Happy birthday, baby...

My baby turned 6 on the 6th (his golden birthday, so I'm told). His birthday cake sported Spiderman and "Happy Birthday, Cheeb". This is his self proclaimed new name...problably just in case he becomes famous someday and needs a stage name. We've been asked to call him Cheeb from now on, but I still slip and call him Ben 99.9% of the time.

.

Ben (aka Cheeb, shnub, schnubby, schnubster, schnubbles,) is purely delightful. He provides constant entertainment. He is smart, witty and kind! He is so brave and faces his challenges with such a winning spirit! We are a better family because there is Ben...

.

The many faces of Ben...

.

Happy Birthday, Ben! We love you!!

A very special day...

Elli was baptized on Saturday, January 3rd. It was a special day filled with lots of love, family and friends. She was so excited! After she was baptized she said "I've been waiting my whole life for this day!" I was touched by the spirit as we were reminded of the simplicity of the gospel as we try to be more like Jesus and choose the right. We are so happy that Elli chose to be baptized and to follow Jesus's example.

Elli and her dad

Elli and Rachel, her best friend.

* * *

New year wish...

Happy New Year to all our friends and family!

May this year find each of us at peace and surrounding each other with kindness, love, laughter, understanding and charity.

Heres to a great year in 2009...

A wizzle celebration...

Our sweet Elli turned 8 on December 21st (the first day of winter). Her dad calls her WIZZLE and her mom calls her BELLE.

Here are just 10 of the many things we love about her...

1) She has lots of happy energy and loves to smile.
2) She LOVES animals and would have one of every kind if we would let her.
3) She gives lots of hugs and kind words.
4) She is an awesome soccer player.
5) She LOVES babies and wants to be a mom "sooo bad!"
6) She is a great cleaner and organizer.
7) Math is her favorite subject at school.
8) She loves to ride her bike and play outside.
9) She loves music and is learning to play the piano.
10) She has a great sense of humor and makes us laugh! She is our crazy wizzle!

Happy Birthday, Elli! We love you!!

So you think you can dance?...

Here's a little old fashioned Christmas wish from ours to yours...

go to: http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/EGMdWdUa3VxViF7EvTlJ

**Remember to mute the blog music first :)

What's in a name...

Recently, Rachel was interested in the meaning of her name. That led to a fun search of the meaning of each family member's name...

Erling Alex
Erling: Noblemans son
Alex: Protector of mankind

Tanya Ann
Tanya: Fairy queen
Ann: Gracious

Rachel Ann
Rachel: Innocent lamb
Ann: Gracious

Elisabeth Nicole
Elisabeth: Consecrated to God
Nicole: Victory of the people
Nickname "Elli" means devoted to God

Benjamin Alex
Benjamin: Son of my right hand
Alex: Protecter of mankind

The Dogs
Molly: Bitter
Zelda: Woman warrior

Well, I'm a "gracious fairy princess"...how fitting! O.K., let's hear it. What does your name mean?

You can go to http://www.meaning-of-names.com/search/ to find out.

photo shoot

While downloading some pictures I discovered a private Little People's photo shoot...courtesy of Ben. It cracked me up. The kids absolutely love this nativity set. They play with it for hours. Ben keeps referring to Mary as "Mary Flowers"...not sure where he came up with that, but I think it's so cute that I don't want to correct him. His sisters do however.

I overheard them playing yesterday. They named the one on the left King Jose and the one on the right King Julian. Don't ask me.

* * *

Does this happen to anyone else's gingerbread houses?! Where, oh where have my gumdrops, red hots, bubble gum, and sprees gone? Oh where, oh where could they be? Guess there are no takers on the starlight mints and butterscotch thingys.