January Happenings

Annika and Lauren disappeared upstairs and this is how I found Annika a half hour later. "Dressing up" is her new favorite activity (yes, that is a swim suit overtop of her tights and Sunday shoes).

This is Annika's drawing of Mommy's big belly with 2 babies inside. I'll leave the artistic interpretation to you.

Annika and Lauren's new favorite game - Sequence for Kids.

Hmmm. . .a tree on our fence. . .how could this have happened?!

Our neighbors hired a tree cutter to cut down the giant sycamore. This particular man/company was the lowest bidder. It soon became clear why they were the lowest bidder (see previous photo).

The new train table in use! No, we don't have any heat in the basement (hence, the jackets).

Michigan trip

Annika's new favorite game - Blockhead. I think the high five is a celebration of being called a "blockhead" by Grandpa.

The men preparing to go ice fishing. They returned 3 hours later telling tales of the ONE BITE that got away.

I knew we shouldn't have tried ice skating. Annika made it around the ice one time last year, but not this year . . both girls lasted one step and then started crying. At least it only cost $1.

Lauren's first ice skating experience.

New Years Dinner with the whole family. Next year there will be 3 more babies (see next photo) - yikes!

Sister-in-law Elizabeth is due one week after me. . .hmmm, for some reason my belly looks much larger than hers!

All of the cousins.

No, Karl is not going out to feed the cows and shovel manure. This is his borrowed "snowsuit." He claims that it worked great.

More Michigan

"Settling" in for New Year's Eve.

Cousin Sarah teaching her "class" how to make 6 point stars.

It's a party on the snowbank.

Ahh - time to take all those winter clothes back off again.

Snow Fun!

I love snow!

Uncle Jay had a great sled that fit 4 cousins. . . Annika, David, Alex, and Sarah.

King of the Mountain! Annika wanted to be outside in the snow ALL the time. She never complained of being cold and wanted to either sled or hike in the woods.

It's a bird, it's a plane. . .no, it's Super Daddy!

Daddy having fun with his girls.

I'm King of the Mountain now!

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.