Happy Birthday Daddy!

Jeff went running this morning, to get his birthday started out right.  Lucas, Ellen and I were happy about that because we had some birthday breakfast and crafts to work on! 

Wait, why does Ellen have a popsicle at 8am?  Don't worry, she had something green for lunch.

We had fun making pancakes and Happy Birthday cards for Jeff.  He was surprised and happy to have pancakes in his belly.  It was a fun morning...

Date Night for Jeff's 35th Birthday

Jeff and I decided it was best to go out on 12/30 for his birthday this year.  12/31 is too crowded, expensive, etc... and we want to go downtown with Lucas and Ellen for the acorn drop tomorrow. Our friends, Marie and Olivier, volunteered to baby-sit L and E tonight for us - thanks guys! 

I just got my smart phone and have been using that instead of the big, bulky SLR camera.  I didn't remember, however, to use it tonight!  Except for this one picture of Marie and me.  Marie was planning to go out with friends at 10pm, so that explains her outfit choice (not your usual kid-watching attire.) 

What I wish that I had gotten a picture of was our ride for the night.  Olivier just bought a sporty BMW that he insisted we borrow for the night.  The funny thing, or maybe no-so-funny, was that we were going to a restaurant that is located right next to the R*leigh Homeless Shelter!  So Jeff parked the car right in front of it and felt like a jerk. 

Dinner was okay.  Great food, but not great environment.  Then we went to a movie. 

When we got home Olivier and Lucas were asleep on the couch, curled up together.  So cute!  Marie was gone, but Olivier said that Ellen fell asleep in her arms and she carried her to bed. 

Happy Birthday Jeffrey!  We love you!

Fall 2011 Family Pictures

My friend, Gina, took these pictures for us this fall...

Love this guy : )

Christmas Break Craft

Lucas and Ellen are home the rest of the week and Daddy is back to work, so we needed a craft.  I figured we'd try thank you cards.  (note from 3/18/2012 - we never actually got around to sending them... oh well!)

Ellen loves having permission to get messy with markers and glue...

Lucas thought everyone would enjoy pictures of l*gos on his cards...

Cuties hard at work...

This is the first time Ellen has ever written her entire name!  All by herself  :)

Merry Christmas!

Look what Santa brought us!  A giant bear for each kid, doll house for Ellen, L*go Star Wars game for Lucas, and a L*go St*r W*rs W*tch for Lucas. 

This was our first Christmas with just our little family and it was very nice.  Don't get me wrong, I will welcome any family in the future and even want to spend Christmas in Atlanta one year, but this was special too.  The kids took their time inspecting what Santa had brought them.  He even brought giant teddy bears.  We don't know he got them in his sleigh!

I love the way Lucas's mind works.  He asked Santa for about 4 things, but Santa brought him two extra things - the bear and the book he's holding up.  His first comment of the morning was, "Hey, I didn't ask Santa for this book!" 

I surprised Jeff with a painting of Tyson!  I did this at W*ne and D*sign a few weeks ago.  I must admit that I had some help from the artist that night.  I did the face by myself, however, and think it looks just like him. 

Here is Lucas opening his gift from Grandpa Schroeder - think he liked it?

And here is the bird opening her gift from Uncle Scott.  A scarf for her to do anything she wants!

Lucas opening his gift from SaSa - gardening tools!

Ellen opening her gift from SaSa - L*go Zoo!  She loved this.  Played with it all morning.

Since Jeff and Lucas played checkers on our vacation, Jeff wanted to get him a checkers/chess set.  He got it himself, so this is all from Daddy : )

Crazy Christmas morning mess...

Jeff got me brown boots : )

This was the first year we've done stockings.  The kids didn't remember them until late in the morning, which was nice because it was like Christmas surprise, take two.  The stuff in there entertained them almost as well as the good gifts they got!

Lucas is really into his toothbrush and toothpaste right now...