New Years in Michigan

Annika and Lauren's new train table (complete with 2 giant choo-choos), courtesy of Grandpa's expert woodworking skills.

After all the jokes about how am I ever going to find a winter jacket big enough to fit over my giant belly, my Mom was kind enough to make a fleece cape for me - with style! Thanks, Mom!

Finally - those darn squirrels have met their match!

Lauren holding her 4 month old cousin Danielle. Lauren loves giving hugs and kisses to babies - hopefully, it lasts!

Annika writing her name in Grandpa's birthday card. This is the best she's ever done so I had to document it.

More Christmas Time in St. Louis

Daddy often comes home from work talking about what he has read in the New York Times (how he spends his free time during the day). A few weeks ago he mentioned an exceptionally positive children's book review on "All Around (the) Town" or something similar. It's a German book that the kids love looking at - I highly recommend it. Yes, Lauren was sick with a cold over Christmas and, yes, Annika's socks don't match and she is still in her pj's.

Miss Linda from Richmond Terrace came to enjoy Christmas dinner with us. The girls had to show her their new favoirte game, Cariboo.

Grandpa and Daddy put together a new easel for the girls. My favorite drawing so far is of "Mommy's big belly with 2 babies inside" by Annika.

Fun with the new train set. Lauren is enjoying eating it. . .

Grandma brought along some capsules that turn into trains when placed in water. Big excitement!

Christmas Time in St. Louis

Lots of hugs for Grandpa!

Stories read by Grandma are always a highlight.

Stocking time - can you guess who received sunglasses? Wembley is right in the middle of it all - she loves Christmas as well.

Lauren is going with the unconvential sunglass look. . .

More December Happenings

Annika decorating a frame as Christmas gifts for family and friends.

Lauren and I went to see the Rose Bowl Clydesdale hanging out at the Botanical Garden before his trip to Pasadena. Notice Lauren's eyes - she was more than a little leary of the giant horse.

Karl entertaining the kids at Kingdom Group with "Don't Break the Ice." What a great Daddy!

The Fearsome Foursome hanging out watching the "Sheep Show" (Max Lucado's Crippled Lamb) while Mandy, Sage, and I baked cookies. Sometimes it's just too much work to include the kiddos with the cookie making!

December Happenings

Our church had their first annual children's Christmas program this year. Notice where Annika and Lauren are - right next to/on top of Daddy (the only parent up there). . .

Annika's Frankenstein impression. As the kids were walking in, they were supposed to go immediately to the front. Annika, however, headed straight for me!

A visit to Daddy's office. He's changed offices so many times in the last year that he hasn't bothered decorating. . .The highlight for the girls was ice cream from the vending machines downstairs.

The girls really enjoyed interacting with the nativity this year. Grandpa and Grandma Pollack gave them a Fisher Price set a year ago and it was a big hit. I had to put Baby Jesus on top of the fridge until Christmas b/c they fought over him too much (of course it only took a couple of days before Mary was being fought over). I noticed one day that the "adult" nativity set looked a bit different than I had remembered it. . .

The day after Annika's birthday the girls were able to have a sled ride from Grandpa. Woo-hoo! Growing up in Michigan, it was a tradition that my Dad would give me a sled ride on my birthday (the day before Annika's) if we had snow on the ground.

Annika's 4th birthday

On November 30 we celebrated Annika's 4th birthday. Grandpa and Grandma, the McBrides, and Ashley, Deana, and Rachel joined us for the party. Once again these pictures are in reverse order. . . my apologies. Annika and Olivia are enjoying the cake and ice cream. Annika is definitely a big fan of both (Note the empty plate that has been scraped clean!).

Last year Annika was afraid of her candles. Way to go, Annika!

Mandy put her creative juices to work and gave both girls homemade skirts made from Daddy's dress shirts. The girls loved them. The birthday hat Annika has on is another of her creations. Thanks, Mandy!

Just in case you didn't hear, I am FOUR years old. This is an annual picture tradition with Ashley.

Making my birthday cake with Grandma. Licking the beaters is the best!

Finding the perfect tree. . .

This year's Christmas tree farm experience was a little anti-climatic. One of the first trees we saw was "the one." We still made it an official trip, of course, and searched for another half hour. This picture was actually taken a week later. . .Annika and Lauren had fun putting the ornaments on.

A well-deserved snack break.

Don't try this at home.

Hmmm. What do you think? Is this the perfect tree? So close to the path??? Is it possible? Notice who we have pulling the wagon - good work, Annika!

We came, we saw, we conquered.

November Happenings

Thanksgiving Day football! Annika didn't quite understand the concept of tackling, but we're working on it.

Poor horsey with a rider above and below. I'd be looking down too. . .

Grandma Pollacks star piano pupil!

Annika's preschool sent home a paper suggesting that we place a popcorn kernel in a bowl every night in November to represent something for which we are thankful. On Thanksgiving Day we popped the popcorn. Lauren's favorite line was, "I'm thankful for. . . God!"

2 cribs! There's no denying the reality now!

The Rozebooms come to St. Louis!

Paul, Annemarie, Sue, and Liesl came to visit in early November. Sue and I have been friends since 7th grade!

The Museum of Transportation - Big Trains!

It took quite a bit of convincing, but Annika finally had the courage to pull the train whistle.

Dress-up time in the kids area.

Big sister Annika forcing Lauren's neck in the direction of the bird.

Sue and Paul brought some homemade playdoh along to play with on a cold, rainy day.

Lauren, Annika, and Liesl had a lot of fun hanging out together.

Mr. Paul - the storyteller.

Just chillin' to Mary Poppins.

Notice who is doing the majority of the hugging here. Annika definitely likes her personal space.

Just hangin' out.

Sue came this weekend to run in the Race to Cure Lymphoma in St. Charles. She had never run a race before. A year ago she was battling Hodkins Lymphoma and I ran the race in her honor. It was very cold, but she did great. Notice Karl in the background - look at that lean into the corner! He ran the 10K so he had one more lap to go.

After the race. . .