Happy Birthday, PaPa

Well, tonight we celebrated Papa's 58th birthday. We had baked chicken, rice, corn, corn bread muffins, and brownies with frosting. Here they are lighting the candles. These kids have the best Papa ever. You couldn't ask for anyone better.

Not For the Weak Stomach-ed

Sorry to all you Bambi lovers out there. I had to brag on Nick getting his first deer!

Little Sweetie(s)

I had to include some pictures of the growing little one. And is she ever on-the-go! Busy, busy, busy. Here she is digging into my towel drawer, and she got a bonus! A canning ring! Hey, whatever it takes to keep her busy for a few minutes. Then I know she's not picking up lady bugs, dog food, stones, mushrooms, dirt, paper, dog food, pistachio shells, popcorn, did I mention dog food? off the floor. I sweep, I swear I do! Sometimes I don't know where she finds this stuff!

Here are the two little ones! Katie loves that little sister of hers. And honestly, Dani loves her, too! They are already playing together. Katie does a great job of entertaining her.

Here's a picture of Dani with g-ma at the recital. (Alli's friend Emma and PaPa in the background).

And sorry to post so many posts at one time. I have downloaded pictures 3 times off my camera, and frankly, I can't find the other 2 times! They are all the same pictures, but I can't find them anywhere???? Merrill's going to kill me.

He's Now a Yellow Belt!

Back in November, my new favorite opening line, Nick got to try for his yellow belt. (that's the 2nd belt, the first is just white) Well, he got to advance. He ab-so-lutely loves karate.

Allison's Recital

Back in November, Alli had her flute/piano recital. She did very well, of course! She also did an ensemble with 4 vocalist, 2 guitars, and a violinist. They did How Great is Our God, one of my personal fave's! Alli has really had a natural talent for the flute. (I'm not just making that up, her flute teacher even said so)

Alli is in the back, in the middle. She would love for me to point out that she is no longer the tallest in the group!

Also, the ensemble that I told you about, tried out for Williams County's Got Talent contest. And they made it through the first round. Woo-Hoo! Alli actually enjoyed the contest and she was amazed at some of the talent there. I'm glad she got to do it.

Buddies

I thought I would post a couple of pictures of Nick and his friend, Eliot. I didn't take these pictures, I believe they did them themselves....and I bet they didn't think I was going to post them on the world wide web, either!

that's just gross

Thank you for not showing the food in your mouth!

Just Goin' to the Barn!!!

Katie wanted to go see her dad in the barn, and I'm not sure why, but she put this get-up on!! I had to take the picture!

Cute as Ever!!!!

Here's the trick-or-treaters! Yes, WE DO TRICK OR TREAT!! LEAVE ME ALONE, ALRIGHT????!!!!!

Dani in Nick's Jack Sparrow wig from last year.

Alli, I couldn't leave her out!!!!

He's Gonna Kill Me

I bet everyone wishes their Worship Minister was THIS COOL!

I believe most of you know, but I'll give a brief explanation. The youth had a road rally. They had to get pictures of certain things on their list. One of them was, Brice in his underwear. Well, Emma and Alli offered free babysitting if he would NOT let anyone else take his picture. As you can guess, this is NOT his undies, thank heavens, but Mark's speedo. Don't ask....

Lisa, stop laughing.....sorry Katie......

Hapy Birthday, Grandma!

Yep, it's another birthday celebration. This time it's my mom's. We had her over for supper and chaos, uhhh, I mean, a nice evening at the Frame's. She got to help make her own chocolate chip pan cookies, and she even had the privilege of changing a "dirty" diaper. Makes you want to come celebrate with us, doesn't it. The life of a grandma.....
Here's the gang, loving their grandma!!!
Happy Birthday, Mom. I could not ask for a better mom and grandma. Thank you.

I posted 4 new posts, I thought I'd better let you know!

Happy Birthday, Grandma Bev!

We had a birthday celebration at Merrill's sister's house a few weeks ago. Grandma Bev is 62! And I'm embarrassed to say, I didn't get a picture of her!!!! We always have a great time when we go to Karen and Seth's. The kids have lots of kids to play with and lots of room to run and play.



Here's all the grand kids. If you take a gander at the baby on the left, that's the newest addition, Esther. Yes, she is only 2 months old, and is about as big as Dani! Well, she was about over 2 lbs. heavier when she was born!
Nick, Alli, Breanna, and Tayte playing a board game.
Ring around the Rosie, pocketful of posies, ashes, ashes, we all fall down!!! Here we have Katie, Elizabeth, Titus, and Alli.

Cool Parents

Ok, at least for a weekend. We had a Bon-Fire Party here, a few weeks ago. We had hot soup, hot chicken sandwiches, hot dogs,hot apple cider, smores, and cookies to eat. Fun games, four wheeler rides, and lots and lots of giggles and talking. Alli has a really great group of girls to hang around with. ( a few of them are missing) I believe they had some fun. And...we, the parents, were cool, at least for a night.


Here the girls are wrapping Alli up in streamers. Why? I'm not sure.
The Egg Toss......and the results below......

New Addition to the Family???

Yeah, for any of you that know my hubby, admit it, you're thinking, "WHAT??" Well, all I can say is, Katie loves her Kitten, as she calls him. He's a nice kitty, and I don't mind having him outside the door, so far that is. We did have to save him from Brodie, who thought he might eat him, at least until we stuck the shock collar on him. Then, miraculously, he knew what no meant.

Too cute

Here's some random pictures of the crew.



The little ones enjoying some of the nice weather.



Merrill was doing patty-cake-patty-cake with Dani, but when I tried to get a picture, he said "NO WAY!" He was so cute doing the "roll em and pat em and mark with a D for Dani and me!!" She just sat there and smiled....dad's are the best, aren't they?

No comment.....
and yes, it's a diaper. Thanks big sis....

National Alpaca Day

I know, what in the world is that? Well, it's National, what is an Alpaca, Day-today. So, we went to 2 local farms and got see the cute little buggers. They're very gentle animals. We got to go right in with them. They don't bite or kick-but you might get spit on! :) But, we didn't have any problems.

Here's Nick with Blossom. She's pregnant and over-due by 2 weeks. She laid down much of the time. I told her I understood. Now that I look at this picture, I THINK SHE'S SMILING WITH HIM!!!

Here's Papa with Katie, making sure he DOESN'T put her down. Actually, after a bit, she did get down and pet them. Sorry about the mouth shot, I think she's enjoying a doughnut.

Thanks grandma for the telling us about the adventure. It's was nice to get out and enjoy the out of doors.

UMMM-ummmm Sweet Potatoes!

I've waited longer with Dani, to start "real food". She was about 7 months before I started some cereal. She's still not that fond of it, but we still try a little in the morning.


Here's a picture of the yummy sweet potaotes! She has loved them.

I'm also getting a little more miserly (interpreted-cheap). I just bought some sweet potatoes and cooked them! What a novel idea....1 potato has made over 4 suppers!

My little baby's growing up....WAHHHHH!!!!

THE Lego Ship

Nick built this ship several weeks ago. It's quite something, I'll tell ya! I couldn't get a great picture of all the details. He's put a lot of time and thought into this ship. He's very proud, and I think he should be! I'm always amazed at his mind. As active as he is, when he gets an idea, he can be gone for hours.

She's on the move

My baby's on the move! I've even caught her standing...as she was pulling the vidoes out from the video cabinet, of course.

You can tell what ones the kids take, and the ones I take. I don't usually build her tunnels to go through. boring mom......

They grow up so fast.

GENTLEMAN-START YOUR ENGINES!!!!!

That's right boys and girls! "The car" has been started! For the first time in 13 years! We were all there to witness the event. I think Merrill's tickled pink! Now, how can we fit 6 people and 2 car seats in there?

WHAT IS A MOTHER TO DO?

He's such a hoot.....I can't hardly find a "non-goofy" picture of Nick. He's such a card. Here he is playing the pogo-stick.

The 80's, revisited

I just had to put some of my pictures in here! Many of you have seen them already, but I thought so many of you were so cute, I had to put them in again!






I don't think I was ever THAT cute..... and she's that cute on the inside too.
Happy 40th Birthday Kelly!
She can still wear her prom dress....AFTER 4 KIDS!
Cool jean jacket! I wish I had taken a picture of her shoes, THAT made the outfit....
6" bangs! And to think, that was NOT unusual back then...WHAT WERE WE THINKING??? Love ya Dawn!



Happy Birthday Kelly! The Eighties were good, weren't they?!

Aren't Big Sissies the Best?

I need not say a word!