Sorry for the tease...

Okay, I tried 3x to get the video of Ellery dancing uploaded and it would NOT work. It just sat there and was "working". I will try again, but I am almost certain that it will not be. I will post some pictures from the day and some from her adventure at the Mall of America. She danced at the Mall this weekend and had so much fun. she has been jumping around and pretending to dance like the older girls ever since she watched them on sunday. It's pretty darn cute!

It has been a long time.

So, life has been not as great lately.  Tim still hasn't found a job-looking all the time :(  Then there's my profession...well I don't really care to talk about that.  Let's just say it's been taking it's toll on me.  Maybe that's why I've been gone so long.  All I can do is read updates on how everyone is not even talking.  I keep saying I just want it to be July, but then life will be hectic in a different way.  Oh the joys. 

 This is me, yesterday at 34 weeks.  I am getting excited for the baby to arrive.  I want her to wait a few more weeks, but then it will be time.  We are getting Ellery's room all set.  The bunk beds are due to arrive this week and she is already sleeping on her new big girl mattress.  She has made that transition nicely-thank goodness.

Anyway, on to the events of the last month or so...

Our first experience with foam curlers. 

I put them in the day before her dance pictures just to see if they were going to take...

Didn't they turn out cute...

Caleb and most of his "team" on their field trip at school.  We went to Orchestra Hall. 

It was actually quite an educational field trip and I even enjoyed myself!

Here is Ellery later that day all dolled up for her dance pictures. 

It was fun for me to get her all ready.  Brought me back...

Isn't she sweet.

Our first and possibly only trip to the lake this year.  The kids had a really fun time.  I wish that we could get up there again, but I don't think it would be likely with a newborn!

Grandpa and his fishing buddy.

Caleb and daddy fishing off the dock.  Caleb is VERY interested in fishing, so daddy needs lessons!  We all had some good laughs watching Tim learn to take fish off of the hook.  As you can imagine, it was quite comical!

Ellery was the first one in the water this year!  Apparently there is a competition every year. 

Ha-she won-does she get an award???

4 generations of McGrane girls.  Even the baby is included-sort of.

With Buddie.

Tune in next week.  Ellery has her dance recital tomorrow, so I will be posting again with pictures from her very first big day!  I am excited!  I hope she is too.  I might post a little video too if I can, but we'll see.

Happy Easter! & Spring is HERE!

Happy Easter Everyone!

 

The Easter Bunny visited. 

Caleb got stickers, a note pad, a Star Wars sticker book and a

Knock knock joke book-he was pretty happy

Ellery got Snow White's prince-she was SO excited. 

According to her, now all she needs is a few more princes, Pocahontas and Mulan.

Our Easter Egg hunt

-we got to participate in 3 hunts this year.  I only got photos of this one though. 
This one was our 2nd annual hunt with our neighbors. 
The kids have so much fun hunting just in our two back yards.

"look mom, I found one"

The five kids all ready to check out what treasures are inside the eggs they just found!

Dyeing Eggs

Her kit was Hello Kitty

And of course, Star Wars.  His came with tattoos for the eggs,

but we couldn't quite figure out how the tattoos worked.  Oh well.

Some spring fun with bubbles

Happy Spring Everyone!  Hope you have gotten a chance to get out

and enjoy some of the gorgeous days we've been blessed with lately! 

I've neglected yet again to take another shot of my belly.  It sure is getting bigger.  We are now 25 weeks and a few days.  I'm feeling pretty good, we're getting excited for this little girl to arrive!

the Very busy month of February

February was a very busy month at our house.  We had 2 birthday parties for Caleb and went on vacation.  Therefore, there are A LOT of pictures for me to share.

Happy 5th Birthday to my boy! 

I know it's a bit late to be posting for his birthday, but better late than never! 

Here is my boy, just shy of 2 years old.  Isn't he sweet!

And here he is now-5 whole years old!

Caleb's 1st friend birthday party 2/13/10

My first attempt at a Star Wars cake.  It's a Tie Fighter that I frosted on there. 

Tim made me put "May the force be with you" instead of "Happy Birthday"

Caleb with his best buddy, Ty

Our fort for the year.  Now that the snow is melting, this will be it. 

Thankfully Tim got both in the fort before Caleb decided to step on it.

Playing Dress up.  I was laughing hysterically when Caleb

walked in with this suit on.  I just couldn't stop laughing.

Disney Cruise 2010

Our first night in the hotel in Orlando.  We left on Saturday to get into town and not risk our lovely MN weather ruining our trip.  It worked out very well to be able to spend one night in a hotel first.  The kids just wouldn't go to sleep that night though.  They were laughing hysterically when we tried to put them in the same bed.  Finally, after I took some audio of them laughing, I took Ellie in our bed and Tim layed with Caleb until they were both asleep.  I took this picture right before I went to sleep that night. 

They LOVED the hot tub. We had to pull them out after a while

because we were worried that they were getting too warm.

First time meeting Mickey Mouse.  Ellie LOVED meeting

all the characters.  Especially the Princesses--see below

With Grandma G!

We took advantage of the free "daycare" one evening

and had an adult only dinner.  It was quite nice!

Meeting Belle!  This is her favorite princess.  She has the dress

and wears it all the time.  She did get to meet Sn.ow Whi.te,

Cind.erella and Prin.cess Tia.nna as well, but Belle is still her fav!

Can't you just see her excitement!

On the island of Nas.sau.  We visited the resort called At.lantis. 

They have a huge aquarium there.  Caleb was in heaven!

Caleb didn't Love the beach so much, especially the water. 

He did, however, like the fact that the water tasted like salt. 

He did have fun playing in the sand though so the whole day wasn't

a bust for him.  I think there were just too many people around on the beach. 

Ellery had a ball in the water and almost didn't want to get out to

go get her hair braided.  she ended up nearly falling asleep while

the lady was braiding her hair.  She tolerated it quite well.  The

post below this one has a video of her getting her hair

braided.  I think it's pretty funny!

With Papa.

Cap'n Hook was Caleb's favorite character on the ship.  He also liked Mickey and Goofy

The only night I dressed the kids up.  I decided we needed some pictures.

A big Thank You to Grandma G and Papa for

taking us on this cruise!  We all enjoyed it very much!!!!

The Family Birthday Party 2/27/10

This time, I succeeded in making Da.rth Vad.er.  Tim was quite a

help with the frosting of the face (I am being serious!) even though

I was a bit annoyed with his perfectionism.

With Myla and Ellery at his birthday party.