Happy 4th Birthday Abby!

First - yes, Tim shot a buck Saturday morning out at the Pollard's farm. It's technically a 12 pointer due to a couple nubs on close to the base of the horns. He also shot another doe and button buck so he is quite happy.



It's hard to believe that 4 years ago we became parents for the first time, but here we are with a 4 year old now.

This is still one of my favorite pictures. Abby was a very happy baby, just had to keep her fed and changed and life was good. If only it was still that easy.....




I decided to make a gumball machine cake. Abby is obsessed with getting gumballs when we are out or chewing gum when we are home. It's a new privilege that she enjoys, especially since Megan can't do it.


We kept things small scale this year - no bounce houses or 30+ people at the house, just plain and simple.
Abby had chosen her outfit for the evening - pajamas!

Blowing out the cake - thankfully not lighting her hair on fire.

Enjoying mostly the frosting with the M&M's.

Megan hasn't met a cake she didn't like yet.



Neither has Lily!

Opening some presents - a new hair kit for getting ready in the morning - which she used this morning with me of course. We now have to factor in more time for her hair and make up before we go somewhere. She is such a girly girl - I have no idea where she gets it from.

The present from Mom & Dad - what could it be?

Reinforcements have jumped in to assist in the unwrapping.



I think Megan was just as excited as Abby was.


But it's an empty box???

Doesn't matter - just as fun to plan in. Megan is already fully inside.

This is Abby looking downstairs for the dollhouse - she was in motion so there is the blurry effect but the hands on her hips and saying "Hey, you tricked me" was priceless.

Checking out the furniture. The Barbies moved in shortly after that.

Overall it was a very nice, quick, relaxing evening. Abby is happy and can't wait to play with everything when she gets home. She is having cupcakes at pre-school today so the birthday bonanza is continuing.

This week my friend Colleen is flying in from NC and we are headed south to Rogersville, MO to visit the Cowan family and their new addition Allison. Abby & Ashley will be reunited again - only 4 more sleeps!


Abby at 4 Years Old

• Still loves anything Disney Princesses - Can't wait for Tangled to come out!
• Loves Hannah Montana songs and the movie
• Is slightly obsessed with make up, which goes nicely with the dress up obsession as well
• Loves her sister
• Dislikes her sister
• Is the queen of stalling before bed time
• Still likes to deer hunt
• Is a Tiger and "Keye" football fan (Hawkeye) - loves the MIZ - ZOU cheer but it's more UOU
• Still eats better than her mom does
• Wants to be a cheerleader when she grows up
• Is ready for Kindergarten next week because she is 4!

Catching up

I have been traveling quite a bit and then wrapping things up with busy weekends and the cycle keeps going. So here I am finally with about 5 free minutes so here you go!

Here's our Halloween girls - this is the after the tantrum photo from Megan but it was a cute starter out photo of the family.



This is Megan trying on her costume the day before Halloween - not happy, not happy at all.



Costume off and we are working diligently at carving our pumpkins and listening to Mizzou get stomped by Nebraska.



Our final products - Abby's is Dora's and Megan has Swiper.

We actually got quite a few compliments on the pumpkins. That is if you watch Nick Jr. like we get to :)

Strawberry Shortcake is ready to go get some loot!

Post pumpkin carving and enjoying a sucker together on the front steps - Megan's new favorite thing is suckers.


Here we are ready to hit the neighborhood. Megan has calmed down since she now understands she will get candy for her bucket and we have some glow necklaces/bracelets to wear.


I love my Pooh!

This past weekend we had a Friday night wedding of two of Tim's co-workers. "Dave the tall guy" as Abby calls him and Stephanie. Lovely wedding, great reception - plus we got to stay in town!!

Our good friend Chris Zweiner also got married this past Saturday in Lincoln, NE - so we want to wish him all the luck and we were sorry we couldn't be in two places at once.


Saturday we headed to St. Louis for Tim's Grandparents 55th Wedding Anniversary dinner. Which also ended up being a little birthday party for Abby as well.

Here is her cupcake cake that she picked out - Tinkerbell this time.

We also wanted to welcome our two newest college crew kids:
Allison Joy Cowan - 11/29/10
Reagan Suzanne Resnik - 11/30/10

Both families are doing well. We met Reagan yesterday and I neglected to take any photos - but she's tiny and cute and has dark hair. Abby enjoyed holding her. Megan did not enjoy me holding her. That's how it goes.

This weekend is Abby's 4th birthday and the last home game for Mizzou. We have no idea what we're going to do as Tim will probably be deer hunting if I had to guess. So girl time!