Welcome Baby Max!

Maxwell Isaac arrived on May 12, 2009 at 8:57am

weighing in at a healthy 8 lb. 10 oz and 20 3/4 inches long.
Our first family picture!

All snuggled up!
More pictures coming soon!

Playing

The kids got a trampoline this year. Casey got it put together and the fun started. I think he had just as much fun jumping.

Anna got a new microphone this year. She wasted no time singing in it. (You will have to pause the music I have playing on the side in order to hear Anna) Sorry that it it sideways. I'm not sure how to turn it.

Some Assembly Required....

Time to put together all the new toys !

So, the adults spent a good part of the morning assembling all the new, fun, exciting toys!

No grandparent was exempt from the task.

"Some assembly required" means it may take two or three of you a few hours to get the toy put together.

Thank goodness for the instructions in pictures. And thankfully we didn't lose any pieces!

So while all the adults worked hard to put together all these new toys........

the girls used some of the old boxes to make...cars. :-)

Christmas!

Christmas Morning!

The kids were very excited. I didn't get that great of pictures...oh well.

Eli didn't actually open any of his presents...he just played with the tissue paper.
Emily just ripped through hers!

Anna really wanted this movie. She held most of her presents in front of her face.

Here's Alyssa! And earring holder! Now we won't lose them.

Jesus Messiah

I've had to change the music playing...only because this song has become a favorite for the girls. Everytime we get in the car, this is the first song requested. It so neat to hear their sweet little voices singing praises to our God. We are blessed!

A visit with my brother

Cousins! It's hard to get 6 kids to all look at the camera and sort-of smile at the same time! We did it, although it wasn't my camera they were looking at. :-) Left to right is Matt, Alyssa, Nathan, Emily, Anna, and Eli.

We had a nice visit with my brother, his wife, and two sweet boys just before Christmas! The kids wasted no time before playing hard. :-)

Here they are! We don't get to see them often so it was a nice treat.

Wow!

Well, I'm not sure what to say. I'm failing on the blog. My last post...pictures of before Christmas, a January post date, and Valentine border!! Ha! Sorry to all of you faithful family readers. I had to reset my password this time because I couldn't remember the old one! Not only have I failed on the blog, I haven't taken many pictures lately either.

I'm not sure why?...4 kids, homeschooling, 30 weeks pregnant, dr. appts, laundry, cooking, dishes, dance, gymnastics, soccer, etc.

Anyway, I hope to update (catch up) soon. Hang in there!

Sleeping by the Christmas Tree

Every year we pick a night for the girls to sleep in the den by the Christmas Tree lights. They usually watch movies until they go to sleep.

All the girls picked a couch to sleep on this year.

Alyssa slept in the recliner.

And here's the tree with the lights shining in the dark.

They were very excited for Christmas this year. Anna asked every day if today was the day. Christmas pictures are coming soon!

December Snapshots

Look at these pretty princesses! The girls love to smile with orange peels in their mouths.

The Rader boys...watching the Big 12 Championship. Go Sooners!

Gymnastics Exhibition

Emily and Alyssa had a gymnastics exhibition in December. They both had a great time and it was good to see how they are improving.

Here is Emily on the beam. This was her first event and she had to face the audience. Needless to say, she was bit distracted by all the activity. She did well though.

Here is Alyssa on the beam also. Lucky for her, she didn't have to face us so she could stay a bit more focused.

They both received ribbons for each event. They should have one or two more exhibitions this spring. We are looking forward to them!

Dance Classes

The girls all started dance class right after Thanksgiving. We had to wait until soccer and basketball ended. They are taking at Miss Tracie's. Emily's teacher is Miss Kristy.

Here is Anna with Miss Tracie. Each of the girls have their own class this year so it makes for a crazy evening but recital should be fun.

Alyssa and Miss Tracie - The girls all love Miss Tracie. They affectionately call her "Aunt Tracie."

Long Time - No Blog

I can't even believe it myself. It has been almost 2 months! I almost didn't even remember my password. Wow. Well, I hope to get several posts out over the next few days. We have been doing well, just staying crazy busy. Our newest news.....we are having a boy! Here are a few pics of the ultrasound. I'll spare him by not posting the one that gave us no questions on him being a boy. We are going to name him Maxwell Isaac but we will call him Max. We are looking forward to his arrival in May! More posts to follow soon!

Pickles!

Well, Papa has had the great honor of giving each of our children their first pickle. Eli reacted with shock but went back for more.
I guess it's safe to say that all of our children love pickles!

Emily's Basketball

Emily has been playing basketball these last few months. She has really improved this year. And more than that - she has had a blast. Like Alyssa smiles the entire time she plays soccer...Emily smiles the entire time she plays basketball. Here are some snapshots from some of her games.

Here she is taking a shot. Although the ball didn't go in this time...she did make several baskets this year.

Anna turned 4!

Anna turned 4 on the 16th. After the party, we ran some errands and told the girls to get on shoes and coats....
This is how Anna dressed...in her new clothes Grandma Pat gave her and her new froggie rainboots, coat and umbrella from Grandad.

And yes, we let her go dressed like that. :-)

Happy Birthday little Anna! You have been a blessing to our lives and we love you so much!