Easter 2011 (mostly photos)

I learned on Sunday that each kid has their own individual style of hunting eggs:

Drop and Run

Squat and Grab

Bend and Pick

Stop everything and pose for the camera

Since the kids were dressed so nicely, I took the opportunity to try, once again, to take a good group shot. Once again, I came so close to getting the perfect photo. Ah well, at least this time there were no tears or sullen attitudes or distractions. Best of all, the kids were mostly cooperative. That, my friends, is happy progress. And I just have to say: I have some great looking kids!

My favorite of the boys.

My favorite of the girls.

You may have noticed I have a new photo at the top of the blog. You may have also noticed that photo is missing from this lineup. The simple explanation is that I combined two photos into one. I finally started playing around with the editing program on my laptop (which I've had for a year). Ideally, I would have liked to take the best shot of each kid and put them all in the same photo, but I'm just not that good yet. The best I could do is splice two together.

Anna's First Haircut

Before

Anna has been needing a haircut for a few months now, but how to get that accomplished? Anna does not like strangers very much so going to a salon was out of the question. I've given the other kids haircuts, but never the first one. That one always seems more daunting. The first haircut is special, or at least it is in my book. Plus, I didn't want to royally screw it up. In the end though, I decided to do it. I figured even if I did a bad job, I would save Anna the trauma of having a stranger do it. Those that know me, know I do things a little unconventionally. I didn't spread newspaper all over the kitchen floor and have Anna sit alone in a chair. Nope. I cut her hair while she was eating a snack at the table and I had Mark sit opposite Anna to get her to look up when needed. I'll admit that I took off a little more than I intended in the back, but I did save the curls that grow right in the middle. The end result is a cute little bob with bangs.

After

Austin's 4th Birthday and a Trip to Grandpa's House

Austin turned 4 years old on Saturday! He is almost always sweet and loving. He's the kind of kid that likes to be held and cuddled. Austin is also usually on the quiet side. He's content to play on his own and mind his own business. When he does play with his brother or sisters, he's happy with whatever. Austin is just a very easy going kid.

On Sunday, we went to North Carolina to see my father-in-law and have Austin's birthday party. This is the first time we had to mobilize the party, but I think it went well.

Austin with his cake.

What kind of face is this?

Austin with his birthday toys (little Toy Story figurines). He hasn't put them down yet.

Anna running with her yellow balloon.

"Cheese"

Emily wanted to send a balloon to her Grandma in heaven. She chose a pink balloon and let it go.

Emily posing on the tractor.


Garrett got a real treat when he was allowed to drive Grandpa's tractor:

Getting it started.

Backing up.

Driving down the road. Notice that Garrett is the only one with his hands on the wheel!

My only attempt at a group photo.

Some of Grandpa's flowers.

And finally a photo of the whole cake. I made it using the directions from here.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Anna!

I can't believe my baby girl is 2 now! I love this age! Anna has most definitely developed her very own personality. She is such a girly-girl and loves to wear hats and carry around purses (pocketbooks to you all in NC). But don't for a second think that means she can't stand up for herself. Anna can keep her big brothers and sister in line if she wants and she has learned how to demand their attention.

Tonight, we had Anna's little party for her birthday. She hasn't really latched onto one specific toy/show/movie, so I picked a Little Mermaid theme for her.

Happy Birthday, Anna!

Austin is happy to have a party for his sister!

Garrett, not so much. (notice what his shirt says)

Emily just wants to say, "Cheese"! I think I need to adjust my flash settings.

The cake. I made everything but the Ariel candle.

Emily's 10th Birthday!

I can't believe Emily is now a decade old! In this past year, she has really started to mature and become more independent. Right now, I just want to slow time down. She is really growing up way too fast for my liking.

Usually for the kids' birthdays I make a special dinner or we order out for something they want. I make a cake and we have it and ice cream at home and then open presents. This year, I planned something more elaborate for Emily's birthday; after all, you only turn double digits once. However, Anna ran a fever for 4 days prior to Emily's day, so we had to scale things back a bit. The plan was to take the family to Emily's favorite restaurant and then have the cake, ice cream and presents there. Then we were going to take the family bowling. The restaurant was going to decorate and everything. Anna was fever-free for 24 hours on Sunday so we took everyone out to eat, but then came home to do the rest (except bowling). I hope we can do that this weekend or next.

Emily looking so grown-up!

Anna still not feeling 100%

Austin giving big sis a hug

Garrett, goofy as ever.

Emily ready to get the party started

Emily and her cake

Blowing out the candles

Hmmm. Did I get them all?

Of course, I have post pictures of the cake I spent hours on! Here is a side and above view:

First Snow this Winter! 1-10-2011

We got our first snow of Winter on Sunday night/Monday morning. In this area we seem to get one snow event every year. Here is 2010 and 2009. Compared to the past two years, the 4 inches we got was quite a lot! In fact, this is the first snow almost-two-year-old Anna has able to experience. This is the most snow I've seen since we moved from North Carolina. Emily is the only one that has seen snow like this--until now! Because the area is not equipped to handle wintry weather, the roads were impassable all day and night Monday. That I can recall, this is the first time Mark's work shut down due to weather. Since he was home, this snow day makes the top of my list of favorites!

The day was just about perfect. Mark and I took the kids out in the backyard in the afternoon. He got to play with them while I took photos. After awhile, he went in to make hot chocolate and I gathered the ingredients to make snow cream. The snow was very dry this time and would not form into snow balls, however it was perfect fro snow cream! Now, on to the photos:

Anna doesn't know what to think yet.

Austin didn't want to wear his gloves. He later changed his mind.

Emily is already directing everyone.

Emily making a snow angel.

Garrett is happy to be out in the snow.

I'm reserving judgment on this white stuff.

See? I don't need gloves.

Delighted!

I think the plan was to bury Daddy in the snow......

Enjoying time with Daddy.