Nine is Fine!

Reili turned 9 on February 12th! Hard to believe she is already that old. Harder to believe that I am already that old! Even though she was sick with a fever we were able to celebrate with some friends (the Thomas family). Here are some of the highlights:

A strawberry cake shaped like a strawberry (possibly the most tedious cake I've made so far).

Presents of course....the biggest is not pictured. She got a new bike.

Among the must haves....a candle in the shape of a 9. (Annika and Micah smile as backups).

Amberly, Annika and Reili. Let's Eat!

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice....

...that's what little girls are made of. I just love the age when you can finally start putting little pigtails in their hair. Ellie has finally reached this stage and I had to share some of the cute pictures of her. (I know she is rapidly taking over this blog....but she is growing and changing so fast I have to capture some of the moments).

Not one....but two little ones!

Twin piggy tails....oldest and youngest.

A view from above.

Cheese....one on the side!

She is so cute...I just have to squeeeeeeeeeeze her!

Snow Days

This has been quite a week for storms in Missouri. We had a big (or what was supposed to be big) ice/snow storm that started Monday night. That closed the schools and kept everyone in on Tuesday and Wednesday and then the freezing temps that followed kept the schools closed the rest of the week. It didn't deter the kids from wanting to play outside (thankfully). I got a few shots of Wes and Ellie, while the girls were away playing at the neighbors. We woke up again this morning to more snow (more than even on Tuesday, 4-6 inches). Hopefully the streets will be back to normal by Monday and the kids can get back to school. We're all experiencing a little cabin fever!

Yahoo, Snow!

Little Ellie wishes she could be out there playing so bad!.....

...but it is just too cold for her mean Mommy to handle.

And She turns 1!

Last Friday Ellie celebrated her first birthday. I always feel a little sad when our babies hit the year mark. It is so fun to have a baby in the house, and now she's just gotten so big. They just grow up so fast. For some reason or other I wasn't able to get any good pictures of anyone but her. Here are some of the highlights of Elizabeth's day in pictures:

Decided to make her own little cake instead of buying it like I did for Wes and Amberly. It took a little bit more time than I had planned...mainly because I'm not very talented when it comes to decorating and I only have one tip to work with.

Ellie spent a bunch of time at my feet trying to get my attention. Here she at least looks happy....

...but really she just wants me to pick her up and lets me know it. With Tom still recovering from his surgery there is only me to turn to....and she wants to be held now!

She's much happier in the high chair with some snacks.

She didn't hesitate to dig right in, even before the candle was blown out by the other kids.

Mmmm....this is pretty sweet! (She really only took two bites and then started trying to throw it on the floor. When I stopped her she then tried handing off to me or Reili. I don't think she liked the sticky feeling on her hands.)

Ooooh....a present.

Who cares what it is....I'll just climb on the box...that's more fun anyway!

Christmas Morning 2010

Each of the kids wanted a pillow pet this year. So Santa brought Reili a dolphin,....

Amberly a penguin,.....

and Wesley a bee.

General mayhem during the opening of presents.

Ellie loves the candy in her stocking even though she doesn't get to eat any of it.

Yeah....my own play phone!

High on Reili's wish list....roller blades. She loves skating in our unfinished basement.

Awesome...'mote control car!

Amberly asked for an MP3 player....and got a re-purposed iPod shuffle (oddly similar to the one Dad got while he was in Iraq a couple years ago....hmmmm). Yahoo!