Lilleigh Rae

My baby sister gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on January 20 via c-section at 4:52 P.M. Lilleigh Rae weighed 5 pounds 11 ounces and was 19 inches long. She has tiny features (my girls said they have never seen ears so tiny) and beautiful black hair. We couldn't be happier that she is finally here and that both she and her mommy are doing well.

Aunt Tara finally gets her hands on the newest niece

Sweet Lilleigh Rae

Look at all that hair!

Mommy and Lilleigh

Mommy, Daddy, and Lilleigh

The girls were not allowed to go to the hospital because of the flu risks, so we anxiously awaited the arrival of Lilleigh at her new home on Saturday. The girls, in case you were wondering, were beyond excited!

The new family walking into their house for the first time together

The girls' very first sneak peek

Emmalee graciously allowed Tori to hold Lilleight first. Tori calls herself a "smother hen". Oh my!

Emmalee finally got her hands on her newest cousin. She was elated!

My two best girls with our newest little princess

I couldn't wait to get my hands on her again. I had to share more than I would have likes, but I am sure I will get my fair share of snuggling and spoiling in!

A rare glimpse of her with her eyes open

Here is where the little princess will lay her head

Another shot of little Lilleigh pie's room

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Welcome to the world Lilleigh Rae. We can't wait to watch you grow up!

Snowed In

Mother Nature has NOT been kind to us lately. We have received more sleet, freezing, rain, and snow in the past 3 weeks than I can remember receiving the past several years combined. Last weekend we received a lot of snow on Wednesday night into Thursday, along with freezing cold temperatures. We were out of school for 2 more days, but we were stuck inside because of the bitter cold and huge snowdrifts. Here are some shots from around our yard.

Tori's tricycle was nearly covered in snow!

Emmalee thought she needed a skateboard because we had our own skate park in the backyard!

Big drifts by the swing set

The steps on our front porch were completely covered in drifts

More of our front steps

Another shot from our front porch

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We were finally able to get in a full week of school this week, and the temperatures finally got above freezing. We are slowly thawing out, but it keeps freezing again at night. Emmalee has decided that Mother Nature must hate us, and she wishes it was summer all of the time. Can't fault a girl for wishing!

A Year in Review: Emmalee

2009 was a HUGE year for Emmalee. She finished preschool in Richmond and started summer school in Chillicothe. She passed her milk challenge and is officially free of her milk allergy. She took dance lessons, played t-ball and soccer, took swim lessons, and joined the church choir, along with becoming a Christian and getting baptized in September. She mastered reading and writing and decided she wants to be a scientist when she grows up, which I fear is coming all too quickly! Here are the highlights of her year...

1. Preschool graduation

2. First day of summer school in Chillicothe

3. First t-ball game

4. First broken bone-silly monkey bars...

5. First roller coast ride at the Wisconsin Dells

6. First trip to Deanna Rose Farmstead

8. First trip to T-Rex Restaurant

9. First trip to Kaleidescope

10. First Day of Kindergarten

11.First time in a hot air balloon

12. First soccer game (with Mom as a coach-bonus!!)

13. First roller skating experience

14. First school program

15. First "friends-only" birthday party

Emmalee's Stats:

Height: 43 inches

Weight: 36 pounds

Favorite Color: Yellow

Favorite Book: Junie B. Jones Books

Favorite Activity: Skating

# of Teeth Lost: 2

A Year in Review: Tori

Tori had a lot of "firsts" in 2009, so I decided to create a "year in review" post of all she has done this year!

1. She potty trained herself in January. Fortunately, I chose not to share those pictures with you!

2. She moved into a big girl bed in March.

3. She went to Deanna Rose Farmstead for the first time.

4. She went to T-Rex for the first time!

5. She put her fabulous art skills to work at Kaleidescope.

6. She climbed the stairs at the state capital for the first time!

7. She got to play at Science City.

8. She attended her very first dance lesson at Shapes Dance and Acro in Carrollton.

9. She got her very first haircut!!!!

10. She performed in her very first dance program!

11. She got her very own guitar for Christmas!

2009 has been a great year for Tori. She has grown and changed so much! We look forward to what she will accomplish in 2010.

Tori's Stats:

Height: 37 inches

Weight: 27 pounds

Favorite Color: Purple

Favorite Book: Pinkalicious

Favorite Activity: Playing baby dolls

Pappi is "Snow" Much Fun!

Emmalee and Tori got to spend the day at Gamma and Pappi's while I took Aunt Deana to a few doctors' appointments and baby shower shopping. They already had some snow, but there was a fresh new layer when the girls arrived. The played outside with Pappi for a while and built two snowmen and a snow fort! Pappi is awesome!

Getting ready to sled down the driveway at Mr. Miller's house.

Emmalee pushing Pappi and Tori

Building a snowman

Emmalee's Big Day 2009

Emmalee was treated to another trip to see The Nutcracker this year. We took both grandmothers, and Emmalee really enjoyed her time with them.

Emmalee and mom before we left

Emmalee and Gamma at Crayola Cafe

Emmalee and Grandma at Crayola Cafe

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We went to Crown Center for lunch at Crayola Cafe, then shopped some. A bit later, after playing in the Crayola Play Area, we walked over to Union Station to see all the trains and to ride the Christmas train. We then headed out to watch The Nutcracker! It was a fabulous time, and we cannot wait to continue the tradition!