Pics from Aunt Beth

On Fridays, we usually get a visit from Aunt Beth. And, thankfully for us, she is never without her camera. After months and months of trying, I think I have finally talked Beth into starting a side photography business. She is so absolutely talented and she is passionate about her art. She even bought some gear and I have purchased some props and accessories.

Check out what she can do with the trio. Even when they are being timid, she manages to make each picture beautiful! Of course, lucky pops do help ;)

The next two are my favorite of Josh

And, one of crazy mommy racing the kids around the kitchen on the cars

My Attempts At Taking Pics

As the kids get older, I find it a bit more difficult to take good pics together. My bribing skills have definitely been tested!

This time, Josh wasn't in the mood to sit right next to Abby. I told her to kiss him. He wasn't too happy about that either.

Josh was happy that she moved on to Jack.

Love this! My two little BFF's!

Finally a decent picture. Only after asking who wanted some candy!

It's a team effort. Can you see the secret weapon Grandma's holding? CANDY!

A Meeting of the Cousins

We are truly blessed to have all of our family so close to us. Sunday is generally a gathering time at my mom's twin sister's house. They recently moved to the suburbs from Chicago, and for that we are all grateful. My aunt makes the best donuts!

Grandma was nice enough to let Abby use her arm as a work of art!

Caroline and Evie were in town and the kids had never met baby Evie. They were pretty hesitant to go up and talk to her. I think she is still so small that they don't know what to make of her.

Baby Maya was also there and she will soon be turning one. That girl is definitely outgoing! The kids loved playing with all her toys.

Josh is absent from this picture. Funny story, the boy was standing in the corner. I went up to him and he said, "No Mommy. Joshy pooping!" No wonder he was being so quiet! We ended up using one of Maya's diapers. Can you believe she wears a size 5?!

We kept talking about how next year at Easter, all the kids will be running around playing. I am so happy that there are some little girl cousins for Abby to play with!

Another Successful Dinner Out!

Tuesday night we went with the whole Cleys side of the family to a pizza restaurant. It was Grandpa Cleys' bday and the previous week had been Great Grandma Cleys' bday. We arrived around 5pm. Don't the kids look just thrilled?!

The restaurant was gigantic and let me tell you, SUPER kid friendly! They had the amazing idea of having small wrapped packages of cold pizza dough to act as Playdoh. Genius! The kids were totally having a blast playing with it, and so was I!

I sat in the middle with Jack to my left and Abby to my right. Daddy and Josh were across from us. It was great to have Aunt Cathy next to Abby because she is so fantastic with kids and usually Abby ends up on my lap. Not this time!

The sippy cups were great because they didn't spill. I know it sounds so trivial, but we have been through it all!

The kids also had crayons and ate some french fries to occupy them until the pizza came. The family was laughing at the fact that what one kid has (a ketchup bottle) the others must have as well!

Seriously, you would NEVER think that 3 2.5 year olds were seated at our table. They were so engrossed with eating and playing and the various tv's around our table. I couldn't believe how well behaved they were!

Josh finally wanted out of his high chair and was happy to sit with Daddy!

At the end of dinner, Great Grandma and Grandpa got birthday hot fudge sundaes. They were very nice to share with the kids. Abby definitely has the sweet tooth of the family! She kept wanting more and more!

We ended up staying for 2 hours. That has to be a record for good behavior! Our kids are such observers when we go out. I'm sure it will not always be like this, but for the time being, I am soaking it up!

Just Some Cute Pics!

We took the kids to get haircuts Wednesday morning. Of course, Abby didn't get a haircut; she just watched. I was so embarrassed because when the boys were done, they walked right over to the cabinet where the lollipops are kept and took one for themselves! I apologized profusely!

I love the way Jacky's hair looks now. Except one thing, he looked just like Josh for that whole day. I don't know if it was the way his hair was to the side or what. The only thing that gave him away were his dimples!

Abs was looking so cute that I couldn't resist!

Today is Superbowl Sunday and we were supposed to go to a neighbor's party. Turns out with the extra snow that fell this morning and other delays, Chris didn't get in till late tonight. Plus, Josh has been coughing a bit and I didn't want to get anyone sick. I'm just getting over a sore throat myself.

I took some pics this morning. The kids were in a good mood. Throw in a few lollipops and they were just downright giddy.

I love taking Abby pics!

The kids are all pretty much the same height except in this pic, Ab is standing up straight and the boys are leaning against the wall.

Lollipop Love!

Blizzard of 2011

Well, there was some truth to what the weather forecasters have been talking about since last Sunday. We sure did get a lot of snow! The snow started early on Tuesday and the winds were blowing like crazy throughout the day. At night, I thought our windows were going to break!

On Wednesday, we woke up to this:

Unreal! Chris went out with all the neighbors and took turns doing everyone's driveway. I really love our neighborhood!

I wanted to take the kids out and take pics. Chris and I both have a pic of ourselves from the 1979 blizzard perched upon the snow.

The kids were very well dressed and quite enjoyed themselves. I asked them several times if they wanted to go inside and each time they screamed, "No!"

They loved scooping out the snow from the giant wall. They also liked putting the snow in the garage and on the cars. Then it was time for King/Queen of the Moutain.

Our hills were pretty tall, but we wanted to check out the neighbor's. Of course, we had to walk in the street to get there.

The Lanpher's had the perfect sitting hill!

We ended up staying outside for a long time. The kids were super content to come inside after awhile and were treated to some hot chocolate.