Laurel's Birthday Celebration

 Continuing my tradition of bringing the kids a treat for their birthday, Laurel got a large hamburger cupcake!  It was massive!  The store called it a cupcake, but really it was a mini-cake.

She opened presents from her family on her birthday and celebrated with friends the following day.

Laurel wanted to host her first slumber party for her 9th birthday.  We went to get pedicures first with 4 of her friends.

Then it was back to the house for hamburgers, games, presents, brownie sundaes, a movie and hair train!  The girls did great at sleeping, which is the most important part of a sleepover to me!  We fed them pancakes and bacon the next morning (after they woke up at 8:30!) and sent them home.

Christmas Break

 This year's Christmas break was perfectly timed with a full week of vacation before the holiday.  We spent the first day of vacation going out to eat with our good friends from church who happen to make up our Life Group and then seeing the new Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

The kids asked to host a cookie decorating party with friends from church so we invited a bunch of people over to our house for pizza lunch and cookies!

Christmas Eve brought new jammies and books for the kids at Aunt Sarah's house.

Christmas Day was beautiful and sunny and full of new toys and games to entertain us for the day.  One of the most fun games the kids got was a laser tag set.  It was a hit for the whole family!

Uncle Jacob, Aunt Lisa, Molly, Ellie and Leah came to visit for a few days on the 27th.  We went ice skating and spent the time together playing games and running through the house.  It was so nice to have them here!

Levi's Birthday

 Better late than never....

Levi celebrated his 7th birthday with an awesome Christmas tree cupcake at school.

He spent December 8th opening presents with his family, making gingerbread houses and eating hamburgers!

The next day, Grandma and Grandpa Hammar took him out to lunch at Black Bear Diner.

On Sunday, Levi and his friends celebrated his birthday at the YMCA with a sport court birthday party.  They got to climb the rock wall, play basketball and soccer and run wild in the gym.

Happy Birthday Buddy!

Nine Years Old

Our little Laurel Ann turns 9 years old today!  She is absolutely the most caring, spunky, thoughtful, rational, loving, and kind girl.  Laurel's relationship is great with both of her siblings, but it seems she thrives when it is just her and Levi playing together.  The sisterly love she has for Erika is definitely there, but it can be difficult to be the little sister of a pre-teen!  Laurel has so many fun ideas when the kids play together....she is creative enough to come up with these elaborate decorations or building ideas patient enough to see it to completion.  Lately, Laurel has been into writing long stories that are quite good....her spelling can use some work, but the stories are great!  This past soccer season proved (again) that Laurel is a natural athlete.  She is so quick and understands the strategy of the game.  It is always fun to watch her face during a game because she is so focused on making the best play or getting into the most beneficial position.  Her coach was very pleased with what a great listener she was at practice and always willing to do what was asked of her.  The perfectionism in Laurel has so far prevented her from trying other sports, like basketball.  If she isn't confident that she will succeed in the sport, she doesn't really want to try it.  We are trying to encourage her that it's okay to fail and there is always something we can get better at!  Laurel loves school and has been very successful in her math facts this year.  She is such a great friend, but has experienced a bit of heartache over friendships that have soured.  Still, she remains kind and accepting of everyone!  Laurel has really worked hard on controlling her temper and we have so few outbursts from her anymore!  She knows when she needs to be alone and takes some time by herself when needed.  She doesn't like it when her sister tells her what to do and we have to break up fights still when it comes to who is in charge, but it's so much better than last year! Laurel loves dogs, hamburgers, sleeping in, watching Netflix, her family, and pie eating contests.  She doesn't like changing her sheets, the sound of the vacuum cleaner, being yelled at, or flossing.  She is smart, fast, fun, dangerous, thoughtful, funny, and sincere.  We are the most blessed family to have her in ours!  We love you so much, Baby Lowlie Annie!

1. What is your favorite color?  Red
2. What is your favorite toy?  Calico Critters
3. What is your favorite fruit? Watermelon
4. What is your favorite movie? The Last Jedi
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Chicken nuggets
6. What is your favorite subject in school? Coding
7. What is your favorite game? Laser tag
8. What is your favorite snack? Pretzel sticks
9. What is your favorite animal? Dog
10. What is your favorite song?  Best Day of My Life
11. What is your favorite book? BabySitters Club graphic novels
12. Who is your best friend? Paisley
13. What is your favorite cereal? Cocoa Pebbles
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Ride my bike
15. What is your favorite drink? Chocolate milk
16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas
17. What is your favorite restaurant?  Black Bear Diner
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Donuts
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Hamburgers
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Nail salon owner