Max the Birthday Boy

Max got more than what he wanted for his Birthday.

That's one great thing about turning 4

(at least Max is easily pleased).

The happy day had:

Mint Ice Cream Cake

Good Friends

Papa and Mimi

Cousins

&

One of his favorite friends.

Later that week:

Daddy took him to the Jazz game.

Max loved every second of it.

The Jazz kicked the Sixers butts.

For my Birthday

We all went to the Mall.

The kids got the coolest shoes at the Converse store.

I bought more clothes than I've bought in over 6 years...

to cover my baby bump.

Anyone up for a little Birthday Ear Piercing?

Smile Away!

This is before Lucy had a clue

of what she was getting herself into.

I love this shot.

Notice the Grandmas snapping shots

of Lucy picking out her earrings.

Me signing consent forms.

Josh might have lost some

cuddling privileges for this one.

Max lending his support!

And now...

Reality hits!

WHAT WAS I THINKING!

And the other side is even worse.

Oh wait...

Pretty/sparkly.

Hey that wasn't so bad.

Didn't even hurt.

Lucy's Birthday & Annual Valentine cookie decorating

There's her cake. Can you see her excitement?

(The cake was free, am I a bad mom for taking a handout?)

On to Cookie decorating:

Ella, Lucy & Drew

BFF

Boston & Max

BFF

The genius behind the cookies

Aunt Jailyn

Everyone getting in on the fun!

Ruby trying to distract me from her mess with her cuteness.

I'm pretty sure that works every time.

The finished product! Don't those look good!

Jumpin' Jacks

Mimi & Ella

Lucy & Boston

Ruby

Annie and Julie hoppin' in on the action

Max trying to avoid a picture.

Going to Gnomio and Juliet

with Austin, Jaden, Max, & Lucy.

Free Froggin'

Our favorite neighbor has once again given us the gift of pets.

This time we welcomed 2 fire bellied toads into the family.

Lucy's pet is Fire and

Wait for it...

Max's toad's name is Max!

Even though it's been two months since we got these guys,

the kids continue to get up on the counter and watch them.

I personally love their croaking... It's kind of therapeutic.

OUR THRILL SEEKER!

This kid is constantly look for the next thrill.

When Daddy is 6'2" and you have a Love Sac,

you don't have to look far!

Yeah, it looks scary, but...

Look at the satisfaction on that kid's face!

The Story of the Nativity

Katie narrated this masterpiece

Our little angle had to rush to make it to our event

She even took a horse to make sure she'd be on time.

A.D.D. kicked in on the way and she had to

stop to straightened up the tree

She finally arrived and

collaborated with the Star on how to best impact the shepherds

(Kimmie & Ruby)

The shepherds were overcome with excitement for the good news

(Josh, Uncle Matt, and Aunt Ashley)

The wise men got their gifts together...

and presented gold, frankincense, and melted butter

(Mimi, Papa, and Alan)

Mary and Rico the sheep, were thrilled at the arrival of the new king

Joseph joined in to help with diaper changing and tending

Then the party began...

(Dad, Mom, Lucy, Max, and Ruby)

Anytime Grandma's around you know there is something special happening

(Alan & Grandma Jean)

The shepherds couldn't contain their excitement

(Uncle Matt & Aunt Ashley)

Spontaneous singing broke out

(at least this is what we thought happened that blessed night)

So You Think You Can Dance? And other wonderful things about our family!

Ruby is still obsessed

as ever with the Guinea Pigs...

Josh lets her hold, cuddle, and harass

to her hearts content!

Me on the other hand... have to leave the room.

Am I the only one who remembers

the animal incidents that occured

with Lucy between the ages of 2 and 4?

We have a very special Christmas tree tradition...

We put on our shoes,

search the garage for that perfect one,

haul it in and assemble.

Who says there's no romance in Christmas anymore?

Yep, that's right folks...

In our family we drink our applesauce!

It is truly exciting to see what Lucy will

bring home in her shoes at the end of the school day.

These leaves were an unexpected present.
I usually find piles of sand and rocks.
I don't know how she walks in them,
but it doesn't seem to bother her.
Personally, I think she is working on
a new butt-lift shoe for Reebok.


And now without further delay,
The boy you've been waiting for,
in his video dancing debut,
Dancing to 'Diego's Rescue Pack' song...
Max!

You know men, Josh thought this wasn't very 'Manly'.
I think when the ladies see this,
Max will have to beat them off with a stick.
You flap those arms boy!

Thankful Day

Lucy's Thanksgiving Centerpiece.

(Gobble, Gobble)
Lucy grateful for animals
Max grateful for toys... then said,
"but Mom, I'm grateful for so much more than that!"
Ruby grateful for dolls and bottles

Here's our Thanksgiving crew:
Dominic, Karie, John, and Jaden
Karie make some killer deviled eggs along
with cranberry apple carrots,
ranch potatoes and a bunch more.
John deep fried the turkey.
(This was a first for our fam.
and it was pretty dang good)
Arrianna and Ethan
They brought green been caserole
and bread with goat cheese and cranberry sauce.

Kids Table!

Aren't you impressed with my pomegranate creation...

turns out they were rotten,

so much for buying them already seeded.