Birthday presents - part 1

Hannah was so messy after her cake, that she had to be stripped down to her diaper. But we couldn't let her go to bed without opening a couple of presents.

It didn't take her long to figure out how this presents thing worked. Rip paper, find new toy. And she had lots of help from her excited brothers.

testing out her new phone

"Umm guys, can I play with my new toy?!"

This is my favorite Hannah stance. Arms back and belly out for optimum balance.

New stacking blocks!
Helping Daddy build it so she can...

KNOCK it down!

Happy giggles = priceless!

Birthday Cake!

Pre-cake, pre-mess smile

A mini cake for the birthday girl to destroy

She wasn't quite sure about the fire

"Mama, is this really for me?!"

The boys were a little jealous of her cake, until I pulled the Boston Cream Pie out of the fridge.

first little taste, so dainty

a couple more fingers

and then, a whole handful of cake and frosting

The frosting was so sweet, that she would taste it and then do a whole body shiver. That's my girl. Let's stick with the salty treats! Even Keith, who loves butter cream frosting agreed that this might be a little too sweet.

Such a sweet girl offering to share her mess.

All done!

The aftermath - time to strip down and save the house from being covered in frosting.

A little sugar high!

Just a swingin'...

The other night we put up the baby swing so Hannah could swing with her brothers. We thought she might like it...

We were wrong...She LOVED it!

She threw a little fit when it was time to go in for dinner and bath.

Jonathan looking down on the action.

Love this picture of my pensive 6 year old. Wonder what he is scheming?

The past weeks of beautiful fall weather have almost made up for the hot summer. Almost. We are soaking up every minute of outside that we can, which makes Hannah very happy. She loves to be outside with her brothers.

Hannah - 10 and 11 months

You started walking at 10 -1/2 months old.

At 10 months, you were dedicated by Grandpa at Maranatha with your cousin Adam (6 months).

with Grandma at 10 months old

You made a new friend, Aubrey. She's a couple months younger than you, but I'm sure you will be great friends just like your mamas!

swinging with Grandpa

11 months old and on the run.

You love phones, remotes and any other toys you shouldn't have.

Somehow months 10 and 11 of your life slipped by in a blink. You are a very busy little girl. You learned to walk at 10 and a half months and haven't slowed down since. This really doesn't make you any more trouble, it just slightly raises your level of trouble. You love to empty all the kitchen cabinets and destroy your brother's Lego creations.

You have started saying "yum" whenever you eat, especially when it's something you like! And you still don't like to have anything in your hair, which is very sad since your bangs are a little out of control.

If you had your way, you would spend all awake hours outside. Whenever you hear a door open, you run as fast as you can to try and make your escape.

You threw your first fit in the tub the other night. You wanted to roll over and I wouldn't let you. (I know, I'm such a mean mommy.) I'm a little scared of the future fits to come! You certainly have a strong will, and I'm sure we will see more of it as you become verbal and can express your wishes.

I can't believe you will be one in less than a week! You are such a sweet and cuddly little baby. Why are you growing up so fast?!

A budding artist

Last Sunday we took Andrew to a painting class at the local rec center. He wasn't sure he wanted to go because, "Do I have to paint what she tells me? I want to paint what I want." Two hours later I picked him up with this masterpiece. All 20 of the kids in the class, Kindergarteners through 2nd graders had created this same painting and there was only one teacher. She's an amazing teacher. I asked him if he wanted to take another class next month, and he said, "I want to take all the classes." So, we signed him up for the next 4 months and are looking forward to seeing the rest of his masterpieces.

Hair Accessories...

A Difference of Opinion

Mommy's version of appropriate hair accessories

(Sadly she only leaves a bow in for about .2 seconds before she rips it out.)

Hannah's version - noodles and other food particles.

I fear this is the beginning of many differing opinions between a mother and her daughter...

Lego Mania

Tiny Legos on the floor plus Hannah on the floor equals trouble.

The boys quickly started to pick up and Hannah wanted to help.

And then she tried to eat some of them. Fortunately she tasted a big wheel rather than any of the little pieces.

Jonathan stopped picking up and started playing with the cool jet Daddy built for the boys.

This never happens! All three kiddos playing with the same toys. And there wasn't any fighting!

Hannah loves her brothers sooooo much. And the feeling is mutual.