Happy Birthday Faith

I can't believe how big my baby girl is. It seems like time just flies and she is getting to be so big. I am so proud of the girl Faith is turning into. She is my little helper and people just love her. This year we let her have a party at a place of her choosing and she chose Retro Bowl. We all had such a good time. It was fun to watch Faith interact with all of her friends and see her have such a good time.

Faith I am so proud of you and love you so much. I can't believe what a big girl you have become. I love it when I come home from work and am greeted with a big hug from you. I can't wait to watch you grow and see all of the things that you accomplish.

Merry Christmas!

We really enjoyed Christmas this year. The kids had such a fun morning opening and playing with their new gifts.

Faith only wanted one thing, a Nintendo DS. Lucky for Santa he got a great deal from a friend.
Levi loves Transformers. Everytime we see a yellow car on the road he yells, "Look mom bumblebee." So you can imagine his excitement with this.

Surprisingly we made it to Christmas with Emma only trying to open a couple gifts beforehand. Christmas morning when we let her at it she had a blast.

Levi was grateful for everything we opened, and more than happy to stop and smile for the camera.

Emma would open and toss and move on to the next thing.

Levi was really excited abou this bike. He definitely won't be riding it this week. (See previous post.)

Emma with her cat that ate the canary look. We get this look alot around our house.

Addison wasn't super interested but wwe tried anyway. Next year she'll be in with the rest of them.

Faith got some nice new clothes. She was still focused on other stuff though. I thought the clothes were exciting but hey she's a kid.

It was all new to Addison but she sure was a trooper.

It was so much fun to open gifts with the kids but most of all it is so wonderful to be able to spend time with my family. I look at these 4 kids that Joe and I have and I am so thankful for each of them. We are truly blessed. Merry Christmas to all.

White Christmas

Normally I don't get too excited about snow but how fun for all of us to wake up Christmas morning to this. Michael tried to get his car up the driveway. Not so much.

The front of our house.

I'm sure the kids will want to play in it later so more pictures to come.

Happy Birthday Emma!

I can't believe Emma is 2. Christmas morning 2 years ago we were so excited to meet Emma. Emma is definitely our outgoing child. Everywhere we go people have to stop and talk to her because she just has the sweetest grin.

Emma loved the cake that daddy made for her. (yes daddy) I am not a cake maker, partially because I don't really like it.
Emma loves grandma. My mom calls her our little blonde bomb and she sure lives up to it. Emma can figure out how to get just about anything she wants, even if its in the cabinet above the microwave. Scary I know.

The cake daddy made. He did do a great job, didn't he?Emma I love you so much and can't believe you already been part of our family for 2 years. It seems like you were just my little baby and here you are gaining this personality of your own. I love watching you learn and grow even when it's keeping me on my toes. Happy Birthday.

Addison & Uncle Michael

Michael is such a good uncle, though he doesn't like to change diapers. Addison and all the other kids just love it when Uncle Michael comes over.

Apple Orchard

Levi and Emma had such a good time at the Apple Orchard. Not only did they get to pick apples they also got to see lots of animals and go on a tractor/hay ride. Levi loves to get right in there and participate. I love this about my little man.

Emma stood by and supervised for a few minutes then decided it looked fun and dove right in.

I didn't get a picture since I was pushing the double stroller but Emma loved chasing the hens. I might add we weren't supposed to do this so I had to keep chasing her.

We have gotten to go to this particular orchard the past few years and absolutely love it. I can't wait to go next year. Oh and the apples are delicious.

New Baby Pictures

Meet Addison

We were all so excited to welcome Addison. She fit right in as soon as the kids walked in the door.
Wow! A bed full of kids. What more could I ask for.

Emma just wanted to kiss her, and that she did. At least she likes her. Addison did well with all of those kisses.

Such a good big brother. Levi will ask to hold her then after a few minutes "okay I'm done, take her."

Faith is my little mommy. She is so good holding her head and rocking her. I am sure she will be lots of help to me.

Addison

We are so excited to welcome Addison into our family. She is the perfect addition. The night I went into labor was interesting. I had been contracting for a few days so at 2 am when I woke up Joe and said it was time to go he looked at me said "okay" rolled over and went back to sleep. He then heard me calling my mom to have Michael come over and realized I was serious and got up. I have to give him a hard time about this since he wasn't coherant. Baby came and she was perfect. She is bringing more and more excitement to our family. We love you Addison.


More updates to come soon.

Faith's first day of 1st grade

I can't believe my Faith is in the 1st grade. It doesn't seem possible. Faith's teacher this year is Mr. Andreasen. She says he is really cool. They do lots of fun things to help them learn.

I was so proud of her this year. She wasn't too excited for me to leave her on the first day but she handled it very well.

I love you Faith, I know you will do great.