Happy Birthday, Jenna!

I just had to post some of Jenna's birthday pictures from today.  I'll catch up on December pics later.  :)

Today is Jenna's 4th birthday!  We're having a small family birthday party for her on Saturday, but still had to celebrate on her actual birthday.  Drew and I hung some decorations to help make her feel extra special.  She still loves her princesses and the color pink, so that's the theme I went with.  We hung this Happy Birthday sign on the wall, pink streamers in front of her bedroom door,some birthday decorations on the kitchen table, a few birthday presents at her seat, the "Your Are Special Today" plate  on a bed tray, and a Princess balloon.  As Drew has told me, I sure love to celebrate!  :)

She loved her Princess birthday sign!

We surprised her with breakfast in bed.  We've made it a tradition to serve the kids breakfast in bed, although "breakfast" usually just consists of a donut - nothing terribly messy.  Then they also get to open one present in bed. 

She got a Princess flashlight that also turns into a lantern.  She's been carrying it around all day.  :)

Birthday girl, Jenna

Now for the rest of her breakfast - egg whites over easy (crazy girl doesn't like the yellow yolk) and orange juice, along with a few more presents.

Thank you Aunt Cathy for my present!  I look forward to using it once the snow is gone.  :)

Plus some pretty headbands and a fun craft project - sticky mosaics.

Yesterday we did some pre-birthday celebrating since Drew was still off work.  We decided to take the kids to Jumpy's (an inflatable play area).  The kids really enjoyed their time there, as did we!  I love family time!

Whee!!

Daddy even went down some of the slides with the kids.

I went down once...and that was enough for me with my big belly.  :)

The Jumpy's mascot came out to say hi.  The kids waved to him, but didn't want to get too close for a picture.  :)

We had a great time celebrating Jenna's birthday!  Now we look forward to celebrating some more at her party on Saturday.

Random November

Here are just a few random pictures from November:

We never had problems with Jenna drawing on the walls; however, Grant is another story!  I just had to capture this instance where he decided to decorate our bathroom wall (and floor) with a little artwork.  Don't worry, I pulled him in the bathroom later that day and had him stand there for a picture without him realizing it was next to his "masterpiece," so I wasn't reinforcing the bad behavior.

Jenna working on an art project - she LOVES painting!

Bath time can be so much fun!

Drew was out of town the week we went to see Santa with my family.  We had actually already visited Santa at a different mall with Drew, so he was still able to witness the kids on Santa's lap.

I LOVE this picture of them!  Both smiling and looking at the camera - and Jenna's arm's around Grant's shoulder.  So sweet!  I'll just pretend that's how they always act toward each other.  :)

Thanksmas

We had a GREAT time with Drew's family over Thanksgiving.  Everyone flew in Wednesday evening and left Saturday afternoon.  Unfortunately, I came down with some sort of illness while everyone was here and wasn't around as much as I would have liked.  :(  But, nevertheless, I enjoyed the time I did get with them, as did Drew and the kids.

These are pictures off Cathy's camera from our weekend together.  The last five pictures are from our camera. 

Cathy and Grant

Cathy brought some fun things for the kids (and adults!) to play with, like these facial hair stickers.  Too funny!

Love it!

B was reading one of her kids' favorite Halloween books from their childhood - Rabbit and Skunk and Spooks.  It was fun for Drew to hear his Mom read the story again.

Family Meal Time

Playtime!

Oops...forgot to turn this picture before adding it.

Love this!  It just captures his fun-loving personality.

Dress-up time

The lovely ladies working in the kitchen - thanks for all you did while I was sick in bed!!

Natalie enjoying the kid's swing.

B brought a big Christmas coloring and activity book and then had the kids (and adults) color some place mats for our meal.  I don't care how old you are, coloring is always fun and makes you feel like a kid again!

Jenna loved the color-by-number pictures.

Great picture of Mom, Brian, and Natalie!

Great picture of the two of them with a beautiful sunset in the background.

Getting ready for the Christmas portion of our get together.  The numbered presents are all laid out and ready!

Grant sitting in his new camping chair from B.

Present guessing time!

Jenna was so excited about her dress and Princess underwear from B!!

Great picture of Grant!

One of Grant's present - a stomp rocket from Aunt Cathy.  So much fun!

Jenna snuggling on the couch with Aunt Cathy.

Cathy is contemplating buying a motorcycle, so she took Drew's dirt bike out for a spin.  I love the look on her face!

Playtime with Daddy

Family picture (minus James).  We missed you James!

Who needs toys when you have a box?

Jenna sitting in her camping chair from B.

Jenna helped B with her "power list" - telling us (adult) kids whether we guessed the right present.

Jenna and B playing Memory using her new Go Fish cards.

Grant got some tools from B, so he was fixing our refrigerator for us.  Thanks bud!  ;)

As always, we LOVED having everyone here and look forward to when we'll all be together again.

Random October

Here are some random pictures from October - I couldn't resist posting these!  I love my kids!

Grant in the dress-up clothes.  At least he's wearing the cowboy hat, even if it is with the blue Cinderella skirt.  ;)

We were watching some movie or TV show, along with a popcorn snack.  Look at those intense stares!

Grant pulled out the muffin tin and baking cups all by himself and started putting them in the spots.  It turned into a great fine motor activity, as well as something to keep him busy!

Each year we participate in Operation Christmas Child.  We decided we'd fill a box for a child in each of their age ranges.  It's such a great ministry and opportunity to talk to the kids about giving to those in need.

It was sprinkling just a little, but Jenna wanted to put on her raincoat, boots, and use her umbrella. She had fun tromping around in the backyard.

This was Jenna's first stick figure drawing.  She had gotten the paper on her own and drawn this picture when she showed it to me.  She said she drew Daddy holding a bowl of cereal.  I love it!

Drew was going dirt biking, so the kids and I went out to watch him get ready.  Of course they wanted to sit on the bike too!

Sorry to break it to you guys, but Mommy will not be ready for you to join Daddy for quite a few years from now!!!

We recently tackled some home improvement projects - one being painting the kid's bathroom and tiling the floor.  Jenna wanted to help touch-up the baseboards, so Drew (bravely) gave her a small paintbrush and let her help some. 

Pizza time!