Abby turns 6!!!

Abby has been counting down to her birthday for about 364 days, so it was AMAZING to finally be January 22nd!!!!!  She had a drawn out celebration with Andy's parent coming through town on Thursday, Alli & Ian here for the weekend, a few of her girlfriends over on Saturday, a family party on Sunday, and a delayed dinner out on Monday.  She was thoroughly sugared up.

Finally 6!

Blowing out the candles on her first cake.

Yes, we let her cut the cake by herself. Actually not bad for her first time with a butcher knife.

Here are a few pictures from the party.  Cutting out SUGAR cookies:

We then played several games.  This one they were blindfolded and had to find various balls on the ground.

Awesomeness.

Then they wore a pedometer and ran around to see how many steps they could get in a minute.

Finally a shoe toss where they kicked a shoe and tried to get it to land on the table.  Notice Andy protecting the TV - not the kids.  :)

After the party, Ian and Charlie played some piano:

The "kids" did some shrinky dinks:

Alli (and Ian) made (the best) enchiladas (and guac and salsa) - (ever!!!!!)

Ian and Charlie constructed domino trails:

Abby getting in on the enchilada assembly.  Dinner preparation is an evening event when Alli & Ian are cooking.  You can't rush perfection!

Then when the kids got to bed, the adults got back to the shrinky dinks.  This is a science!

Then, on her "real" birthday - 6 again!!!

Her second cake - this one I made.  And it was AMAZING if I do say so myself.  We gave the kids each a slice on Abby's birthday and Andy and I hid the rest for ourselves. :)

Abby got dart guns for her birthday.  Here are the kids in a little "war".  Ashley discovered she could keep spares on her glasses, so Abby had to do the same with her dollar store glasses.  

And then, finally, the long awaited Red Robin dinner and conclusion to the birthday celebration!!

She is an old pro at being 6 now, and already talking about 7.  Someone stop the madness.

Winter storm 2012

Treacherous conditions here today.  Rain mixed with snow and 36 degrees.  We have live reporters all over the city monitoring conditions and keeping us updated by the minute.  We braved the storm and went outside for some snow fun.  Don't let the fact that the kids were in their pj's without coats or gloves fool you.  Treacherous, I tell you.

Front door fieldtrip!

We had a surprise adventure this morning with 3 firetrucks and 2 ambulances outside our house.  They were visiting the neighbor and thankfully no one was hurt.  The nice firemen invited the kids on board after they were finished.  The kids were SO excited. 

The bar has now been raised for what is considered exciting around here.  :) 

Tebow and Haircuts!

The big events this week were learning the words to "All he does is win" and donating hair for wigs for cancer kids.  If you have not heard the Tim Tebow tribute, you need to study it.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMK9FKMG3Nc

All the kids passed for enthusiasm, but Charlie just seemed to repeat the same phrase over and over.

And you will notice that Abby's hair is significantly shorter.  She had 11 inches cut off to donate to Locks of Love.  She is loving her short hair - displayed by an exaggerated hair flip when she turns her head now.  Here are Abby & Charlie dancing.  Charlie testing out his jumping skills and Abby testing out her hair bounce potential.

And Abby with her locks.