Party!

Last Saturday we celebrated Audrey and Samantha's birthday by having Ashley, Deana, Allison, Rachel, and Babette over for a party. Birthday swing!

A "new" car to ride around and new matching outfits.

We were pretty excited to see what A and S would do with the frosted chocolate cupcakes. They both tried a little bit and started fussing (whose children are these?). Audrey threw hers onto the floor and then. . .

reached for Sami's to throw hers on the floor. At least they both liked the ice cream!

Off to the bath tub!

The Pollack 6. . . still smiling one year later.

We are very thankful for these friends. They were a tremendous blessing through the challenges of the first year. During dessert Annika looked up at Daddy and started giggling, then exclaimed. . ."Daddy, you are the only boy!"

One Year Ago. . .

God blessed us with Samantha and Audrey. . . Look at them today!

On their actual birthday I took them to the Garden. First time on the sheep!

Checkin' out the orchids (don't they look impressed?).

wrestlin'

Sittin' pretty.

yes, I had folded all those clothes. . .good thing she's so cute!

This standin' thing is easy. . .what's next?

This is one of Sami's favorite moves. Future circus performer?

Pals.

Gettin' Out

We ventured out to the Nature Center for a family hike.

Annika and Lauren in the "bird's nest."

We saw 2 deer on our walk. As a result, Annika did not leave Daddy's side.

Good Times

We were blessed with a visit from the McBrides. Here the kids are "in school" courtesy of Mandy's workbooks. An unanticipated perk of home schooling for Annika was being able to wear her princess costume to class.

Shared quiet time. . .and, yes, they were actually quiet!

Our first warm day in February. . .Audrey loved being behind the wheel.

Sportin' new t-shirts. "Where's Lauren?" you ask. . .she is wearing her matching pink San Diego t-shirt, sitting in the corner and saying, "I don't want to be in the picture."

Pile on!

Aren't they cute?

Spring is a comin'. . . Bring on the outdoor fun!

Fantasy Baseball

With spring training beginning, it's way past time for me to post these pics. One month 'til draft day 2010!

February Happenings

Things were really quiet upstairs; this is what I found when I opened the door to the bedroom. . .a tent city.

Never too young to start - Audrey's reading "The Banner."

They are smiling now, but they weren't smiling when they both tried to get out at the same time.

This picture is taken from above of our coffee table. I left the room for a couple of minutes and this where I found A & S.

Sleeping Beauty.

Goin' Solo

Last fall I mentioned to Karl that maybe someday I could go and visit the McBrides in San Diego by MYSELF. . .He surprised me with "Sure, when do you want to go?" I think he was looking forward to the challenge of watching all 4 kids by himself for a long weekend, but thankfully, Grandpa and Grandma Pollack came to help. I didn't quite know what to do with myself after I was dropped off at the airport. . .is that crying baby mine??? NO! This is Balboa Park from the air. . .the McBrides live a couple blocks East of the SE corner.

That's not my plane, but it is the McBrides house. The incoming flight path goes directly over their house.

We took a 10 minute walk to the dog park. This is the view of downtown from the edge of the park.

You'll have to ask Mandy why she requires the kids to wear helmets in the dog park. Ridley is hard to see, but she is waiting for Olivia to throw the ball. It was fun to meet some neighbors at the dog park and the playground.

I enjoyed spending a couple of afternoons in the backyard soaking up some California sun and reading my book. I even picked a few grapefruit off the tree. The only thing missing was the diapers hanging on the line. . .those will be coming in about 5 months.

Olivia and Joseph both enjoy riding their bikes - here she is in front of her house.

Olivia, Joseph, and Baby in front of a Bird of Paradise plant in bloom. . . in January!

A walk near Seaport Village.

Flying kites at Seaport Village. Yes, the weather was absolutely perfect.

Love this family! We definitely miss having them in St. Louis, but it was great to see the way the Lord is blessing their ministry in San Diego.

Visitation

Aunt Lesley stopped by for "visitation." She termed the twins' jail "the Octagon." How long before A & S figure out how to knock over that gate?

It's all smiles inside the octagon.

The girls are all ears as Grandma reads a story.

Grandpa and Grandma were kind enough to share their "Avatar" glasses with A & L.

Playing on Grandpa's legs. Audrey with another winner of an expression!