She's Four Now!

This lucky girl has had two weekends of birthday fun and presents. And today she is finally four, a big girl. We've been talking a lot about what big girls get to do, and don't do. Here are some pictures to show what we mean.

Four year olds can blow out their own candles, no help at all.


Four year olds play with their dollhouse quietly while their little brother takes a nap.


Four year olds don't ride tricycles, they ride big bikes ("just like you guys!") she said.


Four year olds definitely help make and decorate their birthday cake.


Four year olds drive their own taxi, of course!


Four year olds can ALMOST beat their daddy at the Wii.


And, four year olds get to ride cool power wheel bikes around the backyard.


So, it's pretty easy to say that this big girl has grown up and loves it. She had a great birthday and we thank you all for the cards, presents, and time spent with her.

Happy I Love You Day

It was definitely a Valentine Day to remember. For most kids it's about chocolate and presents and little paper cards from their friends, which is fine, but Hannah kept reminding us that it is I LOVE YOU DAY. And we did a whole lot of lovin. The kids have been sick on and off for the whole month, so we just let them rest and loved on them all day.




Hannah chillin in her new chair


Ben's first love: chocolate

A Christmas Story (and Other Celebrations)

It has been a crazy Christmas Vacation with many celebrations including: the 3FL Superbowl; Christmases 2, 3a and 3b; Thad's birthday; New Years and Pap's birthday. We even had our own Ralphie!



On Christmas Eve, after church and before reading Polar Express, we decided to sit for a nice family portrait. Then we read our story, set out the cookies and carrots and went to bed as quickly as possible so Santa wouldn't skip our house (which he does if you're not sleeping).



The next morning we continued our month long gift extravaganza with Christmas #2. Santa's gifts were left under the real tree by the fireplace.



Mom and Dad's gifts were under the artificial tree in the living room.



On Friday we went down to Gram and Pap's house for Christmas 3a.



With gifts from and to the four of us, Gram and Pap, Aunt Julie and Uncle Tim, Uncle Brian, Aunt Steppie and Evy, half of the living room was unavailable for seating.



We thought for sure the kids would be the most spoiled during the holidays, but it ended up being us. Stacey and I got a Wii! As you can sii, I was more than a little excited.



Ben's favorite gift, on the other hand, was the box his blocks came in.



Thad's birthday was on New Years Eve. That morning we went to the Carnegie Science Center to see the huge model railroad and several other exhibits. A group of us also went across the street to Bodies... the Exhibition, which was fantastic. We celebrated Thad's birthday with a "Terrible Cake" (and more presents).



I know you were wondering where Christmas 3b fit in. Our extended family can't resist buying gifts for the kids, too.





We concluded our trip with a visit to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Their Dinosaur Hall was recently redone and I must say they did a tremendous job. Even with the T-Rex not ready yet, the new environments with interactive touch-screen kiosks really helped you picture what it was really like.



I'm pretty sure that turtle could have had Hannah for a snack.



Add to that the eating out, going to movies and Dave and Busters and spending a lot of time with family; it was a wonderful trip! We also decided to come home on Friday so we would have the weekend to recover before heading back to work. That is also working out very well.

Thanks to everyone for the gifts and all the fun times. Believe it or not, Gram has already started thinking about Hannah's birthday!

Snow Days

I've been pondering why so many of our blog posts are of pictures of our kids outside. Are kids just cuter when they're out playing? Yeah, maybe. The natural sunlight and beauty of nature might help too. Whatever the reason, here's the latest on our little snow bunnies enjoying the newest foot of fresh snow.

We had to shovel in front of the play house door just to get it open. Ben couldn't quite walk through the two feet of snow, so he watched Hannah and I trudge through it.


Look how beautiful, for all the people who think we're a little crazy for living here.


What a good big sister, she knows Santa is watching.


Have a wonderful Christmas everyone!