February

I can't believe it is almost March already. Just to get it off my chest, I am really mad that we did NOT have any good snow this winter!! The kids couldn't even enjoy the one good snow of 3-4 inches because it iced on top and poor Hannah wasn't able to walk in it. Anyway, here are some pictures of what we have been up to this past month.

Lizzie has been accessorizing she did this during naptime one day.

She used some of her Christmas money to purchase a Barbie that came with theses, lovely!!

Jackson and Lizzie

We got piggies in Hannah's hair for the first time.

She loves her doodle pad and to "trace hand" on it.

Jackson

Hat day as we went out on one of the warmer days this month.

One of the snow days

silly Hannah

the kids

another snow day (I think it was the ice day)

Lizzie all bundled up.

Visiting Mom-mom and Pop-pop's

The golf crew:
Joe, Jonathan, David, Derek

Joe teeing off

I got the flu and was really sick last week. My parents came and got me and brought me down to NJ since Joe was away on his golf trip in NC. It was great because I could not have taken care of the kids on Thursday and Friday, I had no energy.

I also got a "promotion" this month. I am now going to be overseeing only the 2 year olds and developing curriculum and programming for them for the fall when we move into our new area. It is very exciting and there is a lot of "top secret" planning going on for a big reveal in the fall.

Hannah is talking like crazy. Some of her phrases: "Jackson did it!" If you ask her if she pooped or if she did something. "Pants fall down." and she then pulls them up." We all love High School Musical and have been listening to the HSM3 soundtrack quite a lot lately. Hannah likes the first song she calls "sixteen" and asks for it as soon as we get in the car. She is a clown and always looking to make us laugh at dinner or when we are all hanging out.

Jackson's sweet spirit is so cute and he offered to help me while I was sick and is very excited to start preschool in the fall. Lately, he has begun to ask for things for his May birthday. We'll have to start a list.

Lizzie is doing well in school and trying to keep her "boy who is a friend" a secret from dad. Connor has sent some love notes home and I had to tell Lizzie she is not allowed to ask boys to get her flowers as she told me she had let Connor know he had to bring some in for her tomorrow. Connor also wrote a paragraph about Lizzie for Valentine's Day. All the kids had to work with the aide at school to describe someone or something they love using adjectives. Lizzie wrote about Lamie and most kids wrote about Mom or Dad or their pets, Connor wrote about Lizzie. funny...

Until next time...

Photo Shoot

I am still working with my new camera to get good, focused pictures. Here is the kids' first photo shoot with me in their Christmas outfits (thank you Mom-Mom and Aunt Dori)!!

yes, that is slobber

Quotes: After sending Lizzie to timeout one day, she was crying and I came in to talk to her after her time was up and she said, "I feel like you are pushing me out of the family!" (drama queen!!)

Hannah has been talking up a storm, full sentences and everything. "Thank you Mama, Thank you Dada" for everything. If she accomplishes something, she says "yes, high five!" And my favorite, "Jackson did it!" (right)

Jackson was crying the other day as we pulled away from dropping Lizzie off at Kindergarten and I asked him what was wrong. He said, "Lizzie forgot to give me a kiss."

Many Christmases

We had several Christmases with family this year. It was so nice because the kids got to relax and enjoy their toys in between and they really enjoyed opening their gifts and didn't get warn out from opening like they have in years past.

First, we went to New Jersey on the 19th and had Christmas with my family on Saturday the 20th. We got to exchange gifts with the Reif kiddos, Ben and Aiden, and got some fun stuff from Grammy, Mom-mom, and Pop-pop (including a new Wii). Then, we went to Gran Irvin's for some fun presents over there and decorated their tree. It was such a nice relaxing day. We had such a fun time and were able to just sit back and enjoy the day.

We went to church on Christmas Eve and came back to our house with the Carter family to exchange gifts with them. Joe gave me my gift early...a new digital camera, a real one, not a point and shoot. I was so excited!! I used it all night and the next day. I think I took over 200 pictures.

Joe got a customized Phillies Jersey

Christmas Eve...

Christmas day we stayed at home and opened gifts and played Wii. We went over to the Snyder's in the afternoon for sandwiches and dessert. It was such a peaceful day!!

Hannah only wanted to eat M&Ms

and play in her new "big girl seat"

Lizzie and Jackson opening their "big" gifts

Lizzie playing with Pixos (not recommended to anyone!!)

Hannah made it into time-out at some point Christmas Day!!

At the Snyder's