Ellie's Birthday!

A busy, busy birthday Day!!!:) Ellie got to go out for breakfast before school and have a homemade cinnamon roll. She loves these rolls so, I thought I would take her this morning. Then after school. I took the girls for a ski lesson and I was going to ski but...realized half way to the mt. that I had forgotten my coat!:( bummer...We then came home after the lesson for supper and a birthday cake. One happy girl with her horse gift and many birthday wishes from everyone. Thanks!

PS. Wondering how I forgot my coat? Well...I had everything under the sun packed in my car and I was trying to get Ava and the rest of her stuff on her. I guess I got so overheated that I forgot that I didn't have my coat on. A lesson learned!

Happy Birthday Ellie!!!

I can't believe that Ellie is 8 years old tomorrow. It seems like yesterday that she was born and at the same time it seems like a long time ago. She has grown so much and it has been fun to watch her turn into a young girl.

Ellie is...
Happy, loves to play jokes on others, thoughtful,shy at times, doesn't want anyone to make a "fuss" over her, carefree,eager to please

Ellie loves...
Animals (horses,dogs, anything!!!), Art, tennis, computer, the beach

We wish her a Happy Happy Birthday!!!! With love, Dad and Mom

Weekend Fun!

We enjoyed a visit with THE Howes this past weekend. It was fun and relaxing. A few jabs back and forth about the Giants vs. the Patriots. We all do know who will win!!!!

We spent Sat. being pulled on the sleds by Brad and Dave. Hours sure do pass with simple entertainment. In the evening we went to a Hockey game. Ava and Jackson went on the ice during intermission to pick up pucks that are thrown onto the arena by the crowd. A real highlight for them. Thanks for coming to visit, we enjoyed our time together!

Go Patriots!!!!

Skiing

Today we took the kids skiing/snowboarding for the first time - it was about time! They REALLY enjoyed it. Ellie started off with a snowboarding lesson, and Ava started off with a skiing lesson. In the afternoon, Ellie wanted to see what skiing was like - in the end, I think both of them liked skiing the best. They even went up the big hill on the chair lift at the end of the day.

Ellie getting her snowboard lesson

Ava getting her ski lesson

Ava and Dad at the top of the hill...well, bunny hill that is.

Ellie at the top

Riding back up the hill. That was a nice setup.

Ellie & Ava both on ski's now.Ava coming down the big slope (Dad watching from behind her)

Ellie coming down the hill.

Mom and her girls

Alison, Teresa, Mom (Becky), and Shelley (me)
This picture was taken in Nov. at my cousin's wedding. I like the saying "My daughter is becoming alot like me, Lucky girl!" (btw--for the blogger friends we don't know--My sisters and I are triplets)

Ellie's interest these days are....

Politics....She is all into who is running for President and knowing everything about each one. I guess the girls got all excited last night to go and vote with dad. (I had ladies' night out) They informed Dad of who I would vote for and all about the candidate. So they were going to agree with me. Ellie is keeping me on my toes with details. I am learning a lot from her questions.

This morning... "Mom, Hilliary is a Southerner so don't you want to vote for her?"
"What is Huckabee's first name?" Actually, I don't know--I felt so silly.

Really, I don't talk about issues with them so I was so surprised when I overheard Ellie saying to Ava as they had been talking about possible presidential candidates "I want us to win the war so that we can keep our flag."

{{{{{ this is Brad inserting a comment: Ellie asked the other day why "nobody seems to like Hillary" when we were driving down the road. So I asked her if she did. She said, "I don't know. I haven't seen her or talked to her, so I can't say." I wish I could remember all the observations and things the girls have said about the candidates. }}}}}

Happy Birthdays!!!

I don't have any pictures to post but I just wanted to give a belated Birthday wish to Johanna,Colby,and Bella----Happy Birthday!

Thanks for a great swimming party Colby! The girls loved the party!!!

Thanks Bella for a wonderful Birthday party! Ellie and Ava had soooo much fun!!!!

New Year's Day

We had Kent and Sharon, Brent and Johanna, Grampie, Dad and Mom, Mark and Lauren here for lunch today. We had the southern bean and greans and all the fixings. I felt like I was having lunch at my grandparents. It was nice to be together for the new year. The kids played outside till dark then it was time to relax and get ready for reality. It is so nice to have these memories. We will miss everyone tomorrow when they are gone. Thanks for visiting us during the holidays!!!

New Year's Eve

We had a great time New Year's Eve night at the deGroots. We had a wonderful potluck and awesome sledding.

Happy New Year!!!!

2008

Things we look forward to and hope for in '08

***Ellie turns 8

***Ava turns 6 and starts full day school

***Good times with friends and family

***visit to England to visit William and Julie

*** July 4th with my entire family at a beach

***our annual Feb. water park trip w/ friends

***and all the unkown gatherings :)

***our trips north (soon!)

***I want to enjoy and build great memories with my children

***Always appreciate my husband for what he does for the girls and me

***Remember to enjoy the simple things of life

***Always put others ahead of me

***to remember that each day is not my own and to be thankful for the day

I am thinking of each of you and wish you all a wonderful year!!!

***