Brinn's Pokemon Birthday Party

Normally Brinn wants a Halloween birthday party.  This year she wanted a Pokemon Party.  Pokemon is big around here.  So big they have banned it at the elementary school.  Just one of those fads that circles back through, I guess.  But I know nothing about Pokemon.  That was Steven's thing growing up, not mine.  Thank goodness for Pinterest.  I think the party was a success.  We played some fun Pokemon themed games and Nel and I made an awesome pinata.  I was grateful it was a nice day and we could spend most of the party outside, because 13 nine year olds is a lot of noise...

Playing "Catch 'em All" with the pokemon they created. (soldier man game)

Out awesome pinata in action

Eric enjoying the party

Pinata time...

The guests: Joshua, Ava, Janie, Ashlee, Kaleb, Korbin, Emmalee, Lila, and Brooke (plus Owen)

Elise's Blessing

This last Sunday, Dave gave Elise a beautiful baby blessing.  We are so happy to have this sweet little angel in our family.  Thanks, mom, for the beautiful dress (I wish I knew how to take a better picture of her in it)!

My Little Helper

Eric had a rough morning today.  I don't know why, but he was grumpy.  He wouldn't eat breakfast (which in itself isn't anything to make note of), kept throwing himself on the ground and crying, and spent the morning telling Brinn to "Go away."  I finally sent him downstairs to watch Cars.  Then, with a moment to myself, I checked my email and facebook and was reminded that even these frustrating days are precious.  I went downstairs and finished watching Cars with Eric.  When we came up stairs he told me he wanted to make cookies.  So we made cookies together.  Then I decided to finally can the apple pie filling I've been meaning to can.  Eric wanted to help, so I let him help.  He was actually a good little helper.  He liked to try and peel/core the apples and would go out to the garage to get another apple from the box each time he finished.  When he would get the apple through by himself, he would proclaim, "Got it!" or "All done!" and then eat the apple peel.  The floor was definitely stickier, it took us longer, and we broke two jars, but it was a wonderful experience with my sweet little boy who always wants to help.  Sweet little Elise slept like an angel through it all. :) I love my two little darling kids who keep me company all day and can't imagine life without them.

While I was cleaning up, I convinced Eric the box was a car.  I tried to make him a steering wheel out of a paper plate.  He thought it made a better hat.

1 Month Already

Elise will be a month old at the end of the week.  It seems crazy that it has been that long.  She is such a sweet little girl.  We love her to pieces.  She loves to snuggle and be held, and is generally very easy going.  Eric likes to hold her, and likes to take her binky, and will even share his cars with her.  We are one happy family!

Miss Elise

Sweet little Elise Joan joined our family on August 27th at 12:37 pm.  She weighed 7 lbs 1 oz and was 19 in long.  She is a sweet little girl and good baby.  The girls adore her and Eric shows interest once in a while. Today he's been trying to pick her up and hold her.  Mostly he just ignores her as long as he gets his play time in with mom and the girls.  It is fun to have a newborn again, even if I don't get as much sleep.  She loves to cuddle, and mom loves that too. :) We are so glad she is part of our family.

Elise in my baby blessing dress.

First picture in the delivery room.

After her bath :)

Ready to go home!