Ella Turns 7!!!

Our little Ella Mae turned 7! I can't believe it has already been so long. She loves being 7 and reminds us hourly. She loved her new bike, cd player (for her own room), and... she got her ears pierced!! She was "a little scared", and said, "It hurt worse than I thought it would!" But she was so brave and didn't even cry!!

Christmas 2009

Christmas brought Phil's parents, and Lisa and Ethan. We had a very Merry Christmas having so much family, fellowship, and food!!

Christmas 2009

December brought us lots of memories... We hosted our annual Open House, the College and Carrier get-together, and we were blessed with a big snow!

First Man's First Birthday!

Adam had a great 1st birthday, as 1st birthday's go. The girls had a count down to his "party". We made cupcakes, the girls opened his presents, and as you will see he thoroughly enjoyed his first cupcake!

Adam's Surgery

God gave Adam Six Toes! Yes, six... It was a surprise to us since all of his ultrasound pictures were of his feet, but the right foot was always covering the left! So, since he was born we new the day would come when the "Little Piggy" would have to go to the market! Last week it was removed. He has been the best baby ever, and hasn't even needed any medication. He still gets around crawling, standing, and walking along the furniture. Glad it's all over, and he'll never remember it!

Ella started 1st grade this year. We are homeschooling, and so far so good. Annalee started Kindergarten. She is so cute in her uniform and new glasses. She is very "quiet" at school, which I am sure will change in time. Everyday we ask her to learn a name of some one in her class. She is getting most of the girls.
In the meantime I am trying to keep Georgia and Adam busy while I do school with Ella. I do have a "helper". A lady from church comes over most days and either plays with the little ones and keeps them busy, or sits with Ella and does school. Her children are all grown and she said she misses it so much. It is a huge blessing to me!

Family

We have had lots of visitors this summer!! Most recently we have been helping Phil's parents find a home here in the area. It was fun having them here. The girls hadn't seen them in so long, and they had never met Adam.
They are now settled closed by in Diamond Springs and we will enjoy having them close whenever they are in the Country!

Family Camp

This was our second year attending family camp with our church. Last year I was 6 months pregnant. This year I had a 8 month old crawling baby! Not sure which was worse (I think being pregnant). It was so fun. Georgia's favorite thing was "Camping", Annalee's was "Riding the Boat", and Ella's was "Riding My Bike". Considering Adam can move he was so good and content in his stroller, pack'n play and just being held. I had so many helpers! Thank you! This year I was able to go on the boat and go tubing. The pictures say it all!

Georgia's 3rd Birthday!

This year we celebrated GG's 3rd birthday! I can't believe she is already 3! She is so full of character and personality. She is always saying things that make us all laugh. She loves to play games, swim, dress-up, play with Adam and the girls.

Summer Fun!

This summer we have spent lots of time with friends. We went to Lake Tahoe for the day, have had My Sister and her two Sons, The Hackett's and Phil's sister and husband, and his Parents stay with us, swim in our pool, and enjoyed 4th of July Fireworks. A busy but very fun time!

Annalee's 5th Birthday at Disneyland!

This year we took the opportunity to go to Disneyland for Annalee's 5th birthday. It started with a few days in San Diego and ended up at Disneyland. It was a unforgettable trip for all. The girls loved the rides, the princess', and all the character's they got to meet! Georgia's favorite at Disneyland was Sleeping Beauty,
Annalee's favorite was the Dumbo ride, Ella's favorite was "Everything". They all loved the Tea Cup's, Merry Go Round, and Small World. It was a great day!

Graduation

This year we had two Graduates. Ella graduated from Kindergarten and Annalee graduated from Pre-K. We had to miss Annalee's graduation because of the flu... But were all able to go to Ella's. Ella was ready to start 1st grade the next day! I was ready for a vacation. The teacher asked Ella what she wanted to be when she grows up, she said, "A Missionary".

Ella Rides a Bike

We were so thankful to have a house where the kids can get outside and learn to ride bikes! I had been wanting to take the training wheels off Ella's bike, but kept forgetting to ask Phil to do it. Well, yesterday he did. After about five minutes of holding on and running behind she had it. Then she soon learned to get it started by herself and brake and turn. Within an hour she was racing up and down the street as fast as her legs could pump. It is so fun to experience something like riding a bike for the first time!

Afternoon Tea

We were all supposed to go on a trip for the weekend to Coarsgold. Unfortunately, the Hall's had sick kids. So, me and the kids stayed home. Due to much sadness because of the cancelled "sleep over" I decided to try to make staying home as fun as possible. Saturday I made cinnamon rolls and we had "Afternoon Tea", minus the tea (hot chocolate was the drink of choice). The girls dressed up and had so much fun. Mommy was exhausted and wore sweats and flour (from all the dough)!

Adam is 6 Months Old!

Yes, already! Half a year old! I can't believe it. It has gone too fast. But we are all so enjoying him. He can (mostly) sit up, roll, talk, laugh, and smiles almost all the time. The other day at church we had a pot-luck. He was passed from person to person (people were waiting to hold him). Smiling and happy the whole time with whoever had him. He is such a blessing and it has been so sweet to watch how each girl loves him differently. They each have their own way to make him smile, calm him down, and keep him busy until I can get him.