uncle Jeff.

It got a little hairy with the kids, but Jeff handled it like a champ.

We visited a petting zoo with Grandma and Grandpa Alleman.

We suffered through Dad jokes.

Eric went on his first Scout campout (and melted part of his coat) and received some awards.

Beth went and saw Alice in Wonderland (and got a photo with the Cheshire Cat).

Robert built with LEGOs.

Lots and LOTs of LEGOs.

We spent special time with Grammy.

And I received a very coveted prize: a Nintendo Classic Mini Console!

Stay tuned for more posts about another fun-filled year for the Allemans!

2016: December- CHRISTMAS!

Around this time of year, we all go a little crazy. Crazy with the Christmas spirit! At our house, we love the holiday season.

Here's our little elf getting his first Christmas present. A glo-worm for Christmas!

He also discovered the joys of playing in the baby jumper.

And took up tap dancing. Eat your heart out, Gene Kelly.

The kids had fun at the ward Christmas party. They gave Santa a run for his money.

We even got a decent family picture this year.

Here's a time-honored tradition in the Alleman house: sugar cookies! The kids always enjoy decorating their own.

Here's Eric's creation.

And Robert's.

And Beth.

We also made gingerbread (more like graham cracker) houses this year.

Here's the family gearing up for the big night.

The kids set out (and snitched from) Santa's cookies and milk.

Here's the lineup photo from Christmas morning. What a crew! 

(Notice how Beth had to pin Robert to keep him from charging up the stairs.They're both still smiling, though!)

This was our little St. Nick's first Christmas. He sure had fun!

Here's the crew coming upstairs to see the Christmas haul.

For Christmas, we received a game called Watch Ya Mouth. You stick this apparatus in your mouth and try to say this really tricky phrase, and everyone has to guess what you're saying. Here I am trying it out.

Here's the family posing with their Watch Ya Mouth pieces. 

(Notice Beth hiding hers.)

Merry Christmas to all!

2016: November - Cribs, Feasts, and Quilts

In November, Nick moved to his crib in the nursery. He's getting so big, he just didn't fit in the craddle any more. Moving him to the nursery was pretty traumatic for us, but he seemed excited to have all that extra room.

Here we are for the big Thanksgiving feast. Megan came down from BYU-I to enjoy the festivities with us.

Robert wanted to go bag a turkey of his own with a rifle he made from vacuum extensions. His expression says it all.

And what's Thanksgiving without a little Thankmas thrown in? We decorated the tree and got ready for the "most wonderful time of the year."

Grandma Alleman visited as well and dropped off a gorgeous quilt she'd made for Nick.

2016: October - Skeletons, Balloon Attacks, and Bear Lake

October is always eventful for us. Here are a few highlights from the month of spooks and goblins:

This cute little gremlin keeps getting bigger. We sure love him. He also started smiling and giggling.

Eric earned his Webelos rank and his Arrow of Light. Way to go, Eric!

We also added a ghoul to the family. Mom and Dad call him Skuduggery Bonaparte. The kids insist his name is "Skelly." He doesn't say much, either way.

Robert had a birthday as well. On that day, he was attacked by a band of marauding balloons. 

Oh, the humanity!

Grammy came to the birthday party. She and Beth sure had a special relationship. I think Grammy sensed how much Beth loved having another girl around the house. As for te photobombing foot, we're not sure whose that is.

For his birthday, Robert got a cool disguise. Hey, stranger, have you seen Robert?

Here's the birthday boy with his "cake." Robert actually isn't a big fan of traditional cake and ice cream. He prefers a doughnut cake. Hey, it's his day. He can have what he wants.

Our family made a trip to Bear Lake that month. And from there we visited Great-Grandma Clines.

We also visited the Star Valley Temple open house.

Here we are in Bear Lake. This bull statue is right next to the restaurant we always stop at to enjoy some delicious Bear Lake shakes. Yum!

Um . . . with some pictures, the less you know, the better. Let's just say we're very happy to still have Robert with us.

Here is our crew for Halloween.

Beth and Eri went all-out putting together our trunk or treat.

And Robert lost his first tooth that night!

Here the kids are on the big night. You can see Bonaparte wants to go with them. Maybe next year.