Pancake love

A lot of love, whip cream and family time :-)

Birthday madness

Annabelle's moment....and yes, that is a teapot cake created by the amazing Summer Miller!

The Birthday Girl in her ballet glory

The new bike!

says Ella: : "why can't it just be all about me?"

Annabelle's newly rited passage into little girl-hood...we painted her fingers and toenails for the first time!

So, if Annabelle hasn't already told you three or four times.....she is now 5! Her actual birthday was Wednesday, Feb. 4th. She had a great day of getting all her favorite food (Pancakes, McDonald's and homemade pizza), and some presents and cake. We got her a bigger bike since her knees come up to her chest as she pedals her toddler bike....kinda embarrasing! And then we did a full blown Dress-Up Tea Party on Saturday the 7th. She told me her invite list which ended up being like, 15 girls, and all of them except for one came! It was madness. And thank goodness there were presents and gifts, because my attempt at game time was disastrous! I thought it would be fun to play Freeze dance, and I had one prize to give away to the winner. So we began the friendly game of elimination, and as each girl was eliminated, they proceeded to either cry, or just refuse to leave the game. But with the help of other mothers in the room, we got through it and declared a winner! In any case, Annabelle had the time of her life, as she had her friends surrounding her. Here are a few pictures of the birthday festivities.

A mom, encouraged

So a dear friend of mine gave me a book for my birthday called "Stepping Heavenward" by Elizabeth Prentiss, published in 1869. The title alone kind of made me hesitant to crack it open, but with the praise she gave me about how this book changed her thinking, I knew I needed to read it. I loved every word of this book. It is a fictional book of journal entries, following a woman's life, and all her deepest feelings and fears in faith and motherhood. It astounded me how much I could relate to this woman who lived in the 1800's. She was so very real and honest about all her shortcomings, yet her faith in Christ continued to mature amidst the shortcomings....or in other words, sin. As a mother of little ones, I am plagued with sin and regret on a daily basis, and this book was such a great reminder of the fact that this Christian life is a journey and I have not arrived...I am not even close, and that's okay. Here is what resounded with me most when I finished the book:
"Every act of obedience is an act of worship." "Why do we waste our lives before we learn how to live?" "I am not sure that we do not learn as fast as we are willing to learn. God does not force instruction upon us, but when we say, as Luther did, 'more light, Lord, more light' the light comes."

Bling

Chris let Ella spruce him up a little with a few rings and necklaces the other night. Personally I like the kissy lips Chris is sporting more than the rings....just my opinion.

Lovin' the Y!

So for Christmas, we were given a years membership to the YMCA. I knew about the Y from friends who go there, but never really understood how cool it is. I have been so very thankful for the gift that keeps on giving. It is wonderful because it is so family friendly. It is not just a gym for Chris and I to go work out. Their mission statement is based on Christian principles and family values, and they have childcare for free, up to 2 hours. They have a great swimming pool, and a large gym, and lots of classes for adults and kids. And they even have "parent appreciation" nights twice a month, where they watch all your children for 3 hours for only $5. I feel like I have been a nicer mommy and better wife over the last few weeks. Regular exercise, social interaction for the girls and some alone time for Chris and I. It has been the outlet we all needed.

Wii love it!

So we tend to be the house where the games are played. And over the Christmas/New Years holiday we were given the chance to play Wii a lot. We recently borrowed a friends Wii, and are addicted to something we don't even own! So much fun. Chris rocks at the guitar (rockband), Annabelle is a star bowler, Ella loves to give high fives to everyone playing, and I love singing for rockband and bowling. Good times.

A Happy New Year

We enjoyed ushering in 2009 with my good childhood buddy Kristi and her husband, Mike and their adorable son, August. They drove all the way down from Chico area in Cali with their 9 mo. old to be with us for new years eve and new years day. This was the first time I had seen her baby boy, and this was the first time she had seen my 2.5 yr. old, Ella (who, by the way, poked her baby in the eye, and almost stomped on him with a large boot). I am so thankful we got to celebrate the new year together. I had to throw in an old school pic of me and Kristi back in the day...I think this was 5th or 6th grade...and we had decided to get all dressed up and take a picture to send to Kirk Cameron with our fan letter. Oh yes...I am that old!

Kristi & I, Willits, Ca, 1985ish

Mike, Kristi, Chris and I, ringing in the New Year!

The adorable August!

Our best attempt to take a photo with the kiddos!

Mike, Kristi and August Kipp