Emily's 8th Birthday

Emily was so excited to celebrate with her friend, Regan. We all went to Pump it Up and then to Stevi B's for dinner.


I made a chocolate chip cookie cake, per Emily's request. Jonathan enjoyed snacking on some chocolate chips while the kids helped me make the dough.

She is growing up so fast!

She wanted a pink Wii remote sooo badly. Thanks Papa and Nana! I don't think the boys will want to use this one, which was her plan all along, I'm sure.

Emily will be baptized this Saturday!

Sleepy McSleeperson

Jonathan is my sleepiest baby. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, but he still takes two naps a day and sleeps well at night. There are few things as sweet as the sight of a sleeping baby. Here he is in the car on a particularly crazy afternoon of taking kids to all of their activities:

Daniel needs a nap during the day, but he refuses to take one--at home, anyway. If he knows we are doing a lot of running around in the afternoon, he will insist on taking his pillow with him in the car because he intends to take a nap. It's pretty cute. This is a picture I took one evening after I laid him on the couch because he had fallen asleep in the car. I love those rosy cheeks!

Daddy-Daughter Date Night

Every February for the last three years, Michael has taken Emily to the Daddy-Daughter Dance at the YMCA. This year, however, Emily decided that she wanted to go to dinner and a movie with her Daddy. Michael was happy to oblige! They went to see Yogi Bear in 3D and then to a buffet for dinner. Emily calls it "the best night of the year!"

"Mom, take my picture"

Pure joy!

These were taken because Andrew brought me my camera and insisted I take his picture. Then everyone wanted to join in the fun.

I have no idea what he is doing in this picture.

Emily's Honors Program

All A's again!!!

New Years Eve

We had a wonderful time on New Years Eve!!!! I realized that it was our last chance to see the lights at the zoo, and even though it was supposed to rain we still went. It started to rain just as we were walking to the front gate, but we didn't let that stop us. I'm glad we didn't, because it really only drizzled and we had so much fun riding the train around the zoo and seeing all of the lights. I was so grateful to be there with my wonderful family and just enjoy spending time with them. After the zoo, we went to dinner--Mexican. Andrew kept asking me to take pictures, and here are a few of them. Next, we went to a dance at church. The kids had fun eating and watching a movie and eating and dancing and eating. I wondered why we even bothered to buy them dinner.



Andrew and Jonathan
Jonathan eats more than Daniel and Emily (combined!) on a regular basis.



Emily
She was the most excited for the dance. The boys didn't really want to go, but I think they still had fun.




Daniel
This child is a riot. When we were dancing, he realized that he was being watched by some teenage girls. So, what does he do? He turns around and shakes his little booty at them. They laughed and laughed. It was so funny!



Nathaniel and Andrew
They are always messing with each other.


Nathaniel and Emily had been planning all week to stay up until midnight. They were sound asleep on the couch by 11pm.

Merry Christmas!

We have had a wonderful Christmas this year. The only reason it wasn't perfect is because Jonathan was still sick. After finally getting over the flu, he also had an ear infection and wheezing. I am hopeful that the medicine will help and he will be better soon.

Here are Nathaniel and Daniel at the beginning of our illnesses two weeks ago. Nathaniel was out of school for the whole week with the flu and strep. From the 13th to the 17th, each child got sick. Some of them got sick again the next week. Thankfully, they are better now!

Luckily, they were well enough to perform in their Christmas piano recital. They had worked so hard, and they did a great job!

Sweet Jonathan loves to cuddle when he is sick.

Papa came for a visit! We had a wonderful time!



Papa brought this hat, and Daniel claimed it as his own.

Decorating Christmas cookies! The kids had so much fun. Papa made sure we had plenty of sprinkles. Andrew was an excellent worker, as were the others.

The finished product

Christmas day, enjoying their new toys

Daniel played with his new track all day. I only had to put it together three times. :-)

Michael and Nathaniel got a really cool tank game, and Emily was soon beating them both.

Andrew got tools, tools, and more tools. He loves his work light.

We are so blessed and grateful for all that we have. We want to wish a very Merry Christmas to all of our wonderful family and friends!

For the Kids

Merry Christmas!!!

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