Ice Skating

We had a great finish to our Christmas break, by taking the kids ice skating! We hadn't been in a few years - so this was a blast! We were thankful that the kids could use the "walkers" as we liked to call them - because we were all then able to enjoy ourselves! After a while - the kids got more comfortable on the ice and realized they didn't really need them after all. We got to throw them in the penalty box, too! I think we might need one of those at home!

Using their walkers:)!

Penalty Box:

Happy 2nd Birthday, Girls!

It's hard to believe that 2 years have passed since our precious little girls were born! And just in the nick of time - 12 hours before the New Year! Thanks, girls! This next year will bring it's own mixture of challenges with potty training, and big girl beds, and a table for SEVEN! I'm not sure Rich and I are cut out for the task - but I'm sure we'll have much to report in the next year! It's amazing how each girl is so unique. Addison is very sweet, quite, and smart. Ava is fun, mischievous, and talkative. And Elaina is friendly, loud, and bossy! God has given them all different personalities and we love them so much! One day we will look back and miss Ava's 2 am serenades of Jingle Bells and Jesus Loves me while her sisters sleep soundly nearby! Or Elaina's patented "M-i-l-e" with her sweet impish grin! And who could forget the "Addie shoulders" as we like to call it when she's trying to be cute and shrugs up her shoulders. We are blessed beyond belief!

Lainey always with a finger in the mouth! :
Ava models her new tutu:

Addison loving her new ride~

They all get in on the fun!

Children's Museum!

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