Tired of a sick house

Mark just got over a five day illness that really kicked his butt and now it's Ella's turn. Poor little girl has a high fever and was throwing up tonight. It just started after nap time today. Here is a picture of her laying in the baby pack n play. She must really be feeling sick because she so would care about this otherwise.

Crossing my fingers we ring in the new year with two healthy babes.

Christmas is over

It's the day after Christmas. The presents are opened, the kids are spoiled and mommy and daddy are exhausted. What an awesome holiday week. The kids had so much fun with mom and dad and are already missi g them greatly. We will definitely have to get them back here soon.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

Random

Here are a few random shots from Elizabeths dance class to Dad doing a gingerbread house to Christmas Eve and one on Christmas morning. It was such a great week!

Take my picture, Mommy!

This is one thing you can count on with Elizabeth....she will tell you exactly what she wants. She doesn't hide her anger or happiness. She doesn't hide when you've pissed her off or when she's embarrassed. She wears her emotions on her shoulder and you always know where you stand with her. She is usually game for a picture now and then, but she has been very persistent on finding good photo opportunities. "Put me on this horse and take a picture Mommy!" "Take a picture of me with this hat" "Stop the car and take a picture of the rainbow" are just a few I hear from Ms. Ella when these ops come to her. This is the back story of the photos below. "Put me up on this ball and take my picture" she tells me. So here you go...

Then Mark goes "It's my turn!" and Ella snaps back "No, Mark, you don't get a turn, only I can take a picture on the ball!" Ahh, sibling love at it's finest...

Thank you, Nana & Tata!

Happy Birthday, Ella!

Happy birthday to the most stubborn, spunky, spirited, carefree and brilliant little girl. Even though she pushes her limits just about every moment, our lives wouldn't be the same without her. She was born almost 6 weeks early and in the NICU for almost a week, but she is the strongest and healthiest child. I love that little girl!

Trimming the tree

Fun times!

Mark & Elizabeth singing

Mark learned to snap, so in everyone's face and ear he snaps. So proud of himself. Then he starts singing a song he doesn't quite know all the words and Ella finishes his line of the Halloween song and if you can't quite understand her you'll hear the end of "Eyes glowing RED" Then Mark sings another song, then Ella loudly interrupts him to turn the camera to her with her own made up song then to leave me and go play. These kids are funny. 

Lily & Madison - Friends for almost their entire 10 - 3/4 years of living

Taken at Opryland in 2005 & 2012 (tonight)

Evening at Opryland Hotel

Look at these wonderful pictures where in just about every one someone is photo bombing on purpose (Mostly Ella) I finally get them to a position to take some sort of picture and one of them sticks their tongue out at the last minute, moves slightly, does some weird monster look or smiles so hard and cheesy (Ella). It's fine tho, they are cute and this is these are the results.

Also - check at the bottom of pictures of Lily and Madison. Friends forever and we were so happy to share this with them again!

A beautiful Sunday afternoon

Mark & Ella doing ABC flashcards

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lQcbgORE1c&sns=em

Final October Weekend

The weather changed drastically on us from Thursday to Friday and this morning it was in the 30's, so we may be on the path to winter-only weather. My car broke down at work last week and so that should be fun for Jim to fix in this weather. 

Friday was Lily's farewell softball party. Had a great time seeing the girls one last time. 

Sunday we were able to go to the final Ghouls @ Grassmere. The kids had a great time and we closed that zoo down. 

 Lily and her friend, Hope

 Mark being a weirdo

 Lily and Hope up on stage with Mr. Science