Picture Day

Yesterday morning I took Henry and Audrey to get pictures taken. I made the appointment for first thing after the photo studio opened, thinking that the kids would still be fresh and in a good mood. Well, it didn't really work out like that. I really wanted to get 1 year old pictures of Henry and thought I would put Audrey in a couple and have some of them together. Henry decided that he would scream every time I put him down. We thought he might calm down if he could sit with Audrey, but he didn't. He finally got to where he would sit and play with the stuffed animal props they had, but as soon as I moved him in front of the backdrop he would throw himself face down on the floor and scream again. I decided it would just have to be an Audrey photo shoot, since I didn't want to totally waste our time. Audrey then announced that she didn't want her picture taken either (the first time that has ever happened). I firmly said "we got up and got ready SOMEONE IS GETTING THEIR PICTURE TAKEN!! " The photographer convinced her to pose, and we even managed to get 1 picture on Henry with Audrey and 1 by himself, in between fits and him crawling away. I had a cubs outfit, hat, ball and bat for Henry to wear and it was going to be so cute, but ... Anyway here is what we finished with. Audrey was very proud of her new jelly shoes! Sorry these are sideways. I can't figure out how to turn them. It won't let me edit them.
I don't think Henry looks much different than his 9 month pictures. He had his 1 year check up on Wednesday. He is 24 lbs. 31 1/2 in. long. He is still in the 95th percentile for height, but dropped from the 90th percentile, to the 75th percentile in weight. He started out so big, I think he is evening out a little. Looks like he is going to be a tall boy though!

Dance Recital

Audrey had her first dance recital tonight. It was really chaotic getting her where she needed to be at the right time. The whole thing didn't really seem very organized, but she did a great job and looked so cute! She had two numbers. The first was her tap number called "follow the band" and the second was the ballet number called "rodeo" ( we called it "beef, it's what's for dinner" because it was to the music they have for that commerical). We went out to eat with Ange and Emma afterwards and didn't get home until 10:30! We saw the director of Peoria Ballet at the restaurant and she remembered Audrey's name and that she was a newer student! She must have a really good memory because there are A LOT of students there. Anyway, it was a fun night, especially for Audrey. She kept asking Emma (her best friend) if she saw her and if she did a good job. We went to Emma's recital last week and they had to compare notes about everything. These pictures are from dress rehearsal on Monday night. No flash photography was allowed tonight.

Henry's 1 Year Old!

Well, I can't believe it, Henry is 1 year old! He had a good party. I think he had a pretty good time opening presents. He had a lot of help from his big sister. She wouldn't stay back, she was so excited. I think sometimes she forgot whose birthday it was. He wouldn't really mess in his cake, he just picked at it. The guys dug up the swing set in our yard and loaded it onto a trailer so it could be relocated to my parents yard in Charleston. The house we are moving to already has a swing set. When I look out the kitchen window now and see the spot where it used to be it makes the upcoming move seem more real, and I freak out a little. I get nostalgic and emotionally attached to cars, so you can imagine how I am with the house. I am excited about the new house but am also kinda sad to say goodbye to this one. This is going to be another busy week for us. I will try to post more pictures later of this weeks activities.

Disney World

Well, we are home and now need to rest up from our vacation! We all had a great time. Audrey said the last night that she wanted to stay at Disney World forever. We saw a lot of things and sweat a lot too. On Saturday it almost broke the record high. Audrey was very interested in seeing as many characters as possible. She acquired many princess mannerisms. After observing Cinderella, Audrey wanted me to look at her "graceful princess hands". Without prompting she held up the corner of her dress for pictures, just like Princess Aurora. She also loved the roller coasters. She is a very brave 4 year old! Henry liked the characters too. We went to a couple of character dining things. Henry kept trying to feed the characters and give them his sippy cup. Here is a slide show of just a few of the pictures we took. It will only let me put 30 pictures in a slide show. I better go get busy working on the laundry mountain!

Audrey thinks she is so old now that she is 4. She was posing in her new sunglasses. I have to admit that she did look older to me too!

Audrey had a good birthday on Saturday. I told her the day before that she could open a present after breakfast. Well, she didn't forget. She got up and ate really quickly, and then reminded me what I had said. Here she is opening the 1st present of her 4th birthday. She was very excited with her Elina Barbie. She said she had wanted it her whole life. We had about 20 people at her party to help her celebrate. It was a little chaotic, but the kids had fun. We spent the evening putting all of her new toys away. Jason said he thinks we acquired about 4 more boxes of stuff to move :) Here is a picture of her Fairytopia cake. Thanks Grandma Karin!I am not feeling very good today. I thought it was just allergies, but it may be turning into something more. Henry has a runny nose and Audrey has been coughing a little. We really all have to be well by tomorrow morning!!! I will have many pictures next week of Disneymania. Pray for health and good weather!