Winter Happenings

What have we been doing this winter? Jane got a new hat.

Jane & Lorelai pose together

Ephraim had a sledding party to celebrate his birthday (early! his birthday is actually in the summer, but he wanted a sledding party)

And Jane has been checking out an American Girl Doll magazine. Notice her doll (in hand... raggedy little thing that it is) compared to the doll in the picture. Poor deprived children! ;)

Silas' Baptism

Silas was baptized a couple of weeks ago. Here are pictures from the fun occasion:

Our family posing together along with Grandma J. I like how Silas is the only person looking at the camera in this first picture. Funny expression he has, too!

Silas' Grandma from Switzerland commissioned this one-of-a-kind shirt (created by Silas' Aunt G) to celebrate the baptism.

Congratulations Silas!

Silas Turns 8!

Silas recently celebrated his 8th birthday!  He is in second grade now and is doing well academically. He has lots of friends, enjoys soccer and basketball, and is also a great piano player. Silas is always trying to keep up with his big brothers, who all 3 are constantly trying to out-joke each other (much to our dismay because the dinner table is a constant ruckus!). Silas is a great big brother to Lorelai & Jane and regular gets Jane some breakfast. Silas is responsible and still excellent at doing chores without whining too much. We love you Silas!! :)

 Silas had another sledding and video game birthday party with friends this year. Here they are posing together. There is something so cute (and ornery and high energy) about 2nd grade boys!

After the birthday party our babysitter came over to watch Lorelai and Jane while the rest of us went skiing! It was a cold but great night.

Favorite Play Thing? Umbrellas!

Lorelai got an umbrella for Christmas and Jane has been begging for one ever since. It arrived and these 2 sisters have been having a lot of fun together. 

 Silas & Ephraim wanted in on the photo. Boys know how to look so lovely... ;)

And a side topic: I looked out the window and found Silas' $220 glasses on a rock. Doh!

The Extravaganza

We just celebrated our Dec 31st / January 1st Annual Extravaganza in two parts: 1) bounces houses, a circus and music downtown, and 2) a family party with a midnight countdown at our house. Enjoy the photos!

Silas & Ephraim (Silas is doing "reindeer hands")

Lorelai on a slide

Lorelai

Lorelai & Azael

Jane

Lorelai & Jane enjoy the train

Lorelai on the tightrope

 Jane wanted to try the tightrope, but BAILED at the last minute.

Lorelai on a big wheel/teeter-totter

Silas has a go...

Our party at home with our favorite sparkling drinks, hats, & horns.

Merry Christmas, Darlings!

Lorelai left Santa a sweet note last night. It says "I love you Santa Cloz" on the front

In the middle it shows a picture of her with a Kirby doll she wanted. 

 And she signed her name on the back. So sweet. She didn't ask for much. 

 Jane and Lorelai, the "believers" in our family, set out some milk & chocolate covered pistachios for Santa and also 9 carrots for the reindeer.

 Up before the sun, everyone posed in front of the tree this morning prior to opening gifts. 

 As the sun began to rise, the last gifts were opened by Mom - 6 gourmet chocolate bars from Vosges in Chicago. One kind had bacon in it. Yum! ;)

 And for much of the day, we saw THIS as they tried out their new Wii games.

 Jane played on her own most of the day with her new Minnie Mouse doll and also with a new doll house

Best part? We all stayed in PJs most of the day. Sweet! :)

Merry Christmas Darlings! It was a great day.

Monster Snow Fort

After 18 inchdes of snow, Mystery Man helped our kids built an awesome snow fort. It's about 8 feet tall. The kids had a complete blast playing in it with friends Lydia & Claire.