The Hartsell House

Happy big FOUR Emma!!

2011-11-20T21:51:00.000-08:00

Today our Emma-Bemma-Boo turns the big FOUR! I have no idea how this happened!! She is a beautiful, sweet and always goofy Emma. Jason used to always say she should be a comedian because so far she always keeps us laughing! She has such a sweet motherly instinct and loves babies and takes such good care of them. Her excitement for life and the little things makes us always appreciate them and remember its these little moments that make life so special. Poor babes....she had been so looking forward to her birthday and her date with Papa, but all the girls in the house got a fever cold bug. So we are resting and taking it easy today. But she will get her date with Papa soon and we will celebrate her birthday next Saturday. So today she is enjoying all the birthday phone calls and messages and opening her cards. She still wanted to do the ice cream sundae tradition, I guess you are never too sick for that. We love you Emma Bemma and look forward to another fun, healthy and happy year ahead!

Hunter Farms 2011

2011-11-20T19:03:00.000-08:00

This was our first year going to Hunter Farms without our friends the Campbells. And since I didn't go during the week, it was our first time to go on the weekend and Jason, Michaela and Brendan's first trip there too. It was Brendan's first pumpkin patch! We went with our good friends the Kellers. It was a busy Saturday but didn't feel too crowded. They had all kinds of yummy food vendors there by their store which is different than going during the week. It was a beautiful day and we actually didn't need to wear the coats and stuff we brought towards the end. It is usually always muddy so boots are a necessity. All the kids LOVED the wagon ride and we took two different ones and the ride back was very bumpy which they all approved of. We let the kids play and had some lunch in the greenhouse which was very HOT! We took the traditional pumpkin board pictures, saw the animals, played on the slide and each found a pumpkin that they will paint. A good day had by all...and nothing like hot kettle corn to munch on on the way home.

Kellers with new baby Patrick

Brendan's First Pumpkin Patch

First Family Hunter Farms Pic

They did not want to get pics taken

loved every second of wagon ride

Me and my lifelong bud and our new little boys

she loved watching kids come down the slide

not quite tall enough

Michaela's first pumpkin board pic

Brendan's first pumpkin board pic, so serious!

me and my little Mister

I love this picture of my four little pumpkins!

Hunter Farms 2010

2011-11-20T18:06:00.000-08:00

(catch up post)
Every year we have been making it a tradition to go to Hunter Farms. The kids love the wagon rides out to the pumpkin patches and the rule we have is: "If you can carry the pumpkin, you can get it." They also love the big barn with all the animals (usually pigs, reindeer, bunnies, goats, emu, chickens, roosters) and the big hay maze and big tunnel slide. It really is a fun place to go and when not raining and cloudy you can see all the beautiful fall colors around the farm! We have been going with our good friends the Campbells as part of our preschool field trips with Eddie and Angelica. So we usually go during the week and it isn't too crowded unless you get a big school trip there at the same time. This year Emma got to come too so she was in heaven!! I was big and pregnant (Michaela would be born two weeks later) and was a little worried that the bumpy wagon ride might make my water break. We have made it a tradition with the Campbells that we picnic lunch at a local park on the way home. Another fun time and year at Hunter Farms. (We are sad though because the Campbells are moving and next year we will miss them at this special event!)

the tunnel slide thru the hay

Our traditional pumpkin board pictures

loving every moment of wagon ride

getting lost in the hay maze

they love the picnic park lunch mainly because they can throw rocks in the water

Emma's Fourth Year in Pictures

2011-11-20T15:59:00.000-08:00

November 2010

December 2010

January 2011

February 2011

March 2011

April 2011

May 2011

June 2011

July 2011

August 2011

September 2011

October 2011

November 2011

Another Sullivan on the way...

2011-11-20T15:03:00.000-08:00

Taylor (or Tay-Tay as the girls call her) showed up at our house the other night with some exciting news to share:

They are thinking end of July time frame...selfishly hoping for a little boy so Brendan will have a buddy! Although that could mean double trouble! :)

Thanksgiving 2010

2011-11-18T22:49:00.000-08:00

Last year we had a fun Thanksgiving (although I was feeling a bit nauseated with the pregnancy) with family and our good friends the Browns. Mr. Brown was in Afghanistan for the year so we had Jessica and her four boys over...a change from all the girls we usually have around! Angelica and Emma had a blast helping me make everyone turkey place cards, a tradition that we like to keep going of creating a place card every year. Although I do think they ate as much candy corn as they glued on the paper. Another Thanksgiving Day tradition is trying to take an automatic family picture by putting the camera up on a shelf in my parents family room. To our surprise, we usually always get a good one each year, which is a miracle with kids in general! My mom always has a beautiful table, we ate delicious food and had so many blessings to be thankful for! Looking forward to another one next week!

Last Thanksgiving with just the girls (didn't know I was having a boy yet)

The Sullivans (my sister Caitlin & family)

With Cousin Taylor

The Traditional Automatic Picture - NOT BAD!

The Adult Table

The Kids Table

Always time for Dress UP with Aunt Alli

Emma's Third Birthday

2011-11-18T22:35:00.000-08:00

Since Emma will turn FOUR on Sunday, thought I would post quickly about her third birthday. She was begging me to make a hummingbird cake as that was her favorite bird all year. She loves watching them eat from the feeder at my parents house and outside our kitchen window. I was trying my hardest to figure out how I would make this request happen....and then decided to make a hummingbird feeder and somehow birds to go with it. The feeder was fairly easy and I was able to include the blue sprinkles she wanted...and for the birds I just bought some at JoAnns and then put toothpicks in to make them into hummingbirds and stuck wire in to put around the cake. SHE LOVED IT, whew! This was the first year that she was really excited and anticipating her birthday so it made it a lot of fun to celebrate. I think she was excited and in love with every single one of her presents. And I have to say (since I am posting this a year late) that what I thought was going to be an annoying present and I would get rid of quickly, the Dora microphone has been a huge favorite or hers and a year later she still plays and sings with it. She is our funny little girl that keeps us laughing!

Michaela's First Birthday

2011-11-18T18:40:00.000-08:00

Since I am posting about Michaela's birthday I thought I would post-post (?) a few things about her big ONE. She was excited about all the family coming over, not so much with the little hat I got her to wear. We had just found out that we were expecting (Brendan) so when we sat down to eat the tradtional first birthday dinner of spaghetti, I told everyone Michaela had a present to open first. I had wrapped a bib I had made when Angelica announced we were expecting Emma that said "I'm A BIG sister". My mom recognized it as soon as Michaela started opening and started screaming. It was a great and fun way to make the announcement, although Michaela was puzzled as to why this bib was such a big deal. She wasnt sure what to do with all the presents but loved cake time! I started making a DELICIOUS Chocolate Carrot Cake for our traditional first birthday cakes...it is so yummy and very moist, has a lot of shredded carrots though! That first year goes by so fast!

New Coat from Marmee

Yes I lick when I kiss

I need a break from all this present opening

Party Time

2011-11-18T18:30:00.000-08:00

We had Michaela's birthday party on Sunday. I don't think she completely understands the option of choosing your favorite meal for dinner, so we went with one of her favorites, Chicken Marsala. I had been asking her for weeks what kind of cake she wanted. All she kept telling me was blue. But that is just the one color word she likes to repeat and since her sisters kept giving her too many ideas, could never figure it out. She really doesn't like cake or cupcakes that much, just enjoys licking all the icing off of them. But she is a HUGE ice cream fan so I decided on a recipe my mother-in-law had given me a couple years ago for a Hot Fuge Ice Cream Bar Dessert. DELICIOUS and absolutely NO calories. :) We had my parents and the Sullivans over for dinner and then her godmama got to come with the twins for presents and cake. She was so funny to watch open the gifts, with every one she acted like it was the best gift ever. Her sisters loved "helping" her open them and have been enjoying some of the new toys as well. I have to say though, the Aquadoodle is a HIT!!! Beats messes and lots of paper being used and thrown away. She had a great party and even enjoyed singing Happy Birthday to herself! Love you my big TWO YEAR OLD doodle-bops!

I am Ready to Party

Hey guys can I please open it?

Very excited to have a blanket made by Marmee, just like her sisters!

This is hard work

Michaela's Birthday 2011

2011-11-18T16:21:00.000-08:00

I do not really think Michaela quite understands what a birthday means. She seemed very confused why we kept telling her happy birthday and asking how old she was. But she was totally fine with all the special attention and treats. And there is totally a thing as "too much birthday" syndrome. After her date with Papa we had one of her favorite dinners, chicken teriyaki and then ice cream sundaes. I think the sisters enjoyed her birthday as much as she did! And still have the party to come....

This is GOOD stuff

Happy Birthday Michaela!!

Daddy Daughter Time

2011-11-18T15:46:00.000-08:00

When I was growing up my dad always had a special date with us on our birthdays. We would usually go out to our favorite pick for breakfast or lunch and then dad would take us shopping. He would "usually" let us get whatever we wanted, such as a new toy, an outfit or something we had been wanting. It was a special time though with just dad and memories I always cherished. So when we started having kids we started thinking about some of the same traditions we wanted to continue...and this was definitely one of them. Dads don't very often get that one on one time with the children, so this is a perfect and special time to do that. Since Michaela is still a little young for too big of an outing, Jason took her out the other night before dinner to one of her favorite places to play in: Toys R Us. He said she wandered up and down the aisles (probably completely overwhelmed) and left a good trail behind her! In the end, she picked out a baby brother doll...our first baby BOY doll in the house. She has slept with it every night and his name is Matthew. Too sweet.

Isn't he cute?

My Sweet Baby Boy Blues

2011-11-17T15:57:00.001-08:00

What a Difference a Year Makes...

2011-11-17T15:57:00.000-08:00

I am slowly getting all my pictures and videos and such organized...in doing so I realized over the past year how much I didnt get to post. This first video was taken the morning of Michaela's first birthday and the second the other day on her second! Babies grow up way too quickly! Now I hope I can get a video like this each year! :)

Happy Birthday Doodle-Bop!

2011-11-10T18:07:00.000-08:00

So hard to believe that Michaela Marie is the big TWO today!! Seems like yesterday that we brought home a very dark-haired chubby little baby...and now she is a very light-haired strong little toddler! In some ways she seems so much older because she is constantly trying to keep up with her older sisters. She is our little "repeat" as we call her. Anything they say, she repeats. Anything they do, she tries to do as well. She wants so badly to keep up and grow up and I try to hold on so tightly to these sweet little years. She was the easiest baby ever and has always been our sweet cuddly snuggler. Bed times and nap times are the best for soaking in the snuggles and loves. I am hoping the twos will get a little easier as her strong will and temperament have been a challenge lately! Lucky for her she is so cute and unlucky for us that half the time we try to discipline her or make that serious face we end up laughing out loud becuase of her sweet funny faces or antics! Happy Birthday little bug...our Michaela McDoodles...our Doodle-Bop...we love you so very very much! A year in pictures:

November 10, 2010

December 2010

January 2011

February 2011

March 2011

April 2011

May 2011

June 2011

July 2011

August 2011

September 2011

October 2011

and today, November 10, 2011

Baby Boy Hartsell Website

2011-07-12T14:08:00.000-07:00

We finally got baby boy Hartsell's website up and at least running. I am working on updating and inputting the journal entries and pictures, but at least it is up. We have done one of these keepsake CDs for each of the kids so far and it is a nice and memorable keepsake in their baby books and fun to look back at. So take a poll and leave him a message. We will keep you updated hopefully with news of his arrival and pics soon!!

Michaela's One Year Pics

2011-03-31T16:06:00.000-07:00

Today we FINALLY went and got Michaela's ONE Year pics done (yes her birthday was in November). I had had to cancel twice already due to black eyes, colds etc. But I had a big coupon that expired today and I was determined to use it! She did really well and here are some of the pics I got prints of: but also enjoy the ALBUM for some cute and funny shots. Our big girl!!

I love her lashes in this one, so angelic. haha

Anyone still out there?

2011-03-31T15:55:00.000-07:00

Well, I can't believe it has been close to one year since I last posted!! CRAZY. I have missed it, but life got so busy and then with a very SLOW and temperamental computer it has been rough to get anything done on here. I started realizing though how much we use this site for our own family reference of pictures, recipes, things and events we have done in the past and how much we enjoy looking back on it! Plus, I feel bad too because with so much of our family on the east coast it makes a very nice way to keep them informed and up to date on all the latest in the Hartsell House, especially since sending pictures and writing letters to everyone all the time doesn't happen very often! So....I am hoping to start doing some posting again and I am even going to try to back-post events from the past year so I can archive them here. So stay tuned and get ready, if you are still out there! :)

the Oompa Loompa Meets Itty Bitty

2010-07-14T00:02:00.000-07:00

Kissin Cousins

2010-07-13T23:54:00.001-07:00

She is one excited big cousin and loves holding babies

she said she wants another baby

Emma loves "her" baby Taylor

Michaela is not sure

Taylor is unsure

hey!! she makes loud noises!

Gotta love those slobbery kisses

Taylor Jean

2010-07-13T22:18:00.000-07:00

Well, for those of you who have NOT heard....my sister Caitlin had her beautiful baby girl on June 12th at 940am. Taylor Jean weighed in at 6 lbs 14 ounces and 19.5 inches long and dark hair. The Sullivans are all adjusting nicely as a family. I was glad to be there for the birth and really enjoy it from this end!! Enjoy the pics!

The Step

2010-07-13T15:30:00.001-07:00

We have a small step from our kitchen area into our family room. Once the kids start crawling they immediately start to try and master this step. Michaela learned how to crawl up it in one day and then the following day crawled down!! Usually it took several face plants and roll offs to get it, but she mastered it quickly! These pics were taken as she was discovering the step....could also be used as a teether apparently!

Hand me downs

2010-07-13T15:25:00.000-07:00

Since we have three girls....Michaela ends up wearing most of the same clothes her two big sisters have worn. We LOVE hand me downs. I took this picture the other day and it reminded me of a picture take two years ago with Angelica and Emma in them!!

Angelica and Emma

Emma and Michaela

First Warm Day

2010-07-13T15:19:00.001-07:00

On the first warm day of the summer, I broke out several pools. Of course, the little splash pad for Michaela ended up being the biggest hit with the older two as well!

Pretty in Pink

2010-07-13T15:15:00.001-07:00

Babble Beginnings

2010-07-13T15:13:00.000-07:00

This was taken a couple weeks ago when Michaela really started to babble. She can now say, mama, papa, da-da, and bu-bye or ba-ba for baby. Will have to try and catch those one day!

Aunt Alli Copycat

2010-07-13T15:10:00.000-07:00

Angelica loves her Aunt Alli and often says "I want to be like Aunt Alli one day to do this...." She especially loves playing piano with her and singing songs. So one day Alli was practicing and Angelica stood right along side her and pretended to be practicing as well....

Lovin the big girl tub

2010-07-13T14:50:00.001-07:00

It is getting a bit crowded!

2010-07-13T14:35:00.001-07:00

First Hair Cut

2010-07-12T23:31:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I gave Michaela her first hair cut!! She was born with a head full of hair and then ended up losing most of it. However, she had some very long strands around her ear and the part on top that never fell out....so it was a much needed trim! She did very well and looked cute as a button! Crazy though because I never had to give a first hair cut until well past one year with the other girls!!

Totally Emma

2010-07-12T23:28:00.000-07:00

Northwest Sunset

2010-07-12T23:27:00.001-07:00

Tea for Two

2010-07-12T23:25:00.000-07:00

Our budding poet

2010-07-12T23:22:00.000-07:00

Angelica LOVES to memorize anything, but especially has been enjoying poems. We have a prayer bible of poems we read before bed every night and when we come across a fun one, we memorize a stanza at a time. Enjoy!

First Foods

2010-07-12T23:11:00.000-07:00

So my goal with the babes...is always to go 6 months with exclusive breast feeding. Then after that I shoot for at least one year of nursing but with introducing foods. The two big girls went 15-16 months nursing and only stopped because I was pregnant and my milk production stopped. I always find it very bittersweet for me as I start the babes on food. It is as if they are not completely dependent on me anymore and makes me a bit sad. On the other hand, Michaela is LOVING her food and so far is a VERY good eater. She is currently loving cherries, peaches, avocado, yogurt, applesauce, and bananas. Really everything that we try with her. She gets very excited and demands it! But here are some pics and video of her first food.....some rice cereal on June 2nd! Where did my baby go??

Jumper Fun

2010-07-12T23:06:00.000-07:00

And I wonder why she always likes to bounce and jump while we are trying to hold her??

Thank Aunty Megs

2010-07-12T23:01:00.000-07:00

we always LOVE our Hanna outfits!

Whatever Works

2010-07-12T22:58:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my friend Jenny, we bought a used couch for $50 a couple months ago....hopefully to be in a play room one day. It is the perfect size for reading books on and as you can see.....many other fun uses. The girls were so excited about it, the first day they spent HOURS playing on it!

Puzzles

2010-07-12T22:46:00.000-07:00

It has been so fun watching Angelica get better and better with learning and playing games. She used to take FOREVER to finish or figure out one puzzle. Now, she can put all three of these together in less than 10 minutes!! And she wants MORE...starting on the smaller piece ones now! She loves the puzzle blocks too where you turn each piece to make different pictures!

I can do it myself!!

2010-07-12T22:42:00.000-07:00

For barely ever having a bottle, she figured out how to use one when she has to really fast!

Thanks Joanie

2010-07-12T22:39:00.000-07:00

We LOVE the big and little sister shirts...although the Little Sister doesn't seem so little anymore!

Memories

2010-07-12T22:27:00.000-07:00

For the past three+ years we have been living (renting) a house in the court where I grew up as a child...and that my best friend growing up lived in. It was weird moving in and seeing all the rooms that I used to play in and now watch my kids play in. My friend Sarah also has a little girl and our kids are now friends (Even more weird!). One day in May we had Abby over and the girls had a blast eating a picnic dinner on the front porch and watching a movie together....a totally like mother-like daughters moment....I want to find some pics of Sarah and I doing the same thing and post them together one day! They definitely had a lot of fun!

Apologies

2010-07-12T22:24:00.001-07:00

To all our family members who have texted, called and emailed with reminders of updating this blog.....apologies!!! I cannot believe it has been almost TWO months since I posted. Life took a hold and we just got BUSY! But get prepared for lots of back logged updates headed your way...if I can find the time to do it! I know this is a way for you to feel connected especially when so much distance separates us...so I hope to get some updates up soon! Miss and love you!

Taylor, the Latte Boy

2010-05-23T15:03:00.001-07:00

Alli recently performed at a Ballet Recital, singing Taylor the Latte Boy....very cute and funny song and she sings it beautifully....check it out...

The girls LOVE this song....last weekend I played it for them and they literally spent an HOUR watching and studying her and trying to learn the song...so cute.

Zoo Days

2010-05-23T14:52:00.001-07:00

We have really been enjoying our ZOO Membership (thanks sisters) this year already. One day last week it was so nice outside....and within minutes of waking up the girls wanted to go outside and play. I quickly realized we needed to go DO something, so off to the zoo we went. The other nice thing about having a membership is you can splurge a bit on treats like ice cream cones before we go!!

Preschool - Letters K & Q

2010-05-23T14:03:00.000-07:00

We really enjoyed K & Q week. The kids are getting faster and faster with their letter formations and doing the Handwriting Without Tears worksheets very well.
I found some cute little crowns and jewels and had them decorate them for kings and queens.

For K, I bought some Kix cereal, made a K with glue and had them stick the Kix on....they LOVED this. So easy!

For Q, we did some Q-tip painting...

...and made a Q-tip Dandelion.

Then it was cheese Quesadillas and Crustless Spinach and Mushroom Quiche (SO GOOD) for lunch, along with Kiwis and Kit-Kats for dessert!

Mothers Day Pics

2010-05-23T13:49:00.000-07:00

What could be more wonderful than a Mothers Day spent at church, with family, on a beautiful warm sunny Northwest day enjoying it with a cold strawberry daiquiri and a barbecue ... not much!

Poppy's Big Surprise

2010-05-20T17:46:00.000-07:00

My dad for several weeks was working on a special project. He bought the grand kids a big play set. He took time off of work and spent many weekends and nights working on this. He hauled in dirt to level the area, he stained all the pieces beautifully and put it all together. We had to keep the girls away for a bit until it was finished. So on Mothers Day, the big reveal happened. We were all anxious to see their reaction. Tried to catch it on video (until my camera died, errrr), it was so funny. Emma saw it and shocked said, "OH MARMEE! What is it?" And went right for it. Angelica headed right to the trampoline until she turned around in amazement and saw it! Emma has already clocked hours in on the swing and asks all the time to go to Poppy's house to play on it. What a treasure....not only because they will have so many memories playing on it over the years and with cousins but mostly because their Poppy built it for them!! Thank you Dad, you are amazing!!

Our Little Swimmer

2010-05-20T17:16:00.000-07:00

After being disappointed in a try at swimming lessons at the Aquatic Center, we decided to try it again at the Olympic Swim Center (at Olympic High School) because Angelica really LOVED the water. So a couple weeks ago she started taking twice a week and is really enjoying it....so much so that it is a daily question (sometimes hourly) of "Do I go to swimming lessons today?" I have already seen improvement with her going under the water and just being more comfortable. The swim instructors she has have been excellent!! Hoping maybe we can do a summer session as well!! Of course Emma is so jealous and just dying to get in the water herself....poor girl, patience!!

Preschool Day - M & D

2010-05-20T16:59:00.000-07:00

Thought the Handwriting Without Tears idea for letter formation for M was great....had a Mouse chasing the cheese to get them to write the letter correctly. Loving it!

We did these letters at the beginning of May for Mothers Day. So M and D went nicely. We went and tried a Cinco de Mayo celebration at the local library....however it was a bust....I think they prepared for about 10-20 kids and had more like 60!! We made Dog paper bag puppets which were fun. They got to color the template and then we put them together.

Then they made Mothers Day Necklaces for us out of different kinds of Macaroni noodles. Angelica really enjoyed stringing these on and I HAD to wear the necklace a lot! I got lots of smiles when people saw it!

Another good day of learning fun, with Muffins they Mixed and Melons to go with a yummy lunch.

Can we water??

2010-05-20T16:02:00.000-07:00

This is the question I hear about twenty times a day!!

Finding Daddy's Hat

2010-05-20T15:42:00.001-07:00

Date Night with Marmee

2010-05-20T15:37:00.001-07:00

Marmee took Angelica to a ballet recital a couple weeks ago. Aunt Alli was singing a couple songs at it, which I need to post as well! Angelica has grown up going to shows and LOVES it. She got to wear a new dress Marmee got her for her birthday...insisted on wearing her pearl necklace and bracelet and having a purse. (I realized we need to get her a dress purse.) It was so cute she wanted to put money, chapstick and tissues in it and she did!! She was so excited and had a FABULOUS time and now wants to do ballet even more!! Thanks mom, she had a great night!

Fries and Fountains

2010-05-20T15:20:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite places to go as a treat is the Fritz European Fry House in downtown Bremerton by the ferry. They have a selection of dipping sauces you can get for the delicious fries and the girls love the chicken strips. So we usually get some chicken and fries (the beer is good too!) and enjoy sitting out by the water fountain. The girls LOVE it and also chasing the seagulls and watching the ferry boats go by. Last week we made our first trip of the season. It was a bit chilly so we ate inside, but didn't stop the girls from wanting to play in the water fountain!

Setting the Table

2010-05-20T15:17:00.001-07:00

We have been practicing setting the table and the girls love to have their tea parties...so lately any kind of table transforms into a table for two! Gotta love the blanket as a tablecloth and their dishes!!

Where is Angelica??

2010-05-20T15:15:00.001-07:00

This is how I found her late one night when I checked in on her before I went to bed....I couldn't find her at first then realized I should take a picture...this is after removing blankets off of her! Silly girl.

Poor Baby

2010-05-20T15:11:00.000-07:00

Michaela had her first fever a couple weeks ago with an ear infection. She was not feeling well and would get hot except for her legs and feet.....so I put her in a onesie and then our favorite baby legs!! These are great for under pants in the winter especially if you are outside....or under dresses or in times such as these!!

What more could a girl want?

2010-05-20T15:04:00.000-07:00

...other than a tiara and heels?

Birthday Party

2010-05-17T18:57:00.001-07:00

Angelica was so excited about her party that we celebrated on Sunday of her birthday weekend. She wanted spaghetti and bread and carrots for dinner. She requested a heart and strawberry party with pink and red, so those were the colors I decorated with. She insisted on wearing her Princess dress for the party, so I bought her a crown to go with it. They enjoyed some bubble blowing time outside and she had so much fun with all the attention. She got some wonderful gifts from her Saint Rose doll, to a coloring book Alli made her, new swimming gear, a Writing-tracing game, new puzzle, books, clothes etc. A spoiled princess indeed. Thanks to everyone for making her birthday weekend so special! Lots of good pics at the end....all smiles that night!

Trying out the new big bubble maker

New Princess Dress Up Shoes

Aunty Megs and Uncle Chris gave her swimming lessons, a cap, goggles and new swimsuit...she has loved all of them!

Practicing

This year she wanted a Heart Cake. I thought it would change but after months that was still what she wanted. So I did a double layer Red Velvet Heart Cake.....so yummy....and teh REAL red velvet icing recipe. I did increase sugar to 2 cups, only used one bottle of red food coloring, used 1 cup oil instead of shortening and doubled the cocoa powder. Angelica wanted hearts and strawberries on the heart cake as well, so I found some heart sprinkles and then cut strawberries in half to look like hearts.

Daddy Daughter Date

2010-05-17T16:59:00.000-07:00

When I was growing up one of the main reasons I looked forward to my birthdays was because of my daddy daughter date time! So when we started having kids, Jason decided that he would like to continue that tradition that provided so many special memories for me. So on Saturday of Angelica's birthday weekend, Jason took Angel out to wherever she wanted (well we had to cut some things out as her list was very long!). So they first went to Barnes and Noble and enjoyed some hot chocolate and picked out a book and then hit the pretzel place. Then they went to Toys R Us and she picked out a big bubble maker. Next stop was Goodwill.....where she picked out an entire dress up wardrobe all my herself....and when I first saw the items she had them all on!! I should have gotten a picture then. Not too bad....the hat made me laugh and well the shoes should fit for years to come! So cute....she (and Papa) had a blast! She is already talking about where to go next year!

Four Year Photo Shoot

2010-05-17T16:12:00.001-07:00

Angelica's Birthday

2010-05-17T15:46:00.001-07:00

This year Angel's birthday was on a Friday. I have decided to try and do something special on their birthday with just that particular child, a special mommy time. So my sister Caitlin came over that morning so I could take Angelica out for a nice brunch at our favorite coffee place down the road, Cafe Bella. She ordered French Toast and a hot chocolate. She was in heaven, especially because the hot chocolate came with whip cream and sprinkles. She was so grown up and carried on "adult" conversation the entire time. I asked her what her favorite things were that happened when she was three. She responded: "Going to swimming lessons, doing school, going potty and having Michaela." hehe, laughed at that one...still thinks I think that we just magically got baby out of my tummy and she picked us up. We had a very fun morning, she was so excited about all her weekend birthday plans all day.
She got to open her gifts from Aunt Caitlin and Uncle Casey because they were not going to be at her party. She has been loving the outside garden tools!!

Emma was still sick, so that night Caitlin and Alli and then friends Sarah and her daughter Abby went with us to Red Robin for dinner, a girls night out. While we were waiting to be seated, Sarah gave Angel a quarter for the stuffed animal claw drop...and she not only won but picked up TWO!! I don't know how many times I tried that thing growing up and NEVER won. She was quite excited.

After dinner, we had them sing to Angelica and she was so shocked, happy and embarrassed. She held on to me and stared at me the entire time!! We thought she might start crying but she just couldn't believe they were singing to her at a restaurant! We got a long good laugh out of it....and Caitlin - finally here is the video clip you have been waiting to see!!

Our Little Composer

2010-05-17T15:34:00.001-07:00

Not sure why Angelica thought it was necessary to put her play tea chair on the piano bench....but I secretly was able to tape her the other day while she was composing (until she caught me). Apparently her doodle board makes a great place to write your music (easy to erase your mistakes) and gotta love the songs....all from the Music Man (she saw her Aunt Alli in the show and still LOVES it!).

And then our Monkey-Do (aka, Emma) had to take a shot....

Preschool Day - R & N

2010-05-17T15:07:00.000-07:00

For the letters, R & N, we had so many ideas we had to limit ourselves! We did the letter formations first, with Handwriting Without Tears worksheets.

Then it was story time, we try to find books that go with the letters, or the words we are learning that day or crafts we are doing.

We learned about rainbows and the colors that make them.

Then they got to paint their own rainbows and of course the letter for their name.

We made "rainbow flyers" out of paper plates and tissue paper. Ours is STILL hanging up as decoration.

Then the kids got to help with some of their favorite activities....making the EDIBLE items. We made chocolate bird nests and they LOVED them. I just used the chocolate candy melts (Michaels sells them) and then we had leftover Easter egg candy (jelly beans would work for eggs too) and topped with marshmallow birds. YUMMY

To go with lunch, I had rainbow color fruit separated in bowls and had the kids put them on wooden skewers (again found at Michaels) in the order of the rainbow....they really enjoyed this a lot...although Emma had a hard time not eating all the strawberries!!

Toe Dancin

2010-05-12T18:16:00.000-07:00

For the last several months, whenever a show or movie ends and the music starts the credits rolling...Emma jumps up and starts swaying and dancing. She does this dance where she points her toes side to side....so cute!! Silly sweet Emma.

School Trip to Zoo

2010-05-12T17:55:00.000-07:00

For our Z week, we decided it would be fun to go to the zoo. We have season passes to Point Defiance Zoo so that is where we went. We had PERFECT weather and a great time. All the animals were awake and active so that always makes it more fun. The kids do love the Kid Zone and never want to leave, hopefully we will have many more trips there this summer!!

Getting more daring and making mama more nervous!

She loves to slide Sweet Sisters

Emma would feed the goats all day long if I let her or had enough quarters

Enjoying first trip to the Zoo

Another favorite...although not happy that we now have to pay to ride...ridiculous, we are filing a complaint!

They wanted to ride on the sleigh together

Preschool Day - E & Z

2010-05-12T17:24:00.000-07:00

Shortly after Easter, we had a preschool day so we decided to do the letters E & Z. We still LOVE the Handwriting Without Tears program and worksheets, teaches great letter formation and fun ways to learn the technique.

During Holy Week I had wanted to make Resurrection Eggs, but did nto get to it. So we decided to make them here. THEY ARE AWESOME. The kids decorated the boxes and then filled the numbered eggs as we talked about the Easter Story. It was so amazing to see what they knew and understood. I used the list on the link above...but you could make more eggs for different symbols...next year might do it for two dozen since these were such a hit. I found all the items just around the house and did not have to go buy anything!! Angelica has been doing it almost every day since, will have to get a video soon. Kids love the tangible, hands on ways they can tell stories and it sticks with them longer.

We made the delicious Resurrection Rolls for a snack and to show the Empty tomb....they really enjoyed making these by themselves and thought it was very funny that Jesus was a marshmallow and how we rolled Him up! We will definitely be making these again!

To practice Z - I gave them graham crackers with peanut butter on them and they had to make the letter with pretzel sticks and chocolate chips...then they got to eat them of course!!

And what better way to celebrate Easter and the letter E but with an Egg hunt!!

For the letter Z we went on a trip to the ZOO! Pics to follow...

Loving the Easter Duck? Bunny?

2010-05-12T17:20:00.000-07:00

The older girls have had a blast playing the crazy Easter Bunny-Duck for Michaela. Michaela stares at it, tries to grab it and gets so excited keeps throwing herself backwards.

Always Happy & Laughing Baby

2010-05-08T15:42:00.000-07:00

Too Big

2010-05-08T15:34:00.001-07:00

We had to retire our baby swing a few weeks ago....especially when I came in the room and saw Michaela like this!! Just chillin, happy...but so glad she was strapped in!!! Jason and I have joked that with Michaela we finally got our money's worth for this swing. Angelica would go in for a bit....Emma hated it and Michaela LIVED in it for the first several months of life. Bittersweet to put it away...

Multi-Purpose Boppy

2010-05-08T15:31:00.000-07:00

We love the boppy....I use it a lot in the hospital to nurse with....at home my babies sleep in them for the first several weeks....they help when they are learning to sit up...and sometimes just serve as a good pillow when you get sleepy....

Little Gardeners

2010-05-08T15:24:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we took advantage of some nice weather and got all of our plants in. After each hanging basket I would give it to the girls to get watered. They loved planting all the seeds with Papa for our garden....but for some reason they really loved just filling up the watering cans all day!! And Michaela wasn't too sure what to make of being outside!!

After Bath Dress Up

2010-05-08T00:08:00.000-07:00

After baths, the girls get to play in Angelica's room for a bit. They LOVE to take all the dress up clothes out of the closet and play....this night for some reason Angelica got to wear the dress and Emma, well...got to wear the cape!!

Tea Party for Two

2010-05-08T00:03:00.000-07:00

CHEERS!!

Excited..

2010-05-07T16:11:00.000-07:00

...about her exersaucer. She has really been enjoying this and I am thinking that we need to get her jumper out soon....maybe work a little weight off of those chubby thighs!! Can't believe how big she is getting!

Taylor's baby shower

2010-05-07T16:08:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, friends threw Caitlin and baby Taylor a shower. My camera of course decided to have the flash break so most of the pictures were dark....but here are two that came out...

the excited grandmas

two anxious aunties

"On the Rock" Photo Shoot

2010-05-07T15:57:00.000-07:00

Down at the end of my parent's long driveway, there is this great rock. The kids usually love to jump off of it or climb all over it...but we decided it also makes a great place to take some pictures...and not bad with four little ones in the cold!!

Not a lot of room on the rock anymore...

Silly cousins

I think they definitely look related here

Silly Angelica

Hard to believe...

Pictures of Marmee and her baby-grands

Tacoma Children's Museum

2010-05-07T15:37:00.000-07:00

Back in April when Megs and Albert were in town, we went one day to the Children's Tacoma Museum. We were even able to walk there because my sister Caitlin lives right down the road! It was our first time there and the girls LOVED it, might have to get a pass. They had all kinds of different areas, block mats, a kitchen shopping station, gardening area, arts and crafts, movie time area etc. The girls made necklaces, built towers, painted, played store and loved these Magnet Slides to build with. We were there during bubble time when they walk around and make bubbles all over for the kids to pop, lots of fun....definitely going back!

Taking Marmee's sandwich order

Never too old to play

Loved the art station and just HAD to paint!

Making necklaces is serious work

VERY cool magnet slides to build with

Angelica LOVES to trace

Lots of bubbles to pop....my mom liked their bubble blower so much, she ordered one!!

Makes Me Laugh

2010-04-15T23:03:00.001-07:00

This video of Michaela laughing at Jason makes me laugh just watching it!

Hummingbird Watchers

2010-04-15T22:34:00.000-07:00

My mom has a hummingbird feeder on her back deck and the kids LOVE it (almost as much as she does!). Emma and Albert especially are quite the bird lovers. But you have to watch the VIDEO below because Marmee thought it would be fun to give the wee ones a spin in the chair....well it usually is a lot of fun, but not this time!!

Hummingbirds where are you?

And they found them!

Almost....Park Weather

2010-04-15T22:03:00.000-07:00

We tried to have a lunch break at a local park one afternoon when Albert was here. It ended up being VERY cold and a bit wet, but we tried to make the most of it....and then went to get hot coffee!!

Michaela's first trip to the Park!

Happy....before she fell off this swing!

Very cold, but happy!

Angelica loved helping Albert climb

Fun Aunt Alli!!

Wagon and Car Rides

2010-04-15T21:49:00.000-07:00

My sister Megs and her hubby and Albert were here over Easter break. Even though it SNOWED, and was cold and rainy...we managed to get the kids outside for some fun. They loved the wagon and car rides...especially up and down Marmee and Poppy's big hill!!

Perfect Pigtails

2010-04-15T21:39:00.000-07:00

TOTALLY EMMA

Easter Stories

2010-04-15T21:37:00.001-07:00

Angelica thought she would read some Easter stories to Michaela...funny how she mixes all her stories up!

Too Much Easter

2010-04-15T21:30:00.000-07:00

After dinner we took the kids up to Marmee's big bath tub to clean them up and Miss Michaela crashed!! She was out...so tired after a very early morning and very long day. She even slept 11 hours straight that night!!

Fabulous Easter Recipes

2010-04-15T20:30:00.000-07:00

Easter dinner was as delicious as it was beautiful! The table looked so pretty (thank you Caitlin for our Easter Egg place settings)...although we are out-growing my parents big table very fast...so the kids had their own little table. We keep joking my dad that he will have to extend his dining room again so that we all can keep eating together!

We tried some new recipes this year....I still need to get the delicious lamb marinade my mom did this year and we grilled it, so good! I made a new Oven-Roasted Vegetables recipe....DELICIOUS!!! I had never had fennel before (we all LOVED IT!) or fingerling potatoes...they looked pretty especially the purple ones and tasted so good. Everyone raved about this dish and I will definitely be making again. Super easy and super delightful!! For desserts, I made by Alli's request our now traditional Crunchy Chocolate Eggs...they disappear fast! I made a new Pampered Chef recipe for dessert too, Strawberry-Coconut Tres Leches Trifle - very pretty and yummy! My mom made a very yummy lemon cake with cute bunnies on top...still need that recipe as well!!

The Hunt

2010-04-15T20:07:00.001-07:00

Marmee did an egg hunt for the kids...luckily it was nice enough to do it outside!! First year!! Angelica took off and was too fast to get any pictures of...we had to slow her down so some would be left for Emma and Albert.

Ooohh....Eggs!

What exactly do I do with this?
This is fun!

Checking out each other's loot!

Guilty Emma

2010-04-15T20:04:00.000-07:00

Easter Baskets - Round Two

2010-04-15T19:51:00.000-07:00

Sorry Michaela, no candy...but two teething rings!

Loving her Easter gift!

Baskets - Round One

2010-04-15T17:08:00.000-07:00

The kids were so spoiled...they got two Easter baskets. We have always hid them and they have to find them. So Marmee hid hers first and they went searching...(and yes it is a tradition to wear bunny ears while doing baskets!)

Found them!

Checking out the goods

I would rather sleep

Michaela's first Easter basket, darn...I will just have to eat that candy for her!

Our Easter Beauties

2010-04-15T16:23:00.000-07:00

Cousin...Love?

2010-04-15T16:07:00.001-07:00

We were all laughing at Angel and Emma trying to get Albert still enough to get a pic and give him some kisses....Angelica thought it was hilarious and well...Emma just wanted to get it over with to have some jelly beans!

Really? kisses?

Ok Emma, I got him, lay on the kiss!

Tradition

2010-04-15T15:56:00.000-07:00

So a couple Thanksgivings ago, we took an automatic picture of the whole family present and it turned out so well!! So on Easter I was determined to give it a try. I put a stuffed bear by the camera for the kids to look at and say Happy Easter too....this is the best one...NOT BAD!!

Mandatory Photo Session

2010-04-15T14:47:00.000-07:00

Here is a slide show from all our fun family Easter celebrations....too many to post...but I will pull out my favs. There are some pretty pics in here of the church and lots of the kiddos...it was so nice to be with all the family and spend the day together!!

The Hartsells

Albert, Our Godson

The Sullivans

Uncle Casey & Michaela - GREAT PIC

The Sturhahn Family

Marmee & Poppy and their Baby-Grands

All the "kids"

Sisters (and yes I am the oldest and shortest!)

My Mama and her girls

Baby's First Easter

2010-04-15T14:40:00.001-07:00

The Bean Jar

2010-04-15T14:34:00.000-07:00

Easter morning Emma was a bit grumpy (it was EARLY!)...however, that changed really soon when they realized that their bean jar that had been filling up all of Lent with sacrifice beans...had turned into yummy JELLY BEANS! The last picture cracks me up because Angel was all giggles and Emma was begging to at least eat one before church! Of course, Happy Easter!

Confused?!

2010-04-14T20:33:00.000-07:00

I think the weather here got very confused a couple weeks ago when it snowed several inches at my parents house!! (Ironically we only live about 15 minutes away and it did not snow at all here!) The girls enjoyed playing in it while it lasted though! Hopefully we will get some next winter and the snowsuits I bought THIS year that never got used might get worn!

Three's a Charm

2010-04-14T20:28:00.000-07:00

...at least that is how the saying goes...and that is true for my folks who will welcome three grandbabies in one year!! My sister Megs is pregnant and the new bundle of joy is due November 1st (a great due date!)...little Albert is now a BIG brother!! And I already got to hear his/her heartbeat!

Corporal Works of Mercy

2010-04-14T20:26:00.000-07:00

Angelica loved learning the Corporal Works of Mercy and sings the song all the time. Emma well...has caught on too!!

My Little Impatient Baker

2010-04-14T20:24:00.001-07:00

Beds are overrated

2010-04-14T20:18:00.000-07:00

Lately, Angelica has decided that it is lots of fun to make beds all over the house...using any pillows and blankets she can find. Here she is trying to fool me into thinking she is fast asleep...

...NOT!...

And this is when she is supposed to be taking a nap...in her bed!