Summer fun

When we were up at Brian and Katie's I got some of their pictures that they had from the summer on their camera.  So, since it's officially 0 degrees out right now, I'm going to post them so we can all remember what it felt like to go outside without a hundred layers of clothing.  And what we looked like when we weren't pasty white.

 

Up at the lake for Ella's b-day

 Hanging out at Grandma & Grandpa's

 

Ty's 1st Birthday

Last weekend we headed up to Grand Forks for Ty's 1st birthday.  The girls had an extra long break for Thanksgiving, so it was a perfect time to make the trek up there. 

 

 Big boy practicing his walking

 Poor guy wasn't feeling great - Katie thinks he's teething, along with probably a touch of the crud that's going around.

 The girls had a ball - spent a lot of time coloring and playing, and just being happy to see each other! 

 Playing nicely...

 ...until Ty decided he wanted in on the fun.

 Grandpa had to do some refereeing

 Calvin and I stayed at a hotel while we were there, as they just have one spare room, and Kailee and Jocelyn slept in the family room.  It was great to have some time to ourselves, and the kids came over and enjoyed the pool on Saturday.  Saturday night we had a babysitter for the kids, and the 6 of us went out to dinner and then to a hockey game.  It was nice to have some adult time to visit! 

 Helping make the cupcakes

 He wouldn't do this on command, but I think he knows he's one...

 Sadly, the party ended up being just us.  Saturday night Brian got sick, and didn't come out of bed all day.  Katie's mom was sick in bed with a fever too, and Calvin started not feeling well Sunday afternoon.  Since the other guests had kids, they all decided they would rather not get sick.  So, luckily Ty had no idea, or he would have been one sad dude!  Brian did come out to see him eat his cupcake, then went right back to bed.  The girls were very excited for the party (Ella mostly for the cupcakes) and didn't mind at all that it was just us.

 

 After waiting all day, she was finally able to eat a cupcake!

 The girls were more than willing to help Ty open his presents.  He wasn't really into it, so he was happy to have them help.

 Sad little sick guy

 They also had fun sharing his toys.  Aren't big sisters and cousins the best?!

Then on Monday we had to head home.  In the snow.  On the icky slippery roads.  It literally snowed the entire way home.  It was an awful 9 hours.  Thankfully the girls did wonderful and Calvin was feeling better so he shared in the driving time (did most of it, actually).  Good thing we had a really fun weekend to make up for it!  

Jocelyn's 5th Birthday

A little late getting these up, but that's how it goes!  My baby turned 5 last month!  How is that possible?!  She was very excited to turn 5 and very excited for her "rainbow, princess, Doc, pajama" party.  Obviously I let her pick whatever she wanted, and being my creative girl that she is, couldn't have one boring theme! 

 

 

She had lots of fun running thru these, and made us keep them up until Thanksgiving! 

 This was not my favorite cake, but it's the one she wanted, so it was fine. 

 

 Yummy!

 She said she was going to let Henry and Elliot help her open her presents, but neither of them were too interested in helping.  She got so many nice presents - lots of craft projects, some clothes, wall stickers, a Nerf gun from Uncle Cory, and Brian and Katie sent her a light up pillow.

 Elliot decided towards the end that he did want to get in on the action.

 Henry modeling the beautiful princess crowns

 All the guests looked so great in their pj's - and I hope she picks that again next year - I love wearing pj's!

 Cory teaching them how to load it up

 She was so glad her cousins came to her party to celebrate!  We missed Evan - he and Angie stayed home and enjoyed a quiet day to themselves.

 This is Elliot's smile :)

 

 And here are her 5 year bear pictures. 

 Practicing all her faces...

Sad

 Surprised

 Furious (can you tell they're learning about feelings in school?)

 Bored

So far she's enjoying being 5, but "it kinda feels like being 4."  She's having a great time in 4K, and is learning lots of new things.  She still loves to color, draw, write (cards, books, lists), make things for people and wrap them, do crafts and projects, play with her stuffed animals (today she's having a birthday party for panda, who's turning 7 - I wasn't invited to the party, which is why I have time to blog), play Legos and games, is coming along well with her reading when she has the patience to sit and do it, "play" with the dogs, and is so excited for the snow so she can build an igloo.  She has a wonderful imagination and is still a very thoughtful and sensitive girl.  She makes us smile every day, and we're so thankful to have her in our lives.  Happy Birthday my precious girl!