ERIC

The only reason why I am doing this post is because it is a great picture of my man.
He is such a great man, dad and husband!
I Love You!!!

SNUGGIES!!

Eric has been wanting a Snuggie for a while. So I got him one for Valentine's Day, but it came today. The kids have been looking forward to it coming. So it was on the porch today when we got home from work/daycare. Shane and Madison ran in the house got the scissors and started going to town. The Snuggie comes with a free book light. They both opened it up and put it on. I got a few pictures of them right when they put them on. They are so happy.
They couldn't wait for Eric to get home so he could see. I think that I am going to need to buy one more because Madison now wants one.

I can still use my Oregon blanket. I don't need a Snuggie. :-).

In case you don't know what a Snuggie is it is a blanket that is like a robe, but instead of puting your arms through the holes around your back it goes in front so that your arms don't get cold when you are on the couch.

Here is Madison and Shane with the snuggies on siting on the couch.

Here is Madison with the snuggie on and the book light reading one of her many princess books.:-)

Eric, the kids like the snuggie as much as you do.
The kids took them to bed tonight so I will have to post a picture of Eric in his snuggie later. Sorry Hun, I know it was your present. He is such a good sport!!

Valentine's Day

I love holidays!!!

I woke up before my family and made signs and got their Valentine's surprises out.
Here is what my wonderful family woke up to.

I cut it down this year from what I usually do, but they enjoyed it.

Then the fun started....
We watched Alia for Mike and Denise and they went to Portland for a romantic Valentine's get away. We had her for a little over 24 hours. She is so fun and not to mention adorable!! She was a very good baby. She slept 12 hours at night. That is my kind of 10 month old. We had a blast with her.
Thanks Denise and Mike for letting us watch her!!!


Alia on her First Valentine's Day at the Schwake's!

Madison and Alia playing.

Me snuggling with Alia. Madison wanted to take our picture.

Shane and Alia. Shane loves her so much. I thought that she would be old news when her parents came to pick her up, but Shane was acting like she just got there. He LOVES her!!!

Alia being a goof and having a blast with the train table.

Alia right after she woke up. Look how happy she is.

We went to Papa's Pizza for the heart shaped Valentine pizza deal like we do every year. Alia loved the egg that Madison got out of the chicken machine.

I told the kids if they went to bed good when Alia was here that they could help take care of her in the morning. (I don't bribe them...;-)) Madison wanted to change her diaper like she does her baby. So here is Madison trying to change a 10 month old's diaper.
It is little different then her babies. Alia is alive and moves. :-)

She needed a little help from Shane. It was so cute to watch them.
Shane was trying to talk to her while changing her diaper and it sill wasn't working.

So finally he had to really help.
Just like a man to not dig in hands first right away!!!

Then it was Shane's turn. He wanted to feed her her morning baba.

Shane feeding Alia her morning bottle.

We had a great day with her. I hope that we get to watch her again soon.
It is fun having a baby around.
When she left it was amazing how we missed her. Love you Alia!!!

My baby lost his first tooth!!

Can you believe that Shane lost his first tooth? It fell out at daycare on January 30th. The tooth fairy came and gave him $5. He was so excited. I still can't believe that my baby lost his first tooth. :-( I love that little guy so much and he is growing up right before my eyes. It was a big step for him and he will tell you all about it if he sees you. He has 3 more loose teeth so I am sure that the tooth fairy will be visiting our house again soon. ;-)

Shane's new tooth fairy box that he painted at Madison's party. The tooth is in there but we couldn't get a good picture of it. That is where he had it for the tooth fairy. I told him that it is supposed to go underneath his pillow and he told me no way would he do that because the tooth would fall out of the box. He told me that he wanted it on his dresser. What ever makes him happy I will do.

Shane with his missing tooth. It is hard to tell that it is missing due to the fact that his permanent tooth grew part way in before he lost his baby tooth.

Shane, Madison and Alia chilling on the couch. Don't they look so cute.
They both love Alia so much!!!

Alia was over the night the tooth fairy came so here we are and Shane is reading us a bedtime story. I still can't believe that he is reading. Like I said he is growing up too fast!!
Can you believe how big Alia looks in this picture?

Madison's 4th Birthday Party

This year it was hard for Madison to choose where she wanted to have her party. I am kind of a freak when it comes to birthday parties. Some say that I over do it, but I don't believe that I do. :-) After much discussion between Madison and I she chose to go to Potters' Quarter. She had a great time and I know that her friends did as well. She chose High School Musical 3 for her theme. She dressed up in her High School Musical cheerleader outfit. She is really into HSM and cheer leading. She still talks about how much fun her party was. The kids were able to paint a piece of pottery and then we had little drawings for random stuff during the party. We also had a edible arrangement which is a bouquet made out of fruit. The one that Madison wanted all the fruit was covered in chocolate. Is she my daughter or what? She is already planning next years.

Princess Madison at her 4th Birthday party!!

The cake and party favor table.

Madison's High School Musical Cake.
Not to make you hungry,but it was white cake with Marion berry and whip cream center with cream cheese frosting. It was amazing. I am wanting a piece now! :-)

The party favor and cake table close up.

Here is the party table.
The kids had microphone cups to drink out of since they were all stars in High School Musical.

Madison painting her birthday plaque.

Shane painting his transformer. Look at that concentration of a true artist. ;-)

Julian painting his dinosaur.

Abigail painting her flower cup.

Nicole and Ben painting his elephant bank.

Denise painting Alia's princess dish. She will have it at Alia's 1st Birthday party if you want to see the finished project.

Half of the table painting pottery.

Everyone singing "Happy Birthday" to Madison.

Madison blowing out her 4 star candles.

Madison opening her presents. She had so many friends there that it took a while, but Madison loved every minute of it.

Madison had a great time and thanks all of her friends for coming to the party and for the gifts. She is already planning the next one. She is counting down the days. She is like her mommy and loves parties. As you can see I do not over do it.