Pippa's 5th Birthday Party

Last week was Pippa's big 5th birthday party. The theme she wanted was of course princess, so we had all the girls come dressed as princesses and did a Princess Training Academy, where King Nick devised a series of games that would teach them how to be a proper princesses in this topsy turvy world. They learned all sorts of things, like how to talk to animals, how to be sneaky when dragons are around, how to make a princesses wand, how to avoid eating poison apples, and how to find m+ms in whip cream. You know, princess stuff.

The birthday girl!

The birthday brother, not amused!

Pre-party dance party

The princesses receive their first lesson

Making wands

The birthday cake

The most out of tune princesses ever

Blowing out the candles

The birthday gifts

Princess Silly Face

Opening presents

It was quite cute, they all battled to see whose present she would open next

The aftermath of Princess and the M+Ms, the modern retelling of Princess and the Pea. Walt Disney, call your office!

All princessed out

So you say you wanted some pictures of Thomas....

The very talented Lindsay Russell of Lindsay Russell Photography came by the other day to take photos of Thomas. Here is bunch for your baby-lovin' pleasure.

First Impressions of Thomas Robert Reese

This is old news to most of you reading this, but our wolf pack has grown by one. Thomas Robert Reese was born on March 27, 2011 at 11:52pm. He weighed in at 9.5 lbs and measured 21.5 inches and is as healthy as I have ever seen a baby.

The delivery was fantastic. We did a home delivery with the midwives at Motherwise in Bend, Oregon. The two midwives were incredible and made the whole experience as easy and stress-free as have had a delivery. Heck, it wasn't even all that messy! The best part for sure was being able to sleep in our own bed afterwards instead of the hospital bed for Laura and the hospital room couch for me!

The three older kids love the new baby a ton. It's a constant battle to see who gets to hold him next or kiss him on the head. Oliver and William are constantly asking where Thomas is and what he's doing and if they can see him (with Mummy/sleeping/not right now, let him sleep). Pippa is ready to babysit by herself any time we're ready to put her in. It's wonderful to see how much they all love him, hopefully they'll still feel this way in 11 months when he's walking around and swiping all their toys!

Here are some pictures from the last three days. I'll post more as I get them!

Laura earlier in the day. She had felt her first contractions at 3am but they didn't really get going until 7pm when the kids all went to sleep. It was a race to see if we would have a 3/27 baby!

Mum and Thomas after delivery.

The kids woke up the next morning to find a new baby in the house. And they were just expecting pancakes!

"Thomas" was the winning bracket name.

"Robert" is after one of the grandfathers, who are both named Robert. But we're not telling which one!

Thomas sleeping. He comes awake at night for a bit but mainly likes to sleep so far. Takes after his dad!

The Brood.

Brothers!

Big Sister getting her big sistering on.

The kids checking out their new brother.

Big brother giving little brother a welcome cuddle.

Happy Dad is happy.

Christmas 2010

Best Christmas ever? Best Christmas ever! The kids were totally into it this year, everyone got lots of great presents, we had a tasty prime rib lunch and a fun evening at a friend's house. Here are a few random videos from the holidays:


One of the highlights was Pippa's school Christmas concert. She's a natural! William also had a concert, but he is the opposite of a natural so I will spare you the video (just imagine 10 minutes of Will staring into space while half-dozen 3-year-olds sing Jingle Bells at 6 different speeds).


Classic Reese introduction video. Classic. NO OTHER FAMILY DOES THIS!


Pippa swiped the camera and shot stuff all morning. Most of it was of the carpet or her nose, but this one about the tree turned out quite nice.


Here's one of the boys being the boys.


This was one of the favorite toys the kids got, a whirlymabob from Pappy. Thanks Pappy! Pippa got pretty good with it and started doing tricks, like doing it while dancing or just inches off the ground.


Just Oliver, playing with the trains. This was pretty much the main activity of the boys this weekend, as they got some new Thomas trains and track to play with.

San Francisco Fun!

At the beginning of November we drove down to San Francisco for some big city fun! We visited the Exploratorium, the Children's Museum, Muir Woods and Muir Beach, then Pier 39 for a boat trip around the bay. Not all in one day.

Aunt Linda and Uncle Rick were great hosts! The kids loved the Halloween decorations; William still keeps talking about them.  He also makes some kind reference to the Panda he rode on the carousel every single day! It's always the little things that make the biggest impressions.

William at the Exploratorium

Oliver

Pippa

The Giant Chair

Riding a Turtle

Muir Woods and Baby Pippa

Oliver

Where's Your Belly Button?

Running Wild through the Woods

Riding a Wooden Bear

Muir Beach

The Carousel on Pier 39. William looks grumpy, but I've recently realized that's his 'taking-it-all-in' face and he was really having fun!

We're on a Boat!

Back in Bend in November

Oliver in the Snow