There were three in the bed...

...and the little one said, "Roll over, roll over." And they all rolled over...including Aliya! Aliya started rolling over on the 28th of January (the day she turned 4 months old!) What a big little girl she is getting to be!

Madison's preschool class made chocolate chip cookies yesterday. They were studying the 5 senses all month and this past week was the sense of taste. I peeked in on her and she looked like she was having fun. On the way home, Breanne and Madi decided we should "make cookies for our whole family to eat!" I explained that I didn't have chocolate chips in the pantry. Madison was quick with a solution. "Mom, we didn't make Christmas cookies on Christmas Eve, so we could just make Christmas cookies!" I kept trying to convince her to call them cut-out cookies or even Valentine cookies, but she would say yes, Valentine Christmas cookies..funny girl.

They've also been working in their school workbooks alot lately. They are both intent on learning and writing. Madison is apparently so dedicated the the task, that she takes her book with her to the bathroom...hmmmm...gross!

We've been trying to read more lately. The library has a 20-minute a day promotion for 20 days. It's been a struggle to keep Breanne interested for 20-minutes, especially in a chapter book with fewer pictures. Here, Derrick took the opportunity to cuddle with all three little girls and a good book.

The Champion

We finished our first entire game of Mexican Train Dominos with Madison & Breanne on Friday night and wouldn't you know, the 3-year old beat us all by like 200+ points. Oh well, it was fun to watch them learn as we played and Madison is even starting to play more strategically. They have also learned how to play Uno since Christmas.
Yesterday we went to "The Reef" in town. It's a big indoor waterpark. The girls and Derrick had been there once before with Carter, Braelyn, Chloe, Uncle Lucas and Auntie Kelly once before. This was Aliya and my first experience. It was lots of fun to watch the girls play. And even Aliya loved the water! The weather here was COLD and blustery. It was a great day to be inside swimming. Madison is becoming quite the swimmer and she doesn't even want Derrick or I to hold her anymore. Breanne was the one who wasn't ready to go at 5pm. She liked the slides and they both loved the wave pool! We'd love to take anyone who comes visit us...

My oh my! I can't hardly believe many of Madison's friends are turning 5 and she'll be there before we know it. Aliya is almost 4 months. Breanne is looking cuter than ever and will be in preschool before I know it.

The weather has been quite nice, beautiful actually, this past week. Last Friday, the sky was gorgeous as the sun began to set in the west. Temperatures have been in the 50s and almost 60. We've been able to do some bike riding, playing at the park, jumping on the tramp, made "cakes" and "pies" in the sandbox and Aliya's even swung in the baby swing.

How to get to daddy's work

I think we have the best talks about God when we're driving. On the way to preschool this morning, we prayed as usual. After our prayer, Madison started talking about when Jesus is done building up in heaven, He's going to come back down to us. I confirmed that Jesus is getting each of us a place ready in heaven and will come back when he has it all ready. Breanne said, "Yah, when Jesus comes down from heaven, He might have to go get my dad, because he might be at work." She continued, "We might have to tell Jesus where to go because He might not know how to get to daddy's work." Thank goodness God knows all and we don't need to give Him directions.

A recipe to share

Some gals have asked for this recipe and I thought...hmm, why not post it to my blog. It's a great one. Maybe not the healthiest, but you can add shredded carrots in the meat mixture to include a veggie (the kids might not even notice.)

Mac n' Cheese Casserole                                                                           

1 ½ c. cooked elbow macaroni

¼ c. butter

¼ c. flour

2 c. milk

2 T. parsley flakes

½ t. salt

dash of pepper

1 c. cheddar cheese

1 c. American cheese

1 T. Worcestershire sauce

1 ½ # hamburger

1 can tomato soup

1 med. onion

1 T. prepared mustard

1 T. brown sugar

½ t. chili powder

Make a white sauce of flour, butter and milk; add parsley, salt, pepper, cheeses. Stir until melted. Add macaroni and set aside. Brown meat (sprinkle a little salt & pepper over while cooking), drain. Add rest of ingredients. Spoon ½ macaroni mixture into a 2 qt. casserole dish. Add meat mixture. Cover with rest of macaroni. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes and sprinkle on a little extra cheddar cheese. Bake 10 minutes more.

I'm a big girl now...

Miss Aliya Evelyn is stealing the show these days! She always capturing our attention with all her babbling, new stretches and maybe an occasional giggle. Last week Sunday night, she laughed for the first time. I was the only one who heard it, but it sure was precious! She continues to have the sweetest, content personality. She thinks she's a big girl sometimes too. She is in the beginning stages of rolling over we think. She's way to young for that, but her little flexible body is tryin' her best. She also loves to sit up. Of course, she's not sitting on her own, but she likes the upright position so she can take it all in. Daddy says she likes to watch football. (I think she just likes to watch the tv.) And today, daddy and Breanne put together her high-chair. (Daddy calls it the deluxe model, our other girls were so deprived...) She sat in it while we played dominos tonight. I think it's inevitable for the youngest to grow up faster when big sisters are encouraging her along. Oh, well.

Christmas Memories

Happy New Year already! I wanted to share some highlights from our Christmas in Minnesota before I started sharing pictures from 2009. We had a great time. Madison asked Derrick, "Dad, can we go see the cows?" We new it was time to bundle up in the freezing cold temperatures and let the girls experience a little bit of farm life. Madison was really interested in both the pigs and cows. Breanne would soak it all in, but didn't dare get too close!

Then we were

off to Beaver Creek to visit my grandparents. Madi & Breanne know this Grandma Great as the one who sends them Dora Animal Crackers. It was fun to visit with them.

We went to Grandma Edna's on Christmas Eve. It was the first time any of the Great Grandparents got to meet Aliya. She adjusted to the time away from home quite well and it was the first time she started sleeping 9-10hours at night consistantly. VERY NICE for mom!

On the day we left Minnesota, Breanne's only question was, "Mom, which grandma are we going to next?" It's a lot of grandma and grandma-greats to see in one week for a 3 year old. I said, we were going to go meet Grady & Gavin at a hotel and go swimming with them. Madi & Bre no more than heard me say it and they were ready to get in their car seats and go.

We stayed in Bismark at a Ramkota hotel with a waterpark. It went quick, but was so fun to visit and watch the kids play.