I'm Icing Hungry

Friday afternoon, B'maw came over to help us decorate Erica's birthday cake. Ethan was so excited when he saw the large bowl of icing. We tried to tell the kids NOT to sample the icing because we needed it for Erica's cake. Ethan kept telling us, "But, I'm icing hungry!"

Ellie had to be apart of the mixing fun

Ethan loved helping B'maw mix up just the right color.

Ellie was also icing hungry

That is a MUCH better snack, Ellie!


Erica's Backpack birthday cake turned out fantastic. Erica was very proud of her cake.

Playdate with Friends

Ali and Angie, two of my college roommates, and I decided to get our little cherubs together for a play date. We have 8 children between the ages 5 1/2 and 13 months among the three of us. It was so fun to witness their interactions with one another. As always, our time together is short but sweet. It seems we have just a few moments to visit before one of us is off chasing a little one.

Ellie with Angie's youngest daughter -- Reese's birthday is just a few weeks before Ellie's

I love Angie's eldest daughter lounging in the pool in the background while Ali's eldest son is playing
Swimming made them very hungry, or at least Ethan. I think my growing boy finished two helpings before the others had a chance to touch their food. Ethan told Angie that her lunch was "totally awesome."

The little girls were so sweet together.

I can't wait to see how their friendship develops as they grow.

We tried to get all of the kiddos to sit for a picture. As you can see it is somewhat difficult with 8 little ones, but entertaining for their mommies none the less.

We had a great time visiting with our friends. Ethan had a "totally awesome" time (yes, I hear that a lot), Erica loved Ruby's baby buggy, and Ellie was asleep before we pulled out of the driveway. Thank you Angie, for your hospitality.

My Little Slugger

We finally had a t-ball game tonight! It has been a month since our last game due to rain-outs. The team and Ethan did very well for the long hiatus.

My little slugger getting ready to make a great hit. (The coaches pitch three balls to the batter before pulling out the batting tee.) He definitely did not learn how to hit from his mother. I think he has more hits in two t-ball games than I did my entire high school "career."

Ethan is known to fall down and stay down during soccer and t-ball. So, I had to snap this photo of him on first base after his big hit.

getting some fielding advice from "Coach Daddy"

(that is his best bud, Addie, in the foreground)

Coach Daddy's advice worked!

We had to celebrate Ethan's big hit with some ice cream. Erica was even willing to share her cone with her baby sister without prompting. Ellie, of course, loved it.

One of my favorite things to do after my little league softball games was to go to the Dairy Bar and get ice cream. Maybe I would have had more hits if I was less concerned about the decision of a chocolate dipped twist cone or sherbet cone.

Happy Birthday Bear!

Today my sweet girl celebrated her 3rd birthday. She has been counting the days. She even would check the calendar and show me which day was her birthday. She was very anxious for her special day.

Erica opened her first present bright and early in the morning.
Erica wore her new shirt to the library. She was very happy to show off her new shirt during story time at the public library. Ethan also let anyone know within earshot that today was Erica's birthday and that she was 3 years old.

Making her birthday cake . . . the finished result was rough. Dora had a crack down the middle of her forehead. But, we had a great time mixing, pouring, sampling, and decorating her cake. We even had Diego decorations to put on the sides of her cake.

Ethan told me this was the best part of making birthday cakes.

She is ready for her birthday surprise . . .

Close your eyes and hold out your hands.

Erica received a "Backpack Kitchen." She loved it. She was a little protective of it. She was not interested in allowing her brother or sister to play. I was able to snap this photograph before she pushed Ellie out of the way. Erica even asked for her kitchen to be placed right next to her bed, AND her Daddy said, "Just tonight, for my birthday girl." Wish me luck at bedtime tomorrow night.

Make a wish

My sweet girl was ready for bed. She did make time to put on my old Daisy Duck hat before story time.

On your birthday, special one,

I wish that all your dreams come true.

May your day be filled with joy,

Wonderful gifts and goodies, too.
On your day I wish for you

Favorite people to embrace,

Loving smiles and caring looks

That earthly gifts cannot replace.
I wish you fine and simple pleasures.

I wish you many years of laughter.

I wish you all of life’s best treasures.

I wish you happily ever after!
Happy Birthday Erica Renee'!

Happy Flag Day!

Happy Flag Day! This morning at church we celebrated Flag Day. We sang several patriotic tunes, and the Junior Girl Scouts presented the colors during the service. As we were walking back to our car, the sun was shining, I ran into my favorite professor from college, and Ethan and Erica were holding my hands. Life is good! I took a moment to thank God for the wonderful people in my life. I must say, I also did a good job dressing the kids in honor of Flag Day. I honestly did not realize what I had done until our ride home from church.

All by Myself

Erica will be three next week. She often tells me that she is a big girl. She also wants to do anything that Ethan enjoys. Erica will ask for help and then becomes upset telling me "Erica do it!" Ah, the joys of a two-year old. She loves to pick out her own clothes. This morning was no different. We were ready to go outside and play, but there was just one problem. Erica was still in her jammies. "I get dress all by myself." Okay, it is Saturday morning, we are enjoying our time at home, sure she can pick out her own clothes without gentle suggestions from me. I had to photograph her finished product. I love the stripes, Erica, both horizontal and vertical!

"I hold Baby Max"

Erica loves babies. She is a great mommy to all of her babies. Needless to say, she has been very eager to hold her cousin, "Baby Max." She finally had the chance to snuggle up with Max this weekend. She loved on him and gave him lots of kisses. I think that Max also enjoyed the snuggle time. He was making eyes at her. Erica is very proud of her cousin.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is Paul's 31st birthday. Ethan and Erica were very excited to help him celebrate. We first had to surprise Daddy at work with a special photo of the three of them.

Ethan and Erica helped me wrap Daddy's present. They cut the wrapping paper and taped it. I was just there to hold the pieces in place. They were very proud of their work.

When Paul got home from work, Ethan hid his birthday present. He said it was a surprise. Paul was hardly inside the house before the kids wanted to help him to open his present. I think they enjoyed unwrapping it more than wrapping it.

Daddy's birthday cake . . . pie
Ethan did not like Daddy's choice of birthday treats.

We listed the TOP 31 REASONS WHY WE LOVE DADDY.

1. He's my best Daddy in the whole world--Ethan

2. He's my best friend--Ethan

3. Sometimes he goes to work--Ethan

4. He's the bestest Daddy--Erica

5. I like when he goes bicycling jogging with me--Ethan

6. I like going to the chair with my Daddy--Erica

7. He takes us in the hot water tub--Ethan & Erica

8. Coloring--Erica

9. Playing cars--Ethan

10. Playing tennis on Wii--Ethan

11. Make my new kitty together--Erica

12. Color on my race car book with Daddy--Ethan

13. Play with Daddy--Erica

14. I really love when I go basketball playing with my Daddy--Ethan

15. Sings Backpack songs--Erica

16. I like when Daddy sings Winnie the Pooh--Ellie (translated by Ethan)

17. Good baseball coach--Ethan

18. Good player with me--Ethan

19. Coloring Backpack--Erica

20. Doing goofy stuff--Ellie (translated by Ethan)

21. Watching 1,000 movies together--Ethan

22. Playing race car games on Mario Kart together--Ethan

23. Making birthday cakes--Erica

24. Playing music--Erica

25. Playing a lot of basketball with Daddy--Ethan

26. Michael Jordan video--Ethan

27. Story time--Erica

28. I like when Daddy sleeps with me--Ethan

29. Da-da--Ellie (translated by Erica)

30. Going on vacation and going swimming, too--Ethan

AND REASON 31 WHY WE LOVE DADDY . . .

HE IS THE BESTEST DADDY EVER!

Love, Ethan, Erica, Ellie and Mommy

A View from the Top

Before heading home Sunday, Paul and I decided to make a stop at The Gateway Arch. We both wanted to experience it and allow our children the experience. My cousin warned me that we would ride in a 5-seater elevator. I didn't understand that it was more like an egg and we were tightly packed inside. It did make my tummy a little queasy as we rode 630 feet to the top of the arch. I took this photo from the van heading into St. Louis.

Paul took this photo of us inside our "egg" elevator.

The mother in me was a little worried that my babies were so high up and looking through a window.


I am glad that we were able to have a view from the top, but I am not eager to be up that high again.


Now we can go home.

Brad and Sheri's Big Day

Saturday evening . . . it was finally time for Brad and Sheri to say their vows.

The ring bearer prior to the ceremony. . . he looks ready to walk down the aisle.
I love Ellie's big blue eyes.

The flower girl and Erica before the wedding.

"Here we go."
trying to get a good shot of our family

The wedding party

Ethan was so happy because he knew there was a toy waiting for him after this photo.

the Bridal Party dance

Erica could NOT wait to dance with the ring bearer. He was such a gentleman showing her his moves.

Daddy and his girls

Erica was ready to call it a night. She snuggled with Papaw before we left.

One tired girl dancing with her Daddy.

Another tired little girl dancing with her Daddy.

Mommy dancing with her girls.

Erica and Great-Grandma Moeller

We had a fantastic time . . . Paul and I were even able to dance to our song.