Disney Princess' on Ice

Grammy and mommy took the older girls to Disney on Ice again this year...love to see the delight in their eyes and the smiles on their faces. They were in such awe of the Princess' and sat great through the 2 hour show!! We were lucky enough to have some friends to go with us (so mom wouldn't bore them too much)! Kristin and Keyara and Grammy loaded up in the van with us and off to Kearney we went! Of course, a trip to Kearney wasn't going to be complete without some shopping at Old Navy and Target!! The pictures from the actual show really did not turn out that well; but enjoy the ones of the girls!

Go West Young Ones...

But be careful of the weather! Halloween was supposed to be in Idaho this year with Leo and Madeline. We planned to leave Wednesday afternoon and get as far as Sidney Nebraska; which still lfet us about 10-12 hours on Thursday. When we left, we were well aware of the terrible storm that was developing across Wyoming (the only way we were getting to Idaho was through Wyoming). We left anyway with hopes that the interstate would be open by Thursday morning and the snowful amounts they were predicting would not come true. Let me just say, we must be the eternal optomists, because not only did the snowfall amount come true, it doubled in some areas, and the interstate was closed both East and West come Thursday morning, and Friday morning. Us, and a bunch of truckers stuck in the motel. Thank goodness for Walmart and Cabelas; oh and a freezing cold pool and a slighty warmer than bathtub water hot tub. It was difficult at times to stay busy and take our minds off the weather. Thanfully my mom was with us to help entertain and Tony ended up with some meetings in Sidney and was therefore stuck as well when the interstate back home was closed!! (HE was not planning on being with us in Idaho). Lunchtime on Friday, interstate opened Eastbound and we took off for home...with much sadness on the way, we made it home safely and without ripping out anyones hair!!

Check out what we did to pass the time:

Addison colored lots of pictures:

Olivia, well she was just Liv. She danced, she exercised, she sucked her thumb, and she

made us all laugh:

Ella played with anything she could get her hands on:

And when Tony was with us in the hotel room, he was checking the weather, the roads and looking at the pictures of the storm in Wyoming:

Happy Halloween Princess Style

Despite not being able to make it to Idaho, we had a great Halloween. Since we were not expecting to be home, we had to make a quick trip to get some candy and some other neccessities (check out Daddy)!!

Of course Addison and Olivia had to be princess'. Addison was determined to be Jasmine this year, and I tried to talk her out of it when I could just not find a costume, but she found that tiny little spot in my heart and made it melt; I crumbled and caved and found the costume on ebay!! Olivia was contect with one of the dozen princess costumes we already had at home; and poor little Ella just keeps getting to follow in her big sisters footsteps. She was a little monkey and by far the cutest one!! Our good friends the Caspar's brought their kids over to join in on the fun with the girls. They had a great time strolling up and down the streets in the 60 degree weather!! It was a beautiful night and great time was had by all!!

Daddy told the girls that if they finsihed thier dinner on Halloween night, they could spray paint his hair. Liv ate hers all done and enjoyed spraying dad with a little help from mommy (who probably enjoyed it more than daddy!!)!!

Pumpkin Patch

On Saturday, Mamo and Bampo treated their 5 little granddaughters and their parents to a sun filled day at the pumpkin patch! It was so much fun to see the girls all playing together, to hear the giggling and the continous laughter. Of course the day was filled with smiles and memories, even complete with a few tears. None the less, a great time was had by everyone. We tried numerous times to get some great pictures of the kids; do you know just how hard that really is?? Our kids were exhausted and took naps on the way home. When we stopped along the way for dinner, we realized we head left home without one VERY important thing...sunscreen. Who would have thought...Ella is on meds that make her very sensitive to the sun, her face showed us just how sensitive that medicine is and that you truly must follow docotrs orders!! We felt like terrible parents. She is better now though. So without further ado...enjoy the picture post (this is for you Karen!!)

BodyPump

I have to steal the stage for myself a moment. I am taking my fitness and health goals to the next level. Since the middle of June, I have found a new passion for exercise and becoming more healthy. I have lost almost 30 pounds and would still like to lose about 10-15 more. I was approached by the owners and managers at the gym I belong to about becoming a Group Fitness Instructor. I was very excited at first, and then the more I thought about it, I thought I was not ready for something like this because I was not where I needed to be yet. Well, after some long midnight conversations with Tony and a lot of prayer, I decided to do it. My first certification is in Les Mills Body Pump. If you are not familiar with BodyPump check out this website: http://www.lesmills.com/ It is the original barbell fitness class. It rocks! I had my intial training this past weekend. It kicked my butt in more ways than one. I doubted myself at numerous times throughout the weekend, shed LOTS of tears and sweat and also survived and am on my way to becoming a world class fitness instructor. My journey is just beginning and I hope and pray that you will keep me in your prayers and your thoughts over the next 6 months as I dive more into the final stages of the certification process. Check out the others who are doing this also!! 4 other gals from my gym and the owner went through this training! One other gal and I were the only ones who were new to group fitness instucting.

Melody Round Up Parade

The two big girls were asked to be in the Homecoming Parade for Hastings College. They were princess'. And I am hear to tell ya, they loved it. Olivia loved it so much she did not want to take her dress off ALL day. Yes, she even took her nap in it, went to the mall in it, ate dinner! There were about 8 little princesses and they had a good time walking and throwing candy. Ella got to watch the parade and clap for all the bands!

Birthday Splash Bash

Since the girls birthdays are all so close, we have always chose to do a "group" birhtday party, not sure how much longer we can do that. Addison wanted a few friends invited this year and I wasn't quite up to a party with just kids, so we invited families, and we had about 40 people for the Splash Bash. I am quite certain all the kids had a great time in the pool, on the Slip-n-Slide and throwing water balloons!! Everything seemed to go without a hitch and none of my kids were sick for this one!!

I had gotten some ideas for the birthday party from a magazine and had an idea of just what I wanted for the cake. So not to ruin it and be disappointed, I left the cake making up to the professionals, and was really happy with how it turned out! Check it out...

We were so delighted to have Leo and Madeline joining us for the party this year. Living so far away, we just never know when we are going to see each other again. Jenny got brave and boarded a plane east with just herself and the 2 kids. I am sure she was armed with lots of snacks, movies and toys to keep them quiet and content. From what I hear, she was relatively surprised at how well they did!! Kevin even got to drive down and surprise us for the long weekend!! Jenny and the kids stayed for the next week and the kids played so well, and Jenny was quite the trooper; having 2 days by herself with all 5 kids. The visits ALWAYS go so fast, and we are always sad to see them come to an end. The girls and I are trying to plan a trip west for Halloween. Hopefully the snow holds off and we can make it. Grammy has not ever been able to spend a Halloween with the girls, so it will be fun for her to see them.

I was a terrible host while they were here and did not take any pictures. So if you want to indulge yourself in a laugh, head over to http://www.kjwelshfamily.blogspot.com/ and check out Leo as Hannah Montana!! I am sure Jenny was thankful for no big sisters for Leo; as she got a glimpse of what it looks like to have 3 girls...pink, pink, fufu, fluff and lots more pink, oh and crazy dress-ups!!

Addison's Flip Flop Party

In my last ditch effort to not make something hard for Addison's birthday, we settled on a Flip Flop ckae. And it turned out rather cute! Addison loved it! We had gymnastics that evening, but ate that yummy cake as soon as we got home!!

I decided to surprise Addison with a special day for her on her 5th birthday.
We spent the afternoon getting manicures and pedicures! I think she is hooked as she has asked me numerous times when we can go back and get another one. If they gave me a discount since her feet can't even touch the water without sitting up and therefore not enjoying the massage chair, we would go more often. It was more expensive than I was planning, but we had tons of fun none the less!

Happy 5th Birthday Addison

Happy 5th Birthday Addison!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Has it really been 5 years??? (More now that I have slacked on my posts). Addison, you came into this world very slowly, and once you got here you sped up and have not stopped since. I love watching you interact with both Olivia and Ella. You are such an incredible big sister, so mature and so caring. I have to often remind myself that you are only 5, and I need to treat you like a 5 year old. Today, you are 5. Today you gain more responsibilities. Today you have chores. Today you are mommy's big helper. Today you are more mature than a 5 year old. Today you are wise beyond your years. Today you have learned to ride your bike. Today you are potty trained (thank goodness). Today you love to do gymnastics. Today you tell me you want to do soccer. Today you tell me not to "freak out". Today you make me laugh with the crazy things you say. Today you are still scared of going underwater. Today you love to sleep with Olivia in your bed. Today you find ways to not eat your dinner. Today you got a special treat from mommy and got a spa pedicure. Today you drive mommy and daddy crazy. Today mommy and daddy drive you crazy. Today you make me smile. Today you make my heart overflow with love. Today you love to snuggle with mommy in the morning. Today you make my heart ache because I am at work and not with you. Today you are my peanut. But yesterday you were this...