Friday, November 30, 2007

We're here...

We arrived yesterday as scheduled after what seemed like a ridiculously long plane ride. Although Avery didnt think so. She did great and loved it all. She had so much fun.
Today we went to Lucas's preschool field trip. It was at a pizza place called Organ Stop Pizza. It is not named that because it stops your organs from functioning, although the pizza was pretty bad, but becuase it has a gigantic pipe organ inside that is played by this man who lives to talk about his pipe organ. The thing weighs like 30 tons, not exagerating. It was quite the experience!

Tonight we went to Mr. Mogoriam's Wonder Imporium. It was very cute. I definetly need to start jumping on a lot more beds and stop being so serious!

We are missing daddy, Lauren and Sully but we are having so much fun. Avery cannot remember Lucas and Nate's names so she just says, "Hey, my friends, come here!"
Very sweet.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Catch up

I swear I am the worst blogger. I have no motivation to make myself over to the computer at night. Or really anything else for that matter. That is sad.

However, thanks to my wonderful, perfect husband, tomorrow Avery and I leave for a week in sunny Arizona to visit my college friend Jill and her family. We are SO excited. I cant wait to see Avery fly for the first time.

Jordan is holding down the fort. He has promised me that I will not come home to a house that has fallen down.

Hopefully this trip will rejuvenate me in time for the holidays! See you in a week!

Decorating

We decorated the house for Christmas last weekend. Sully is very impressed. So far he has kept his hands off the breakables, we'll see!
The girls were thrilled with their ornaments that we picked out for them this year.








Seriously, stop growing up.

Christmas fun

Last weekend we took Jeff and family up to our town's Christmas kick off. The kids just love the horse drawn trolley rides, the ice sculpting and of course the hot chocolate and cookies!


Daddy and Sully. Contrary to Sully's serious expression he loved every minute of it!


Uncle Jeff and Avery


Christina, Ryan and Lauren

Friday, November 23, 2007

Thanksgiving Weekend

Whew, we made it through another feast. My mom hosted close to 40 people again this year. And while her house is big, we were still busting at the seams. The kids had so much fun playing with cousins (my cousins' kids) that they seldom get to see.

For some reason I thought that this year was going to be easier than last year. But it wasn't. Last year maybe we were all still numb or in shock of my dead's absence. This year we are left with the cold hard fact that he is not here. We cant hear him complaining about having to eat turkey (he didnt like it, my mom always made a roast for him), we couldnt hear he and his brother telling countless stories about their childhood in good ole' Fayette, we didnt get to make fun of him when he took a nap while company was still overflowing in the house. We didnt get to hear him giving my mom a bad time telling her that the meal was subpar and we didnt get to hear him draw us all together for the prayer of thanksgiving before the meal.

This year I was struck with the realization that this isnt going to get easier. Your heart doesnt mend over some wounds. As I was putting up the Christmas tree this afternoon, hanging all my old ornaments, my eyes were suddenly full of tears and I just missed being a kid. Missed the times when after dad would get really upset putting the lights on the tree, we'd sit around together and admire it when it was all decorated. I guess I miss being innocent of this kind of pain. I miss my dad.

As Christmas is now rapidly approaching I am so very thankful for my family. Thankful for my Savior who wont take away the pain, but will give me reason to rejoice. Reason to look to the sky in great hope. I know that someday soon we will all celebrate the most wonderful Christmas together with my dad but more importantly with Jesus Christ. The Reason for Every Season.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

SNOW!

It is snowing and we are VERY excited.



(I'm using the word 'we' very loosely here.)

Monday, November 19, 2007

Avery

At some point in the party Avery got a hold of one of Lauren's gifts. All I heard was that one of them broke and we'd have to deal with it later.
Now I may see why it broke. Why was he holding the camera and not taking the breakable toy away from her???









Oh Avery. But my she is cute.

The guests


Sully thought the grandmas were kind of scary too!


So did I. But I did appreciate their effort!




Everyone be silly!


And now be FANCY!!!!

More Festivities


We also decorated tiaras.

The festivities


First the girls decorated fancy pretzle wands.


Then we read the two Fancy Nancy books.




Grandma Barb's famous punch.

We ate goodies, sang Happy Birthday...

Fancy Nancy

A lot of people have asked, "Just what is a Fancy Nancy party anyway?"
I'll tell you.


You take 9 girls eager to dress in their fancies clothes for a day, give them crowns and lots of pink and that about does it!


Lauren LOVED her party. And honestly so did we. I cant imagine a better day. It all went perfectly. Cindy stayed up till the wee hours finishing the decorations while Jordan and I got the rest of the house ready.



Lauren and Avery got all dressed up in their flower girl dresses from this summer. We were all ready.



Then the grandmas arrived. Cindy said, "Oh you girls look beautiful!" Avery said, "Yeah and you guys look SCARY!"

Saturday, November 17, 2007

The bike

Lauren's birthday weekend is starting off great. When she got home from school on Thursday she found pink roses from grandma Barb. Then we had french toast with raspberries, whipped cream and powdered sugar for supper!

We got Lauren her first real bike for her birthday. She loves it, but we have some work to do to get her riding it!
Apparently a guy in the x games rides the bike that hers was modeled after, so it is a trick bike. I am hoping she never uses it like he does! Jordan has other plans.


Lauren in her birthday crown from school and her flowers from grandma!


The bike!


Her first ride. 'Dont let go Daddy!'


Jordan was going to try a trick - I think he chickened out!


Lauren thinks its pretty cool that someone can do this on 'her' bike!

Lauren's friends start arriving in one hour for the party. They are all dressing fancy and we are so excited! Time to go do hair and get dressed!

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Happy Sixth Birthday, Lauren Elaine!

Lauren, how is it possible that you are six years old today? When I look back over the past years it seems that it has all been in fast forward. You are becoming an extraordinary young lady! Your dad and I are so very proud of you.
We have loved watching you learn and shine in kindergarten, you are definitely a natural for learning new things and making new friends - a social butterfly! I love how you enjoy playing with so many different kids at school, even the boys! Your sense of humor makes you so special. You can make us laugh so easily.

You have always been a little bit 'too good'. There are times during the day when I have to stop and wonder, now where is Lauren? And there I'll find you playing quietly or even standing right next to me and I didn't even know you were around. I suppose with your chatterbox sister and rambunctious brother you have learned to wait your turn and not get too excited about things. But don't forget to speak up for yourself now and then too! Thank you for being the most wonderful big sister. Avery calls you her best friend and I pray that you will always have a special bond that only sisters can know.

What I truly love about you is your sweet and tender heart. You can be hurt easily and that is not always good. But you are the first to offer a sympathetic hug or smile. You seem to instinctively know when someone is down and needing a pick me up. What a special gift you have to lift the spirits of others. I will always treasure that about you. I know that Jesus has special plans for your life. I pray that you will learn to trust him with all your heart, soul and mind. I pray that you will find your most treasured friendship with your personal savior and that you will forever serve him.

Happy sixth birthday you special little girl!


Lauren at 18 months. Where does the time go?

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Bad blogger

Ugh, I have been the worst blogger. We spent Thursday through Monday in St. Louis visiting my oldest brother, Jeff and his family. Lauren and Avery had the best time. They got to watch princess movies, play Barbies, go to the zoo and the Arch, eat at McDonalds, make cupcakes, play outside, get early Christmas gifts, jump off the couches with Ryan, stay up late and camp out in the living room. I have lots of pictures to post but no energy to make that happen right now.

We came home to a very busy week of work, school and preparations for Lauren's sixth birthday which is tomorrow. She'll have two parties this weekend - one for her friends on Saturday and one with all the family on Sunday. The theme - FANCY NANCY! She cannot wait!

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Eight Years

"Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing." Helen Keller


Reutte, Austria 2005

Happy Anniversary Sweetie, Thank you for all the adventures so far and for the ones I know are yet to come. I love you.

Sunday, November 04, 2007

Quotes from Avery

Quote from Avery as she was playing with Barbies today:

"Grandma Cindy lets me play with Aunt Kylie's Barbies. But just one. Well actually, three, well actually, I dont have enough fingers, but lots.
And she really likes to play with me. I wish I could see Grandma Cindy right now. Yeah, I really love my Grandma Cindy. Yeah....yeah, I do."

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Crazy Ballerina

Lauren tried on her Christmas dance program costume a couple of nights ago and was in a strange mood. Very silly!


Friday, November 02, 2007

Halloween 2007






We survived another Halloween. Sully had a blast - he insisted that his candy bucket was his helmet. So funny.

Tis the season

Jordan woke up with some violent stomach flu. Sully and Avery and I had plans to head to CF and take Sully for an ear infection recheck and flu shot. Then we were going to meet Melanie and Jalen at the mall in the playland and then get lunch.

We got to the dr. and Sullivan was being totally normal and then out of no where he puked ALL OVER me and the nurse. It was awful.
So we called Melanie and said, dont meet us! And headed home. Sully is actually acting fine now...hmmm....
Jordan on the other hand is NOT fine!

We have plans to take the girls to the school musical tonight - Disney's High School Musical and tomorrow Jordan and I were supposed to go out for the day to celebrate our anniversary which is next week.

Im thinking my plans are going to be changed.

I am so not ready for the cold and flu season!