January iPhone dump

New for 2012... I've decided to do a monthly phone dump so I can share all my fun mobile pics. If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram you have probably already seen most of these... but here they are again.

Happy 4th Birthday Ella!

Ella is 4 years old!

Ella woke up to her bedroom decorated with pink and purple streamers. She loved it! ...and then she immediately started cleaning it up. Is she her mothers daughter or what?!

Then we enjoyed breakfast donuts

And Ella opened her gift from us: a dress up storage box (made by Mark and my Dad- directions on how to make one here) and a new dress and jewelry to go in it. She LOVED it and already has it full of all her dress up clothes.

Then it was off to the dance studio for Ella's birthday party... a princess themed party with her dance teacher and all her friends from school.

Ella with friends Elouise, Josephine and Annalise

Cousin Caroline all dressed up for the party.

This picture is exactly what Ella looked like during the whole party. Running around, dancing, and laughing. She had a blast.

Ella with all her friends and special guest, Snow White.

Then it was time for CAKE! Ella had princess cake made by our neighbor Cyndi. Even the crown was edible! And the cake was delicious.

Laughing and dancing during the party

An Ella sandwich!

After the party... Ella modeling her edible crown with Mom and Aunt Patti.

Birthday picture with Charlie who wasn't able to go to the party since he wasn't feeling that well. I don't think he's sad he missed all the tutus and princesses.

Family picture with our big girl! Can't believe she is FOUR!

So happy to have Aunt Patti & Caroline here with us to celebrate!

Cousins!

Caroline giving Charlie a hug!

Florida Trip Jan 14-22

Earlier this month Mark & I took the kids to Florida to visit their grandparents and their great grandpa who is 95 years old. We had a wonderful week in the sunshine and lots of relaxation thanks to the helpful grandparents. And NO SICK KIDS! Yay! Here are a few photos from our vacation...

Dinner at The Turtle Club with my parents and their good friends Bob & Kathy Egan, who were also our neighbors when we lived in St. Louis.

Lunch with Grandpa Peterson at his retirement home.

Watching a sunset from the lanai at Gigi and Granddaddy's, our almost daily evening ritual.

A sunset shot

Mark and his Grandpa, Bill Peterson

Charlie hamming it up for the camera during dinner our last night in town

Ella celebrated her birthday a little early with all her Grandparents.

Happy Birthday Dad

Ella and Charlie helped me make a cake for Dad's birthday on January 7th. It really involved more licking fingers than actual icing... messy but worth the fun!

This time last year we were getting ready to leave for Mexico to celebrate Mark's 40th... but I guess a homemade cake with the kids is as good as it gets for 41! :)