ANGEL: Last night I was working on some photography orders in my office. While I was uploading photos, I was also watching Ice Age 3. Towards the end of the movie guess who happens to stroll in, pull up a chair, and sit next to her daddy. Yes, Little Mo. I loved how one desk lamp lit her face then faded to black all around. Luckily my camera was sitting next to me and, without her noticing, I fired off a bunch of shots.

It started in our area around 8:30am. It was really coming down by 10am. Sonny took the day off and by lunch I was ready to pick up the twins from school. We stopped by at noon and I caught up with both of their classes heading out for recess. After seeing both of them playing in the snow, I was satisfied that our kids got to share the experience and waited for 3pm to pick them up.

It continued to snow through lunch and about an hour after the twins came home. We all went back outside to play. (Mommy was as giddy as the kids!) Sonny caught some beautiful moments of my parents playing with Josh and Morgan in the front yard. Sadee had just gone back inside. Her pants and shoes were still wet from going outside several times at school and she was too cold. I’ll see if Sonny will let me post a few photos from my camera, even though we know they aren’t quite as sharp, but our pretty princess won’t mind. Although, photos or not, I’m sure none of us will forget this wonderful winter weather!

Faby set the bar high. This was the first birthday party she organized for one of her daughters. Disney Princess bouncing house in the front yard, pink and purple balloons tied to everything, pizza, punch, mermaid pinata, huge Ariel cake, DJ, and face painter that also made balloon animals.

A pinata at any birthday party is a winner! Lined up by size, Morgan was one of the first. She got the hang of things within two swings. Josh had fun and did most of the damage to the mermaid’s hair. Sadee was further down the line and thankfully so. She knows what she’s doing when you hand her a big stick and say hit it hard. Two fists and over the head swings will do some damage fast.

We all got in line for some “ink” and looked at a sheet of drawings. Check out the photos below to see what we picked. Totally fun day!

Of course I didn’t think it was that bad… until I got home.  The baby powder was EVERYWHERE!!!  I will say this, the house smelled wonderfully baby powder fresh.  The next four hours were spent vacuuming, dusting, and wiping down everything with a damp cloth.   I’m sure in 5 years from now we’ll look back at this and all have a laugh.

This is what I found when I got home.  ENJOY!

There was a bathroom celebration!  Mommy, Daddy, Josh and Sadee all clapped and gave Morgan high fives.  Mommy laughed with glee and called the grandparents to share our milestone story.  In case you missed the post a couple weeks back, Morgan turned two on Feb 1st.  She definitely beat the twins on this “first time.”  In their defense, we weren’t expecting them to do many things for 3 more months since they were so preemie.

Hope you don’t mind us sharing this calendar-worthy event.  It’s part of a family blog you just can’t resist.  Either way, this post will not achieve it’s full effect until Morgan is old enough to read.  She will probably turn red while wondering why her Mommy wants to embarrass her.

So, the fun part of being a parent comes when your “fight” is not going to get anyone in trouble or cause tears, except the ones from laughter.  Josh and I had a computer volume war.  He loves his online games on sites like Sprouts and Disney.  Lots of these games have loud sound effects and singing.  After days of the noise filling my ears, I beg him to mute the volume.

This morning, he was at it again.  Straight from bed, bathroom break, then on the computer.  It was Imagination Movers this time.  I asked him to turn it down.  He says, “It’s OK.”  That’s not what I meant.  He thinks I was asking his opinion on the matter.  Kids seem to make this mistake a lot.  I request that they do something in the form of a question to teach politeness, but they think I’m only asking if they want to do it.

So, no arguments from me this time.  Our desks are in the same room and I’m on the computer, too.  I found some of my favorite music online (StephanieMeyer.com, Twilight Playlist), turned up the volume, and hit play.  It didn’t take Josh more than two seconds to gripe, “That’s too loud!  I can’t hear my game!”  Really?  So sad.  He turned his volume down… I didn’t!  Mommy wins this round.

We would like to thank everybody that attended. It’s always great to see our friends and family. And a special thanks to Sandra for making some extra special yummy cupcakes. Look HERE to see a slideshow of all the photos of cupcakes and all the birthday guests.  Thanks Uncle E and Uncle B-Man for letting use your “party house” again!

We started the day with lunch and Sadee’s dance/gym class.  They all put on their costumes there.  Sadee forgoes the wings to make sure they are not “squooshed” when she tumbles.  Then we visit Great Grandma Virgie at Eden Brook, her retirement home.  That place is really nice.  They have a great selection of toys for visiting grandkids, all in working and clean condition, and holiday parties for the residences and their families.

Then, the highlight of the evening.  What all little kids, and big kids, can barely wait for all year… Trick or Treat?!  This is Josh and Sadee’s 2nd go round.  Morgan makes her maiden voyage of the neighborhood.  I can say with confidence that she will be back for more next year.  At first, Mommy carries her to the door with her Bubba and BeeBee.  She stares at our neighbors as they had out candy and is happy to get back in the wagon.  By the next block she is ready to walk up to the door on her own.  She sees what is going on with the other kids and catches on fast.  If you knock and say “Peeees”, then the candy will flow into your little hands.  She smiles and runs back to drop it in the wagon.  Josh and Sadee are a house ahead.  We are trying to convince Morgan that you can not go back to the same house for more.  Why not?  It worked the first time!  She gets upset again when we pass the dark houses.  We tell her they don’t have candy and she is OK to move on.

We have some of those neighbors that really get into the holiday spirit (pun intended) by adding great decorations, costumes and lights to their front yards.  I wish you could see the kids’ faces when they get close to the troll characters.  Shock and flee.  Josh is a little less intimidated, or really motivated by the sugar, so he is willing to walk back up to these houses with Mommy close by.

Of course Daddy is behind the camera all evening, so please enjoy the photos and add a comment to let us know what you did this year for Halloween.