Happy Birthday Sweet Big Girl!!

Olivia is 10 today. She had a great time rollerskating with her sisters and friends. 10 - sigh, sniff.

The Jingle Bell Run

All bundled up on a cold race day.













This picture is not very clear, but they are wearing their jingle bell shirts and medals.






Go Olivia go. You can catch her.... and she did!! Good job.









GO Mary! Go Alexandra! Mary won her race and Alexandra cried the whole short race because she was afraid of the people in costumes at the finish line. It was so cute and funny.










On your mark, get set.... GO!

There is something about a leaf pile...

...that is soooo irresistible!

A night in the Windy City

Take two.... now everyone is happy.










Take one... Alexandra is asleep and Annabelle didn't get any Starbucks hot chocolate:(





No trip to Chicago with a 9yr old girl would be complete w/o going to the American Girl store.















One last shot with the giraffes at the Lincoln Park Zoo.




Peter's sister Kathryn and baby Elizabeth joined us on our trip. It was great to see some of the west coast family.










Olivia helped Annabelle see things from her vantage point.










This lion put on a real show for us. He got and roared a few times, laid down for a while, got back up and repeated his roaring. It was like he was being paid to put on a show every 15 min.









This one is for my mom:0)

Late Breaking Pumpkin Patch Pictures!

Okay, here are some NEW PICTURES to satisfy you all!! Our annual trip to the pumpkin patch was better this year because Peter and Grandpa came.


Also adding to the excitement was what everyone expects to see at a PUMPKIN Patch --- a smiling CAMEL! How weird is that.



BTW, Annabelle is NOT picking her nose. MY kids don't do that!!! She is just itching it... She told me.

A HOT Day at the Airshow

Peter took Olivia and Mary to the airshow. They had a good time and remembered to take some pictures for me. Thanks.

Creative Play? or Squirrels on the loose?

These are a few that made me *kinda* chuckle. I am working away inside and they are playing outside nicely. The next thing I know, every lawn chair, coat etc. is outside being used for something other than it was intended. Or, the baby has been put on the back of the 3 year old's bike. **sigh** At least they put a helmet on her.

Our garage sale / Olivia's bake sale!

This one is a month old also. It was too cute. She didn't have much success at the beginning because she was price gouging everyone. After she slashed her prices - twice, the cookies and lemonade went fast. It was a great lesson. People are looking for DEALS at garage sales!!

First day of school (posted four weeks late!!)

Maumee Bay and Cedar Point

Thanks mom and Jim for a fun and memorable few days. We all really enjoyed them!!