Linnea Turns Five

Wow... five months. That's crazy.

And what finally gave me the "umpf" to post again was the desire to share photos with folks interested in seeing Linnea's first "friend" birthday party... without resorting to crashing their in-boxes or Facebook.

So here it is - last Saturday's "cooking party" in honor of Linnea turning five!

First order of business for Linnea & her guests, after decorating their aprons & hats, was to set to work cooking their lunch - personal pizzas and "salad on a stick."

While the pizzas baked, it was game time!

Hot Potato...

and "Cooking Bingo."

After eating lunch, the chefs were back to work decorating cupcakes...

followed by the birthday cake (apron-shaped) and presents.

Such a special day with my special big girl... where has five years gone?!?!

Time Flies...

When you're living in complete and utter chaos :)

I'm quite sure no one actually CHECKS this blog anymore...but I've decided to try to keep going with it (even if it IS only twice a year) b/c in the midst of the chaos & confusion of our life with 3 kids under 5, it's honestly the closest thing I have to a scrapbook.

So to catch up since Easter... above is pic from the annual Memorial Day parade in Geneva and below is a shot of Linnea the Dancer before her first-ever dance recital in June. Serious stuff.

The summer held some other important firsts, like T-Man's big boy bed (below)...

and Linnea's first tball experience (below).

More recently, Thomas had a first in his first "school" experience (a Parents' Day Out program at a local church but still - three hours twice a week sans Mom or Dad). So proud.

And Naomi? Well, she's growing and developing... perfecting her "royal wave" (below)...

and refusing, at almost 8 months of age, to eat solid food of any type :(.

Easter 2012

Easter was a wonderful celebration this year - beautiful weather, early flowers, and adorable kids.
Poor Naomi wasn't really in the mood for a picture... otherwise, you'd be able to tell that she & Linnea had matching dresses (compliments of Nana).
We enjoyed our now-annual egg hunt with buddies Elle and Evan...
and even eked out a family picture (except Mommy forgot to take the Baby Bjorn carrier off - oops).
And here's another photo of Naomi... just so you know she does more than cry :).

Life Since Naomi Arrived

Since Naomi came along, we've been quite busy here in Geneva. Above is Linnea's 4th birthday party - a zoo theme - with the Birthday Girl playing Pin-the-Trunk-on-the-Elephant.
Above here is a visit from Nana & Papa... and LOTS of accompanying stories read. Below is T's 2nd birthday - a trip on the train...
followed by a train birthday cake - yum!

The highlight has been, though, loving on our new baby sister... she is indisputably the most popular member of the family. Hands down.

Introducing Naomi Kristine

After a week's delay (guess that's what happens when you're #3).... we are proud to introduce Naomi Kristine Daniels - born Friday, February 10, 2012 at 3:58 p.m.
She weighed 7 lbs, 9 oz at birth and is doing wonderfully. We are so grateful to God for the blessing she is to our family.
Above is the proud Big Sister and below, the new Family of Five.
As one friend put it in her congratulatory email.... Let the madness begin!

Holidays - Come & Gone

Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years snuck up and flew by us this year. We tried in vain for an adorable Christmas card photo (above) and ended up sending out a collage of sorts. We did manage to squeeze in some festive fun around home, including a trip to see Santa Clause in Geneva (another photo op gone wrong) and, below, Zoo Lights @ Lincoln Park Zoo.
Then it was off to Western New York to spend Christmas at Nana & Papa's, joined by cousins from Michigan and lots of area family/friends.
Here are just a sampling of the happy surprises awaiting Linnea & T on Christmas morning.
Once home, it was off again to Rockford for Daniels Family Christmas over New Year's weekend.
Again, a small sampling of the seasonal joy...
Now it's on to 2012 and preparations for Baby Sister's arrival in just 5 short weeks. Wow!

Halloween 2011

Thomas the Firefighter and Linnea the Dinosaur had a fabulous Halloween...

They trick-or-treated with Evan the Fire Dog and Elle the Butterfly.
Earlier in the weekend, we got away to Galena, IL with Nana & Papa. More pics to come but the above was too cute not to share right away - Linnea's first canoe outing with Daddy.