Happy Birthday Carolyn!

Happy Birthday to you happy birthday to you happy birthday dear Carolyn!  Happy birthday to you =)

Have a great 6th birthday!!

1sts

 Cake = good

 He had a few "helpers" with the present opening

He was so interested in each piece of paper he ripped off.  He'd been trying to eat them before I started the video =)  He'd rather eat stuff like that than food (except cake of course)....hmmmm.
Anyhow, he had a good 1st birthday!

Sharing.

I happened upon this site through a different blog a while back.  It's called Ebates and it...yup, you guessed it, saves you money!  Since I'm fond of saving, I thought maybe one of you were too....

So, how it works is, you go to ebates and there are literally hundreds of stores, if you like/need to shop online, this is the way to go.  You click on the store and it will either give you a coupon code, or free shipping, or a combo of codes, you are then directed to the store and shop & buy what you want.  THEN, you get a check for cash back. (Each store has a certain % of cash back). 

I just received a check from them a few days ago.  Granted, I don't buy a whole lot online, BUT, when you can get stuff cheaper than in the stores and $ back, it may make more sense to do that!

Check it out if you'd like, using this link below, and we can each get $5 added to our account if you sign up!

Ebates

It's been 1 year!!!

Then

And look at me NOW!!

Happy 1st Birthday little boy!
We love you oodles and oodles!
XOXO
Daddy, Mommy, Jacob, Emily and Meri

What do you do with YOUR junk mail???

Cousins over the holidays

 Carolyn & Meri enjoying playing with their baby. 

Lay down like a good baby and go to sleep now.  I think he just kind of gave up and let them play baby with him =)

Jake & Benji's favorite thing to play this time around!

Just a bunch of random, disorganized thoughts:

*Unfortunately I've been neglecting my camera, I tend to do that when there's a bunch going on and just one me.

*But, I'm sure you can imagine the fun they had!

*I'm shocked that my baby will be ***1*** in just 1 week!  WHERE did this last year go?  It feels like he should still be a baby.  Well, I guess he is, but he is getting bigger that's for sure.  (23 pounds, 32" long 99%!!)

*In the middle of baking sugar cookies the other day the bottom element of our oven went kapuk.  The kids would love to eat them all raw, but they got stuck in the fridge until we get the element replaced. 

*I attempted driving on ice the other day.  I was so *thankful* for the helpful signs the highway people put up warning to "use caution--icy roads ahead".  What happened to actually fixing the problem? Salt and sand used to work.  So, we turned around.  And this was the interstate. 

*Maybe we'll try again today.  Those cookies MUST get baked! =)

*I guess that's it.  Have a GREAT day!

New Years 2011

Yes, it was raining when we got there, but after sitting for a long car ride, the kids had more than enough energy to burn, and the rain didn't stop them....besides, it made for some great snow forts!

 Aunt Becky read book after book after book after book ..... to the kids.  She brought a bunch of books for the kids, so it was like they had their own library of new books!

 Jael giving Meri a back massage =)

 Seth reading to Jake

 James first birthday present....er....he thought it was a drum I guess ;-)

 It's okay little feller, it won't bite too hard, go on...
This was one of James' bday presents

 Let's go to the sledding hill!

 Jael steered down for Meri

 Joe helping with the send-off

 Everyone got in a few games of Wahoo!  I remember playing this with my grandma when I was little

 The girls Wahoo game

 Jake learned quite a few new games that weekend, and this is the game (Sequence) he wanted to play over and over and over

The rest of the time was spent playing with the doll house, barbies, coloring, puzzles...

We really enjoyed our time up north, ringing in the New Year.  James went to bed about 9, Meri around 10 and Jake was WIDE awake still at midnight.  Emily was sitting with us at the table helping play a game and started dozing off about 20 minutes before.  So, here's hoping for a happy, healthy New Year!