Lucas turns 4!

How is it possible....our baby is a 41 inch, 35 pound, 4 year old. Man, these past 5-6 years have really flown by.

Lucas had a great birthday and it was a beautiful spring day. After school I took them (along with both Grandma's) to Prairie Farm. If you haven't been, then you need to check it out. If is all free and we got to enjoy a really cool dog show, saw lots of great animals, took a wagon ride and just had a fun new experience which the kids and I love to do!

The birthday boy!

The day after his birthday I went along with the kids for a preschool field trip to the zoo. It was Lucas' first time on a school bus and boy did he love it.

To make Lucas' birthday even more special - Marina, Corey, Hendrix and Maddox drove down from Chicago for a visit. It was so great having them here.

Addison and baby Maddox.

A few days after Lucas' birthday was his birthday party! We had it at Kirkwood Ice Rink. Lucas didn't skate as much as we hoped (he is still getting used to his new hockey skates). But I think fun was had by most (and Addison showed off her skating skills and skating for just about every minute of the party). It was great seeing almost everyone give it a shot (many of the kids first time skating). My parents were amazing and watched some of the kids when they weren't skating giving us adults some fun time on the ice alone for a bit.

The favors...my Mom knitted scarfs for all the kids and then I gave them each a cute water bottle.

Isn't he so cute on the ice!

Bob and our niece Katy (I think she had a great time).

Marina and Addison (they have such a cute bond). :)

Lucas and his hockey cake.

Marina and Corey

Me and Marina (best friends for so long).

School pic.

There were a ton more pics but this is my favorite.

I love that they took of pic of them together.

A day at the Circus.

My parents treated us to a day at the circus.

We ALL had fun and were amazed by all the acts. It was a great day!

To start off, we had to take advantage of the elephant rides....how often do you get the opportunity, right?

Lucas was thrilled to be in front and pet the elephant.

Thank you for a great day Nana!

And what is a circus without a little cotton candy!!! :)

Ice skating.

Both the kids enjoyed about 14 weeks of ice skating lessons this winter. Bob and I had so much fun sitting in the stands watching them. They really did get quite good and it was nice to skate with them and not need to hold their hands the entire time. Addison was especially impressed with the older girls at the lessons and watching them spin and twirl. She can't wait to skate like them so we will likely keep her in lessons for the long run as long as she enjoys it (as well as dance class).

At the end of the lessons they had the chance to be part of the annual ice skating recital for a very small fee of only $13 (including practices, rehearsal, costume and 2 shows). We couldn't believe the deal! Addison wanted to participate, but Lucas wasn't so interested so of course we weren't going to force him.

The tot level classes did their routine to "Walk Like an Egyptian." They did a lot more standing and marching and less skating but it was great for the kids considering they were only 3-5 years old.

Addison the Egyptian.

Interesting pose for a little girl huh.

Addison and her favorite teacher.

About ready to perform with her class (Lucas would have only been one of two boys).

A small glimpse of the show....

Friends.

I am completely blessed with the most amazing friends a girl could ask for. I have been friends with Marina since 4th grade, Venessa and Becky since 7th grade and Kris, Julie and Pam shortly after that. I am so lucky to have had them in my life for all these years and I have no doubt we will all be in each others lives for many, many, many more years.

Well, they all live 4 plus hours away....which stinks. But, they all make great efforts to come to St. Louis to visit us and we go to Chicago and Cincinnati as often as we can. Even if it has been many months since I have seen them, it always seems like it was just yesterday.

When we do all get together it is amazing and crazy. My friends are so great and often give up their entire weekend (and Becky's home) to spend time with us when we come to town. It ends up being a big party for all the kids and then we put them to bed and the adults get to have a party too. Between me and my 6 friends we have 12 kids, one on the way, and I am sure more to come in the future (hint hint Pam and Ryan). The kids are great friends just like me and my friends and our husbands are great friends too....it is perfect.

We were in Chicago a few weeks ago and ALL got together. Even Kris and Tyler were in town from Cincinnati which made the trip even more special. To top it off, we got to meet Maddox (Marina and Corey's new little boy).

11 of the kids in age order

Me and my 6 bff's....in age order as well (ha ha).

We went to Chicago for New Years too and had a GREAT time.

The kids enjoyed their new years count down (at about 9pm).

Me and Bob



Me and Marina

Me, Venessa and Becky

The guys....getting a little crazy

Christmas 2010

Christmas was great this year.....it gets better every year with the kids.

As usual, we spent Christmas Eve at my parents house with lots of family. Here is our Christmas Eve picture (Bob just loves that I make him take so many family pics!). I went shopping with the kids one day before Christmas and I let them pick out clothes to bring into the dressing room to pick for Christmas. Addison loved trying on many dresses and Lucas was thrilled to decide on his "Daddy outfit" to wear for Christmas!

Me and my nephew/godson Emery!

Our attempt at a family photo....better than nothing.

Santa came!!!

Addison on her new "big girl" bike.

Big smiles from Lucas on Christmas morning!

An attempt for a picture of Nana and Papa with their 4 grandkids.

We spent Christmas day/evening at Bob's parents and had a great time as always.

Addison and Molly had a great time performing for everyone.

Such a nice smile...he must have loved his toys he got.

And another family picture...love this one!!!

Winter fun.

Since the kids haven't been playing outside much in the winter time, when Daddy gets home from work it is all about "Daddy fun time." The kids love to climb all over Daddy and make him wrestle with them, throw them around, chase each other, etc. They look forward to it every night. Here is a prime example of "Daddy fun time."




















Before Christmas we were invited by our bank to attend a Christmas event at the St. Louis Symphony. It was so fun to get dressed up, listen to Christmas music and experience something new with the kids. They loved it. Here is a picture of me and Addison from the Symphony!















Another great event we got to attend around Christmas time was going to The Nutcracker. My Mom took me and Addison. Addison was thrilled to see the ballet dancers and she was very excited to pose in front of the Christmas tree. Isn't she cute and so grown up.




















We have actually gotten a decent amount of snow here in St. Louis this winter. I love this picture of Bob and the kids with a view of the beautiful woods in our backyard. We even took the kids in the woods on a "snow hike."




















They were very proud of their snowman....but he didn't last long. I think he had fallen over by the end of the day. :(