New Camera Shots

I had a very good Christmas and received both a new netbook and also a Coolpix P100 camera.  The camera is a kind of "in the middle" camera that is more than a point and shoot but not as complex as a true professional camera.  It has lots of features for me to learn and hopefully I can get some decent pictures from it.  I haven't figured out most the features, but have just used what the automatic settings are and come up with a few pictures that turned out alright.

 This picture is a litle creepy now that I am really looking at it, but it was really cute this morning as the kids all climbed up on a single stool and started washing the windows together.

I will get better but it is a fun thing to play around with and learn about, plus I don't mind my subjects I get to practice on!

Christmas Pictures

It's been a great Christmas this year for our little family.  We had lots of family in town and enjoyed celebrating with loved ones that we don't get to see too often.  We still have family in town so I will spare some details.  We also had some pictures taken...these are not the professionals, but I think we have some good ones just from a regular hand-held.

As you can see.. we have made a few beautiful children...speaking of children, we found out that #4 is a boy!  We are stuck on names.  Dan likes the more traditional names and I like something a little less common.  So hopefully we figure out a name before too long.  We are excited to even up the numbers and have our two girls and two boys.

The Bug Parade and Lunch with Ellie

A few weeks ago, Elise starred in a the bug parade at school... all the kindergartners were bugs and her class were all lady bugs.

Above is Ellie's teacher, Mrs. Gehring who she LOVES.  

After the parade, I stayed and had lunch with Ells... she eats lunch at 10:15... seriously.  Which explains why she comes home and just about eats everything in the house.

She loved having mom come to the school and have lunch with her.

Happy 4th Birthday Owen!

My baby boy turned 4 years old today.  That seems so old to me but also seems a long time coming as well.  Poor guy was up all night getting sick so it wasn't as lively of an event as I am sure he would have enjoyed had he felt better.  Last year we had a big ol' party for him so this year we played things low key.  All he wanted to do was "play Wii with the boys" (which meant his dad, his papa and his Uncle Evan).  He was happy with the presents he received... a couple of Wii games, a couple of CARS things, a couple Toy Story things, a baseball T, some race tracks and a flashlight.  All a boy could ever want.

 Some things to know about Owen:

• He's a big boy... I think he will be one of the biggest kindergartners ever
• He is a cuddler.. with his momma
• Even though he is big he can be very gentle and sweet
• He loves cars
• Owen is an observer at first... he likes to watch how things work before trying them out for himself
• He has a great smile

• He thinks Tom and Jerry is hilarious
• Owen is an independent kid... he could play by himself all day
• He is scared of his room and likes to sleep by mom whenever he can
• He loves two foods:  milk and hot dogs... he subsists primarily on the two
• Owen is a great big brother... this has become more obvious as Ellie is now in school and Owen can now take care of Maggie more
• He is sensitive... those alligator tears he has make me tear up every time
• I love his half smile that he gets when he is amused by something
• Owen is very stubborn-- an easy kid until you want him to do something that he doesn't want to do
• loves the dentist
• has huge feet... how many 3/4 year olds wear size 13?

• likes cupcakes and muffins
• loves to play and watch others play the Wii
• thinks Uncles are the cat's meow
• will follow any older boy... he wants to be one of the guys
• likes to climb, throw things, swing things around and by rough... I guess that's just a boy for ya
• He is very smart
• He has a curious nature
• Is a big time momma's boy
• loves his puppy, Lucy... sometimes too much
  
• wears size 6 clothes... almost size 7
• Owen is really cute when he gets excited!
• He thinks he is hot stuff when he gets to have "stud gel" (styling gel) in his hair
• could take a bath or shower for hours if I would let him
• can swim on his own
• loves water slides... unless they're dark
• has a sweet tooth
• likes apples
• loves his grandparents... a soft spot for his grandmas and is in love with his grandpas
• likes to feel like people are proud of him
• finally potty trained at 3 1/2... hasn't had an accident in months... still working on night time
  
• always leaves the house with fistfuls of toys to bring in the car with him
• responds more to one on one/eye to eye interaction and calm talk than being yelled at... it frazzles and frustrates him
• will share his toys willingly as long as other kids are playing with them the way he would play with them

• is my most comfortable kid to lay with
• still rubs on mom's upper arm for comfort
• really loves both Ellie and Maggie-- genuinely
• is quite computer savvy 
• enjoys being outside and being adventurous
• is both the easiest and hardest child

Oh my sweet boy, there is so much to love about you.  Even though you are four already, you are still my baby boy and I love you very much.  We are so lucky to have you in our family and have the opportunity to share each day with you. Happy Birthday Owen!

Busy couple months....

It is fall which typically mean our lives get crazy and hectic.  That is no different this year.  Between church callings and assignments, school and preschool, work, play dates, pregnancy woes and trying to keep the house in some sort of running order, Dan and I have been pretty busy!

One of the major things that I did this last week was work on YW in Excellence.  It turned out alright and I am forever lucky for the great women I get to work with.  Seriously, I learn so much from the women I am around.  I sometimes feel like I am a wife and mother in practice and am just learning from everyone around me.  Sorry to my kids for having such a rookie mom!

 Our theme was black and white and I think we did a pretty good job of transforming the cultural hall...it's not easy.

Dan has been busy working and training for a marathon.  He is up to 10 or 11 miles these days and I have to admit I am a little jealous.  I am missing the rush of training for a race.  He seems to be enjoying it mostly and I am proud of his dedication.  He also has been such a huge help this fall and taking care of a lot of responsibilities with the kids and around the house.  I tell ya, sometimes I think I don't deserve him!

I am mostly whiny these days which is why my husband and rest of my family is getting sick of me.  I am not a pleasant pregnant woman and that proves to be true the fourth time around as well.  Mostly I am trying to overcome the reality that I am not one of those tiny women who just get a baby bump...no, my body wants to hold onto many, many more pounds than are recommended and wants to displace those pounds into most unflattering areas.  I keep telling myself that this is temporary and I can work it all off this next summer.  Just gotta start believing it.  Anyway, you get the gist... I just whine a lot.

In other news, I've got to get a decent camera that inspires some more picture taking.  I have been so bad this year about taking pictures.  I will be better... always try to be better.  Here are some kiddo updates:

Elise is an amazing kindergartener. She is exactly the kind of student I thought she would be...eager to please, quick to learn and anxious to do more.  She is excelling in reading and recently to an advanced placement test.  Not sure what sort of advancements are out there for kindergarteners, but no hurt in her taking a test.  She works so hard to be good at school that she often comes home and stirs up trouble, but we are working on that.  She loves to read, do art projects and teach her brother and sister all she knows.

Owen is enjoying joy school.  He loves having his own set of friends and having something to go and be a part of.  He is a smart kid and knows how to play his mom to get what he wants.  Owen is in love with video games... he doesn't even have to play, he would watch for hours if we let him.  He likes to sit back and figure out the world around him until he feels confident to try things out himself.  Recently we toured the local fire station and Owen thought that was pretty cool.  He especially enjoyed shooting water from the hose.

Maggie is a firecracker.  She is the sweetest little cuddler and angel yet she'll turn on ya and transform into devil spawn in a blink of an eye.  Her favorite meltdown statements are "You make-a me sad!" and "I don't love you anymore" (I know, dagger to the heart).  She has matured quite a bit this fall and is constantly talking and has ideas and plans all her own.  Finally we ditched the pacifier which was long overdue.  She still asks for it, but we are done.  Maggie is so expressive and says just what she is thinking. 

#4 officially on his/her way!

After a lot of soul searching, we decided to try for another baby.  This was a hard decision after dealing with some difficult pregnancies, but also because I think we were starting to really enjoy the freedom of not having a baby that needed our constant care.  However, we know our family is not complete quite yet, and I mean, when you make them as cute as we do... we can't deprive the world of more of our offspring.  

So, we are officially announcing that we are expecting baby #4!  Went to the doctor yesterday and the due date is May 19th.  Maggie's birthday is May 20th and Ellie's is May 21st so that's going to be a busy week for us but I suppose it is convenient for grandparents to come visit and be able to be around for all three birthdays.  We'll see if I last that long... I'm pro induction.

Daniel has conveniently planned a business trip for these past four weeks and has left me alone with the children when I am feeling most nauseous and most tired and most moody.  Actually, I think the timing of the trip was actually quite convenient for him.  We are certainly looking forward to Dan's return on Saturday.

So, hoping for a healthier, happier pregnancy and that this baby will come into the world healthy and happy as well.

PS- Kids all want a brother... Ellie just looks at the pattern and has decided that a boy is just the natural next gender to have, Owen wants another boy and gets mad that Ellie and Maggie won't play cars with him, Maggie just says boy since the other two say it.

There is a haunting behind our house!

Our backyard is being haunted by three pretty cute little witches.  Thank you dollar store for providing hours of fun and also providing my son with his first (of what I suspect will be many) capes.... he's been flying around the house ever since.

Halloween decor is out, parties are in the works, costumes are ordered and there are three kids who are pretty excited about Halloween this year.

Six Month Review

A have very few pictures all together in one place of the last six months, so the pictures I do have are kind of from all over the place.  So, here is a post of pictures to review the last six months.

 Lots of mall trips to play on the play ground and ride the train.  Maggie loves trains.

Ellie played soccer in the Spring but also is playing this Fall... this picture makes my kids look like babies... for some reason they look a lot younger in this picture... I think this was March.

Pat and I ran in several 5Ks, Evan joined us for his first 5K and I ran a half marathon back in March.

Ells got her hair cut.

Dad had major surgery to cut his cancer out...

Then made a miraculous recovery to get back to racquetball 6 weeks later.

Lucy passed puppy school... but has since digressed... though she is a perfect dog when the kids are not around.

LOTS of swimming and water play this summer.

Kids love the water and now Elise and Owen both swim on their own and Maggie is trying to learn... next year I bet she will get it.

Evan and I ate 50 wings at one sitting.

I love wings.

Erin went camping at Girls Camp with the youth at Church.  Look at me... I am so ready to get my camp on!

Dan got a new hair do.

We've been loving life and our family!!

Totally lame 6-month wrap up, I know... oh well.  Soccer pictures to come!

Haven't Blogged--- I've been cruising!!

Yeah, we went on a cruise but probably not a 5 month long so my blog drought has nothing to do with the cruise really.  Life just got busy and crazy and my time has been eaten up.  I hope to make blogging more of a priority but we will see how things go.

Well, we went on a cruise!!!  The stars aligned and Dan and I decided to go on a cruise with my parents and brother.  Dan's mom was so amazing and willing to stay with our kids for 6 days... bless her.  It was great to get away and have a vacation as a couple since we haven't enjoyed that luxury since we went on our honeymoon.  My mom copied the pictures on a memory stick for me but only about a quarter of them are on there so I will have to post more pictures later, but here are a few...

You may not be able to tell but this is the tannest I have ever been.  I know, I don't even look Caucasian. 

Evan... he's a lucky man!!  Evan has honed his mooching capabilities and was able to leech out a cruise on the parents.  I am a master myself, but even I could learn a little from him.  I think Ev had fun and didn't mind being the 5th wheel.-- The alternative was leaving him home with an empty house on his 21st birthday. 

 The men.

 Dan having fun.

 Mo and Pops.

 Our feet.  Dad had the camera.  Something some of you may or may not know is that us McPhersons... specific to Dad, myself and Evan... love to take pictures of random things and ourselves.

Me and Ev.

The cruise was fun.  We did a stop in Progresso where we did jet skis and then in Cozumel where we did zip lining and snorkeling.  Pictures to come...