Happy Valentines Day

Our Valentines Day was very special as always. I feel very loved in my home and hope the others do as well. The Friday before V-day Ian and I got to go on a date and then to the "LITTLE GENTLEMAN'S" dance. He took me to BWW's (his favorite) where we had the best chili con caso dip with wings. We played a game called shark attack the whole time which is very similar to hang man. Then it was off to the dance. We had a blast dancing and playing the games they had. The next night Anna and Shane got to dinner and the "LITTLE PRINCESS" dance. Anna picked out her red dress to wear and her tiara because it was a princess dress after all. She wanted to have her hair put in curlers and then the tiara. I could tell while doing her hair she was sleepy but kept going. When she was all ready and looked sweet as could be she began crying that she wanted to go home (before even leaving) She cried all the way to the car and once in her seat. I encouraged Dad by saying "you know as soon as you leave she'll be fine." She was fine - a minute after leaving Shane called to tell me she was sleeping. He woke her up to go to dinner at Applebee's where she cried the entire time. He thought he would run to the dance for their picture and bring her home (scrapbooking crazy wife makes sure he gets pictures - He's learning). Well as soon as she walked in the door she was on the dance floor cutting a rug as usual. She had a blast and won a little teddy bear for being one of the cutest girls there. I think Shane had fun to.

The next Friday night Shane and I went out "ALONE" and it was a good time to. We don't get too much time alone these days so every little bit is great. We went to BWW's as well and then hit the theater for a nice romantic movie - Friday the 13th. It was great. He also had flowers delivered to me at work which is always a plus. Saturday night we then went to a party at his aunt and uncles for those who could not get reservations. It was a kid friendly affair that turned out to be a ton of fun. It was a great idea.

Anna's 3rd Birthday.

For Anna's 3rd I decided that I was not going to spend hundreds of dollars on her photo.....I could do it myself. And that is just what we did. My friend Kelly and I took princess Anna to the site with three dresses in tow. She did AWESOME. We had guessed about 30 minutes tops but she lasted an entire 2 hours. Changing into different dresses, posing and smiling like she was a real princess. We ended up taking over 500 pictures....I know a bit much, but we were having fun. Problem now is sorting through them and picking a few. So far here are a few of my favorites:

Needless to say - I think we got a few good shots. Oh and if I can convince my husband, I will be quitting my day job.

Christmas has come and gone....

We had another great Christmas. Seeing family, laughing, catching up and all that goes with it. However, it does get a bit crazy with six of them to attend. YIKES is right. The kids got to see Santa just in time. This year Anna actually sat on his lap and Santa told Ian all about his dog named Lexy. He was so amazed that he knew her name and everything about her (we got Lexy from this particular Santa 6 years ago).

Our kids have to wait till after breakfast to open the presents under the tree. They can open anything in their stockings though. That usually holds them over for a while. This is them sitting by the tree after the chaos.

At Grandpa Harry's Christmas the girls watched every "princess" movie possible. They even had Anna talk Grandma in to some yummy popcorn. Anna also got another dress-up box and she wore this costume all evening.

With all the fun, I have to say I am a little glad things are getting back to "NORMAL" - whatever normal is.

Updates....

A lot has happened since my last post. Maybe the biggest thing is that the Heath's now have the Internet at home. Hopefully, this will mean that I can get back into blogging and keep you all informed on our family. In November we did celebrate Thanksgiving but also, Ian lost his first tooth. He played and played with it until he finally pulled it out. He was so excited and is now in the process of pulling them all out so he can "get money! (his words)"

Ian also tested for and received his Camo Belt in TaeKwanDo. He was so excited and after sitting through the whole belt ceremony, was called to the front to be given a blue star for doing such a good job. There were only a few of these handed out that night.

From time to time I will put the kids tent up in the playroom and they will lay in it and watch cartoons together. Well, Uno and Lexy like to lay in it as well. Not sure if they watch the cartoons but love the tent.

This past weekend we had Christmas for my family because my brother and sister-in-law were home from Alabama. It was so much fun to get together again. It seems too long in between. When we got there Saturday it was snowing to we sent the kids out (yes I am a kid) to play.

On Saturday night Jason, Kim and I attended the lighting ceremony at the Angel of Hope Memorial Park in Bluffton. This was a first for me but it was well worth it. This park is based on the book the Christmas Box and they are now sprouting up all over. This park is a place for loved ones lost to be remembered. The one in Bluffton is beautiful and if you have not seen it - check it out. You can donate money to the park for different memorials for your loved ones. It was dark and snowy that night so some of my pictures didn't really turn out.

Sunday we celebrated Christmas and Anna's Birthday. Aunt Deb made a yummy Cinderella cake that Anna just loved.

Aunt Jill and Uncle Buddy got Anna a bike for Christmas - since it was in a box we let her ride it this way.

We have "the box" that gets passed around the family. Last year we (the girls) allowed the boys to be in the "circle." Shane was the first boy to get the box and wanted to pass it to Nic this year. After Christmas Anna opened her presents and had one from Uncle Nic....guess what it was. Who will it end up with next?

The rest of these are the cousins hanging out wrestling....what is it about boys?

Happy Halloween.

Our family theme this year was Peter Pan. So we had Ian as Peter Pan, Anna as Tinkerbell, Shane as Captain Hook, Uno and Lexy were the crocodiles and I, of course, was Wendy Darling. OK - Shane and I didn't really dress the part but it is the thought that counts. They loved it and look so CUTE. This was the first year ever Shane has got to go with us and with the weather we had a blast. We did the downtown trick-or-treating, went out to eat, and then met up with some families to go around the neighborhood. I loved it. The group of kids ran from house to house while us "adults" talked and had fun watching. That is the way to go for sure.

Our pumpkins.

Introducing: Peter Pan and Tinkerbell - Straight from Never Never Land

We flew over to see Ashlie and Brittany.

Peter Pan and his flying buddies. (Batman- Hunter and Spiderman - Bray)

Welcome to the family - PARIS!!!

Uncle Eric is now the proud father of a little girl - Paris. Ian and Anna love her to death. They are always asking when she is coming over and when they can see her and so on. OK - Honestly, Shane and I do to, and Uno and Lexy. Take a look.