Stylin'

Here is my oh-so-handsome son with his hair actually styled. For those of you who have seen him lately, you know that he is usually sporting the Mon-chi-chi hair (remember Monchichis? "Mon-chi-chi, Monchichi, so soft and cuddly!") because he has really thick hair and lots of it, with zero curl. He's always wanted long hair, so we've agreed to let him grow it out even though it looks, um, awful. There are rare times, however, that we catch his hair wet, load it up with gel and spike the heck out of it that it actually looks kinda cool. This is Hayden this morning heading to school. He was very excited that his hair looked spiky. I think the black and white brings out the spikiness- plus I was playing around in photoshop tonight. The three of them, all looking stylin' in their own unique way. Chloe is proud of her long hair and holey smile. Ellie is proud of everything about herself. From her fabulous accessories to innate grace. The lady at the YMCA makes a point of complimenting Ellie every morning when we walk in about her appearance. I'm afraid my sweet princess is getting a little vain. See her posing so demurely. Scary that she is only 3 and a half.

And here is the cool hair once again. It was completely flat, except for one cowlick in the back, by the time he got home from school. But at least he got to leave the house all spiked out.

A good start to the New Year

Chloe lost her first tooth on the first day of the year. Very exciting stuff. The very generous tooth fairy left her $5.00! That tooth fairy rocks!

I didn't think she could get any cuter, but then came that cute little hole in her mouth!

Christmas Morning!!

These pictures aren't in the correct order, because I'm just too lazy to switch them around. So we'll go backwards on Christmas morning!After a delicious lunch, while the rest of the grown-ups either sat around patting their full bellies or were cleaning the kitchen, AC was outside with the kids giving them helicopter rides. Remember what I said about keeping up with him? He has way too much energy. The kids had a blast though, and Ellie was pretty high up there. Emi's legs were so long it was hard for him to get her off the ground. (I have that problem, too, of course. My really, really long legs.)

Abi was squealing like a stuck pig, and having fun.

After looking at this picture, I just realized that Ellie is horizontal, 6 feet off of the ground. I should be nervous.

Opening presents earlier was the usual craziness- all sorts of squealing and "thanks Grandma and Grandpa!!" and "How did you know that I've always wanted a mini-brand of the letter 'D'?" (That was Travis. I don't know how I knew that was what he always wanted, but I'm just that cool sister, I guess.) Hayden is very excited about this Lego set- the ONLY one that comes with Ewoks, apparently.

Abi liked her new rocking chair, but not quite as much as she liked her rug. Crazy girl. I personally like her tattoo . . .

Billy was happy with every darn thing. I don't think he stopped smiling once the whole morning. It was killing me that I was across the room and couldn't get 1000 pictures of him.

A couple of tough guys on the couch. Handsome little devils.

And two sweet girls, patiently waiting for the madness to begin!

Ellie loves her new "ploodle" dress that Nana sent her.

Continuing our Christmas morning in reverse, here's Hayden by his bike that Santa brought. Too bad Santa isn't too smart, and the bike is too big for the poor kid.

Chloe's and Ellie's are perfect for them, however. I guess Santa isn't a total goober.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Christmas Eve

As 2010 begins to roll along, I've already blown my New Year's resolution. I resolved to KEEP UP in 2010- with my housework, my pictures, my kids and my husband. Seven days into the New Year, and my house is a mess, I'm only up to Christmas eve in my blog, and I'm exhausted trying to keep up with the kids and AC (although, in my defense, it is hard work keeping up with AC). New Year's Resolutions are stupid, anyway. So there. I was having so much fun on Christmas eve eating, drinking and visiting my family that I slacked off on the picture taking. These are the best of the evening, and as you can see, that's not saying much.

I had a LOT of pictures of Billy. Was it because he was sitting next to me, or was it really because I can't help myself when he's around? I want to take a million pictures of that sweet face. I'll tell my kids when they wonder why there are more pictures of Billy than all the others combined that its just because he was sitting next to me. Shhhh- don't burst their bubbles.

These two girls aren't too hard on the lens, either. And as sweet as can be!

Chauncey's girlfriend, Madi, is pretty sweet and cute. Too bad her boyfriend is such a goof. He refused to be nice to me, so he deserves this picture. That's right, boy, you may be bigger, stronger and faster, but I have the camera and I'm not afraid to use it.

Five out of seven, here. I actually didn't have any pictures of Hayden from the whole night. Oops. I'm wondering what Billy is so concerned about.

There's not much to say, here.

Oops. How did that get in there? See what I mean about that face, though, don't you?

Snow Day!

We spent a few well-deserved days off in Prescott before Christmas. It was snowy and cold and absolutely beautiful. Hayden and Chloe (and dad) had a great time sledding and playing in the snow. Ellie is absent from these pictures because the little angel refused to wear the snow pants. She sat in the house crying and watching us rather than just putting. on. the. stupid. pants. She is stubborn beyond belief.

Bob the snowman on the back porch. Grandpa says he's still there, although he looks like he is suffering from a terrible disease, and is about to expire.

Guess who is about to be hit with a snowball?

How Cool is He?

Imagine if you were an eight or four year old boy, and you had the world's coolest older cousin. He plays football, he runs, he does flips AND he happily plays with the little guys. How cool is that? Chauncey, you are adored- by your little cousins and their mothers. (and fathers)

Billy Boy is 4!!!

I have been quite the blog slacker lately, but it has been crazy-busy this month. Here I am, catching up! I finally have a reason to have a post of ALL BILLY pictures! I tend to gravitate towards him with my camera because, well, just look at that face! So, for his birthday post, it is all Billy, all the time.

Here he is, opening his "cowboy clothes". He's taking after his namesake Grandpa.

Little and fast- future baseball hall of famer.

Or maybe football?

The boys played football in the yard for quite awhile. Its what you do when you have a football star in the family, and one who doesn't mind being attacked by his adoring cousins.

Again, just look at that face! I can't resist it!

And he is this many. Happy Birthday, Billy boy, and we love you to pieces.