Kelly's HALF birthday

Kelly was able to celebrate her HALF birthday today - since it was the 17th!   Her half birthday was officially  December 17, but with the holiday craziness, we decided to wait until January 17.  Kelly was so excited to be able to celebrate with her Kindergarten class today!!!  

She picked ice cream sundaes with her favorite toppings for her birthday treats....with purple juice bags!  The kids LOVED it!!!

 All smiles while everyone sings Happy Birthday to her!

 The class blessing Kelly!

Ice cream sundaes and purple juice bags!

Happy HALF Birthday Miss Kelly!  It will be fun when you turn SIX in June!

Fun in the snow

The girls had another FUN day in the snow....this time with our neighbors!!!  Craig took the kids sledding behind his 4-wheeler and the kids LOVED it!

 The girls were waiting for their turn!

 The three girls went together the first time...Molly wanted Lexi to hold her!

 Craig pulling the kids

Having fun! 

 The second round just Kelly & Lexi went.....because they wanted to go faster than what Miss Molly wanted to go!  I love Kelly's expression!

 End of the ride!

 All smiles after getting off the sled.

 Lexi pulled Molly around the yard MANY times!

 I'm so glad Molly LOVES the snow this year!

The kids also enjoyed playing in the backyard on the tree swing...

...and the swing set too!

**Having neighbors with kids the same age is SO MUCH FUN!

It's WINTER...

We have had an amazingly MILD winter so far this year (which I LOVED while it lasted)!!!

We had a RECORD-HIGH temperature on Wednesday (52 degrees!) followed by Thursday with windy-blizzard like conditions!  Thursdays temp was 13 degrees with a nasty wind-chill that made it feel like -10 degrees!  What a change a day can make!!!  Kelly had her first Kindergarten school snow day on Thursday!

 The girls enjoying the SNOW!!!

 This is a classic KELLY picture!  She loves to POSE!

Molly loves the snow this year too!!!

POGO STICK

I could get used to Iowa winters like this one!

We had 1.5 hours of outdoor fun after school today....Kelly tried out her new pogo stick that she got for Christmas, the girls rode their bikes, and we played at the park too!

Molly visits the dentist

 Molly had her first visit to the dentist today!  She did great....has 20 teeth with NO CAVITIES!  She held on tight to Cinderella the entire visit....but did a great job!  She was VERY happy with a new toothbrush and THREE fun stickers she got to pick out!  (Belle, Dora, and Strawberry Shortcake!)  Stickers make everything more fun for my 3 year old!

 Sitting in the BIG chair that goes up, down, forwards, and backwards!

Making funny faces at Mommy while waiting for the dentist to come it....this is her fish face!

Sticking her tongue out at Mommy!

Brian's birthday

It was Daddy's birthday today!  He was able to use a vacation day from 2011 to have his birthday off.....and it couldn't have been a more perfect day outside.  It was 55 degrees on January 5 - how amazing!  I could get used to winters like this!!! We had a relaxing morning at home, and were able to spend some time outside, take a walk, and Molly was able to ride her bike.  (Kelly was in school but she was able to enjoy the weather at recess too)

 Molly snuggling up to Daddy when he was on the computer

 Being silly together!!!

 Riding her bike....what a beautiful day!!!

 Such a big 3 year old!!!

Daddy put on her new horn and bell that she got for Christmas!

What a wonderful morning/afternoon on Brian's birthday!

Pray, Pray, Pray!!!

Ryan Burchard, son of Shawn & Niki Burchard of Dyersville, is an eight-year-old boy that is full of life and
energy, known as a "social bug". He loves sports, video games and could watch ESPN all day. Ryan has three brothers Levi, Austin and a twin brother Logan. Ryan was diagnosed with Leukemia December 31, 2011. After a few days of complaining of a stomach-ache, he was referred and rushed to Iowa City for extensive care. Ryan is currently at the U of I Children’s Hospital, in the PICU and is undergoing Chemotherapy.

Please add Ryan to your prayers!!!  He needs all the encouragement he can get!  Ryan is a second grader at St. Francis Xavier.  Kelly grew up looking up to Ryan and Logan.  They all went to Lynnie's house (our in-home daycare provider).  He is a great kid that comes from a wonderful, supportive family.

If you would like to support him, there are many ways to do it.

**Dyersville Pamida has put forth a Wii MarioKart Bundle to be raffled off on January 29th with all proceeds going to the Burchard family. The bundle includes: Wii Game Console, 3 remotes, MarioKart game, Toy Story 3 game and one Mario Kart Wheel. Raffle tickets will be on sale at Pamida through January 28th 
$5 each or 5 tickets for $20.
**Orange bracelets are available for $5.  They are orange for lukemia and say "fight for Ryan" with a ribbon.  The bracelets are silicon and like the Live Strong bracelets.
**Support Ryan Burchard white t-shirts are available at K&K Logo in Dyersville.  On the back they say "Helping the toughest kid in Iowa we know fight Lukemia".  All proceeds support Ryan.
(Kelly REALLY wants one to support Ryan on the next out of uniform day at school.....that is a BIG thing coming from my pink, dress and accessory girl!)  She prays for Ryan all the time.  This is the first person/kid that she has known that has been sick.
** A benefit account at Community Savings Bank has been opened for Ryan Burchard.  Any donations can be made there.  Any gift cards, etc. will be forwarded to the family.




We have been praying the following prayer...

Prayer of St Peregrine

St. Peregrine, we come to you confidently to implore your aid with God in our necessity. You were converted instantly from a worldly life by the good example of one holy person. You were also cured instantaneously of cancer by God's grace and unceasing prayer. In your gracious kindness please ask the Lord to heal Ryan also in body, mind, and soul. May he, and all of us, then also imitate you in doing His work with renewed vigor and strength. Amen.

Here is a great link to a children's book about lukemia....I read it with Kelly.

http://www.chemo-to-the-rescue.com/default.asp

Here is a link to his care pages too.

http://www.carepages.com/carepages/242807/invitations/1626421/7a2a942c8c852ae6b830838deebb0a5be928df86?client_code=blankchildrens&ipc=miv