Half way through Febuary

Like most of the Midwest, we got a lot of snow about two weeks ago. I got a chance to go out with the kids and built a cave in the front yard. In the end, Becca, Patrick and I could all fit inside with my feet sticking out.

George's birthday celebrations continued into last week. First the Showalter came over to play and give a present. We all thank you for the warm jammies.

Grandma and pa Hatton stopped by on their way to St. Louis last Friday bring birthday gifts with them. Pat got some more Playmobile stuff, a veterinarian set.

George was happy to just rip some paper without getting yelled at.


George enjoying a moment with Grandpa.

What a surprise, the kids got Grandma to read them a book.

Let's not forget Stella who also made the trip. She's still not sure what to think of the kids.

Always on the move this one!


This is how we celebrated Valentine's Day and it was great.


That's about it for us. We all continue to be healthy but cabin fever is definitely taking its toll. But the temperature is on the raise and the snow should be gone within the week.

George is 1!

We really started celebrating George's birthday two weeks ago when Heather and Ken came for a visit. No one was surprised when the kids asked Heather to read a book.

Ken graciously tested out our new chair for us.

Then the next weekend, Grandma and pa Sullivan came over for a visit. Doesn't Grandma look great?

Here's Grandma fixing Becca's hat with Patrick looking.

George loved have a new audience for his cuteness.

Miss Becca flying around as a fairy.

George making the rounds.


Grandma got her hair done by the kids.

George found a cozy place to get some Z's. I wish he'd do this more in his crib.

With over a foot of snow, Mike and the kids headed out for some fun.





While they were outside, George and I hung out in the house.


Happy Birthday to you!

Before he had the cake.


Patrick licked the plate clean.

... and Becca liked it too.


In the end, he did enjoy the cake.


We hope you enjoyed our pictures. I thank God that George came into our lives, especially today, and don't know what we'd do with out him. Feel free to stop by and see us some time.

Stats Update
We went to the doctor this morning for Pat and George so here are their stats. Patrick is up to 40lb 5oz, so we can move him into a booster seat, and is 44.5 in tall. He's in the 75% for height but I don't know the rest of his percentages. George is up to 19lb 12oz, the doctor said that was close enough to turn the car seat around, and 29.5 in long. I was surprised to learn that he's only in the 10% for weight. He doesn't seem thin to me at all. All in all, everyone is health. But boys got shots, both were unhappy about it and both are over it by now.

Late January

Yesterday we went to a birthday party for a schoolmate of Patrick's at McDonald. I expected Becca and Patrick to love it but I was a little surprised at how much fun George had. Not only did he have every woman in the place smiling, he also discovered the playground. Here he is on the lowest of first steps.

Isn't he cute? He went head first off the step, inches from the ground, and scared himself more than he was hurt. I told him to go feet first and, being a genius, he did for the rest of the party.

Becca had no problems playing with the older kids.

Patrick had something very important to tell me.


George found lots of things to put in his mouth, including french fries and ice cream.

I'll close with a video. Its not terribly exciting but you can see what a great walker George has become already.

New Additions

A few weeks before Christmas we were offered a piano from some one at church who thought we'd enjoy it. Mike was finally able to get some help and go get it about two weeks ago. Here it is in the house.

We also hung the shelf Mike made me for Christmas. Its words ring true, at least in our house.

Do you think George is teething? I just wish the buggers would break through already.

My boys playing together.



The kids decide to make a huge mess and empty the toy box at the same time.


What a cutie!

Pat in the toy box.

George checking out the phone.

Becca had a great time running around the Hatton 500. This has also become a favorite walking path for George.


Last week our garage door decided to break down and Mike installed a new one. Its so strange to see the car pull into the drive way BEFORE I hear the garage door open. We also rearranged the kids this week. Becca is now in a room by herself and George and Pat are sharing the big room. We're hoping this will allow for better sleep for everyone, something we all could use.

Welcome 2011 and Walkers

Its official, George is walking. Check out this video to see him at it.

Here are some pictures of Becca and George playing nicely while Patrick's at preschool.



After one of our drives, George fell asleep in the car and managed to stay that way on the couch.

Last night Becca and Patrick did my hair.

Don't I look beautiful?

This afternoon the kids were knights out to protect the fairies from the evil red dragon (Me). They paused before destroying me to let me take a picture.

Thanks to our new video camera, uploading videos is pretty easy. So enjoy the kids trying out the race track Patrick got from Christmas.


In addition to walking, George finally has two teeth and is almost constendly babbling. There's "ma ma" and "da da" for us parents, and I think "ba ba" means Becca, maybe Pat too. He also said "a ja", so I told our nephew AJ that George said his name. Patrick also turned 5 last Friday and then expected to start Kindergartner on Monday at school. Becca, who just turn 3 in November, has grown enough to up-grade to 4T clothes. Yes, her pants fall down all the time but she's not showing her belly button any more.