Seven Years

   Kyle got me a new camera for our anniversary. I am still figuring out how to use it/blog with it. But hopefully it will induce a blogging renaissance on my part. Notice the scratch-free images (the last few with Irene raking with pop pop are with ol' scratchy). 

   My mom and dad took us all out for a huge breakfast downtown on our actual anniversary. It was almost as much a treat as it has been to have them making breakfast every morning here at the house this past month. Evangeline and Irene have developed serious dependencies on silver dollar pancakes. 

   I can't figure out how to caption all the pictures here, but you should catch on pretty quick.

Rare picture of us.

Spilled the beans

So we spilled the beans to the kids that we're going to be having another baby round these parts. They are thrilled. Evangeline really would like it to be a sister. Irene seems to want a brother.

This is her "what if it's a boy" face.

A boy?

 For our part, we really have no idea whether boys or girls are better.

We also made a trip to IKEA to find a new bed for the girls, since Evangeline is pretty much too big for her bed. We've had our eye on this bunk bed for a while.

Guess how much it costs!

 We had a farewell to the old beds tonight. It was surprisingly emotional. Irene doesn't seem to care though. She is more than happy to give her bed away.

One last night of  Irene's prohibited jumping on the bed.

Here is Evangeline's first night in her bed from August, 2010.

Irene is 3

Irene is now three years old.

 Due to Grandaddy's funeral, Irene's party was delayed a day.

It is a strange thing to delay your three year old's birthday party for the funeral of your eighty-nine year old grandfather.

 We ended up having a sort of impromptu party because we were also having Harvest Home at church, which meant that a bunch Irene's friends were going to be there. So, Ellee, in her typical miracle worker way, put together a party that looked like it had been planned for at least 4 weeks in advance. This is why children have mothers. If I'd have planned this thing it would have like one balloon and six pretzel sticks for the kids to eat. And plenty of beer for the adults. As it went, everyone had plenty of balloons, beer, cheese, and cake. And presents. And friends.

I swear she is almost a different kid now. 

She's actually interested in opening every single thing.

Here's some other stuff from the day.

Irene wanted to sit with Grandma on the big chairs at Chipotle.

In typical fashion, the Alaska grandparents showed up on Halloween.

I got stung by a bee but I'm better now.