Jonas is riding a BIKE!

It's been over a year now that Jonas has been riding his Strider bike in 2010 and 2011. Now he is actually riding a pedal 2 wheeled bicycle. We picked up this 'Gravel Blaster' on craigslist last November and it still had training wheels on. So Matt thought Jonas could ride without them but Jonas made an agreement with us...he said,"when I turn 4 years old, I will take them off." Well, he turned 4 years old this month and we asked him if he was ready to take the training wheels off. He replied with sad expression,"yes, I said we need to take the training wheels off when I turn 4." He was really solemn but he held to his word. The first day without them, he wouldn't let Matt let go of the bike. He put the bike up for 1 week. Then we decided to meet up with Asher(who started riding too in December) to help motivate Jonas. It worked! Here is the result....

He was so happy! It's so unbelievable that he is riding a bike at(just turned) 4 years old!

Silas has picked up the Strider bike quickly and just wants to keep up with the older boys.

Riding on a bike path was tough to dodge pedestrians but it was fun!

Off to the rock climbing playground.

Jonas and Asher so proud of themselves with riding bikes and climbing big rocks!

Such a rock climber!

His little bro right behind him!

Jonas 4th birthday with friends

We arrived home from the northwest and had a short birthday celebration with Jonas' friends. We invited 3 friends to go sledding. There hasn't been snow for almost 2 weeks, so we decided to head to Conifer to sled at a hill called Myers Ranch. It was icy but the kids didn't care...it's sledding time!

The day started off with blue skies and sunny

but then the weather changed on us and started snowing.

Snow Angels!

Silas and his buddy, Eli!

We headed back to the car to sing happy birthday and devour a cookie cake I made.

It was a hit! One of my friends said,"Never been to a birthday party before and had cake in the back of a car. What fun!"

Christmas 2011 Part3-Jonas' Birthday

Jonas' 4th birthday party! And it was a party! Celebrating with his cousins was the most exciting thing for Jonas. To this day, he asks me "Next year when I'm 5, can my cousins be with me?"

Matt and I brainstormed for his party and decided it needed to be a LEGO theme.

First we had to serve appetizers and drinks with music in the background.

Oma gave him a birthday boy CD of special birthday songs to start the party.

Game #1-LEGO toss

Thanks to Auntie Morgan for the elaborate drawing for the toss game.

Game #2-LEGO Tower Contest

In 2 minutes who can build a tower the tallest.

Game #3-Create your LEGO creation

Everyone had to present their LEGO creation to the grown ups and gave each of them a 'Most....' award. Everyone wins! Jonas was the Most Realistic.

Game #4-Guess how many LEGOs in the jar contest.

Game #5-Pin the LEGO

Then we opened up gifts from the cousins and guess what he received....LEGOS!!! He was ecstatic!

Before bedtime, Jonas asked Oma to help him build the race car she gave him. Oma said,"He is better at this than I am."

Cake time! Sydney helped me make LEGO bricks with marshmallows on the pegs. Brilliant!

Happy 4th Birthday Jonas!

Jonas...4 years old already?!!! I can't believe it! You are so inquisitive, fun, mature, self-control, and lively! I love being with you everyday! Your desire to learn to build and having the attention span of a 30 year old...brilliant!

Christmas 2011 Part 2

We are off to British Columbia, Canada! My family and I have been taking this Christmas vacation to Canada for 22 years now. It's been such a wonderful tradition to carry into our own kids life. Oma and Opa rent the 'Bear Haus' near a ski hill called Red Mountain. There we gather as a family and play!

First night Oma gave the grandchildren matching PJ's

Pinklicisious Girls!

Polar Bear Boys

The snow was scarce this year but there's always enough to go sledding. And we had a perfect hill to sled with all the kids just behind the house.

Auntie Jenny and Ethan ready for a ride.

Dad and Silas cool as the snow

Opa giving Anna, Silas and Nora a push for a fast ride

Opa always there to tow the kids up the hill. (You can see the house down below and the breathtaking views was epic this year! We actually saw the sun most days.)

Opa and his boys playing with Legos. Jonas has discovered Legos about a year ago but just about 4 months ago he can't get enough of them. One morning, Jonas played with his Legos that he received from Christmas for 4 1/2 hours. We had to drag him away and entice him with cinnamon rolls.

Ethan and Silas staying far enough away from each other but still enjoying each other's presence.

Oma designing a gingerbread house with Silas and Titus.

Auntie Morgan brought out her art supplies for the kids to enjoy. Jonas and Titus really made some beautiful and creative art.

Hot tubbing was a daily activity to loosen up muscles or for the kids to splash and play.

The snow was so wet that making snowball forts, snowmen, and snowballs was perfect.

Dancing in the kitchen was such a highlight of our evenings. We all took turns making dinners and cleaning up. Music gets people to move and groove. Jenny, Paige, and Jesse

Off to the aquatic center, a family tradition!

Ethan and Silas keeping it low!

20 Robinson members in the pool having a ball!

The uncles making the kids scream was a riot! What a blast!

The cousins

Silas' 1st try at skiing! He was stoked to put on Jonas' ski gear and ride the magic carpet.

And we are off...Silas cruising the bunny hill just like that. I'm hoping to get him up 1 or 2 more times this year. I think watching Jonas he will catch on fast...just like everything else.

Auntie Morgan put in Beauty and the Beast for the kids while the grownups could have some adult time and visit. They all piled on the pool table with their new Pillow Pet and enjoyed.

The best night of it all was the Wii dancing nights! What a workout in disguise and a laughing moment for many of us.

As you see in the video, Jonas just does his own thing. So cute!

Christmas 2011 Part 1

After weeks of looking for my camera cord, I decided to call Sony and buy a new one. Grrr! But now I can start posting again. Christmas has been long gone but here's our trip to the northwest Part 1.

Flying out at night and landing in Spokane at midnight was exceptionally perfect planning. The boys were mellow and were happy to watch CARS on the dvd player and then fell asleep for the last hour.

Oma and Opa's house for 5 days with Boston family.

The boys were so happy to see their Boston cousins. Kate(6) was a big girl and helped with the boys by reading to them before nap.

Walking Oma and Opa's property was a daily activity. It was cold but no snow! Went to the barn, fed the chickens and threw out the compost.

Jenny's 40th Birthday celebration at a tea place with all the girls. So fun!

Deer spotting in their front yard. The cousins were so elated and had to see up close, the deer didn't mind at all.

Titus' 3rd birthday on Christmas Eve.

Enjoying gluten free chocolate cupcakes!

Ethan(2) poked and played with it.

Raife(10 months) not ready to have chocolate cake yet.

Oma sitting at the little kids table. There were 18 of us at times around the table so we had to make things work.

Christmas Eve shopping downtown Spokane. Nora and Jonas enjoying the bookstore while I perused for kids books.

"Ready, Set, Go!" Famous runner statues to represent a big race in Spokane, called Bloomsday.

I took Jonas and Nora on a walk to see downtown Spokane and ride the carousel while Chad and Matt watched a football game at a bar.

Making cookies for Santa and put out carrots for the reindeer.

Auntie Jenny reading The Advent Book to start of the Christmas Eve evening.

Then off to bed.

Christmas morning was a frenzy with 22 people in 1 room opening their stockings and presents. It was quite a sight!

Our little elves-Kate(6), Syd(9), Eli(6), Nora(4), Silas(2), and Titus(3)

Christmas afternoon, we packed up to leave for Canada...Part 2.