HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

The Powers family spent a relatively quiet night at home. We were kind of glad not be going anywhere...it started snowing this afternoon and the roads were pretty slippery coming home from work. We played some games and Emily even learned how to bowl on the Wii. She was knocking down strikes left and right!! At one point Rob and I were playing against each other and I wasn't doing so good...Emily said "Mom, do you want me to get a strike for you?" It was a good night for Rob though, he finally broke his own personal record. We celebrated the 10:00 p.m. "new year" , put the kids to bed and probably won't make it to midnight. I guess that's what having kids does to you! Happy New Year to all our friends and family and to a great 2008!

Merry (Day After) Christmas!

Well, the Powers family had another wonderful Christmas. Evidently Santa Claus thought the kids were pretty darn good this year, because he left them lots of great presents. Adam got the Nerf Long Shot and Mario Party 8 (Santa must have known he was getting a Wii) and Emily got a talking Princess vanity set, Littlest Pet Shop stuff and, of course, more Barbies. I think Barbies now out-number the Powers family members by about 5 to 1! It was nice to spend the entire Christmas Day at our house, along with Grandma, Aunt Jane, Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Tim. There were several bowling games (thanks again to the Wii), lots of good food, and mostly...togetherness.The kids helped me make cookies Christmas Eve morning (okay...I didn't really "make" them, more liked "mixed them together"! It was quite a trick getting more red and green sugar actually ON the cookies rather than the table, but the kids did a great job of decorating (and they were pretty tasty, too!) The next picture is Christmas Eve night and the kids getting cookies and milk to leave for Santa (and we didn't forget the reindeer...we left 9 carrots for them!)

Waiting patiently on the stairs Christmas morning before going downstairs to see what Santa left!

Adam got Emily a Princess baby doll...and got a really great hug as a thank you!

St. Louis Christmas

Friday night after work, we headed down to Papa & DD's to celebrate Christmas with them. Stephanie and Tim flew in from Charlotte, so it was fun spending the evening together. Adam FINALLY got a Wii...thanks to Papa's diligent work bidding (and winning) it on eBay. Adam was absolutely speechless, as he had no idea he was getting it. Emily squealed with delight when she opened the Barbie Party Bus (complete with its own hot tub, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom). Papa made a wonderful spaghetti dinner and it was fun hanging out with the family all night.

Adam and DD I think Papa looks good with pink reindeer antlers, don't you????

Emily was a little nervous around Papa's new puppy, Maggie Mae (aka Maggie Monster!), but she loves 10 year old Kahlua...and Kahlua loved having Emily feed her leftover pancakes from breakfast Saturday morning!

Quality time with Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Tim.

1st Snowfall

Adam and Emily were SO excited to wake up yesterday morning to a white blanket of snow. Adam has been praying for this for a couple of weeks now! I'm sure he's hoping that school will close. It snowed all day yesterday and looks like we got about 5-6 inches by this morning. Looks to me like a good day to stay inside in front of the fire!

All bundled up and ready to head out to make snow angels and throw snowballs at Dad!

Wheaton weekend

This weekend we braved the predicted freezing rain and snow and trekked up to Wheaton for Kelsey's birthday party. Since she has a broken arm, she wasn't able to skate at her own party, but I think she had a fun time anyway and I know the rest of the kids did. Rob and Aaron each laced up some skates, so I'll try and post some pictures of those later. Kelsey's friend Annie came over after the party for dinner and cake. Emily had a blast playing Barbies with them and letting them put Kelsey's new make-up on her! The kids decorated Christmas cookies this morning and, as usual, no one wanted to come home today, but we'll be up again in 3 weeks for Christmas! See you guys then!

O'Christmas Tree, O'Christmas Tree

Our tree is up and looks great against our new red walls we painted in the basement this summer. This is also the first year our tree has all white lights and I'm amazed how much they make our ornaments sparkle. I love looking at all the ornaments the kids have made over the years...especially the ones with their handprints and pictures. We hung Sophie's ornaments on the tree first as we will miss her very much this Christmas!

Happy 10th Birthday Kelsey!

Happy birthday Kelsey! Are you really 10 years old today? Uncle Robbie and I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. We were so excited to get the phone call from your Dad telling us they had a new baby girl. We came straight to the hospital after work to see you (although the nurses wouldn't let us hold you...only grandparents could, which we didn't think was fair at all!) As soon as you came home though, we were there to hold you. You were such a beautiful baby and you are even more beautiful today. We can't wait to come up next weekend for your party. Have a wonderful special day today! We love you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA EDWARDS!

Happy birthday Grandma! Wish we could be in Florida with you today to help you celebrate. We miss you a BUNCH and can't wait to see you again soon! Have a super day!

Happy Thanksgiving to All our Friends & Family!

19 years ago today........

Rob and I met at a college bar in Macomb called "The Regulator." We were both students at Western Illinois University. I was 20, he was 23. The prior weekend I had gone to a Poison concert (hey, it was 1988!) with my friend Angie and her boyfriend, and a friend of his. Although the concert was a blast, I didn't really like the friend who came as my date. They all wanted to go out again the next week, but since I didn't want it to be another date with the friend, they brought his roommate - ROB! He and I played pool all night (and I'm sure we had a few beers too!) Anyway, the rest they say is history as we've been together ever since. Since I didn't have a digital camera back then, I couldn't post one of our earliest pictures, but since I had "big 80's hair" that's probably a good thing! Happy anniversary honey! I love you!

Festival of Trees

Since the Russell's had never experienced our Festival of Trees, we thought it was time to take them. We got there right at 10:00 this morning, so were almost the first ones there. It was nice not to fight the crowd. We all especially liked the Chicago Bears tree! The kids rode the train and ate gingerbread cookies. Then they were on their way back to Wheaton. The weekend sure went quick, but we'll see them in 3 weeks for Kelsey's birthday! We love you guys!

Weekend with the Russell's

Uncle Aaron, Auntie, Kelsey & Ethan came down on Saturday to celebrate Adam & Emily's birthdays. Of course we love spending time with them! The kids has a pretty ferocious game of Twister - looks like Ethan lost this one! Then we were off to go bowling and out for dinner. I think Adam enjoyed his birthday weekend with his cousins!

The Great Birthday Sleepover

Friday night, Adam had two of his good friends to our house for a sleepover. Emily went to grandma's to spend the night! The boys got to make their own personal pan pizzas and then ice cream sundaes for dessert. They had a fun night of playing video games, a mean game of SpongeBob monopoly and then finally lights off for a movie. I think they were asleep by midnight...and no one threw up, so that was pretty good!

HAPPY 9TH BIRTHDAY, ADAM!

Who is this baby? Is that really our 9 year old? Where does the time go? Happy birthday Adam, we love you very very very much!!!

Soccer Party!

Tonight was our end of season soccer party at our assistant coach's house. The kids all got trophys and the coach told them how well they played as a team this year and how much they have all improved. After the "awards ceremony" everyone chowed down on the potluck dinner. The boys then proceeded to wrestle in the basement while all the little sisters played hide and go seek. It was loud and noisy, but a fun night with our team!

Dance Class

This week was parent observation at Emily's dance class. She takes 1/2 hour each of ballet and tap once a week. I was surprised how well she listened to her instructor, Miss Sabrina, and how co-ordinated she is. It was nice to be able to watch her class, because they don't allow parents in class each week as it to distracting for the kids. Two of her good friends, Sydney and Paige, are in class with her. They always have a great time when they are together!

Sunday afternoon.....

We spent Sunday afternoon working in the yard, raking leaves and enjoying probably the last beautiful day of the year. Afterwards, I let the kids open their giant lollipops they got trick-or-treating at grandma's house. As you can see, they were almost bigger than their heads!!!

Hip Hop Dance Party

Emily invited her six best friends to her party at Springfield Dance yesterday afternoon. Miss Ronda, the instructor, taught the girls a hip hop dance, which they performed for the parents at the end of the party. I think the girls had a great time...they got their faces painted and got to keep the glittery hats! Emily said it was the "best birthday ever!" Hearing that made it easier to write the check to pay for the party!!