The Party

Laurel couldn't decide on a theme for her 5th birthday party, but she knew it couldn't be a girly party because it was very important to her that Jake be invited.  He is her favorite.   So we had a good old fashioned balloons and streamers kind of party.  Everyone had a great time.

 An awesome ice cream cake by the best Ice Cream Co in town.

 Laurel was super excited to have cousin E and friend Elena at the party.  They were in town for the holidays.  

 Birthday Girl

 We played "Pin the bow on My Little Ponies Tail" - and the boys even got into it.

 Thank goodness Jake did come to the party.  Who on earth would have busted that pinata if we hadn't had him around?   Of course, after everyone had a few turns, we let Laurel have at it.  Later Laurel told me that was the best part of the party.  She liked hitting the pinata "over and over."  - She has an aggressive streak.

 Happy Birthday!  Again!

Tangled

Laurel with her magical golden hair as Rapunzel for Halloween.

 So, this summer at the beach I took the kids to the Disney store.  There Laurel saw the Rapunzel princess dress and long golden hair.  Laurel was sold.  Then in California, she saw the movie previews on Daddy's computer.  That was it.  She HAD to see Tangled!  She had already insisted on being Rapunzel for Halloween.   There was no denying the girl and it just so happened that it opened in the theaters just in time for her birthday.  As a surprise for Laurel, her good friend Elena joined us at the theater.  She was very excited!

 The kids really liked it.  It's a winner!

 Baby B hung out with Grandma and Pa while we enjoyed the show.  Does he look like he missed out?  The boy is following in the footsteps of his big brother and is very PASSIONATE about cars!

Of course, once out of the theater, Michael had to have a turn too.  Gotta keep the troops happy. 

Thanksgiving Girl

Laurel at 3 weeks old, December '05

Laurel's birthday landed on Thanksgiving this year. 

 She didn't mind sharing the spotlight.  She loved eating her birthday dinner on the "pretty dishes."  And I'm not sure how much she noticed I was in the kitchen.  She and her cousin E were having too much fun running around together and with the "boys."

 FIVE??!  My firstborn is 5? 

 After dinner we sang Happy Birthday and she enjoyed her very own birthday cupcake.

 It was still a little frozen though!  You can see that those girls got a kick out of that!   Well, they giggle at just about everything - especially cousin E.

Happy Birthday, Bug!

Happy Anniversary

Have I EVER accused my husband of not being romantic?  Well, I suppose after 8 years he is catching on.  This surprise made me cry.  It's amazing what you can do with a computer and a credit card all the way from Afghanistan!  Happy Anniversary to us!  May we be together for the next years' celebration.  I am one lucky girl.

A Bit of Laurel's Handywork

I could not get the girl to pick up a crayon before she started preschool last year.  It was then that she at least humored me.  But this year Laurel had discovered her inner artist just bursting to get out.  She is constantly drawing, coloring, cutting and pasting.  This is her picture of a robot alien.

 Our family.  Notice Daddy's stethoscope.  I have flower, L has a princess, and Michael has a dinosaur on his clothes.  Those are my red lips (a kiss) there in the middle.  Very remnicent of the pillowcase we made for Daddy for his birthday.

 

 Her latest.  She made a car out of a box.  That's Daddy and Mommy in the front driving.  And the headlights.

 The steering wheel.

 The kids in their carseats in the back.

 The wheels.

Going for a drive.  Beep!  Beep!  See ya later!

Benjamin

 I got a few good pictures of Baby B today, so I thought I'd share.

 He still holds the record for world's best baby.  Hands down.  Very patient, loving, cuddly, HAPPY, and FLEXIBLE.  Perfect #3.

Love that smile!  What a cutie!  (If I do say so myself.)