Take Five

No babies were squished while taking this picture.

Miss Grace

This is Grace in her classroom at school. As you can see she is standing in front of her classroom Christmas wish list, where she has asked for a pony. Do you think Santa will deliver?

Miss Belle

Here is Annabelle before her Christmas program and party at school. The program was pretty funny, although there wasn't much singing going on. Most children were either crying, waving to their parents, or picking their nose. Or instead of singing they were yelling. Annabelle spent much of her time doing two of these things, but I won't tell you which two.

Christmas Party

Here are the kids at Eric's squadron Christmas party. Clearly Michael is not at all impressed with Santa Claus. Everyone had a wonderful time and I learned a new way to keep the kids entertained for hours: tape a huge sheet of bubble wrap to the floor. Who needs presents when you have bubble wrap?

Spelling with Annabelle

Me: Annabelle, how do you spell dog?
Bellie: P-L-G
Me: And how do you spell cat?
Bellie: K-R-G
Me: Bellie, how do you spell princess?
Bellie: G-R-A-C-E

Take Four

As you can see, the kids wouldn't fake enthusiasm for me this time. The new Christmas jammies didn't even get them in the mood. Grace was upset Papa didn't have his own jammies, Michael threw up all over about 5 seconds after this shot was taken (so I guess that explains why he wasn't his usual jolly self), and I am not sure about Bellie, but it might have something to do with the fact that she woke up with the flu less than 24 hours after we took these pictures. Anyways, at the rate we are going we might end up with a Valentine's Day picture.

Smiley Little Guy

I'm a dufus....

Lead by Example

There is no better way to get a child to take a nap than to show them exactly how it's done.

Take Three

While we aren't there yet, we certainly are getting closer. I didn't have to bribe Grace with anything to be in the picture OR to touch her brother. And she actually looks like she may be enjoying herself. Progress...

Take Two

Mama and The Man Child

Take One

I want to get a picture of just the kids. Sounds simple enough except I want a good picture. I have discovered that getting them together AND in a good mood AND willing to take a picture is going to take a small miracle. I have accepted that this is going to take a while - perhaps even a long while. I am hoping to have something decent (meaning each child looking at the camera, appearing happy even if it is an act, close enough to one another to fit in the frame, relatively free of dirt, lunch residue, spit-up, etc...) by Christmas, but I thought I might as well share what I get along the way.

This first attempt was pretty much directed by Grace (shocking, I know). To get her up on the bed I had to promise candy, show it to her, and I was to understand that she would not actually be touching her brother. After three shots she declared, "I'm finished now."

Happy Halloween

"...and thank you to Nami and her friend Geet for our costumes..."

Mr Michael

Two Months

At the Pumpkin Patch

Michael Michael Michael

Grace and Michael

First Day of School

At the Fair

One Month

Haircuts with Jennie

Naptime

Three Weeks

Two Weeks

Annabelle and Michael

One Week

More Pictures from Michael's Birthday

Michael Has Arrived

Daddy, We Miss You!

Today the girls were having a hard time being away from their Daddy, probably because they know he will be coming to visit soon. So we played a little game of "remember when." I would say "remember when daddy..." and they girls would say something and we would try and find a picture of it. These are a few of the things they came up with.


Remember when Daddy took us to the playground...


Remember when Daddy read to us a Susie's house...


Remember when Daddy took us swimming...

Annabelle Lee and her Daddy

Grace Lenore

Ice Cream

Our Newest Fairy Princess

The Flower Girl

Grace is helping Melanie get her makeup done before the wedding.



This was taken before the ceremony.

Gracie and Her Daddy

Pigtails