Rylee's playing basketball!

I must admit that I am now pleased that the girls can't play softball year round, because it forced us to sign Ry up for basketball.  As usual, she had an amazing (short lived) season of b-ball even though she had never played.  Even though she has decided this isn't her sport, I'm happy she has another skill to add to her repretoire.

Ry, making the last shot of the game.

I love this picture I took in action mode. :)  (see the girl in the green?)

Playdough

Told you, lots of activities for the wee ones.  Notice the sunshine and flowers?  Wishful thinking!

A common expression from Rylee these days.  Makayla sporten the Illinois state shirt.

Gingerbread house attempt

With a winter like the one we've been having, one must plan plenty of indoor activities for the wee ones.  I actually had every intention to bake REAL gingerbread but spent a good part of my day shoveling instead.  Next year, for sure.

The before shot

And after!

After asking the kids (all 3 of them) to clean up the floor, they decided this would be the most efficient way to do it.

Should have bought this kit from 2003!  Look at my babies hugging, that's right, they use to love each other. :)

Decorating our very dangerous tree

Note to self for next year:  DO NOT buy an austian pine tree for your Christmas tree.  Yes, it may look very pretty  but can cause some serious pain while decorating and probably won't create those warm, happy memories one usually has of decorating the family tree.  Actually we all ended up on the floor laughing because it was so comical and needless to say, the tree got about half decorated.

Steve, after bringing the tree inside before we wised up and got gloves.

Cuttin' down the tree

Beehive Bash

We had all the Beehives over so we could celebrate some birthdays with some games and ice cream.  We all had so much fun, these girls truely amaze me every time I am with them.  They are so kind to one another despite their differences and the fact that only 2 of the 12 go to the same school.  A few Sundays back I was teaching one part of my lesson which suggested several ways we can study our scriptures better.  I asked the girls how they can make sure they fit a few verses in on their very busy days and one of the girls told us that that wouldn't be a problem, she reads 1-2 chapters nightly and then proceeds to summerize what she learned with a 1-page essay!  These girls really put me to shame!

Corinne, Ali, Me, Annika, Kelsy and Brooklyn.

Playing Scrabble

This game is so funny!  The girls don't know what the picture is that they are wearing on their heads is and they have to guess based on some clues.  Madison and Rylee loved playing with the Beehives too.

Sister Julie Koch playing Apples to Apples with some of the girls.

It's okay to have a few favorites right?  If so, then Alison (facing camera in blue) is one of mine!

The grand finale...ice cream sundaes in the parlor.  I'm lovin' these girls . ;)

Sledding in the backyard

Thanksgiving dinner

the Pierce's fabulous totally from scratch stuffing

We have been using this tablecloth (a.k.a bed sheet) for 6 years now.  If you can't see, we each make a turkey out of our hand (classic nursery tactic) with permanant marker and list the things we are grateful for in the fingers.  It's fun to see how things change.

down-town Chicago

I love this city!  I remember taking those fun little quizzes my friends gave me when we were younger about who we wanted to marry, where we wanted to live, etc.  One of the questions was "Do you want to live on a beach, on a mountain, in the country or in the city?"  I would always answer in the city and now as a big girl I would choose the city of Chicago!  It's got that big city vibe like NYC, only much cleaner and not so overwhelming.  Anyway, we had the chance to go see 'Wicked' and jumped at it.  I saw it with Maddie a fews years ago it Dallas, but this performance was much more broadway style.  Steve was so nice to take Porter home with him so we could see it.  It was fun to see it through Karas eyes, who is also a big city girl and quite the shopper!  

cute cousins

We all laughed hard at these smart pigions warming up by the fire.   Too bad they don't have a fire pit for the humans.

Ford Center for the Performing arts

girls will play while their mommy's away

Here is a small (very) sample of the pictures I found on my camera.  I wasn't away too long, just upstairs folding laundry.  My budding photog Madison used mucho creativity posing her little models!

Makayla (next door neighbor and girls bff), mummified.

Not sure what this pose is all about?

Makayla catching some air...on the couch we don't jump on!

Their version of  "Big" the movie (totally dates me).   Totally confused about what happened and why their clothes are too big/small!  So cute