Cake Massacre

Obviously, Ian really enjoyed his cake.

Look at me!

Could it be??? Could I actually be one?



Yes, yes I am!

Happy Birthday Ellie!

Five entire years with Ellie. Ellie has been our first glimpse of normal. Our first experience of the journey that most people go on. She has reassured us with her normalcy when everyone else tried to blames us for Lauren.

She's been to the doctor exactly one time this year, on her 4 year well check. She so boringly and wonderfully normal and we love it for it.

Ellie has learned to copy letters. She has a great joy for life. She is a leader in her class. She is compassionate to the kids in her class that have special needs, if only that could translate to our home.

She was just telling me the other day that she didn't think she ever be 5. It was taking so long to get there. She's the only one that thinks that.

Ellie became a big sister for the last time this year. She loves Ian and he just adores her.

We went to DQ for her birthday per her request and had ice cream in lieu of a cake.

Here's some pictures of my birthday girl.

Happy Birthday Bob!

Bob is 32 today. We've now celebrated many birthdays together. In fact, we celebrated his birthday ten years ago by graduating from college.

I've picked out many presents for him over the years we spent together.

Now, that we have four kids, I was able to get him exactly what he wanted.

Two and a half hours to do what exactly what he wanted which was to play video games.

I wish I had known it would have been so simple when we were in college

Happy 7th Birthday Lauren!

She has changed my life like no other person.

My new necklace

She's 2

My Shannon is 2.

Don't worry, she got a bike just like her big sisters. Now, I just have to try to find her some streamers cause streamers on a bike is of the utmost importance.

Shannon has been such a sweet addition to our lives. She is the most impractical thing we have ever done. I wish all my impractical choices and descision would have ended up like this.

She has a wonderful giggle. I tell her I love her all the time. Now, everytime I do a sweet little toddler voice chimes in "I love you too Mommy".


What a sweet little girl!


Birthday girl with her sisters.


I got to pick the cake, she didn't care. I love Red Velvet.


She's got a bike like everyone else now!

Happy 4th Birthday Ellie!

Ellie is 4 years old today (doesn't it sound old). She had a great year. She went to school for the first time. She absolutely adored her teachers (Miss Holly and Miss Carrie could do no wrong).

She learned to write her name. She is still learning how to share. Ellie is a great big sister. She has unending patience with Shannon. She is Shannon's hero and Shannon just adores her. She's not the greatest little sister and loves to call Lauren "a bum bum baby) among other things.

She is quite the lady. I often think that the author of Fancy Nancy captured the essence of my Ellie.

She was our first step into normal parenting. We have been so much more relaxed with Ellie. We were never in a hurry to see her do anything; we were simply thankful that she did it.

I'm sure Ellie's 4th year will be just as busy as all the other ones.


Ellie's cake


Ellie waiting to blow out her candles


Presents? For me? You shouldn't have!



It was a very Tinker Belle birthday!

It's almost Ellie's birthday

Ellie wakes up every morning and says "Is it my birthday today?" Her birthday can't come fast enough.

She has an entire list of things she wants: a striped skirt, some new shirts, a kite, and a bike.

Lauren got a bike for her birthday. It's been a long 2 months for Ellie. Bob and Ellie are going tonight to see what size she rides. I'm guessing 12" as Ellie is still a little thing

Happy 6th Birthday Lauren!

You have made us better parents and better people.



Grandpa got her this crown.



Could it really be 6 years?

Happy Birthday to Me!

I turned 32 today and it was a great day.

We went to church and then out to eat. We went to the Cheesecake Factory for brunch. It is much more affordable for lunch then it is for dinner. We had 3 pieces of cheesecake (it was my birthday so we splurged). I wanted that instead of cake.

Lauren and Ellie insisted on chocolate so they shared Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake. Bob got Peanut Butter Cookie Dough or something like that. I got Bannana Cream. It was great except the littlelst girl kept eating all the bannanas bfore I could get to them.

We went home and played with my birthday present some more. All I wanted was Wii Fit. We are having a great time with it. The girls love the running section. We have made Miis that resemble them so while you run they shout "there's me, I'm running the wrong way"

Bob left for work. I ended up taking Ellie for what I thought was strep but ended up being an ear infection. Of course on Monday, she was fine. I never did get that antibiotic filled. (Shh, don't tell! Most of my family would think that was child abuse). We stopped by to see Bob. Then, we went to bed and Lauren throw up all over me at 1:30 am.

It is the life I always wanted 10 years ago. I just didn't know it.