Taylor Ann is FIVE!

Our holiday festivities continue on right after Christmas as we head right into the celebration of Taylor Ann's birthday. Taylor was born 5 years ago on Dec. 30th at 8:11am following a big snow storm. She was a loud vigorous baby right from the start and has grown into a very strong young lady who wears her emotions both of love and strong will on her sleeve.

Taylor insisted on a roller skating party this year and to be quite honest I as hesitant to have 10 young children rollerskating all under the result of our invitation. Much to my surprise and delight the night was a huge success. The kids hardly wanted to stop for pizza or treats they were having so much fun around the rink. There were lots of falls and pile ups with only minor injuries and lots of giggling. Taylor was all smiles on the way home and I was so proud of her love for her friends and the pride it gave her that they all came to celebrate her birthday with her.

Most of the lively crew.

Mike was a good sport and went out to help the fallen

Taylor and Eliana

Taylor and Kylie

Josh and Isaac

Jaclyn, Kylie, and Taylor

Taylor and Kartrina

Jaclyn and Taylor

Taylor and Lily

The Quale Family

This is Taylor after getting home from her party

Blessed Beyond Measure--Christmas 2010

Ginnie, Wil, and Kensie

Taylor and her tornado car

Hailey and Macey

Grandpa and Grandma got all of the kids sweatshirts with their names on the back--a big hit with all the kids.

Hailey's very merry Christmas gear

Carter loving his "Big Rig Hauler"

The girls at Grandma and Grandpa

Da boys

Carter and Isaac

Hailey and Olivia in their holiday show "Dreaming of a White Christmas!"

Kensie is getting soooo big and the girls were loving holding her

Carter's first time holding baby Kensie

Hailey and Uncle Wil

Taylor with her remote control puppy

Taylor and Katrina preparing for a Christmas Show!

Junie B Jones

Hailey has enjoyed the Junie B Jones books for more than a year now and last week I surprised her and some friends with a trip to Stages Theatre to watch the play "Jingle Bells, Batman Smells, P.S. So does May". We had such a fun time; there was lots of giggling and anticipation as Hailey new the book quite well and was excited for her favorite parts. They were able to get everyone's autographs following the performance.

Christmas Programs 2010

Calvary Church was finally able to put on their Children's Christmas Program last evening after it being postponed last week during the big blizzard.

Carter was a handful. I teach Carter's Sunday school class of 10 three year olds and he was really difficult to contain. He was doing lots of waving to his father in the pews and did a little wondering around stage.

Hailey had a couple of lines and a solo this year. She did a spectacular job and was really nervous.

Taylor seemed very mature this year singing with the preschoolers and sang beautifully with her class--she asked if she could have a solo like Hailey next year.

Taylor's preschool program was this past Tuesday evening. She and Isaac were all dressed up and sang their hearts out to almost 20 little Christmas songs!

Hailey had her Christmas chapel at Calvin on Friday. I was able to catch these pictures after chapel with her and her 2nd grade friends.

The video above is one of the songs Carter was practicing before the actual show.

The words are: Christmas bells, Christmas bells. Ring them all the day. God the Father sent his son on that first Christmas day.. Oh Christmas bells, Christmas bells, ring them all the day. God the Father sent his son on that first Christmas day.

Blizzard 2010

Bloomington received 17 inches of snow this weekend trapping us inside of our home. The kids are always fortunate to have friends within walking distance that they gather with despite dangerous weather conditions. The built forts, put on shows, watched movies, and for some odd reason put on swimming suits to pretend they were going to the beach.
This is the ridge at the bottom of our drive-way.

Carter

Hailey and Julia at their Friday night sleepover.

A Full House

Maddie, Makenna, Taylor, Hailey, and Carter

We were blessed to have a house full of visitors this past weekend. Makenna was dropped off so that her mom could enjoy a shopping marathon. Maddie, Jake, and Brad came up for the men to attend a sideline Timberwolves game and Jeremy & Leanne also survived the snow storm and shacked up in the spare room.

Carter was exhausted from all of the cousins; probably from wrestling Jacob.

My tree is up

Christmas Tree 2010
Hailey and Olivia dressed in their Christmas best.