Alex turns 7

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday Dear Alex- Happy birthday to you! Wow! It's been 7 years. Time sure passes quickly. He was so excited for all the events that took place in honor of him. It started out the Friday before with a sleep-over and the movie Alvin and the Chipmunks. We then headed to Grandma Joan's for the Grover Family Birthday Party! Sunday we went to Aunt Patty's to see Julian, Emma and Owen-and made a cake in honor of his birthday and Julian's coming up in February and finally the big day- January 29th. He got lots of phone calls, cupcakes at school for his class and a big Lee Family Birthday dinner. I have to say I think he got it good this year. Here are some highlights...

Alex and Ethan

Alex, Mason and Ethan- after going to bed at 11.30p and getting up at 5.45a and a night of movies and lots of goodies- they were all ready to go to the movies.

Before the movie we stopped to pick up Mikey and headed to the mall- there was a bit of time before the movie started so we played on the mall toys.

Here we all are ready for the movie to start- Popcorn and drinks all around.

We came home and they were famished so we made sandwiches, apples and chips- the healthiest thing they had in 24 hours.

Alex recieved some nice gifts at the Grover Party- one was from Mikey- a watch and Pokemon cards

Uncle Mark giving Alex a good bye and birthday hug!

Lee Family Party- Alex waits in high anticipation to open up his gifts!

Dr. Seuss books!

This was too cute! Alexis giving Alex $$$ from the entire family.

He's raking in the dough thanks to Uncle Christian and Aunt Elsa!

Pokemon cards! As if he doesn't have enough.

Yippee! A new bike- it's a bit big but it will be great when the weather starts to cooperate.

One of many phone calls- uncle jacob called to wish him a Happy Birthday!

His new Pokedex from Grandma & Grandpa Lee! Love it!!

Sweetness Time!

Well here it is the much anticipated sweetness pictures- what we did when Man Time at Monster Jam was taking place. We had a great time and built some good memories! Natalee is definitely my sweet princess!

Here is Natalee's new princess dress for her Princess Tea Party taking place February 9

Natalee after much coaxing actually smiled for the camera. She can be so stubborn-just like her mom.

She has no problems smiling with Grandma.
The picture below is all of us together as we watched the movie Miss Potter a pleasant end to a wonderful day.

No School-Let's go to Grandma and Grandpa's

There was no school today and I didn't want to keep the kids inside all day so I called a friend for Alex (Mason) and for Natalee (Avery) and we headed to Gma and Gpa's. While I was there watching the kids play outside I realized why I like going there-for many reasons- but one is I can let the kids run outside and I don't have to be out there with them because I can see them from the windows. Our house only lets you see the back but you can't see the front which is by the road so it makes me nervous, especially with Nicholas because we don't have a fence. Which brings me to another reason I wanted to go over there. Dad and Christian started working on the new fence. It has been much needed, for many years and then this fall the wind storm knocked the fence down (which was hanging on by a sliver). So Dad got a table saw and started working on a new hobby. The front fence is done but the back is now being done and may I say it looks fan-tabulous! It's so nice to see my home-that I grew up in-getting the much needed uplift-so many years of kids took on it. So here are some highlights of the day!

Look at that! You can see the old fence and how bad a new fence was needed. This is so nice!

Look how far they got today. Tomorrow they will start on the side fences! Yippee!

Mason and Alex! They had such a great day. We went to the park, played catch, tag with the girls and now they are getting ready for dinner and sitting by the fire to roast marshmallows.

Mason, Alex, Avery and Natalee. They all played so well today together-I would actually do it again. They just bundled up in heavy coats, hats and gloves and played together all day. Only coming in for hot chocolate, a movie and too warm up a bit.
The moon was full and the view was pretty so I had to take a picture. Look at Dad and Christian putting in a full days work. That doesn't happen much lately!

Nicholas had such a long day, he couldn't keep his eyes open to wait for dinner. I had to capture it on camera but I also have it on video. So funny!

ManTime at MONSTER JAM

David took the boys to Monster Jam this year. We felt Nicholas was old enough and since he loves cars and trucks so much it would be fun for him. It seems we made a good choice because Nicholas was glued to his seat and couldn't take his eyes off all the cars and trucks. When we told him he was going, he couldn't think of anything else and would wake up asking if today was the day. I even went in one night and said good night and in his sleep he asked---Monster Jam? It was so cute. Alex was excited too. But for different reasons. He loves to spend time with Dad. Whatever they are doing he is OK with it. They all had a great time. Next year we'll take the entire family because Natalee was a bit disappointed but when I told her we were having sweetness time she was alright. So while the boys were at Monster Jam I took her, with Grandma Linda and we went shopping for the perfect princess dress for her upcoming "princess tea party" which is for her 5th Birthday. Grandma also purchased her a couple of new "princess" dolls for an early birthday gift. Then we took her to the Rain Forest Cafe for a pre-birthday lunch. It was a fun day and right now those pictures are on Grandma's camera so they will be posted at a later date. So have fun taking a look at a few of the pictures from Monster Jam.Nicholas was so excited to carry his own back pack. So cute!

There's Alex and Nicholas. Nicholas never moved from his seat, except to sit on dad's lap.

Batman!

Alex couldn't even take his eyes off for a quick picture.

It gets so loud in the T-Dome that you have to wear ear plugs but we knew Nicholas would never keep them in so we bought the rifle ear phones.

What a goof! Too many pictures taken so we have to vary our faces.

???? I don't know who this is! But it was great picture.

Donkey Kong!

Gravedigger!

Time to go! Bummer!

Nicholas fell asleep before David even left the parking lot.

Spending time with the kids

Well it has been an inner goal of mine to spend more quality time with the kids this week. I tend to let myself get caught up in cleaning, homework and all the stuff that needs to get done yet putting off the most important things- creating a relationship with my kids. I added to that watching my niece and nephew, Colby and Alexis, while Christian and Elsa chaperone ski club for Kentwood High School. I actually like doing it because I get to know them in a different way- as Aunt Lili instead of just as someone who comes for dinner every once in a while. Anyway, with Alex and Natalee I have spent more time reading and playing games and with Nicholas it is all about is car tracks and legos so i am posting a picture of our tower and a few pictures of our times with Colby and Alexis.

I feel great!

Ok.. so now its a new year and so many things to do throughout the year. I have to ask myself what were my highlights of last year. The number one thing for me, personally, is I finally am happy with myself. I don't know that I have ever really been able to say that at any time in my life. Don't get me wrong there have been parts of my life I have been happy with but to say OVERALL I am happy. I don't know-- Why is this? I am finally taking care of me and I have someone who appreciates me for who I am and takes pride in me. Also, I went back to school and I am moving forward in life, making goals and working towards something. To quote line from one of my favorite musicals, ( i got to see this live many years ago) "Sound of Music" - " i have confidence, in confidence alone... I'll make them see I have confidence in me." Anyway I took some pictures of me, when I think I looked pretty nice and now I am going to post them just to prove that I feel great.

January 1, 2008- New Years Day

After a long, but very fun, evening we headed over to Mark and Patty's for New Years Day. A relaxing day of games, food and socializing. Jessica and Chris come over with their kids and they entertain our kids so the adults can have a little bit of a break. Christian and Elsa come too and we all have a great time. Colby is getting so big and starting to really hang out with all the big kids now too. Here are some highlights of the day.Julian and Alex drawing- trying to keep themselves busy

Nicholas and Mommy posing for the camera

David and I playing games and enjoying the fact that our kids are getting big enough to entertain themselves.

Aunt Patty letting Emma hold Alexis.

Jessica and I enjoying the brief moments of having alone time with no kids.

Nicholas coloring like his Alex and loving every minute of it.

Taking a bit of time to play with Nicholas and Colby while getting ready to clean up and head out for the evening.

Dad and Mark finding any way to challenge each other and outbeat one another. This time it's a game of connect 4

fun times with Dad- Colby and Christian

Owen and Christian- Owen loved it so much he kept wanting more.

Emma and Natalee loved playing together all day long. Aunt Patty has so many dolls and clothes to dress up. We rarely saw them.
After a long day the kids got their jammies on and sat down to watch Shrek 3- it was so cute to see them all lined up on the bed, winding down.