Katie's 3rd Birthday

Yesterday our little Katie-Bug turned 3 years-old! Here are some pictures from our family "Fancy Nancy" bash. It turned out really fun! (Big-Sister Abby was a fabulous assistant party-planner, being super fancy herself.)
Katie is getting so grown-up, and is still a sweetheart, despite her fiesty streak (which kicks in each morning as she gets tangled up in her clothes and does not want Mommy's help).

She is really into FAVORITES right now, and here are some of hers:
Colors: blue and green
Animal: elephant
Bedtime Song: "I Am a Child of God"
Scripture Story: Noah and the ark
Food: anything sweet, broccoli, and spaghetti
Activities: being cuddled; caring for her baby dolls; doing puzzles; crawling around with Alex; pretending with Abby; riding her bike; arranging her ponies, animals, and Calico Critters in neat rows

We love this girl!

Even Daddy got a little fancy!

We're back!

We had a great Christmas season and an awesome two-week trip to Utah. It was so fun to be with family and even see several friends! We've got lots of pictures to share . . . hopefully soon. We hope you enjoyed your holidays too.

Yesterday I finally took down the last Christmas decoration, and it was one of my favorites, which Abby made:

I love how she drew Baby Jesus in the manger with a huge smile on His face.

December Hustle & Bustle

We're sure excited for Christmas around here . . . how 'bout you? Things have been busy lately, including potty-training Katie, getting Abby's forehead stitched after she smacked into a bookcase, and adjusting to Luke's new, topsy-turvy schedule.

{For two weeks, he has to work all night and sleep all day. He's off every third night but still has to stay awake all night to keep himself on the same schedule. Last night he spent a good share of the night folding mountains of laundry while we all slept . . . scoring major points with his adoring wife!}

Alex's latest trick is doing this when we say "reach for the sky" . . . cute! Then he applauds himself when we say, "Good job, Alex!" . . . (or "Awex," if Katie's saying it.)   :)

{the three crazy characters modeling their new jammies from Grandma}

Welcome, Baby Bradley!

This is our new nephew, Bradley--adopted by my sister Melissa and her husband, Sammie, two days ago. I can't wait to meet this precious little boy!!! I'll kiss his tiny cheek and whisper in his ear, "You're the answer to many, many prayers."

Happy Halloween!

Here's the little crew on Halloween. Poor Alex was a miserable little monkey with the flu, but he's doing better now!

Today Katie said, "I'll put these candies up here so the ants don't choke." (Brief pause.) "Ants don't choke . . . babies choke!"

You can tell the points I've been trying to drive home lately:
1. Don't eat in the TV room, or the ants will come back.
2. Don't leave tiny Halloween candy on the floor, or Alex will choke.
I guess some of what I say is getting through, even if it's a bit muddled!