Annie is One Year Old!!

October 2008

October 2009

Happy Birthday Annie!!

A few recent photos...

This proves these girls are Nilsen/Erickson. Books, books, and more books. Clara looks so funny over in the coner with her arms crossed. She was the one who started pulling the books out so I don't know why she is over there.

Ladies man or a great daddy someday?

"Oh, yeah, I'm cool. I can climb the stairs and you can't stop me."

(unless the gate is up)

What can I say? :)

"Sisters, sisters..."

These three may be the best pictures I have ever gotten with all four actually in the shot. I'll take what I can get. :)

Not sure what was wrong with Annie in this one.

They were all playing so nicely here. That does seem to be happening more and more. Thank you Lord!

Out of the mouth of babes...

Owan: "Annie is my friend. Annie is my car friend." Explantion: Owan and Annie sit beside each other in the car.



Mimi asked Owan to put away the plastic toy Little People barn. Owan, as he was putting it away: "Is it to heavy for you Mimi?"



Clara was downstairs playing and started screaming "Help me." I went down half-way to see what she needed help with. When I saw it was just a dress-up sock that she wanted on I told her I would be back in a minute because I needed to get Annie. Elsie was sitting at the top of the stairs so I said "Maybe Elsie can help you." Elsie started going down right away and said "I will help you Clara." Then I heard a triumphant cry from Clara "I did it!" Then Elsie "Good job!" :)

Paragraph update

Well, we are all finally feeling better and healthy. We got past a very busy couple weeks and it's not really slowing down it's just nice that those two are done with. :)
Owan went to his first Sunday school on Sunday and his poor teacher has like ten kids mostly boys. I'm pretty sure Owan liked it but he hasn't said much about it.
Both Elsie and Clara are talking more and more grown up. It's so funny to hear three kids talking like that instead of just one. They were very cute today walking around the yard holding hands.
Annie is so close to walking! She will walk 4 or 5 step to a person and she can walk beside us holding just one hand. Also she is starting to use a very loud voice. I think she is learning if she wants to be heard in this house, that is the way it has to be. :)
I am trying to work on organizing and switching out kids clothes. It's a little overwhelming because I haven't down anything since Annie was born which is a year ago next month.
And life goes on...

A long weekend...

We stayed at Nilsen's lake cabin for the weekeend and enjoyed ourselves immensely! We went to the Woodstock Fair, played in the sand and cold lake water, played games, watched movies, picked berries, visited relatives, and even relaxed. Yes, I did just say we actually relaxed!! The key is to exhaust the kids beyond "code red" (Ryan and I have coded our children's emotional states and you can guess what code red is) and then put them to bed early so we can enjoy the evening. :) So here is our weekend in pictures.

K and E

R, O and A


A

Marcia and Bill, my in-laws. Great picture you two!

E, O, C

There was a sand sculpting company at the fair. That is entirely sand behind these three. Elsie and Clara have there hands behind there heads because Owan has his hands on them. I'm not sure if someone told him to put his arms around them or if he was trying to pull them back. I'm guessing it was the latter.

O on a ride where he found a toy snake and I don't think I have ever seen him so excited. It was one of those "that is so gross but you are making my heart explode with your happiness" moments. When he got off he asked if he could keep it...how could we say no? Yes, it was up to his face almost the whole day but, hey, if a kids never gets germs will his immune system ever get strong...no! So, go immune system, go! Oh, and he named it Fuzzy snake. :)

This is E and C getting off the ride, which was their first. The first couple rounds were fine but for the last few each time they came around they seem to take turns crying and they were a car apart too. I feel a little bad saying this but it was very funny to watch.

All of us and Ryan went on the Ferris Wheel. Very nice calm ride. The kids all enjoyed it and it was much cooler up there than down on the ground. (Notice the snake?)

K and C, "up where the air is clear"

Kari, O and R

Papa, Mimi and Ryan took O, E and C respectivly on the Carosel. Once again cautious Clara wouldn't ride on a horse. I'm so glad I didn't have to go on this ride I couldn't even watch it very long I got so dizzy.

Owan really enjoyed this goat at the petting zoo. He was playing with the beard and the goat just let him!

Kari, E and a camel.

Back at the lake. S and E just relaxing.

C and O trying to figure out Candyland. :)

E, O, C All I have to say is Brrrrr!

Stacy and Kari got me a pedicure for my b-day and we all decided to go with different shades of purple just for fun. I have to say it was thanks to Stacy and I am very much enjoying my purple toes!

Last summer this wonderful little restaurant was discovered by relatives and we have fallen in love it! it's called Bill's Bread and Breakfast. A tongue twister in itself. :) Our favorite food there is a huge pancake called The Chunky Monkey. It has bananas, chocolate chips and nuts in it! Mmmmm!!

After breakfast went and picked blueberries.

C, E, and me

Annie is getting a little bored here I think.

"Almost, just a little farther, stretch!"

This is Ryan's Great Uncle Paul. Elsie is named after his wife who passed away a couple years ago. The kids all really like him and ask to walk over to see him when we are staying at the lake.

E and O are in the front, C in the back.

This next pic is what happens when we take an exhausted 3 yr old for a paddle boat ride just before supper on the day we are leaving the lake after a very busy weekend. :)

Little update

Clara

Sorry I didn't get the picture turned before I put it on here.

Elsie

E, O, C

Kjirsti, E, O, C, Stacy

We are doing well other than a little infection for Elsie which affects my sleep because she wakes up itchy and can't sleep unless I hold her. Aaahhh! It is getting better though. Elsie is Owan's little shadow and echo. :)
Both Clara and Elsie seem to be hitting the stage where we can really see personalities coming out. Very fun stage!
Today when E and I came home from the Dr. and grocery shopping we were at the front steps when I heard a very loud yell from inside. "Elsie!" It was Clara. :) She came over and tried to give E a hug but E wasn't interested. Clara wasn't phased though. Oh, Clara has a very deep voice. It's hilarious!
Annie took one little independant step today. She wouldn't duplicate again though. She and Owan, despite his "talent" for hurting her, seem to be very good buddies. No one can make her laugh like O can.

Owan has said so many funny things lately. He just came out of his room tonight after bedtime and said "Mommy, I'm frozen hot." :D
The other pastor at church was done as of Sunday so Ryan will be adjusting to that for the next few weeks (months?). We are going to look for a pastor who will focus on children's ministries/young families.
We just came off 3 of the busiest weeks we have had for awhile but this week is much quieter (Ryan is only gone one night!) and Stacy and Kari are taking me out for a pedicure for my b-day, probably on Thursday, so I'm excited for that!

I think it very funny how I can keep up with this so well for awhile and then be so bad at it for awhile. Maybe I am starting a good streak again. :) The above pictures are from a parade of Fire engines up in East Hartland, CT. I wanted to put them here at the end but for some reason I couldn't get them to move. Oh well.

Haircuts!!

BEFORE

AFTER