Dance Competition #2

 Madelyn's 2nd dance competition was back at Will Rogers, again.  Here is a picture of all of our "Lil' Sprouts" just before they went on stage for "Material Girl".  They were great! (Madelyn is front left)

 The Lyrical dance was after lunch.  We let them get some fresh air before they went back in and snapped a few pictures.  (Madelyn is middle row on far left)

It's amazing how far our girls have come since they first learned their dances.  There were times we wondered if they'd ever get it and they are amazing!

Wolf Creek Lodge

 Mimi and Dziadek were in town for a conference and were staying at Wolf Creek Lodge.  It also happened to be Mimi's birthday!  They invited us to come for the day and play!  There is a giant indoor swimming area with so many different things for the kids to do.  Madelyn and Marek loved the lazy river . . .

Micah and I sat and watched them go around and around . . .

We stayed all day and before leaving, they do a little show for the kids before bedtime so we stayed for a bit and watched. . .

Thank you, Mimi and Dziadek - we had so much fun!

Micah's Baptism

 We finally got little Micah baptized at 6 months!  It seems that with each child, it gets later and later.  :)

Micah was doing great up until about 5 or 10 minutes before we had to gather at the back of the church.  I had brought a bottle that I was trying to heat up to feed her.  She was a little upset for a while. . .

 After the anointing of the water . . .

 Talking to the Godparents (Jessica and Dan). . .

 Dan took the "hold the candle high" comment a little too seriously . . .

She's baptized!  Fr Richard really used a lot of oil to anoint Micah!  Her hair was an oil slick!

 Attempting a family photo . . .

 and with the Godparents (Dan's arm must be so tired . . .)

 And finally our picture with Fr. Richard.

 Brian getting a mouth full of oil. . .

Everyone came to our house to celebrate after the mass.  It was a great and important day for our precious girl.

Micah Sitting Up

My sweet little monkey started sitting up this month on her own.  I keep the boppy around her just to be sure . . .

Proud sister and brother . . .

6 Month Check-Up

 Micah had her 6 month check up on her 6 month birthday.  :)  She looks happy now - little does she know that her birthday present from the doctor isn't all that desirable.

 My little ham . . .

She has been discovering her hands and thinks they are the coolest.

 Her stats:

Height:  26"
Weight:  16 lb 10 oz
Head:  43 cm

Piano Lessons?

She's starting young . . .

Easter

On Saturday, we decorated eggs after Madelyn's dance . . .

 They turned out great!

 Sunday morning the kids searched for eggs and baskets!

 After church, we headed to Nana and Papa's house.  The Easter bunny hid some eggs outside at their house, too . . .

 The kids raced to find the eggs!  These were good - they were filled with money!

 Micah snuggling with her uncle Jason.  :)

 The kids table . . .

 This clock that us girls got for papa several years ago has been a hit with all of the grandbabies.  The chimes play Beatles instrumentals.

 Our Easter family pic . . .

Easy Bake

One of Madelyn's birthday presents was an Easy Bake oven.  She actually got two ovens (the other is a Girl Gourmet Cake Bakery)! Anyway, we finally gave the Easy Bake a test run (because I know how to use that from my childhood!).

Pouring the cookie mix in a bowl . . .

 Adding water . . .

 Mashing the cookie dough in the cookie tin . . .

Waiting . . .

 Voila!  The cookies frosted and ready to eat!

Not bad!

St Patty's Day

We actually flew home from Destin on St. Patrick's Day.  We were all in green.  :)  

Here are my cuties all safe at home in shades of green . . .

Spring Break 2010!

We went on our first vacation by plane for Spring Break as a family of FIVE!

Anxiously awaiting the plane for our early flight on Friday morning . . . 

 Once in Destin, despite the chilly 70 deg weather, the kids wanted to head straight to the "hot pool" . . .

We then headed to the beach . . .

 It was like a wind tunnel!

Little Micah staying warm in a little sand cove that daddy put her in!

 Madelyn and Marek didn't seem to notice the wind or lower temperatures . . .

They played in the ocean running from the waves . . .

I snapped this shot just before Marek face planted on the beach, in the freezing water.  We decided this would be a great time to head back to the hotel to get cleaned up for dinner!

The next morning (Saturday) we took our time waking up and eating breakfast and then headed to the Baytowne Wharf.

Marek was sad that I didn't let him play in this fountain . . .

For lunch, we went to Fudruckers - live gators!

Ok - not this one . . .

 
 After eating, we walked around and checked out all the sunbathing gators.

Nothing too exciting (for us anyway).  The gators just laid in the sun and barely moved - not even for food!

 The long day still seem to tucker them out!

 Once back in the room, daddy, of course, came up with the "superman onto the bed" game . . .

 It was a hit.  :)

 On Sunday, we headed to the beach, again, for lunch and playing in the wind.  I mean, on the beach . . .

 I tried to keep little Micah doo all bundled up and out of the wind . . .

Monday morning, Tom took the kids to the beach again while Micah and I opted for strolling at the outlet mall.  We all met up for lunch and then took a dolphin cruise on a "glass bottom boat".  The "glass bottom" was 4 small windows in the "dungeon" to observe the green, murky water . . . :)

We took turns holding our little napper. . .

We saw a few dolphins but the real hit was feeding the seagulls off the back of the boat!  They gave each child a bag of cheetos - half were eaten and half fed to the birds . . .

Madelyn and Marek each got to take a turn being the Captain of the ship!

This is one of my favorite pictures that I snapped with my Blackberry while we were all snuggling in the hotel room.

Our last day was Tuesday and we attempted to get a family photo on the beach.  We should have tried this earlier in the week - and during the day!  It was cold, overcast, and windy but we got it done!

Great times and wonderful memories.