New Furniture

After 12 years of marriage, we were finally able to replace the couch we bought for our first apartment.  The couch was well loved and had out lived it's time.  It had lived through dog and child sicknesses, markers, spilled sippies, and food fights just to name a few.  It was getting uncomfortable and since it is in our main room for viewing cartoons and such during the day, it was time to try to find something else.  We finally found a couch and chair set we both liked that was in our price range, and it will hopefully stand up to the test of time (with 5 kiddos and 2 dogs).  After only two days, Gracie christened the new couch with a little bit of vomit.  Wonderful!!!  Also, the kids love the new chair because it reclines.  Here are some pictures of the triplets enjoying the new digs. 

Photographer in the Making

Jaxen loves to have his picture taken.  I think it's because he likes the attention that he gets when asked to pose for some pictures.  Anyway, recently he has been asking me if he can take some pictures.  I usually say he can take one or two with me close by.  Well, the other day he took the camera and went around the house taking pictures while I was in the shower.  Here are a few that he wanted to share with his Grandma's and Grandpa's.

Rachel's Ariel Bathtime doll.  He loved the red hair.

Rachel trying to take the camera away from him.

Jaxen's favorite movie right now "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaur."  He wanted a picture to remember it by.

Gracie in one of her dress up costumes.

Jaxen's legs.

Rachel and Jaxen's legs.

The window in Gracie and Morgan's room.

Deana's Playhouse

Our favorite place to go during the winter is Deana's playhouse.  I know I have posted about it before, but it is a great place for kids 6 and under.  They have many many toys and 10 different play areas to entertain all the little ones.  Best of all, I can sit down in one spot and watch everyone or take kids to the bathroom while the other kids play.  It is my get away from the clutter and mess at my house.  The kids really enjoy it as well.  Here are a few pictures taken this year of the kids having fun.

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.