Bunkbeds...A family affair!

About a month ago, Ellie decided she wanted to start sleeping with Lainey in her bed.  Much to our surprise (and delight) they both started going to bed about an hour earlier and sleeping all the way through the night.  We started looking around for bunkbeds and bunkbed plans and Matt came across some on the web that he liked.  He started construction last Saturday and worked most evenings this week in the garage sawing, sanding and assembling.  Could we have picked a colder week to start this project?!  Today they were complete and we disassembled them and moved them up to Ellie's room.

   

Lainey mans the drill!

Lainey mimicking every move Daddy the carpenter makes!

Daddy and his Royal helpers!

Ellie's loft...mostly complete.

There is still much work to be done!  Painting begins tomorrow.  There are still bookshelves to be installed underneath, a chalkboard to be painted, and a puppet theater curtain to be made.  Original plans were for Ellie to sleep on top and Lainey on a bed underneath.  Daddy's mind was working overtime today though thinking of additional ways to "trick out" the bed!  I saw him on the internet this evening looking at slides...ladder up one side--slide down the other!!  Who knows what the final product might look like.  I'll be sure to post more pics as the we move along! 

Snow Day, Snow Day, Snow Day 1/28/09

The girls and I were snowed in most of the week, but on Wednesday we were lucky enough to have Daddy home with us too!!  We enjoyed the family time and spent a few minutes sledding in the backyard!

Snow Day 1/8/09

Santa brought Lainey snow boots and snow pants this year for Christmas, so when the first snow of 2009 fell she was ready to head outdoors with Ellie.  Lucky for me neither one of the girls like to stay out too long.  I'm not the biggest fan of cold temps.

Although, Ellie had been dreaming of making snow angels for weeks I think her main motivation for heading outside was that she knew she would get hot chocolate when she came back in.  Her ideal cup of mocha...lots of chocolate, marshmallows, and whip cream!

Lainey seemed to be enjoying herself too!!  :)

Lucky for us we have a little hill in our backyard.  It's the perfect size slope for the little ones.  Lainey only wanted me to pull her up the hill this time out.  She wasn't quite ready to head down the hill with Ellie steering the sled!  It kind of surprised me because she is usually quite the daredevil.  I'm sure by spring she'll have no fear just like her big sister! 

Rare Moment

It's not often that I find the girls sitting together on the couch...not throwing elbows, screaming, or pulling hair!  I had to grab the camera when I found them watching cartoons sharing a blanket and pillow!  I guess they do love each other!!  :)

Nativity in Gingerbread

In 2007 Ellie began the tradition of making a nativity set out of gingerbread with her Grandma Skeeet (Ritter).

Here are a few photos of this years finished product.  

Christmas in Marietta

We ended the 25th by celebrating Christmas with the Machir family.  This was the first time in years that we have ALL been home together on Christmas Day.  Thanks to Maria's family for sharing her with us this year!!  :)

Lainey with her new baby doll...wrapped not in swaddling cloths, but in a tissue paper blanket!!  It was the first gift she opened and I think the only one she paid any attention to the rest of the night!

Ellie once again with a bow on her head!

Uncle Shane and Aunt Maria open a wedding present from the Ritters.

Lainey and Ellie at their new Princess table.

The 26th of December we had a day to relax and play with all our new toys.  The 27th we celebrated Christmas with the Dean family in Pomeroy, Ohio and the ended the day with a belated wedding reception for Shane and Maria in Marietta.  Unfortunately I don't have any pictures to share of these two events yet.   

We had a great time celebrating Christmas with everyone and want to say thanks to all for all the great gifts! 

The Henke Brunch

Our next stop on Christmas Day was the 

Henke Family Christmas Brunch.

For the first time in a long time the whole family was able to be there.  We took the opportunity to pose for a family photo.  We've since learned that there was one more little Henke great grandchild on the steps...Congratulations Kari and Mike!

Some of the Ritter girls...

Ellie was lucky enough to get some cash from her great grandparents for Christmas.  She opened the card and announced to the group..."Mommy, I got a Million Dollars!!!"

Some of the Ritter boys...I guess that would be Brenkert, Fields, and Ritter boys--a handsome crew either way.

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning we were here at home...atleast for a few minutes...before we headed out to two more Christmases and a trek across the state!! 

 

The girls must have been good this year!

Lainey with her new guitar!

Ellie, obviously amazed that Santa left Hello Kitty bandaids in her stocking.  Oh, to be a kid again!

The hit present this year...a dollhouse!  Hand painted and partially constructed by Santa himself!  :)

The girls waiting patiently while daddy takes a turn.

Much to Daddy's surprise Santa left a Wii and Rockband for him this year.  

Thanks for all the great gifts, Santa!

Christmas Eve

The Holidays this year were no less crazy and hectic than usual!  With siblings scattered across the country and parents across Ohio we spend our fair share of time traveling!  Luckily this year we were able to spend time with ALL the immediate family and a little more than half our extended family.  

We spent Christmas Eve at the Ritters.  Dinner, then church, then back to the house for presents...yay!

Here is a good shot of Ellie, Lainey, and Garrett--the three Ritter grandkids--before we headed out for church!

This was the girl's first present experience of the season and Lainey was definitely into it!

The first of many pictures this year of Ellie with a bow on her head!

Matt's favorite gift...a Star Wars Storm Trooper costume from his sisters and brother-in-laws!  

He can't wait for Halloween this year!