Macie had a big day on her birthday! I was told I went a little bit overboard, but .... Princess party in the morning, and a family party that evening. Girls made their own magical wands with ribbon, colored paper dolls and dressed in beads, bracelets and earrings. They were cute in pink! Princess party ended with PINK lemonade, and lunch and cupcakes.

Macie's Preschool Program was in December for her All Shapes and Sizes Preschool Class. They have been practicing their songs for a long time. Before the program, we went to supper at McDonald's with Aimee, Becca and Baylee.

Some of the girls in Macie's morning class, look at their beautiful dresses !!

Spring Break 2009. I never would have guessed we would be able to travel to Florida. We usually travel north to MN each summer. This trip was a nice change of scenery, and nice weather in the month of March! We enjoyed the swimming pools at the resort and visited the Magic Kingdom, Universal Studios, and Downtown Disney. We also celebrated Dave's birthday in Florida - what a treat for him! What a great memory for the kids to finally meet Mickey and Minnie Mouse! Riding the rides and enjoying the vacation!

This weekend was busy with wedding. Wedding rehearsal, rehearsal dinner and wedding. Really. It was a great time with friends!! Weekends do not get any better than this. Congrats to Dustin and Sarah. It makes me happy to see two good friends start their life together!

Ryan Hanging out at Grandma's








Macie helping with the stakings.












Macie on phone, Ready to play outside!









This is what Christmas is about!

Once again, I let this blog go to the back of my mind, and probably lost all of my readers, again. I know that I have lots of things to bring you up to speed, and lets start with Macie's Birthday Party, Hanna Montana Style. She had lots of fun with friends and family!

So it's been a month since I have posted. All I know in the past month is we haven't been home AT ALL. We are busy visiting friends, family, or working. Lately, it's been all work and no play. Before I had to go into work on Sunday, we took the kids to Millennium Farms, in Oxford Indiana. This was a great experience for the kids. We are planning to go back later this month - weather permitting. We took the hayride, picked four big pumpkins, and they are now at home waiting to be carved. That will be a fun mess at home! Project outside!



Macie is having a BLAST at preschool. Not only is her BFFs from daycare in the same class, but they do important things like circle time and snack time. Can it get any better for a three-year-old? I don't think so. She is doing great at identifying all the letters in the alaphabet. She is also great help around the house, honoring the title, BIG SISTER.



This is my little man. He is handsome, and sweet on all the girls. There is a little girl in daycare, he loves on her and kisses her hand. What a gentleman. He loves to play with his tractors. He is especially fond of the stairs at home. He has a great vocabulary for his age, his favorite word is "cracker". That is his favorite snack!

After a little coaxing, Macie finally fed the calf. Dave did a few chores while the guys were gone to the Indiana State Fair. This calf would have been more than happy to eat more than one bottle.

Macie started preschool last week. What a hoot. She goes on Tuesday and Thursdays. Every other day is heartbreak for her when she doesn't get to go. All these girls go to the same daycare. We car pool. It's my pleasure to pick them up after preschool. It makes me appreciate my job even more that it's flexible enough to pick up four smiling princesses. From left to right, Bailee, Becca, Peyton, and Macie

Today is my birthday. I took care of my own gifts and went shopping this weekend. So,I decided to wear a new shirt today. Today might be the last day I wear this shirt. Someone asked me if I was expecting. Oops. I will let it slip.

Flowers and balloons were delivered today, too.

Next weekend we will be celebrating RD's first birthday. "Time Flies" is a good one. "They grow up too fast" is another one. You don't have to tell me, I see it everyday. I wish the weekends were longer, and the days were longer. I am not sure how longer they can get when it gets dark at 10 p.m. It is hard to convince kids to get to bed when it is still light outside.

Last night RD said Tractor. He is still working on singing Happy Birthday, and it comes out "Hap-Brit". Close. Cute.
This morning when we were loading up in the car, he said "Bye, Sis"
MM loves this talking, and I am surprised RD is talking this early, especially when MM gets all the talking in, just like the Big Guy.

Reading the blog, we are back to June, only in 2008. We should post more often, and stay in touch. My kids keep me busy. I am lucky to have healthy, happy children. MM reminds me to pray at supper. That is unbelievable. RD knows when I need kisses and love from him. That is unbelievable.

A Prayer in Spring

by Robert Frost

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid-air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,
The which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends He will,
But which it only needs that we fulfill.

This picture of MM was taken before vacation. Corn on the cob is the best example of summer. When the sweet corn is gone so is summer. Summer really went by fast. The Big Guy commented how early it's turning dark. September is almost here. Not every project got done outside..again. This weekend I went outside and pulled weeds for one last time. The plants were looking like I needed to water them. We had about an inch and half of rain this weekend.

Every Wednesday in Longville during the summertime, HUNDREDS of people flock to this little town. The main road is blocked off for the weekly turtle race. Longville, MN is the Turtle Racing Capital of the World. MM was in Heat #7, There are 10 turtles in each heat. She WON! The Big Guy is experienced in this competition, so I guess he picked the winning turtle. My job was to take photos and keep the camera rolling. All the heat winners come back at the end of all the races (37 heats total) and compete against each other time. Looks a little crowded to me. The Big Guy got right in there. The lovely lady on the left about stepped on MM's turtle when she was on her way out of the circle. So that was the end of racing for this year. MM got a free ice cream from Frosty's . By the way, we love their Kemps cotton candy ice cream!