Collin's Birthday Cake

I can't believe Collin is SEVEN already!! We had birthday cake, of course-- Dark chocolate with chocolate frosting--we have a bunch of chocoholics in our house!! It was really hard for Eva to reach the table to eat cake- so she had to sit on a box (that was Daddy's idea!) We have boosters- but one's in the car, and we haven't gotten the other one out of the attic yet!! As you can see- we sugared them all up- right before bed... Daddy even bought them chocolate milk! Margaret's birthday is next- she'll be one on Friday. AND AGAIN I SAY: THEY'RE ALL GETTING SO BIG! :(

Eva and Margaret's Tea Party

... all right... oatmeal raisin cookie party!!
Eva thinks she's a big girl in Mommy's chair!

Eva's Reading Her Book

Eva has spent a lot of time playing with the Thomas the Tank Engine book that Nancy and Brooke gave her for her birthday- she loves those magnets! Thanks again Nancy and Brooke! (Mommy had a little -and VERY needed- quiet time while she was "reading"!)
She also knows when to say "CHEEEEEEESE"! (Don't worry Grama- the curls are still there- she just had pigtails today, and decided to take them out herself, shortly before this photo!!)

Who's Viewing our BLOG?!?

I'm SO curious about who's checking out our family's blog-- so post comments!!! I just changed some settings, so that anyone can post a comment (sorry to those of you who've finally figured out the hard way!!) If you have a goggle account it will be the same as usual- but if you don't-- you can post a comment now without jumping through flaming hoops! And I really want to hear from you! I know my Mom has friends all over the country watching her babies grow. But just like you wait for my posts- I wait to see her comments- and Auntie Martha's- and occasionally others. I added a word verification feature so we don't get advertisements from a bunch of computers and other unwanted comments- of course that was prompted by the last post...

Hope to hear from you all SOON!

Spaghetti Face!

Eva's tummy is finally feeling better- so we figured we'd screw it up again with spaghetti and Daddy's meatballs! (Not to worry she was wearing more than she ate!!)

She does actually feel better, and is finally eating again this morning... she just finished an egg and NINE mini pancakes!! I only made three to start and she kept wanting MORE!

Eva and Daddy

Eva loves wrestling with Daddy!

STILL Christmas!

It was unfortunate (I've calmed down a lot since it happened- I used much more colorful words a couple weeks ago!) when our Fed-Ex package was "lost" (from Nana and Papa) when it was delivered to the wrong house- and NEVER seen again... but not to worry- Nana will make them be held accountable- one way or another we will WIN! In the mean time they have re-purchased the gifts and it's STILL Christmas at our house!! So in a way- the kids are lucky! And Eva is a pro at opening gifts!
BJ is enjoying his new CSI: Forensic Lab (actually this one was one of his birthday presents) and Collin is playing his Ben 10 alien laboratory (good thing Nana knows about all the good toys-'cuz I have no idea what this is!?!- but apparently it's REALLY COOL!)

Our family photo

It was a toss-up between this one and the one we mailed in our Christmas cards... I'm just posting them now because of our "crash" (at least I'm trying to- the website isn't cooperating with me today!- this is my 4th attempt!)

Dress made by Grandma Eve

Some of you may recognize Eva's dress... Grandma Eve made it for me when I was about two. We had to roll up the sleeves a little, but I wanted to make sure she got to wear it- it might be too small next year. I know I'm sentimental- I just love remembering the past- it's where we came from- and not everyone wants to remember... I'm one of the lucky ones with great childhood memories- thanks to my family.

Eva and Hooch

Eva loves Hooch so much... and he loves her (he's not thrilled about the "hugging" though!) But he's very patient, and puts up with a LOT!

Snowsuits

The boys are so HAPPY to finally have snow! They played outside for a while, even though it was SO COLD out! We took a drive out to the property again today- I know I'm queer- but I miss it when we don't go! We took Hooch this time and let him run around in the snow- for as long as we could stand out in the cold! I forgot to bring the camera, though... I'm sure we'll go again soon though- It's hard to stay away... can't wait to move over there. Can't wait to let the kids and dog run... and be at home. But for now- they used up all the snow on our little street- not to worry- there's plenty more where that came from! It's still snowing here!

Evee and Margee

They sure do love each other! (another photo from "the Crash"- that was still worth sharing!)

Reflection

I wish I had a picture like this one with BJ in it too- he didn't hold still long enough! (Can you imagine?!) I took this from outside the window, so the reflection showed... and even though Collin's angelic face is unbelievable- it's an actual photo- not computer enhanced or anything!

Snowball Fight

This is an old picture, but I didn't get to post it when it was taken... it was taken during "the Crash"! As you can probably guess- Samantha avoided this madness- and stayed mostly inside with the "sane" group!! The men were outside too- and the dogs!

Rocking Horse

Eva really loves Mommy's old rocking horse... it's thirty years old! Aunt Derinda and Uncle Jimmy (my godparents) gave it to me when I was Eva's age... I've stored it all these years and have gotten it out for each of the kids.

Tubby Pictures

Pretty soon I won't be able to show "tubby" pictures- so I'd better do it now!.... She loves the old colored nesting cups- we've had these for ten years!! Don't worry-they've been in the dishwasher a few hundred times!!! They've moved all over the country with us! I remember doing the same thing at Grandma Eve's house- in her tubby. I used to fill 'em with water, and empty them, and fill 'em up again!!
As you can tell- she was having a "splashy" day today!
One of her newest- and FAVORITE- signs (sign language) is "bath". At least I get to sit down for a few minutes when she's in the bath!

Pigtails!

I finally get to do hair!!! Eva learned to say "cheeeeeeeese" when you get the camera out- can you hear it?!
I know I'm the Mom- but aren't they the most beautiful children ever created?! This was just a spur of the moment photo opportunity because everyone was in a good photo mood!

When Eva Wakes

Nice hair-huh? Still cute- but I figured I'd show you her bushy bed head!!
I don't know if I've said this before- but... Legos are the greatest toy ever invented!! They love to play them together- and they play for hours! Eva learns her colors and they actually use their imagination to build their own creations- unlike most of the toys of today- that put on a show for you to watch! Thank you Mr. (or Mrs.) Lego Creator!

Watching the Snow

They're getting SO big!! (Jill just emailed me this one, and I had to share it with you!!)

Eva's Winter Hat

This photo was from this morning- you can't see any green grass now! We finally got some snow! It was quite cold too- not like the 60 degree weather we've been having!! Eva's not thrilled with the hat thing- but she does like the snow!

Sit-n-Spin

Eva and Margaret had a chance to play today- they're getting so much better at actually playing together instead of just playing next to each other. (Eva still grabs Margaret sometimes, and they scream at each other... but they're practically sisters... why wouldn't they!?!) They hand each other things and stuff food and sippy cups in each other's mouths. I put them on the sit-n-spin, and it was fun as long as I was twirling them- they don't quit get it. Margaret did enjoy standing on it though, and pushing herself with one foot! They both really liked the music the best!!

Just Photos!

Just some quick photos of our Eva... she's just CUTE!
Always playing with the legos- we've been learning colors. I almost fell over when she handed me the "llellow" one... apparently I'm not the only one working on her colors with her- Kimmie and Daddy have both been working on colors too! I can't believe how much she's learning-- so quickly!! I told her she was a smarty pants and she grabbed her jeans and looked at me like I was crazy! AMAZING!