Happy Valentine's Day (A little early . . . )

Yesterday was our school Valentine's Day Party. Here's a glimpse . . .

Working on their crafts


Ali


Meg


Julie


Emma

After crafts were done they enjoyed some Freeze Dancing . . . sorry, no pictures to share!

Next was snack time . . .


Can you say "Sugar?"

Time to open Valentines! They were all in one room together and all you could hear were gasps followed by "Thank you Emma!!" Thank You Jonah!" Etc . . . It was very sweet.

And finally . . . time for the group shot. And while we're at it, how about the "worst mom of the year" award? We got everybody settled, took a blue million pictures, let everybody go . . . and then realized that Megan was upstairs playing the whole time! To quote Bruce Keller, "3 out of 4 is really good when your talking about batting averages!"

Fun in the Snow

Okay . . . better late than never, right?

This one cracks me up! Nice try, Jules!

What fun is playing in the snow without a little snack?

Group shot . . . the sun made this one tough!

The first snow angel of the year

Julie LOVES to swing. When she went outside, she went straight for the swing. Who cares about the snow!

Our neighbor boy making himself useful (and loving every minute of it!)

Ali being a good sport and swinging with her sis

I Couldn't Resist

This was one of those "quick, grab the camera!" moments. Julie got marinara sauce on her shirt, and since it was close to bedtime, we just let her wear her jumper "redneck style." Add the Bob the Tomato slippers that are about 3 sizes too big, and her outfit was complete! Someday she'll hate me for this picture. Right now she's standing next to me saying "Hey! That looks like me!"

Sisterly Love

Just a glimpse into my day yesterday . . . a conversation that we overheard in the van between Meg and Julie:

Julie: (While clapping) Megan, say 'Julie can you please stop clapping'

Meg: (Playing along) Julie, can you please stop clapping?

Julie: No.

Needless to say . . . our little ones have been on the receiving end of many spankings here lately. Lots of work to do in that department . . . obviously!

Christmas '08

In an effort to get caught up . . . here is my massively large Christmas post. We do many Christmas celebrations each year. We start the day after Thanksgiving with putting up the tree. This year, the Saturday before Christmas we did Christmas with Aaron's family (sans Emma and I due to overnight barfing and a fever of 102). Christmas Eve is our at home family Christmas. Nice and relaxing . . . and thankfully . . . no barfing. Christmas Day we go to see Aaron's Grandma House and fam, then head over to my parent's house to welcome my Grandparents (and my Uncle, this year) from Wisconsin. We also enjoyed Meg's digestive pyrotechnics all over my mom's living room floor! Rest assured, it was a very festive experience! : ) Our last Christmas celebration was with our good friends, the Alligoods, on Dec. 30th. (Postponed due to Emma's illness) It was nice and relaxing, with no yakking! : )
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The kids still had a great time (the ones who weren't barfing) and Christmas pics are always fun.
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A special thanks to Lydia for stepping up to the plate for me with the camera!
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Decorating the Christmas Tree
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What the tree looks like when you have short people decorate it. Later it got a tall person overhaul.
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Emma made a solo trip to Grandma Patton's house to get her presents, then came back home and became one with the couch for the day!
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Grandma Patton made poncho's for all of the girls. Obviously, Emma didn't open her's with the others. Uncle Joel is supposed to be PhotoShopping her into the group shot!

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Aaron with his girls (3 of them anyway) at his parents' house.

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Christmas Eve Morning. New jammies for everyone . . . though Julie was less then pleased to have me taking her picture!
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Julie managed to smile in this one!
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Our fully loaded Christmas tree
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Breyer horses (and a stable) for Meg and Julie
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This picture says it all. We are officially the coolest parents ever. Diamond Castle Barbies for Ali & Emma
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Christmas at Great Grandma House's house

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Meg opening her Bitty Twin at Grandma Klarner's house (pre-barf picture!)

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She was very excited about this one!
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Felicity and Josefina's new gowns from Grandma and Grandpa Klarner.
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Julie with her Bitty Twin
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I seriously slacked on the group pics this year. I don't have a single one with my grandparents or my Uncle. Oh well. Here are my girls with Brooke's boys (Austin, 10 and Kevin, 4)
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I made up for my lack of group shots at the Alligood's house. Aren't they a handsome crowd? I never get tired of pictures of all 7 of them together!
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Waiting to open presents.

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Jason and Amber's gift from Aaron and I. Isn't he darling?

Falling Down on the Job

Okay . . . so I've seriously neglected my blog. Actually, I've seriously neglected my camera in general. Time to catch up . . .

Thanksgiving weekend, we were treated to a trip to the firehouse! It was sort of a home school field trip that we've been talking about for ages, and it finally happened. Mr. Younce (Jim, to us grown ups) works at the really awesome firehouse in Creve Coeur . . . and we got to see it all!

The kids were all very excited about their goodie bags at the end!
(Back row: Karis, Jonah, Ali, Emma, Graci
Front row: Maddux, Aubrey, Meg, Julie)


Having fun swinging around the pole!


Posing with Mr. Younce (missing Maddux)

Our "sliding down the pole" demonstration. The kids all thought it was totally awesome (For that matter, the grown-ups did too!)

Mr. Alligood and Mr. Younce, checking out the jaws of life. (They're really heavy - I picked them up!)

HAZMAT truck.

Their equipment is all ridiculously heavy. Ali & Jonah were the only kids strong enough to try on a helmet!

Meg in one of the trucks

Julie in one of the trucks

Ali in one of the trucks

Listening attentively to Mr. Younce inside the ambulance.

Enjoying the recliners in the TV room