Happy 9th Ryry!

I know people say this all the time, but I really mean it when I say I cannot believe my baby is 9 years old!  She is such a joy and brings so much happiness to our family.

This is how I still see her, 5 years old with all baby teeth!

We had one heck of a birthday party, it couldn't get much girlyer...is that a word?  Madison and friends painted nails and did makeup, I helped the girls bedazzle some skirt purses and of course had ice cream in the parlor.

Next year we will find an off-site location for sure!

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.