Cabin Fever...

We have been stuck inside a bit these days thanks to the snowy weather. We have done our best to make it a fun time.... We will see if we can still have fun after this next predicted storm makes it way through.... It does feel and look more like we moved to upstate New York, not Virginia!

Addie checking out the snow- Alden, still, wakes-up every morning and is shocked to see snow outside!


Our good friend Kelleigh came by and introduced us to Rainbow cookies- what a fun break!


A picnic breakfast while watching " 'mercial kid tv" as Addie calls it- aka, The Disney Chanel.


Addie LOVES her babies, dressing them up, and creating detailed stories about them, their birthday's, their daddy's, where they live, their classmates- she always has a story to tell about her doll of the day! Here, she had finished creating Cinderella's (who she is holding) birthday invitation using dry erase markers- which are all over her hands and face - sigh....


Alden LOVES his knit hat and mittens. Here he is showing off his bear mittens.


See, they CAN be worn inside- he can play cars WITH them on!


Addie deep in thought- choosing which outfit her doll should wear

A New Addition...

Last week, a sad occurrence happened at our house- our camera disappeared. At first, I thought it had been misplaced by some certain little ones who shall remain nameless.... But after turning the house inside out, it was determined that it must have fallen out of my coat pocket while we were sledding. Since I have a photography addiction, a new camera needed to be procured. After some research (thanks all of you who gave suggestions)- we made a purchase today.

Without further ado, I introduce you to Ruby, our newest addition (and you thought I was pregnant- lol!). Hopefully her bright color will help me not loose her....


Once charged, Ruby was put to work- I had been a whole week without taking any pictures!!

The kids were in cute Valentine clothes- so I took some pics for their Valentines!

Isn't my little boy SO handsome?!?



Addie is full of kisses these days- here she is blowing one!


And now she's just plain cute and sassy!

This says SO much- Addie LOVES her brother and he tolerates it and even enjoys it a teensy bit!

These 2 get along SO well (most of the time)- they are such joys!

And what photo session would be complete without an attempt at a family pic!

Playing Dress-Up

One of the kids favorite passtimes these days is to play dress-up.... So without further adu, I introduce you to...

Princess Belle and Fireman Alden


Princess Belle and Panda Cinderella


Fireman Alden


Diva Tinkerbell

My kids are just adorable!!

SNOW!!

For the 2nd time this winter, we have had a tremendous snowfall! This time, it started snowing at night, so by the time the kids got up, it wasn't too deep so they could actually walk AND enjoy it!

My 3 kids all ready to go- 2 took more time- can you guess which ones?

It was snowing SO hard that they were totally covered within minuets of being outside. They LOVED it and played for over an hour!

I love those rosy cheeks and snowflakes on his eyelashes!

Trying to taste all the snow that she can!

The best part- coming inside to warm-up with hot coco!

Al took the camera back out and got a few shots- if this think this is a lot of snow- it kept snowing for over 12 hours more!

To help pass the time, Mike, Karen and Hannah came over and we all played some Wii! The guys also took the ATV out in the snow, even towing the plastic kayak behind it- more pics of that to come!

Snowy days don't get any better than this!

Conversations with Addie

Lately, Addie has been asking questions about heaven. It all started with me making a comment on how Kierke was getting old. Addie wanted to know what would happen then- and it lead to a conversation about dieing and heaven. She had lots of questions.

1. Was there a Wal-Mart there? She might need something for her baby dolls.
2. Are there apples there? She really likes apples and needs to eat them to stay healthy.
3. Would all her baby dolls be there? They need her to change their diapers and hug them.
4. Would Mommy, Daddy and Alden be there? She loves her family and wants to be with them.

While these questions make me smile, it IS neat to see how God is working in her heart and mind. She knows that she is a sinner and that she needs Jesus's forgiveness in order to enter Heaven, but she doesn't fully understand it yet. Yet. I do look forward to more conversations like this with her.

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!