January

 I wish I could remember more of what happened in January...but this really constitutes the majority of our month - 8 pictures!!!  Mitchell has become obsessed with giving High 5 - he loves it!  Such a cute little guy.  If I get a High 5 from someone else - he will come running over to give me one also.  Super cute!  He still LOVES food and always seems to be hungry!!!

 Ben had Pinewood Derby with his school troop.  He and Andy spent many hours making the incredible car that placed 4th in his den.  While they worked on this, I helped make decorations, set up, and bake/frost many batches of sugar cookies for the Daddy/Daughter Dance - with a Candyland theme - super cute!  Annie had so much fun running around with all of her little friends.  I was able to help check the girls in and then worked the refreshment table after it got started.  Love this little one!!!

Add in there mostly daily trips to the gym, swim lessons for Emily, and a 10 week cold for me, and there was our month.  Surprisingly NO major snowstorms...alas no chance to dress Mitchell up in his ADORABLE snow bib either.

Happy New Year!!!!

 The last two new year's have been brought in with some friends over.  This year, we weren't planning on it since we'd been to Texas and Ben/Andy had a Fathers/Sons Campout on December 30th.  Around 2pm, we decided the tradition needed to continue!  Thankfully, our two favorite families were able to come!  Above are the Frys.  Gary graduated from the University of Akron the May before Andy started.  He gave us our tour.  Our kids are very similar in ages (except the first ones) but ALL different genders!  Below are the Renchers.  They moved in last summer and live just a few minutes away.  Megan got me exercising again and is my biggest running support and encouragement!  Cambri is Emily's saving grace.  Nate is our resident orthopedic...he hasn't been called over to do stitches yet, but we do have them on speed-dial!

 Here's our crazy family - all ready to party!  We played a fun new game we got for Christmas, ate goodies, and generally just had a great time!  Mitchell was having a blast!

 Andy and Ben bought fireworks on the way home from their campout...and got some BIG sparklers!

 Ben's turn

 Emily's turn - and it takes some major coordination to do sparklers in two hands!

 I finally got to do the long one - to keep it far away from Mitchell's grabbing hands!

 One of Andy's many turns...the kids had a great time!  We stayed up late (around 10), but Andy and I crashed as soon as the kids were tucked into bed!  Happy New Year!  We hope by next new year's we have life in a more stable place...