Baby Ava

Here is the newest addition to the VH clan.  She is just as cute as can be.  Unfortunately her first 24 hours of life have been more eventful than her parents cared to experience but things are settling down and she's doing great!  Those first several hours included an elevated heart rate that required a helicopter ride to Seattle and 2 nights at Children's Hospital.  But she is now on her way home and ready to begin enjoying life with her Mom and Dad and Sisters.  Congrats, you guys!  We are so grateful you will all soon be home together as a family of 5!

Holdin' On

This is a post especially for Gary and Michelle if you're checking in at all. :)

Holly's  basketball team played Libby's last night.  Their personalities definitely shone through!  First of all, the coach from each team gives each kid a wrist band matching another player on the other team to be matched up against.  Holly and Libby were not given matching wristbands so what do you think they did?  Yes, they switched them so they'd match!  Libby has a little bit of a competative spirit to her and Holly, well, Holly is out there for mostly social reasons (I wonder where she gets that?)   So as Libby is busy trying to get open to get the ball, Holly is doing all she can to stop it.  As you can tell by the (very bad) photos, they don't call much in this league!

Guess who called today?

ALYSSA!!!!!!!

She moved about 5 weeks ago to nanny for a family with newborn triplet girls...how lucky are they to have her!  Everyone was so excited to talk to her.  Thanks for calling, Sissa!  We all miss you but know you are doing what you do best!

What do you do with a beautiful Sunday afternoon?

You head to the mountains and go sledding!!!  NOT watch the Daytona 500!  (thanks, honey, for not even mentioning that)

Thanks, Likkels, for coming with us!  We had such a great time and even came home and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows to top off the day.   There are seriously so many pictures, you may just have to be my friend on Facebook so you can see more! :)

And, just wanted to wish Aunt Joan a happy birthday (yesterday!)  She had yummy cupcakes waiting to be eaten and Mia even got in a couple rounds of TROUBLE with her.  

"I knew it was going to be a good day"

That's what our pediatrician said to us after we finished up the boys 5 year well checks.   She's just the greatest!   

I have never taken my camera to the doctors office or Costco before but since I'm doing Project 365 (taking a picture a day for a year) I thought I'd pack it along.  (You can see my progress on my own album by clicking HERE.)  I was so glad I did!

She lined them all up and was determined to find their differences.

And then was so great to pose for a picture with them. 

They only needed 1 shot today but they thought it would be great fun to hide from the nurse.  They thought they were hilarious!

Then it was off to Target and Costco.  I can't even tell you how many times people asked  "Aren't you glad you didn't have 8 of them at once?"  To which I replied, "Yes, I'm quite content with the 5  I already have."  :P
Doesn't everyone talk on their cell phones in Costco? 

 Can't leave Costco without their hot dogs for lunch!

And a couple stats for anyone who cares.  It's the 1st time ever they've been further than a pound apart.   Still within an inch in height though.  Joey is 41.2 lbs, 42.5 inches,  Lucas is 40.4 lbs, 42.5 inches, Tyler is 39 lbs, 42 inches.  

Next adventure

We're all feeling better this week and everyone one went to school on all the days they were supposed to,  hurray!  

Remember these guys?  Well, they've been resting a while.  They did take a trip to MI for Christmas but can you guess where they are now?  

The Original Holly with Flat Holly.

They're in Scotland!  Thanks, Uncle Dave, for the update on their trip and for fitting them in your backpack!  Can't wait to see where they will visit next on your adventure.