Delaware Celebrations

The kids and I went back to our ol' stompin' grounds- aka Millsboro, DE- to celebrate a very special event- Anna's 3rd Birthday! Our friends, the W's graciously hosted us- it was nice to get to spend time with them and get to check out our old neighborhood, too (they live in the same one we used to). We had a great time spending time with friends, eating yummy food, and watching kids play together!

Friday night, we meet-up with some other good friends, at the only McDonald's with a playground, so the kids could play and get their excitement over seeing each other out BEFORE the party. They had a blast munching on nuggets and climbing all over the play space while the Moms had a great time catching-up with each other. Saturday morning, it was fun to see even more friends, eat yummy food, and celebrate Anna turning 3. That evening, we had dinner with some other good friends- Addie's much beloved Grayson, as well as Avery, Elijah, Sophia and Gemma. Sunday morning, after a yummy breakfast of pancakes, we bid our friends good-bye and headed home.

It was a quick trip, but we had a wonderful time. I was glad that the kids were able to say "good-bye" to their precious DE friends- they were in NY when we actually moved, so this was important for them!

Sweet Anna, all she wanted for her birthday was Mr. Al, Kierke, Miss Lisa, Addie and Alden. Unfortunately, Mr. Al had to work- and we didn't think her 2 cats would appreciate Kierke's visit- she stayed home, too. But, we did give her this picture!


A fun dinner at McDonald's- The H's came a bit later!


Addie was thrilled beyond words to see Grayson- he seemed a little miffed that she would disappear and then come back....


She still LOVED him!

My Princess! The girls decorated tierra's and the boys, crowns as a fun activity.

My Prince Charming- notice his bent ears- it reminds me of Prince John in Robin Hood....

Playing Put Princess Cinderella in Her Window- Addie and Anna, the only 2 blindfolded, actually got the closest!

Anna was so sweet- she didn't get upset with all the "extra" hands ready to help her....

Addie staying close to her friend while singing to her!

Addie's Official 4 Year Old Pics

Better late than never..... Here are the 2 pics I choose from Addie's 4 yr photo shoot. She was SO excited to have her picture taken that she just hammed it up for the photographer! And now, pardon me while I brag a bit- but the manager of this particular Portrait Innovations, saw us waiting, and even though it was time for her break, she insisted on taking Addie's picture since she was so stinkin' cute! And Addie didn't disappoint- in the end- the photographer took over 100 pics, everyone fantastic! I am so proud of my little girl who can get along with just about anyone and now loves the camera.

This is such a special picture- and the only pose I was originally going to purchase. This super soft sweater coat and matching hat, was made for Aunty Jen over 30 years ago. Thanks to my mother-in-laws desire to keep everything, it is still around, and in pristine condition, too, I might add! Addie kept saying that she felt like a princess in this outfit- so sweet!


And then this picture was snapped as the room was being switched over from the white background to the black for a silhouette. She saw the block, sat and posed, and then I had to buy it! I'll have to go searching in the achieves, but I have her sitting next to the exact same block (ok, maybe not the EXACT same block, but it was the same studio and the same room) for her first birthday. What a change since then!


Addie, we love you! You fill our lives with such joy, laughter, drama, tears, and sweetness! We treasure you and look forward to what God has instore for you!

Fun Projects

Today, while the kiddos napped, I was able to complete a few little fun projects!

Project 1: Fun & Functional Fireplace Cover
We have this great fireplace in the kids playroom. The only problem- it leaks cold air, majorly. Al brought home a piece of foamy insulation for the actual flue and then for the opening. The foam, while functional, wasn't the prettiest thing... So, with $3 of material from Wal-Mart, some packing tape, and some old sticky foam letters, it now keeps the playroom warm, but it also looks nice AND can hold the kids art work!


Project 2: Valentine Chair Backers
I have and probably always will, love Pottery Barn Kids. Unfortunately, I don't have a Pottery Barn Kids budget... I loved the idea of these Chair Backers- finding a love note when you come down for breakfast! I originally bought the felt to make a sample for the MOPS group I was involved with in DE, but since we moved, I just made them for Addie and Alden. For a grand total of $2.25 each, I was able to make these! I plan on using them every day


Addie's


Alden's

LOVING their Love Notes at dinner tonight!

Addie's New Do

Addie, sadly, inherited her mom's hair that grows at a snails pace. She had been trying to grow it out- and in 6mo had managed to grow 3"! It was at the point where it would get tangled easily and needed to be put in "tails" or braids in order to 1)stay out of her eyes and 2)not become a huge mess. Wednesday morning, she woke-up with a head full of tangles and asked, "Mommy, may I please get my hair cut? It's just too much work! I like it when it's this long (finger pointing at her earlobe)." Done! Off we went to Diva's and Dude's- the place where she got her very first haircut!

Ready to go into the salon!


She chose to "drive" the pink Jeep since her good friend Kyla has one!


She sat perfectly still, looked down and to the side when asked! What an angel- and what a change from her 1st hair cut....


All done- SO cute! We both LOVE it!

New Years Eve

New Years was a fun-filled time at our house this year! Normally we get together with our college friends, but sadly, that wasn't able to happen this year. Instead, part of the college group (us and the Wasch family) got together and a few of their family members (Karen's Mom and my sister, Rebecca and her husband, Thomas)! The result- a great time!

Instead of a "meal" we had a table full of our favorite snacks. Here Alden and Hannah are "sampling" the cheetos. It was all super yummy!


Then the kids exchanged some Christmas gifts- what fun!


Hannah and Addie (best buds!) model the Happy New Year hats and blow the horns- are they cute or what?


Once the kiddos were down, we used Mike and Karen's new Wii, and had a few tournaments- bowling and golf were the favorites!

Here are all the gals, ready to welcome 2010!

Mike and Karen showing what year it is about to be- so clever!

Rebecca and Thomas- what fun to have them! There was also Deb (Karen's Mom) but she didn't want her picture taken...

And finally, a picture of us! A happy, blessed couple- we couldn't ask for a better way to start a new year- surrounded by friends and family!

We hope that everyone who reads this blog, has a fantastic 2010. May God be real, your life reflective of His grace, and may you be amazed daily by His goodness and mercy!

Christmas Fun

We had a wonderful Christmas this year! It was so nice to be together and settled in our new home- that was the best part! We didn't just have 1 Christmas, but multiple ones- which was nice so that the kids had plenty of time to enjoy their new toys, spend time with family, and eat lots of yummy food- Al and I did the same! There were too many pictures to choose from- check out the link and see all the fun for yourself!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=351232&id=889535283&l=05219830fe

Our "family" Christmas was on Dec 22nd- the kids woke-up to a white Christmas, complete with gifts under our tree and full stockings! We had a yummy breakfast and enjoyed opening our gifts from each other, PopPop Old & MarMar Young and Grandma Jenny. It was nice to just have a relaxing morning together!

Dec 23rd we jumped in the car and headed to Long Island. Boy did we miss our 4 hr trip from DE! Christmas Eve was filled with laughter, food, gifts, food, hugs, food, playing in the snow, more food, and lots of love! Jen, Frank and Nate came and the cousins had a blast together. The Grandparents and Great Grandparents got so much pleasure out of watching the kids!

Christmas Day was a bit more low-key. Opening gifts in our PJ's we learned something unique about the kids- Addie ripped open her gifts and then set them all aside. The result- 1 huge mess! Alden ripped the paper off, threw it away, then looked at his gift and finally made a neat pile of them. A messy girl and neat-freak boy- what a hoot! We all had a great time with the family.

Dec 26th- ugh- we headed home in an attempt to miss the much anticipated gridlock.... We had smooth sailing until the Woodrow Wilson Bridge- just outside DC. I don't think for the next 3 hrs we ever registered how fast we were crawling. What would have normally taken 45 min to drive took 3 hrs. Thank goodness the kids and Kierke were happy campers! To say we were happy to get home is an understatement!

With Addie being old enough to "get" why we have Christmas, it was lots of fun this year! She loved Santa and still belts out "Santa Claus is Coming To Town" but in the same breath will croon "Away In A Manger". She "gets" that Christmas is because God gave us Jesus- the best gift ever! She also made her own connection that because God gave us Jesus and Santa gives us gifts, that Santa is copying God. Not bad for someone who just turned 4! We look forward to her "getting" more and more of the amazing story of Jesus' divine birth and what it means.

We are blessed with wonderful families, amazing children, and most importantly, The Ultimate Gift-Salvation that came in a form of a babe.

SNOW!!!!

We moved to Richmond just in time for The Great Snowfall! This morning, we woke-up to 10" of snow- and had at least 2" more fall during the day! I'm SO thankful that we moved last weekend!

The kids looking out Addie's window- they were in awe! We had a pretty big snowfall in DE in Feb, but it was too cold to enjoy!


What our backyard looked like- and more snow fell!



Since the snow was so deep, walking was a bit difficult for the kiddos- the stoop was perfect!


Snow Angels!

Alden discovered his inner Snowball-Machine!

Making another snowball!

Al got off early- yay!- and shoveled the walkway

Addie LOVES the snow!

Trying to find the stairs....

Going sledding using the sled some kind neighbors loaned us!

Walking 1 block over where the street is REALLY steeeeeeeep! Don't you just love how nothing has been done to our streets? The snow started falling 24 hours earlier!

Addie and Al take off down the street for Addie's first ever sled ride- she laughed and squealed the entire way!

Alden and I on his maiden sled ride- he laughed and squealed the entire time, too!

The final run of the evening- what a great Dad!