Update

I haven't written an update (with pictures) for quite a while.... We've been so busy. Our niece, Jamie, got married four days before Christmas, to her True Love, Wayne. Jim did one of the readings. Both our girls were two of four flower girls in the wedding. It was a lovely ceremony, and the reception, held at Chez Hay, was tremendous!

Lindsay was radiant, getting her hair done!

Josie enjoyed her first trip to a real beauty salon, as well.

(Apparently, since my hairdresser works out of her home, it's not a "real" salon!)

Aren't they all such little darlings!

Then, of course, we had several Christmases to celebrate (with my folks, Jim's folks, our own, plus one in Columbus with my maternal grandmother). Before AND after that, we celebrated Donovan's first birthday. We did it twice because his Godparents were in town for the wedding, but they were leaving for home on Christmas Day. So, since Donovan's actual birthday is December 27th, we had an early celebration so the Godparents could attend. And just to sweeten the deal for everyone, we had it at Valentino's. (My brother-in-law has a number of places he has to visit each time he returns to Nebraska: Val's, Runza, and Taco John's.)

The Elmo cake was one of Donovan's gifts from his Godparents.

"Still not quite sure what all this frosting is for....."

"The things I go through for this family!"

Then we celebrated Donovan's actual birthday as a small family, just the five of us. Donovan didn't seem to mind eating cake twice!

Now that he's naked, he's really getting the hang of it!

"Mmm, yeah, this is fun!"

"How old is Donovan? One year old!!!"

Then, of course, there was New Year's Eve. We rang in the New Year at 10:00. Are we lame, or what? Lindsay turned 9 on January 5th, and she had a few girlfriends over for her first birthday party... three friends, a cousin, and her sister. They had a good time, and Mom was able to score her a Hannah Montana cake for the occasion! Josie lost her first tooth and was paid a visit by the Tooth Fairy.

Lindsay, Morgan, Anna, Katelyn, Sara, and Josie

"See, Mom? Can you see where my tooth was?"

Donovan got his first haircut--Jim and I took turns hacking away at him. That night, it seemed like Jim had done the most damage. However, the following morning, I decided I couldn't leave well-enough alone, and I chopped off some more above the ears. Yikes! We've got a walkin', sort of talkin' (Ned-Flanders-Speak--"deetle, deetle, deetle") little boy keeping us happy and occupied; two girls in Brownies, wrapping up cookie sales; and temps at seven degrees below zero! No snow-days lately, though. (Bummer, man!)