January 2010 Continued...

Mishayla and Sylvester come to an understanding...

The girls enjoying "snowman soup." A gift from a patient of mine.

It's delicious. What can I say, it involves cocoa, chocolate kisses, marshmallows, a candy cane to stir, etc.

Mishayla and Sylvester bond after her nap one sunny afternoon.

Sylvester is a downstairs only cat (failed to learn how to stay off the kitchen counters), and sometimes he just gets desperate for some attention. What is Mishayla doing to her eye? Sylvester kisses... Uncle Blaine and Mishayla. What's in there???

My mom's knee after getting stitches after a fall.

(It's healed up now.)

My mom - not so enthusiastic about me taking a picture of her knee.

Girls playing in the jet tub at Gpa and Gma's.

They loved "swimming" in the tub.

My "helper."

No, we really don't keep our dishes on the floor...Especially now.

Pantry cupboard pictures to follow!

Mishayla

Same old problem. Nobody wants to look at the camera.

Neah Nova. Neah means "butterfly" in Cherokee. This little girl came to stay for a week. Initially, her parents were considering an adoptive placement, but reconsidered. This little one has a special place in our hearts, and we hope for the best for her. She's a sweetheart!

Moving Right Along Into 2010

We celebrated the start of the New Year with friends in Washington!

*Photo credit to Tonya (my camera battery died)

Entertaining story...

My only picture of Braden. I will have to do better next time.

You can see more pictures of this cute boy on his blog!

Lisa and Melania

P.S. Lisa, this picture really makes me miss you! I hope we are able to get together again soon!

Girls don't really need toys. Just give them some empty boxes.

This story is more recent than the picture...

Melania was holding a large flat rock that she found outside.

She showed it to June, and told her that she had reached Level 2 and was having a great game on her "Outside Leapster." Great imagination. June has dubbed the rock the "Stoneage Leapster." I found it pretty amusing because Melania is as addicted to her Leapster as I will allow! (which is about 30 minutes daily!)

Christmas in April...At least for this blogger!

Being an infrequent blogger puts one at a disadvantage. I can never remember what order the pictures will be uploaded... So we will start on Dec. 30 with Tyler's 10th birthday. He is my oldest nephew and has a cake with an archery theme! It's his new 4-H hobby. Both Melania & Mishayla love to sing "Happy Birthday!" One year, it became a tradition to take Aunt Wendy and Uncle Blaine's picture with all the kids. This year's rendition featured an unhappy Spencer, or "Spenster" as the girls call him. Hopefully Uncle Hugh was able to get a better picture than I did! Presents 2009. The ever popular bath foam.

and Chapstick!

Dr. Mishayla is now accepting patients.

Mishayla likes her Geotrax and yes, her chapstick!

Any dress that has "princess qualities" is a big hit.

Pizza?

Breakfast? The girls loft is fixed up as a playhouse, complete with kitchen and wooden food.

Another lovely gown.

And, the Princess Leapster game. Very popular on our trip to Washington!

Melania had Colton Jack's name. He likes GeoTrax too. Bull & Bruno?

Melania sprawled on Kaitlyn's bean bag.

Spencer is a little mixed up on his holidays!

The evening after Christmas Day....

Duane and Barb

Karen and Wendy playing with Taylor Rae's gift.

Karen might be accepting orders on knit hats... Let me know if you want one.

Dad's cousin Cliff and his wife stopped in for a visit.

Jason and Kaitlyn. She's a busy girl.

Guess what Santa brought Colton Jack?

Games

and more games.

Rook, anyone? House rules apply.

Tyler takes time after dinner to catch up with Calvin and Hobbs.

Kid games - Taylor Rae, Trenton and Kadyn

Melania has a slice of pie.

Family dinner.

Great Gma helps Mishayla.

Emily and Taylor - Emily will be joining the family as my cousin Shaun's wife!

Cooks in the kitchen

Prep cooks in the kitchen- Shannon, Wendy, Emily and Carmen

Pre-dinner story hour. So cute, Tyler reading to the kids.

Mishayla and Spencer playing. Spencer loves balls - any size will do.

Uncle Duane reads to Melania.

Christmas morning... Santa came! The girls in their loft recliners emptying out their stockings.

Mishayla wanted a Princess Barbie like Melania's.

My sweet M&M's

June was blowing bubbles for the girls. Not sure what happened to Mishayla.