Samantha's fourth birthday

Samantha's birthday fell on a Sunday this year, so we let her open her presents just after we got home from church. I told Jeff I might make the kids dress up for opening presents from now on since she looked so cute in her Sunday clothes ;)Lady and the Tramp - one of her new favorites.

The Barbie that Priscilla just had to get for her sister - although I suspect it was because she anticipated playing with it.

Natasha was an eager participant in the festivities. With her first birthday and Christmas behind her, she now understands what gift opening is all about.

Samantha's first camera - a Hello Kitty digital camera. Priscilla has probably gotten more use out it so far, but Samantha has managed to take a few pictures.

Her hair looks a little wild because we did the cake after her bath. I can't believe she is already four - where did the time go?

Christmas 2008

It has been a rough winter for us health-wise. It seems someone has been sick every week! That is why the girls are pictured here standing in front of our last-minute ten dollar Christmas tree. Yes, they do get quite eager to unload their trees two or three days before Christmas. We just couldn't seem to get out to buy one until the week of Christmas. I didn't spend a whole lot of time putting on ornaments, knowing I was going to take them down again in a few days...

Natasha with Grandpa. She loves her "papa."

Samantha loves her "Puppy in My Pocket" and "Littlest Pet Shop" stuff.

The girls were wild about these dogs in a handbag :)

Barbie Mariposa - the one thing Priscilla particularly wanted.

The obnoxious singing penguin that Grandpa picked out. Oh yeah, he sings and waddles very loudly along our wooden floors. A truly vile toy, but she does love it. Grandpa can choose them.

Natasha's first birthday

These pictures were taken on November 11th, her actual birthday, so posting this leaves me only a few months behind...
It is hard to believe that our littlest girl is over a year old now :( Natasha was a little hesitant with the opening of the gifts at first, but her sisters were more than willing to lend a hand and she caught on quickly.
Cake, however, was not such a foreign concept to her and she was eager to have her share of it.

Snowman

The weather sure changes fast in Michigan! Just a few short weeks after taking pictures of the girls on the front lawn in their T-shirts, we have enough snow to put together a snowman. It took about all the snow we had, though. Jeff is the lucky one who has taken on the task of keeping up this annual tradition. I prefer to watch from the warmth of the house and take a picture when the deed is done.