Splashing Pool Style

Peyton swimming in the little froggie pool. It only took him 1 1/2 hours to finally realize that the frog slide was super fun! He was a little too nervous to attempt the slide until dad picked him up and gave him a little push! After that, he hit it about 25 more times by the end of our time there!
CANON BALL!! Look out for Logan!

Clinging to dad for dear life in the big pool

Getting brave now and swimming on his back. It helps that the pool is only 6-9 inches deep.

The "scary" froggie slide that Peyton just couldn't seem to brave right away. It's small enough for the little guys but just as fun for the big boys, although they spent most of their time on the twisty slide into the big pool.

Baptized and All Smiles

Here is Ella wearing her beautiful baptismal gown which each of her brothers, dad, uncles Brad and Aaron have all worn before her. Wow! Really? The first girl to wear this? I think she wears it well! The pink bow is a nice touch.

Mmmm! Yummy Banana Cake made by Grandma Susie (decorated by mom)

Ella is very blessed to have our wonderful and faithful friends, Misty and Drew serving as her Godparents on this special day. God Bless you Ella!

Grandma Jeanie and Papa Tom with Ella

Grandma Susie and Bumpa

Ella slept throughout the whole baptism. Not even a peep as Father baptized her with the holy water.

Ella's first dress! She looked so cute with her pink and brown dress, pink tights and matching shoes. We needed the extra matching socks in order to keep her shoes on.

Love this smile although she is looking like she is balding!

So happy to be so loved by her big brothers, Peyton and Logan

Not sure what she is smiling at here but I love these first smiles!

We just had to capture the first pretty pink bow in her hair. Thanks Auntie Brittany for all of the pretty hair accessories.

Ella's First Month

Ella is one month old today!
Is that a little smirk? We are waiting impatiently for those first smiles!

Pretty in pink

Our perfect little present

Ella has been such a good baby. Eating and sleeping in good patterns. Keep up the good work my little sweetie!

Look Who's Two!

Happy Birthday Colton! And, thank you to all of the boys who helped to decorate the cake! It looks (and tasted) delicious!
Colton spent the day in his jammies and when he woke up from his nap--SURPRISE! We were all set for a party! When dad and the boys got home from school and work, we celebrated with Colton's favorite meal of macaroni and cheese, fruit salad and "kid wine." Yum!

Colton didn't care much about the candles with all of those sprinkles, but eventually blew out one candle and got some help with the other one.

Ella was there too but slept through the whole party!

Colton and mom

Hockey Jamborees in January

Caleb is ready to play!
Logan proudly showing his medal from the Mite/Pop jamboree at the Miners. Logan is a hustler and loves scoring goals for Mom, Ella, and whoever else is in his heart that day!

Teammates and classmates--Matthew and Elijah with Logan

Caleb and his teammates--the Mite White Team--together after the Mesabi East jamboree. Great job team!

Thank you Caleb for standing still long enough to take your picture! Whew!

Merry Christmas '09

Cousin Kolby and Ella in their Christmas pj's--hard to believe he's only 3 months older!
Ella was a super good girl this year!

Santa's visit with all of the kids (except Colton who wouldn't go near him)! We have Bethany, Kylie, Drake, Caleb, Kolby, Charlie, Logan holding Ella, and Peyton who was the most super excited to see him!

Is there a lump of coal in that present, Caleb?

Peyton could hardly contain himself when Santa arrived! He was yelling to everyone making sure that they knew Santa was here and couldn't wait to sit next to him and receive his gift--more Bakugan! Just what Peyton wanted!

Grandma Bubbles and Ella Marie Constance

Logan and his completed Power Miner from Grandma Bubbles--amongst all of the chaos of Christmas, kids and family, he sat and put it together in just over 45 minutes!

Colton in his new cottage with a doorbell and cordless phone and all

Christmas morning and the boys are in their matching dinosaur pj's--sorry Ella. We had to go with pink for you and they didn't make pink dinosaurs.

Christmas Eve with Grandma Jeanie (and Papa Tom) not pictured

Ella and her Christmas Teddy from Logan who picked it out himself at the school shopping spree. He's such a thoughtful shopper! Colton got a wooden car, Caleb got a brand new football, Mom got a Christmas wreath and Ella got her Teddy.

Getting silly with kid wine on Christmas Eve

Oh so impatiently waiting to dive into Grandma Jeanie's gingerbread house

Welcome home Ella!

All tuckered out after her first bath at home--sweet dreams Ella!
Looks so sqeaky clean you can practically smell the Baby Magic! Love it!

Gotta love even the new pink towel!

So cozy on her first night home. The boys had a quick visit after school and then got to go play outside for a bit with dadand we enjoyed the peace and quiet while watching out the window.

Colton promptly got out of the car to shovel for us when we got home. What a kid!

Although they weren't home, we stopped by Grandma Susie and Bumpa's house after leaving the hospital so we could wait until Caleb and Logan were done with school. She got some more loving from Peyton and Colton while we were there.

One more pic before leaving the hospital--homeward bound!

Ready to roll!

All dressed and ready to go home! It's so nice to see them in clothes after 3 days of swaddling like a burrito in the hospital. That swaddling sure works though--unfortunately, I've never gotten the hang of it myself--as good as the nurses anyway.