What a week!

My Mom and Dad came in town for Andrew's baptism which was scheduled for Saturday. My Mom and I always have to do a project and this time it was a beautiful brown and pink quilt for Claire. We worked hard and got it done in the four days they were here! Quite a feat considering how big it is and it was not an easy pattern.

The bummer was that everyone got sick. Some worse than others. Let's just say it is not good to be in a house with ONE bathroom with THREE people with the flu. But we are all mostly better now. Also, we had to postpone Andrew's baptism because of all the illness. I was pretty disappointed. But I know it will all work out fine in the end.

Cool quilt eh? I hope Claire loves it as much as I do.
(Thanks for all your patience Mom. I know I'm picky. It's a good thing you love me.)
I have to give credit where it's due. My Mom was the true master-mind behind this project. I just hope I can learn a little along the way.

Webkinz

I don't know if you have discovered it yet or not but Webkinz are awsome. The kids love them and even consider them part of our family. Andrew did this whole photo shoot after getting new Webkinz for Christmas. THANK YOU Angie, Devin, Addi, Bailey andCody. We love them.

Ethan's webkinz- Goldilocks and Jumpy.
(Goldilocks is a girl)

Claire's Webkinz- Rocky Roo Roo.
(Mike named her.)

Andrew's Webkinz-Matt, Max and Frank.

Our Webkinz family.

Proud owner

Our first webkinz.


(this post goes out to the Russels and the Naughtons-
who first introduced us to the Webkinz world.)

Christmas

waiting to see if Santa came

Santa wrote a letter back to the kids

ah, the joy of Christmas morning

Claire getting in to trouble and she so knows it.
Can you see the little smirk on her face?

This stroller was meant for a baby doll but of course she has to try it out.

playing with Grandpa Wilkins

Tish and Bridget singing for the Christmas Eve program.

Grandpa doing his classic cowboy skit.
(see video below)

Mike doing his part of the production.

Mike is reading to all the cousins for bedtime.

Christmas Eve morning at Mike's Mom's house.
We all got our matching grandkid shirts on from Grandpa Don.

Grandma Wilkins sang a funny song for the Christmas Eve program.





We had a great Christmas. And we didn't have to travel (far)!!! yeah!!! The kids are at such a fun age. They were of course super excited. They even sprinkled "reindeer food" (oatmeal with glitter) on the lawn in a blizzard on Christmas Eve.

Andrew turns 8!!!

Andrew "looking surprised"

Our firstborn is eight years old already. Almost every year he asks me for a surprise b-day party. Which obviously defeats the purpose. But this year I was able to pull it off by giving him the party the day before his birthday. And he was suprised! It was so exciting.
(it's hard to see his face in the video but you can tell he is surprised)

wink

Claire can wink. See for yourself. :0)
One of those rare times I actually caught something on camera.

Claire's Umbilical Hernia

Before
(this was on an empty stomach-it sticks out more when she's eaten well)

After the surgery (five hours later) she was up and walking around
(Don't think I'm a bad Mom, I was trying to keep her still but she wouldn't have it.)

She was in a great mood and being silly that evening

Taking that monster band-aid off four days after surgery was the hard part. That thing was stuck on there so good. The only way to get it off was to drench it in baby oil. Claire did not like the whole process. She struggled and cried and ran away from me tugging at her tummy. It took about 1 1/2 hours to get it off because I had to chase her hold her down dab it with baby oil and tug. Then I would give her a break before she got too out of control. After the bandage was off we gave her a quick bath which she did not enjoy (she usually loves baths). I couldn't get a close up because she was afraid of me and wouldn't let me get close to her. She still has some surgical tape on that will stay on for two weeks. Needless to say, all the tugging and pulling must have mad her sore, she was cranky all evening and wouldn't sleep all night. She seems fine today but well see.

Thanksgiving

I love this photo. We all match and we didn't even plan it.

We love Uncle Skotty.

Claire and Eliza. They are almost exactly one year apart. It's hard to get a picture of Claire that's not blurry b/c she is always moving. She was actually being really sweet and giving Eliza kisses.

This is the turkey bow I made for her last year. She kept in in great all day and when I said let's get the camera take a picture she ripped it out. Oh well.

My beautiful angel Mother.

We had a wonderful time on our Thanksgiving vacation. My only complaint is that it was too short. We had a blast making movies with Scott, going to the movies, doing projects, playing games, and eating, eating, eating. I think it was one of my favorite Thanksgivings yet.

Pre-Thanksgiving

Mike's Sister had her baby the week before. She was 5 lbs. 6 oz. SO TINY!!!

Ben is teaching Claire how to play Bandu.

Claire and Libby. They are two days apart in age.

Mike and his Grandpa Don wore matching shirts. (unplanned of course)

Ann and Harry

I know it's way late but better late than never. Here is some pics of our Thanksgiving at Mike's Mom's house the Saturday before.

Bandoo in the kitchen sink

Mike and I and his brother and sister like to play Bandu when we get together. Each person has different odd shaped wooden pieces. Then they take turns adding one piece at a time trying to get as many pieces on their tower as possible. My kids like to play Bandu in the kitchen sink. When they put their dish in, they to stack it on the highest point possible in a delicate balancing act. Bring it on Ben and Heather.


day 26.