Snow Days!

We live just close enough to Lake Michigan to get lake-effect snow.  I'm always amazed at how much snow we get compared to just a few miles down the road.  My kids don't complain, however.  Around here we feel like if it's going to be cold, we'd rather have the snow to play in!  

 This Saturday, Tanner wanted to make his own personal snow fort.  He did it all on his own.

 Mike is the king of snow forts!  He shovels the snow into a big pile and then digs out the fort.

 The neighbors and I worked on building a fort using snow bricks, both were cool forts!

We love our snow days!

Happy Birthday Me!

As a mom, birthdays are a a little like every other day, but I love when we gather for gifts, as the kids are always so cute about their gifts they bought/made for me.  This year was no exception!

 Tanner's gift was the best!  Mike said when they walked in the store he knew exactly what he wanted to get me and searched and searched until the found it....a pink snuggie!!!  I love my new snuggie, love it even more when he snuggles up with me.  Andrew gave me a Powerade to drink after my workout (still trying to shed baby weight), Reid gave me a thigh shaper, and Amelia gave me one of my favorite ice creams!

Mike was also so great and made me a yummy cake and set it ablaze with all those candles!!  It was a perfect birthday evening with my favorite people!

Love these kids

With winter time, there's a little more indoor play time and I have to say that I just love these kids!

 I put Amelia and Reid in the tub hoping to buy a few minutes to finish dinner.  Unfortunately, they poured the whole bottle of bubbles in the tub and turned the jets on!  I couldn't believe it!!

 Andrew and Cole playing dress up.

 Dinner sillies while dad's out of town.

 Love sibling love!

Legos and Legos, they love them!

Happy Birthday, Andrew!

Andrew's birthday begins a month of birthdays for our family!  First Andrew, then me, and finally Amelia.  Andrew's birthday morning was a little rough.  Mike was gone by 5:30 a.m. for church meetings and he was devastated that he couldn't open presents.  I finally gave in and let Amelia give him her gift, he was appeased for a time, but it made for a long day!!  

 Andrew got a new suit from grandma and grandpa C. Doesn't he look so handsome?!

 Mike finally came home and we were able to open presents, have dinner, and cake and ice cream.  I always love seeing my kids give each other gifts for their birthdays.  This year, Andrew got a ball from each of his siblings and a basketball from us!

 Andrew loves to play in the snow!  He'll head out to build forts, sled, or have a snowball fight almost daily. He was so excited about his snow tube, and Mike was so excited to blow it up!

 Andrew had an Olympic birthday party and it was such a fun party!  We started by having each friend make their country's flag. Then we had the parade of flags and lighting of the torch.

 Each kid got their own Olympic wristband and then we played a series of games.

 The bronze team! Isabel, Cole, Amelia, and Reid

 The silver goes to Ryan, Henry, and Myles.

 And, the gold goes to Tanner, Taylor, Aidan, and Andrew.  It wasn't rigged, the birthday boy really won.

Andrew is such a fun kid, such a good kid!  He still loves to create things and could build Legos everyday of his life and be happy.  Andrew loves his dad and wants to be like him in anyway he can!  He was so excited to have a suit just like dad.
Andrew still loves his sleep.  The kids like to sleep in the same room, but inevitably, Andrew ends up back in his bed after a few minutes.  He also continues to be my early riser and is the cutest and happiest in those early hours when fresh.
I love when Andrew comes home from school and will sit at the table with a snack and spill everything about his day.  He loves his teacher, Mrs. Petro and seems to have a great time with his classmates.
We love Andrew and are so grateful he is in our family!  Happy 7th birthday big guy!