Memorial Day Fun!

Even though 3 out of 5 of us have nasty sinus colds this weekend, we had a great time with family. We started at Andy's folks pool on Saturday afternoon. Went to Ryan and Shan's pool on Sunday evening and then went back to Grammy and Grandpa's house tonight for dinner.

I've gotten progressively worse about snapping photos and tonight decided to change that trend by taking some fun action shots of the girls.

I love how easily entertained they are at this age. And how different they are. Lobaby loved to play with Grammy's pretend vacuum cleaner, while Jilligirl preferred to play with sticks in the mud and water fountain. It all makes my heart beam with pride.

Little Toothache was not feeling great today, but she got her share of snuggles and special attention from her Grammy, Grandpa and Uncle Mikey.

It was a great weekend. But, I'm exhausted. Just in time to start another week, right?

The girls loved getting pushed on the swings from front and back. Daddy and Uncle Mikey like to keep it exciting!

Duane made some excellent ribs for dinner. I got my in-laws turned on to the Food&Family magazine (I've mentioned it before). But, this rib recipe is super easy, if you want to try it, too.

Jilligirl loves to show us how fast she can run. I love how she swings her arms.

Jailbirds!

Lo is such a great big sister.

Dress up

If you live with boys in your house. I have a feeling our lives are very different.

Wrapped around her chubby little finger

Best Friends

The warm weather has allowed us to open up the house and GET OUT! The girls are allowed to play in the backyard while I watch from the kitchen (lovin that freedom, btw).

They take their babies out, play on their little slide, walk on the landscape rocks. They really enjoy being together (they fight a lot, too). But, despite the scuffles, they laugh together a lot. Nothing makes my heart happier than to watch them be friends.

Best (and worst) Weekend Away

Two weeks ago, we took a quick (spontaneous) trip away to Brown County. We took Andy's folks with us and stayed in the Abe Martin Lodge. We stayed in the little rooms apart from the lodge and it worked out perfectly. Thanks to the baby monitor, we put the girls to sleep and then could hang out in Deb and Duane's room and play some cards before bed.

It was a wonderful weekend. Or at least it started that way. Friday night we had dinner. The girls were so excited to be somewhere new and to have their grandparents along. They did great. Saturday, we played all morning at their new indoor aquatic area. Everyone was having a great time, until Saturday night when Little Toothache started to throw up.

First, in the car. I thought is was a fluke. Then, to make sure I new it wasn't, she threw up all over me in one of the cute downtown shops. She threw up a third time on the way back to the room.

THEN, I was crawling into bed that night with Lobaby and she started crying. I rushed her to the bathroom and she got sick, too. Needless to say, it became a long night and I got home wishing for a vacation from my vacation.

I snapped a few pictures of the girls having fun in the aquatic area. Maybe sometime soon, we'll get a do-over.

BTW - I would highly recommend this as a cheap/fun family getaway. And I think we might even be brave enough to try it again sometime soon.

Duane/Deb - you game?

Big girl food

LT has been tackling some big girl food lately. She loves puffs and Cherios, peas, carrots, bananas, pears and graham crackers. She will probably love more, but that's all we've tried so far. It's so cute to watch her try to master the pincer grasp to get those little chunks of food into her mouth.

The birthday boy!

J-man's party was a blast. We played at Recreation Unlimited (imagine a really cool park, move it indoors and multiply by 10).

He had all his buddies there for a pizza party and some play time. It was a lot of fun.

Happy birthday, buddy! We think you're pretty special!


Make a wish!

Lobaby liked the cupcakes.

Look at those brown eyes. My niece is getting so big!

Happy(est) 7 Months!

Have I mentioned that I am IN LOVE with this little girl!? I told Andy the other night that I think God gave her to me to help me relax. Seriously, people, she's that good. It's such a joy to be her mommy!

Happy 7 month Birthday, baby girl.


I've got a toothache, you're so sweet!


BTW - This is my new favorite picture of her!

Snow day

We got 12+ inches of snow here last night. So, today was a great day to play in it!

We were out shoveling snow and honestly, this is the first time I've bothered to get the girls all bundled up to play in it. They really seemed to like it and they were SO CUTE in their snow suits.

These are the Dora bikes they got for their birthday. Just four short months ago, their legs didn't reach the pedals! How are they growing so quickly?!

My Lobaby - my snow angel!

Sitting in the "snow chair" I made.

Pink nose to match her pink coat.

We don't have snow boots for Jilligirl. So daddy "made" her some with duct tape. All I could say to him was "You are Duane Keller's son!"

At first, she was sad we didn't have boots for her, too. But, after Andy got to work putting baggies on her feet, she got over it.

BTW _ I love J's beautiful eyes in this photo!

"Cookin" the snow.

Pizza party

Two days after our neices birthday, is our cousin's birthday.

My mommy friends have definitely set the bar high when it comes to fun birthday parties. First the fire station, now this awesome "cooking" party!

This party was all about stocking Jac's new play kitchen. We got her some cute heart-shaped measuring spoons, pot-holders and a play sandwich kit.

Jaime (and Jac) made cute aprons for everyone with their name on them. For dinner, all the girls got to top the pizzas. They had a blast and amazingly the pizzas were delicious!

Party time!

First, it was our sweet niece's birthday! I LOVE this pic of her and her cake. This was her expression while everyone was singing to her. So funny! I love that girl!

Her party started with a tour of a local fire station. Such a fun and creative idea. The firemen showed us the fire house and let us get into the truck. He showed the kids all their fire gear and gave all the kids their own hat and sticker badge.

Mommy and Lobaby in the firetruck.

It's great to have cousins that double as your best friends!

Classic Jilligirl!

She really liked the hat.

Little Toothache

(I love this pic! She raises her eyebrows and makes me think she's going to be trouble someday!)

LT is doing so many new things these days.

This morning, even, her first tooth popped out. Bottom left.

She's sitting up on her own and if I remember correctly, she's accomplished this almost 2 months earlier than the twins did. She's rolling over and blowing rasberries, constantly!

She's adorable. So happy. So smiley.

Rub a dub dub

First of all, this is my first post in a while and I've had some time to think about my posts and I'm going to give my girls some new nicknames. I'm just tired of Baby C, J and Lo. I mean, they're totally original and everything, but I'm just ready for a change.

So, as of today, Baby C will now be "Little Toothache" or "LT". The girls have a talking hippo doll that says "I've got a toothache you're so sweet!" And that about sums up life with our Little Toothache. Too sweet!

J will be Jilligirl. And Lo will be Lobaby. So, now that that's settled...

LT has outgrown her baby tub and has graduated to taking baths with her big sisters. It's a good time.

Actually, bathtime can me the most fun, and quickly turn into the most stressful time of our day (that is, on the days that they actually get a bath)(def. not a daily occurance around here). There will be lots of laughing, splashing and playing and then suddendly, drama insues, tears, screaming and more screaming.

I think if LT could talk, she would say "Can I go back to my baby bath please? It was much quieter there."

New year. New me.

Yes. It's just what you think it is. It's the standard reflection post. A look back on all the stuff that happened in 08 and how it's gonna be better/different in 09.

Actually, I'm just going to skip the reflection all together and jump right to my hopes for 09:

1) Reach fitness goals.
I'm about half way there. I've lost about 15lbs so far. I'm starting a "Biggest Loser" contest with a good friend this week. Let me know if you want to join in.

2) Read more.
Read more for fun. Read more for personal growth. Read the Word. At work right now, we're discussing what getting into the Word looks like for the congregation and how as a church we can foster this discipline in them. I'm thinking more for myself about how I can work to make scripture come to life in my own life. How I can discover it in new ways. I think I'm going to start with the book, How to Read the Bible for All its Worth. Sounds helpful, right? Here are a few other books I hope to read this year: Grace-based Parenting, Parenting From Your Strengths, Three Cups of Tea, Tangible Kingdom, 200 Pomegranates and an Audience of One, Blue Like Jazz (can't believe I still haven't read that one) and others (still working on my full list).

3) Get better.
Get better at the mommy thing. Get better at the wife thing. Get better at the Christ-follower thing. Get better at the plate-spinning thing. Get better at the work thing. Get better at the priority-setting/time-management thing. Get better at the relationship thing. Get better at the family thing. Get better at the house keep-up thing. The focus thing. And the blog thing :)

4) Grow my heart.
This could fit in with other goals, but is important enough to be its own. I think 08 was a big heart-growing year for me. I'm learning to love bigger, better and more generously. Sometimes I think of myself as a girl on the verge of greatness. Great generosity, kindness, boldness. The important things. But, I carry around all my excuses, selfishness, laziness, desire to acquire, etc., that keep me living on the verge and away from making the big leap. In 09 I'd like to see (in the words of Elvis) "a little less conversation, a little more action please."

And one more, very important goal for 2009...

5) Don't get pregnant.
I love my babies. But, 3 in 2 years is quite plenty for now.

Are you setting any goals? Are you bold enough to share? Let's hear it!

Happy New Year to all my bloggy friends and family!

Happy Birthday, Grandma Dee!

Claira's Dedication Service

Christmas Cookie Day 2008

Every year, my mom, Shannon and I get together and spend an entire day baking Christmas cookies. It's such a special tradition. I always look forward to it.

This year was really fun, because my girls (and Jake, too) really got into it.

We started with Peanut Butter Blossoms and my girls were in charge of taking all the Kisses out of the wrappers. They did great. But every time I turned my head, J would sneak a Kiss!


We took a break in the middle of the afternoon for my parents to take their Christmas card picture. Here are a few of my favorites.


I like this one, because Jake has his arm around Em. Too cute!

Poor Baby C!

This one was the winner!

We did sugar cookies and the kids really enjoyed it. I would roll the dough and then let each of them choose a shape and press it out. After the cookies were baked, they all were able to shake the sprinkles on.

Needless to say, it got a little messy. Here's J putting the cookie cutters on like bracelets.


Sprinkles!
All together, we made PB Blossoms, sugar cookies, turtles, Cream Wafers and Shannon made some Cherry Mash (shout out to our hometown proud, St. Joe!). A delicious and calorie-rich mix of Christmassy-goodness.