Valentine's Day

The kids had a great time opening all of their valentines from school and everyone this evening! Even Miss Brie got into the action, trying many pieces and not caring for the wrappers.

A try at a group shot, this has been very unsuccessful lately at our home!

Pete is such a great guy, we get treated to chocolate covered strawberries every year. It is definately the highlight for the kids! PJ cannot not possibly remember last year but he certainly knew what to do with that chocolate strawberry!

Brie's first taste of a chocolate covered strawberry was well received I think. We all got a good laugh because of her!

Another great holiday for us and the kiddos. There is no greater love than that which a family can provide to each other. Hope everyone got to hold those they love the most very tightly today. My kids certainly got extra hugs and kisses today from this momma! I love each of you very much! Thanks to a wonderful man who gave me four priceless gifts to treasure forever and into eternity!

Sledding

So my neice Jill and hubby Eric hosted a sledding party Saturday. It was a perfect day and soo soo much fun! Their acerage has a nice hill just east of the house, so people could watch from the window with a perfect view if they wanted. It is a healthy climb up but oh so worth the ride down!

Pete and some kids built a snowman, talk about perfect wet sloppy snow. I think the snowman will be the last thing to melt on the acerage, he is quite large and solid.

Makayla and Maggie sledding down together.

Pete and PJ headed back up the big hill. It made me laugh as PJ is facing backwards and continued that way all the way up the hill!

Adam, Kayla, and PJ taking a nice, easy, slow tube ride down. Adam even carryied PJ on his shoulders all the way up that hill.

The host Eric playing penguin with Kayla headed down the hill.

A blast was had by all that attended and hoping it will become an annual event! I have no doubt there were some sore bodies and exhausted kiddos Saturday night!

Thanks to Jill and Eric, my kids were asking as we drove away when do we get to do this again!!??

Fire House

So Brad and Holly took the big three to the fire hall where Brad is a volunteer Fire Fighter and gave them an up close tour. They all had a blast and were so excited. Makayla had to try on a helmet.

Maggie could not be left out of the helmet trying on fun. PJ however was a bit overwhelmed by all the BIG firetrucks, he kept his distance alittle.

Spraying water out the hose was the biggest highlight! They all came home with sprinkles of water on their shirts and they were all very proud! and a little giggly!

A very big thank you to Brad and Holly for a wonderful time!

First Birthday Party

So we traveled to my folks house for Gabriella's first birthday party. My dad has become homebound and this allows him to be a part of the party. A patient of mine did a cupcake cake and it was soo cute. Pete worked his magic and made Brie's cake equally cute.

We thought we would put it on the floor and let her have at it, no luck. Even with encouragement she did not dive in. I had to force a cupcake in her face for her to even try it. Then it was not to her liking so she crawled away quickly and managed to get a bit of frosting on her bum but no big face of frosting or cake for this baby.
This is as interesting as she made it!

One decorated table and one gift table. The black polka dot present was definately her favorite one.

The fun with the black spotted present continues.

Brie decided she could stand on her own right there in front of all of us for the first time! She was very proud and then very nervous.

The dolly from granny was a fun toy! She loved taking the hat on and off!

Brie was full of tricks at her party. Crawling around the table and "through" the chair, only to get stuck!

Picture time with grandma and grandpa!

Photo op with Godfather Brie and Holly! These two have definately become well loved by all my kids!!!

Bruiser

Since turning one the baby has become the bruiser! She has to marks near her right temple and one below the right eye. Though she is not walking yet she is definately more mobile! Her she is doing her favorite activity, the piano. If the gate is left open at any point it is a beeline target for Brie, she just loves to pound out a tune or two and then it is off to the stairs. I think daycare has her do the stairs everyday so she thinks she is able to do them at home!
She continues to take her antibiotics and her ears are still draining so the we are still doing the ear drops as well. When I asked the great pediatrician about the drainage he said we will give it 10 days and if still draining we may need to consult ENT again! Seriously can this baby catch a break!

Whenever the camera is out they all think they need photos taken. PJ won tonights cutest photo!

Gabriella Marie is 1

So my Gabriella Marie is one today. It is so hard to believe one year is already passed us by. It is so bittersweet, she has been such a joy to each of us on many different levels.

After a mishap with the candle there was no more sitting in the high chair. After lots of encouraging the only thing she would do was basically look at her cake. The party is in a couple weeks, so hopefully she will be more into her cupcakes.

Her favorite gift for her birthday was this card. She chased it around the room and would not let it go.

What a precious gift you have been Gabriellie. Everyday I find you more amazing and feel very lucky to have you as my baby. Happy Birthday princess, may you have sweet dreams tonight. Momma loves you very much.

tissues?

So apparently the box of tissues was too close to Brie's crib and I was taking alittle to long to get her after her nap! She showed me! I promise I did not leave her awake in her crib as long as the pile of tissues imply. I am sorry to say the illness continues at our home.... Brie's little ear tubes are working as it is as if she has a runny nose out of her ears. Her nose is a faucet that do not have an off valve. 4 plus days of fever landed her an antibiotic shot and another course of antibiotics as well. PJ coughed the other day and held his ears and shook his little head and said "bugsy are back". This is what he says when he has had an ear infection, a temp later he too is now on another course of antibiotics. Miss Maggie went with me to have Brie checked and she got a "looks and sounds great" appt. Well last night she took her temp up to 102.2, so you guessed it more meds for Maggie today. So once again the little three are on more meds! That darn groundhog better be correct and make spring be here in 6 weeks PLEASE!! I am growing very tired of sick, non sleeping kids. Thank goodness tomorrow is friday.