Spring 2010

Liam climbed up on the counter, struck a pose, and said 'Mom, take my picture.' How could I refuse, this is hilarilous. Note the 'Cars' Underwear.

As the weather warmed up we took the kids out every chance we could. Here we are at old UMD.
Charlotte posing for senior photos.

Decorating the Easter Tree.

Liam fell asleep like this. So cute.

Preping the Garden.

Liam and Charlotte made an Easter cake with Grandma Bridget.

Waiting to start a nature hike.

Here is the tile in our entry way. Also, a dresser I bought at Good Will. I plan to paint it and use it as a night stand. But, the tile was the big project.

Below: Brian ripping out tile.

We were going to put in black granite and white marble, but we ended up deciding to put in wood floor up to the entryway threshold and then restore the original tile that was underneath.

Also: We painted the stairs! This is a side view from before.

When we moved in, the stairs were covered in green carpet. We ripped up the carpet and decided to paint the stairs a rich brown and cream.

Below: Before

Below: AFTER!!! Still needs another coat and some touch up.

Below: Bridget worked really hard making trim for the bathroom in the attic. Tonight we're hoping to finish up the drywall, paint and put in the new toilet!

February, February

Below: Charlotte and Liam playing 'barbies' in her room.

For her birthday, I made Charlotte 'princess curtains' to hang over her bed. Doesn't Brian look excited?
Below: We've had a bit of cabin fever lately so we've taken to walking daily every afternoon. Charlotte usually complains and want's to go home. Liam complains because he want's us to go further and faster.

Below: The view from our Balcony. In addition to walking, I've been opening the Balcony door to get some fresh air and let the cats escape the kids.

This is the bathroom in our attic. It was painted horrible colors, the floors have cheap laminate, and in the corner behind the door is a NASTY, UGLY,CHEAP, OLD shower. We have since painted the walls an earthy green, the doors are a creamy white and we ripped out the shower today!!! We're hoping to tile the floor next weekend.

The guest bedroom in the attic had 'gingerbread' trim and was painted a weird greenish blue color. We ripped down the trim, mudded it, and are prepping it for paint this week! Yay us.

This is the bathroom. Behind the shower was a big hole in the wall.

'New' bathroom!

Below: The cat hanging out on the Balcony.

Charlotte and Liam taking pictures of the cats.

Below: Charlotte's 4th Birthday party.

Dishing out the cake!

Blowing out the candles.

The Birthday cake!

Charlotte with her friends Ella and Lilly. She had so much fun hanging out with them.

Playing 'Pin the Crown on the Princess.'

Below: Liam woke up early from his nap one day and wanted to help out.

Liam doing dishes! So cute.

So as you can see we've been busy this month! Charlotte is 4 Years old now. Sometimes I think she should be older and sometimes I can't believe she's already four.

What has she been up to lately?

Charlotte likes to work in her pre-k books tracing letters, doing mazes and identifying shapes and colors. She loves to be read to. She LOVES Barbie dolls and anything having to do with princesses. For Christmas we got her a CD player and she spent a lot of time in her room listening to music and singing along.

She's constantly asking me if/when she can get married and get a baby in her tummy.(to quote her verbatim).

Liam is doing well. Aside from TWO ear infections, he's peppy and fun and is slowly learning to use the potty.

Both of the kids have been actively participating in daily chores. They make their beds, clean their rooms and the toy room, feed the cats, and 'help' mom and dad around the house. For their efforts they get to put stickers on their chore chart!

Christmas 2009 and Ringing in 2010

Charlotte and Liam with Santa at Bentleyville!

We waited in line for almost forty five minutes and it was freezing!

Liam asked Santa for a fire truck and a cake. Here is the cake that Santa brought Liam.

Liam, trying to cut his cake. Don't worry, he didn't have the knife for long.

Below: Liam digging candy and toys out of his stocking.

Charlotte opened a Tinkerbell doll.

Below: I made pieces for a gingerbread house and it turned out to be a disaster. They ended up dipping candy in frosting and eating it.

Below: Katy and her Zen Netflix. She sat with the kids and watched TV with them until they were lulled to sleep.

Erik and Katy

Liam modeling his robe.

Left: Charlotte modeling the princess dress she got.

Below: Fun with Grandma in the Hot tub.

Liam and his new g-friend Vanessa.

Liam, Aunt Alicia and Grandpa

Charlotte and my (Laura) cousin Noah. She adored him.

Noah, Liam and Charlotte watching a movie.

Charlotte in the car on the way home.

Liam passed out in the back of the car.




For Family Home Evening we had a 'sleepover' in the living room. Liam insisted on tucking in his favorite toys. Two firetrucks.

If you look closely Charlotte is listening to her new Discman from Santa. She has a Disney Princess Christmas CD.

Liam lined up his dinosaurs and was quite proud.

Charlotte and Pumpkin. she's listening to her headphones and he's sleeping.

Lily being antisocial.