Haircuts

Morgan decided she wanted some bangs like mommy and some of her friends, so while I was cleaning up an overflowing toilet (thanks Jaxen), she began trimming her hair.  Then she decided Rachel needed some bangs as well.  Needless to say, we had an eventful day yesterday and Rachel and Morgan got to go to HairMasters to get it fixed.  Morgan was upset that the hairdresser had to cut it more to blend in her already short hair.  Mom was sad to see her hair get chopped as well.  It had just started to get long again after her last trim when we donated it to locks of love.  Oh well, it will grow again. 

Morgan's attempt at a haircut.  She wanted bangs like Mommy's.  I had to explain to her that I go and have someone cut my hair and I don't do it myself.  So I told her next time to ask and we will take her to have it cut.  No more home cuts.  Please.

After the hairdresser tried to fix what was already done.

Morgan's hair this morning with a few barrets.

Rachel's first haircut.  She was really good sitting in the chair.

Rachel's finished look when all was said and done.  She is a cutie.

February7th

February is looking to be busy as well, with work, school, physical therapy appts, and business trips (sorry no pictures due to a lot of crying, fussing and laying around).  The last week was spent nursing sick kids back to health while trying to get over the same nasty cold myself.  Ryan was gone to Pittsburg for a few days and managed to stay away from most of the sickness.  Lucky him.  However, with the help of some friends, I was able to get the kids signed up for school next year.  It is hard to believe that it has been almost 3 years since Rachel came into our lives.  My baby is growing up, and while part of me wants to dance and have a party, the other part does miss the sweet little baby she was. 

The New Year

January has been a busy month for us.  Ryan has taken a couple of business trips.  I have been helping out at work 2-3 times per week, and the kids are having fun going to preschool 2-3 days per week.   

We started the New Year with Zach (Ryan's brother) and his family, and Andrew (Ryan's brother) and his family.  We had a great time stuffing our faces and playing the Wii.  Everyone lasted until Midnight, except for Morgan.  She passed out at 11:30.  We payed for it with grumpy kids the next day, but they had fun and it is only once a year.   Also, earlier in the week, we went sledding with our Cousins.  Luckily, Zach and Lori have a small hill behind their house just right for the little ones.  The older kids were good sports and took them out back for some fun in the snow. 

Brandon, Kaiden, and Ryan playing the Wii.

Gracie, Ryan and Kaiden waiting to sing to the Wii.

Joshua playing in the snow.

Gracie

Rachel had it made.  She spent the whole time in her own little sled that the older boys pulled up the hill and then pushed back down.  She lasted the longest outside, but she was pampered the whole time.

Joshua sledding down hill.

Jaxen making a snow angel.

Brady snowboarding down the hill.

Joshua and Kaiden posing for the camera.

Ryan doing some sledding of his own.

The kids getting ready to go outside.

Morgan's Birthday

Morgan had a great birthday.  We started her special day, by going out to eat at Red Robin.  This is something we never do, so it was extra exciting for her.  They sang happy birthday to her and gave her a large sundae, which she shared with everyone.  Then everybody got to take home a balloon. 

Next stop was Chuck E. Cheese, where everyone played and rode on the rides.  Then we did a little shopping and Morgan was able to pick out her own ice cream cake at DQ.  It said "Girl Power Rules," and she thought this was great.

Later that night we opened gifts with the family and ate cake and ice cream.  Needless to say, she had a great day and felt very special.  She kept telling me how "big she is now that she is 5."

Happy Birthday Morgan.  We Love You!!!!

Morgan opening gifts.  (If you look at Gracie, she is pouting because it's not her birthday and she wants to open the presents.)

Morgan with a Nemo game for her Leapster game player.

Morgan opening her new church bag.  It was just the one she wanted.  (Thanks Nikki for putting it together for me).

Morgan with her Girl Power cake.

Rachel after she enjoyed eating the Girl Power cake.

Gracie making faces for the camera.

Christmas Day.

We had a great Christmas day.  This is the first year where all of the kids were into it and were excited to see what they were going to get.  The kids were all up by 8am and ready to see what Santa had brought.  They loved everything they got and everything everyone else got as well.  Later in the day, we went over to Zach and Lori's to see what the cousins got from Santa, to eat good food and to play.  Everyone had a really good day.

Rachel, Gracie, Morgan and Jaxen

Jaxen and Joshua getting ready to start unwrapping.

Rachel, Gracie, Morgan and Jaxen getting ready.

Rachel with her princess dress ups from Grandma MacPherson.  She loved them, and so did Gracie.

Jaxen opening more Pajamas.

Gracie with her princess castle.

Morgan with her Leapster game player.

Joshua with his Toy Story toy set.

Christmas Eve

For Christmas Eve, we had the Thompsons and Gotschalls over for dinner and to open family gifts.

All the kids sitting around the table waiting to dig into their food.

Gracie after opening Grandma Jean Ann's gift of Ariel Pajamas.  Thanks Grandma.

Jaxen with his Pajamas from Mommy and Daddy.

Morgan with her Hannah Montana Doll.  In her own words:  "I just love her."

Joshua with his toy train.

Rachel with one of her presents.

Baby Nolan (Thompson) playing with some toys that have been opened and discarded.   Rachel loves it when baby Nolan is over to play with.  She is so very much his second mom.

Gracie with her dress up shoes that she has begged for for over a month.

Ballerina

Right now Gracie is really into anything ballerina, princess or dressup.  She loves to have her hair done ballerina style.  Here are some pictures of her and Rachel with their ballerina hair.

The boys didn't want to be left out of the posing.