Valentine's Day Trip

We took the kids to Kalahari for a Valentine's Day present.

Posing for a picture before going swimming!

Dad's favorite - the wave pool and lazy river. The kids enjoyed going on the family water rides. Bailey would SCREAM and giggle the entire ride!

Valentines

RyAnne and Mom made butterfly valentines for the kids in her class. Here is RyAnne wrapping a pipe cleaner around two pixy sticks.

Then we added wings and eyes

The finished product. Happy Valentine's Day!

Visitor

The kids have had fun with one (of 11) of Breeze's puppies, Maggie, while her owners (Uncle Randy and Aunt Norma) are on vacation. She is much more active then her momma and loves to follow the kids around.

Grandma's Dress

Grandma Franklin (and Great Grandma Huebner and Aunt Norma) have made the kids some of the cutest things. They have knit, crochet, and sewed them blankets, sweaters, ponchos, booties, hats, and dresses. I guess RyAnne goes to school and tells everyone when she is wearing something Grandma made. Here she is showing off a dress Grandma made her!

Our Chores

Unloading the dishwasher and handing the dishes to Mom.

Vacuuming the kitchen.

Feeding the cat.

Relaxing after doing all those chores:-)

Mommy's Best Birthday

Dear Dad, Zach, RyAnne, Dakota, and Bailey,

Thank you for the flowers, dinner, cards, and cake. It was nice of you to be so thoughtful on my birthday. Although those things meant a lot, the best presents were two other things that were said that day that made my birthday complete:

When taking RyAnne to the dentist earlier today, the hygienist and dentist had such nice things to say about you! " Oh my gosh! She is so adorable and funny!" the hygienist said when she came into my room after examining you:-) Later the dentist returned and exclaimed,"Ohhhh, I could just take her home! She is SO polite, cute and sweet!"

Later that night, when we went to Red Robin, an older lady came up to me after eating and said, "I just have to tell you, you have the most beautiful family and well behaved children I have ever seen!"

REALLY? *tears* WOW!

I am so proud of all of you! Thank you,

Mom

Two Weeks of Torture

The past few weeks have been tough. A few weeks ago, Dakota and Bailey both had ear infections..then two days off her Amoxicillin Bailey had a double ear infection. Next, after RyAnne had been grumpy and crying all weekend but didn't know why, Dad took her in to urgent care and she had a ear infection. In the midst of all this, Dad woke up one night in pain and had to be put on morphine and other meds for stomach pains that are undetermined. Today, everyone is feeling fine...thanks to the medicine we are taking, and can get on to our busy lives of school and playing....

Grandma bought this Elmo ballpit for Dakota and Bailey as a get well present.

AHHHH...all clean and healthy!

Badger Hockey

Dad, Mom, Zachary, and RyAnne went to a Badger hockey game with the PRIDE students from Lodi Middle School. RyAnne LOVED it and was dancing and cheering the entire game. Dad was proud to have a little hockey fan by his side to dance, cheer and give high fives to.The Badgers won 4-3 - one point short of us getting a free scoop of ice cream from Culvers - a BIG disappointment to Zachary who was really looking forward to an after snack!

Merry Christmas Part 2

Unfortunately, Zachary didn't get to join us on Christmas or over winter break - he was in California. He was able to (once again, with the help of his little sister and brother) open his Christmas presents this weekend.

Yes, a typical 12 year old boy - a lot of games, gift cards, and accessories for his itouch.

Happy 2010

Horns, hats, glow sticks, poppers, confetti, popcorn, orange julius and to top it all off fireworks for our countdown at 7:30 p.m. Ahhhh....life with kids!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!