Merry Christmas 2009

We have had such a fun Christmas this year, with 10 little feet scampering around the house! If you happened to stop by our house, you would notice that our tree was only decorated from half-way up this year! With 6 little grabby hands to chase after, we decided to give up the battle in lieu of a poorly decorated tree! It will make for good memories, though! At least we were able to forgo the big gate this year...that's progress, right? Who knows the freedom we will experience next year!

The girls started to get the idea of opening gifts after our first party with Rich's family. Then they couldn't get enough of it and would try to open every gift under the tree for next few parties! They could care less what it was - just wanted to open them! I think they got enough "fake" food to feed a third world country - to go along with their playhouse, and tea party set, kitchen appliances, etc. The will continue to celebrate as their birthday is just 6 days after Christmas! We will have lots more fun to come!

Emma and Luke had a great Christmas, too. In addition to their own toys and gifts - I think they have just as much fun (if not more) playing with their sisters new stuff! Such fun to have little sisters in the house! Luke is determined to master his Ripstick and Emma is excited to try out her fashion design skills with her new Project Runway kit. We had great fun with family and friends and trust you all did the same! My goal for the year ahead is to be a better record keeper through this blog - so I can keep my own memory fresh!

Addison trying to "carefully" open her present
Ava's Christmas morning bedhead

Lainey's favorite toy from Papa

Thankfully we can still get away with joint gifts this year!

The girls love their new playhouse

Emma and Luke

Merry Christmas!

Happy Halloween

Emma was a 50's girl and Luke a baseball player (with cousins) - It was COLD!!!
Ava was a Pumpkin

"Addie Cat"

"Lainey Bug"...

seriously, this was the ONLY picture I got of her

(as you can see, she was oh so pleased!)

The Rare Photo(s)!

It has become increasingly harder to get all 5 of our children to be in a picture at the same time, let alone, looking the "same" direction! When it comes to getting a picture of the triplets in a picture together - well, that is an act of Congress! My only chance was to quick snap it from behind! Happy Fall everyone!

Ava, Addison, Elaina

Summer is almost a Memory!

Where has this summer gone?? We have had lots and lots of fun, but now it is finally time to say good-bye to those leisurely mornings and late nights - school is just one week away. Here are some of the highlights of our summer of 2009:

Hot summer bedtimes:

Tireless camping trips:

Ava and Emma at the Beach:

The family in the lake:

Elaina and Ava keeping busy in the sand:

Patriotic girls:

Fireworks with cousins:

Weekend to Chicago with my mom and sister:

The girls graduated to "lunch at the counter":

Evenings at the pool:

The Famous "Granny Day Camp":

"Granny" with the kids on a day camp field trip:

The girls loving their new playset: Emma's 8th Birthday:

The SkyFort is Finished!!

I promised pictures of the new playset...and after many weeks/months...she's finally ready for viewing (because I haven't posted in a while!)! Rich has been tirelessly working on project after project (he is also finishing our basement in time for a family visit in August), so this has been a work in progress over the past many, many weeks! He did a great job, and the kids absolutely LOVE it.

Gitten 'er started

The boys at work

Luke showing off the new playhouse (front view)The Backview of the House (with bay window!)

View of the "Lookout" above

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

This was Luke's first year being eligible to play t-ball! He had been waiting for this for quite some time! We enjoyed our Saturdays in the spring and early summer up at the ball fields watching our little guy on the field. His favorite positions were 1st base and "pitcher" (maybe because of his favorite player - Justin Verlander). We loved to watch him run to each base and then pick it up to dust off all the dirt. If only he were so conscientious at home! We ended the school year with a trip to the Whitecaps which ended with some fireworks (the highlight of the game!). Luke has really gotten into a collection of baseball cards, too - thanks to the help of Grandpa D. He proudly shows them to each new person that comes over to the house. We look forward to many more years of baseball watching!

You can just see Luke's excitement:
Trying to clean off the base!
Making a play at first
Luke's good buddy Zachary

How we've been spending our summer...

The girls have been kept quite entertained this summer in the confines of our deck...which their Daddy has built a fancy gate to help keep them safe! Addison is checking things out from above! They like to ride their little cars and swim in their pool up there. Although they will be ever so happy when their playset is finally finished - so they can be set free and swing until their heart's content. It has been quite the project around here, as anyone who has ever put up a playset would know! I'll post pictures of it soon!

Oh...Sweet Ava!

I finally caught the classic Ava look on film! Just had to share it with you guys...

This is the "I know I'm a stinker, but you'll forgive me because I'm cute look!"

The Zoo!

We were able to enjoy a trip to the zoo over the Memorial Day weekend. The weather was beautiful. The kids enjoyed their first ever ride on the camel and touching the stingrays and sharks. The girls love being out and seeing the animals, too - although sometimes we feel like our own exhibit! At one point they were even referred to as a "litter" by some obnoxious, but well-meaning passer-by. Good grief!