Happy 3rd Birthday Olivia!

We celebrated Olivia's 3rd birthday this weekend.  She got to pick the menu of her birthday meal: hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, applesauce and peas.  It turned out to be a crowd pleaser both with the adults and the kids.  For dessert Olivia asked for a Honey Bee cake and mint ice cream.  We had a wonderful time visiting with relatives.  Olivia is a blessing in our life.  Dennis and I are very blessed to celebrate our third anniversary of being parents.

Happy Birthday to You!

A happy family.

A happy birthday girl.

Setting the table.

Olivia with her new hat from Nana and Papa.

Mommy and Olivia's Day Out

With a new baby on the way, it is quickly becoming apparent that although siblings are a wonderful blessing, it is nice to have one-on-one time with individual kids.  Every Wednesday Olivia and I go to Storytime at the local library while Ethan stays home and naps during Dennis's adjusted lunch break.    A few days ago, Olivia and I had an extra special treat.  After receiving a stylish new haircut for her upcoming birthday party, we walked to a local candy store where we shared a scoop of strawberry ice cream.  Later we took a trip to the supermarket, where Olivia got to ride shotgun in a cart car (the store we do our weekly grocery shopping does not have these carts).  All in all it was a special Mother/Daughter outing.

Snip and Clip.

Pink ice cream to match.

Beep beep.

Celebrating Ethan's Baptismal Birthday!

We celebrated Ethan's first baptismal birthday this morning with cinnamon rolls.  Because Ethan was baptized last year on a Friday, the first anniversary fell on a Sunday.  The whole family enjoyed Sunday morning breakfast together.  We sang, blew out a candle and ate.  Daddy went to teach Bible Class and the kids and Mommy got ready for church.

Ethan was baptized happy day,

All his sins were washed away.

God looked down on him and smiled, 

He became God's own dear child.

Happy Birthday Ethan!

Ethan's dinosaur cake.

Birthday boy with Mommy.

Birthday boy with Daddy.

Happy Birthday Ethan!

We were in the Thumb this weekend celebrating the baptism of our new niece, Madelynn.  While there, we had the opportunity to celebrate Ethan's first birthday.  Nana made a delicious dinner of Swedish meatballs, rice, sweetcorn, applesauce, cottage cheese, jello and rolls for Mr. Ethan.  After the meal we sang Happy Birthday and ate cake and ice cream.  It was a happy little party.

Happy Halloween!

For Halloween, this year, Mommy and Daddy were very busy sewing and making costumes.  While watching the World Series Daddy designed and made Ethan's dinosaur costume and Mommy put together Olivia's honeybee costume.  We enjoyed Trick or Treating at some homes of people we know and then we headed to the local Methodist church for a Trunk or Treat.  It was a pleasant evening.  Just the right amount of time for the kids.

Olivia is ready for the Library Halloween Party.

Our honeybee and dinosaur.

Creative Trunk or Treat.

Ethan is 11 Months!

Ethan and Bearmey at 11 months!

Hurray!  Ethan is 11 months.  This little guy is growing by leaps and bounds.  He enjoys finger walking with Daddy and giggling with his sister.  Ethan is a natural cuddler and gives snuggles to anyone available.  He is the apple of our eye and we think he is the tops.

Ethan Turns 10 Months!

Ethan and Bearmey at 10 months

At 10 months Ethan is more than on the move, he can't sit still for a second!  Ethan now climbs stairs, climbs the swing set slide and is generally climbing the walls of our house.  Easy going Ethan has transformed into Energetic Ethan.  He is still a happy go lucky young man.  Mom and Dad are even happier with Ethan in his 10 month of life, with a little sleep training and a little guidance Ethan has learned to sleep through the night.  A well rested Mama is worth twice her weight in love and patience.