Waren Township Park

There is this super cool and fun park not far from our house that we love going to. Not only is there tons of things to do but it offers great picture taking opportunities as well.

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week

As you all know Taevin was born with a Congenital Heart Defect called Truncus Arteriosus as well as 2 holes in his heart. He underwent open heart surgery at 13 days old to close the holes and correct the Truncus.

Each year there is a week dedicated to raise awareness about this and many other heart defect which kill more children the all childhood cancers combined each year. Trying to do our part to help spread awareness I made these ribbons to wear/pass out. Areya took some to school to pass out to her class and tell them all about her brothers "broken heart". She was so excited to share these with her friends and also to brag about her brother.

During that week I also got a little creative and made a Mended Heart and an Awareness Ribbon in her hair.

Taevin is our little Heart Hero and is a huge inspiration to me. Even after all he has been through in his short life he still has a smile on his face and a hug & kiss for everyone he meets. I know there will be many more surgeries in his future but I also know that he is a fighter and will come out stronger in the end. He is truly a blessing to all who know him!

Please help us spread awareness about Congenital Heart Defects and what can be done to make a difference in the lives of all those who fight to survive.

Buddies!

Taevin really loves his Uncle Matt! They are such great buddies. Taevin is alway excited to see him and is always ask him for "up".  He loves playing in Uncle Matt's room and jumping on his bed. He peeks in looking for Matt every time we pass his door. Taevin has even learned to say Matt.

Easter 2012

Happy Easter!

Since church is at 9 am this year we decided to let the kids open their baskets before church and saved the egg hunt for after. As you can see in the picture Areya was really tired and not very happy about being woke up. 

Here are my super cute kids dressed up in their Easter outfits.

Don't they look so cute!!!

After church we did the Easter egg hunt and had a few friends over for a pot luck Easter dinner. It was a great day spend with wonderful people.

Happy 5th Birthday Aniela!

Happy Happy 5th Birthday Princess Aniela!!!
 

 Aniela 5 years old!

Aniela turned 5 on April 7th. She has a friend party where they dyed Easter eggs, had balloon races and had an Easter egg hunt.

She had so much fun and got lots of fun stuff. Thanks everyone for coming, for the gifts and for making it a super special day for her!   

Aniela is such a sweet girl who is always thinking about others. She loves her family, spending time with mommy, playing with her sister and brother, and cuddling with daddy. She is super excited to be starting Kindergarten in the fall and riding the bus with her sister. She is super smart and has caught on to Polish very quickly. Aniela love playing outside, swimming, riding her bike, watching Dora, and playing barbies. She is such a joy and keeps us laughing and smiling! We love you Aniela!

Happy Birthday to me!

This year I celebrated my 29th(with one year of experience) birthday. That's right! I will be 29 until my first grandchild is born. (because a grandma shouldn't be 29)  I never thought that I would have such a hard time with the whole turning 30 thing, Opps!  I mean 29 (with one year of experience), but for some reason it made me feel really old.

Any way, this year for my birthday I was super, super sick! (Maybe that's why I was feeling so old) I was in bed all week and didn't have the energy to do much. Thankfully my in-law's took the kids and let me sleep. The girls did make me breakfast in bed ( a BPJ) and I got beautiful flowers and a card. Damian got me a super awesome new Cannon Rebel camera. I love it!!!! Thanks Honey!

Pictures Feb 2012

A friend from church was taking pictures during an activity and she took these cute ones of my kids.

Getting so big!

Areya Mae

8 years old

She loves doing crafts.

Her favorite snack is popcorn.

Is in second grade.

Her favorite food is waffles.

Loves to paint, cut and color.

Is full of energy.

Her favorite colors are pink and light blue.

Aniela

4 years old

Loves unicorns.

She is very smart.

Her favorite colors are purple and red.

She is in preschool.

Is always saying the funniest things.

Her favorite food is pickles.

She likes spending time with mommy.

Taevin Aleksander

22 months

Always has a smile for you.

Loves cars and trains.

His favorite snack is fruit.

Has 11 teeth.

Likes to run and play.

Can sign about 20 words.

Is a guys guy.

33 years

Happy 33rd Birthday to Damian!

(I think this is the only baby picture we have of him)

Happy Birthday honey! We love you so much and are so lucky to have you as a husband and father! Thank you for all your hard work and for providing for our family. We hope you enjoy your Ruger Mini 14 (rifle).

Love,

Areya, Aniela, Taevin and Liz

Sleeping Beauty

It's always fun to see where we will find Aniela asleep. She is so funny and finds the weirdest position and places to fall asleep. Some nights when checking on the girls we have to really search for Aniela. She has been behind the door, in the closet, under the bed and desk.

I may have posted a few of these before so sorry if they are repeats.

I think she was eating before she crashed.

I think she was pouting and fell asleep

I love that her head is propped up on the sofa.

Under the desk

Under the bed.

Once we couldn't see her at all and had to get down on the floor to find her.

On her sister

On the fire place

Standing

and my all time favorite...................

in the laundry basket!!!

Christmas 2011

Merry Christmas 2011

I know it's now March and I'm a few months late posting these but I have been super busy. Better late then never.

Christmas Eve jammies

Taevin was a little more into Christmas this year. He was more then happy to just open one present and play with it but of course we kept taking it away and giving him more to open. This year he was really into trains so he got some more Geo track and his favorite gift was his first set of Hot Wheels with track.

Aniela was super excited to see that Santa came and that the milk, cookies and carrots (for the reindeer) were gone. She still loves any thing Dora, unicorns, barbies and puzzles. Her favorite this year was the HUGE unicorn from Aunt Shaylee, Uncle Tj and Beau. Thanks guys!!!!

Areya was super excited about all her gifts too. She asked for arts & craft stuff and was lucky enough to get lots of them. I asked her to hold up her favorite and this is what she picked. Thanks Aunt Shaylee, Uncle Tj and Beau! She has spent many hours painting and doing crafts.

Damian was the video man this year but I did get a quick picture of him opening a gift. Doesn't he look so excited. He had to work that day and was pretty tired.

Uncle Matt got some white church shirts & ties from us. Those white shirts should come in handy when he goes through the temple later this year. The kids gave him a picture frame with pictures of them to hang in his room.

Here are the kids in the dresses/outfit my Grandma Lee made for them. She does it every year and the kids look forward to getting and wearing them. She does an amazing job! Thanks Grandma Great, we love you!!!

We didn't have snow for Christmas this year but when we finally did get some the kids couldn't wait to get out there and play.

Thanks everyone who sent gifts and cards, we love and miss you all so much!!!