Okay for anyone out there with a blog right now this question is for you - are you having problems downloading photos? We had one problem after another between Thanksgiving and New Year's preventing me from doing much blogging (broken camera, couldn't find cords to connect new camera to computer, computer completely crashing due to horrible virus stuff etc.) Now when I try to do new posts it takes 15+ minutes to download my photos and half the time doesn't work still after waiting so long. I'm not sure if it's my computer, the new camera, our internet or something up with blogger itself. Maybe it's all of the above and I'm just not meant to blog anymore.....we'll see. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
As to our lives - things are going well - I have lots of pictures to post, but......oh well.
Eliya - started a new Kindergarten two weeks ago, we chose St. Paul's Lutheran in Stevens Point (about 15 minute drive away). She seems to like it, although is NOT a morning person. She rides with a teacher from the school over half the time because she drives right by our house to go herself. This has been a HUGE blessing to us as it saves on time, gas and general chaos of loading 3 children twice a day in freezing cold temps.
Gabie - started preschool two weeks ago (same place as Elie), 2 afternoons a week and LOVES it!!! She would go everyday if she could and is learning to write her name.
Rachel - keeps wanting to "get bigger and bigger" as she is a little jealous that her sisters get to go to school, but also relishes the time alone with mom all to herself. Has developed the great female art of being able to talk your ear off on the phone - she loves to jabber.
Mark - still figuring out all the ropes with a new job. Looking forward to being pastor of the weekend at Camp Luther for super bowl weekend (and desperately hoping the Vikes are playing that weekend!).
Allison - enjoying feeling baby Dot move more and more each day. Taking shots that will hopefully prevent another early arrival which make me quite sick to my stomach, but enjoying being able to relax and enjoy the time at home with the girls.
Max - has now adjusted to life with two kitties in the house, he decided that being scared of them is silly and has begun a new quest of 'chase the kitty' which he enjoys. He misses his walks, but being on a hill with all the ice, I tried once and fell twice and decided he'd have to wait, so it's good he's getting some exercise with the cats!
Tinker & Belle - have both gained a pound since coming to live her and love to play and snuggle. They are definely 'people' cats in the sense that they like to be around people getting snuggles or just generally warming the lap.
Hopefully this gives you a bit of a catch-up on our lives. I'm hoping to get pictures on here soon, we'll see. Take care and hope everyone's new year has been blessed and joyful! Thanks for checking in on us.
All 3 girls doing the horse race.
Rachel's favorite game was the horse race
Eliya got a princess wand balloon
Gabie got a flower balloon
Rachel playing PLINKO
Eliya playing PLINKO
Mr. Z (the principal at the girls' school and the husband of Elie's teacher) got a pie in the face as part of the entertainment.
Eliya decided that having her own room really wasn't the bee's knees if she had to give it up every time we have company, and also was missing her top bunk. So I finally got out the paint and got busy on what is now Eliya and Gabie's room. It's a combination of their favorite colors (eliya - pink and blue; gabie - purple) that matched their bedding. I even got their names on the wall! So, as you can see slowly but surely we are making the house our home. 
Rachel fell asleep on the way home from school picking up her sisters and Mikenna (doll) and Belle (cat) decided to snuggle right in with her.
The kitties love to help keep baby Dot warm - here is Belle showing off how big my belly is getting by giving Dot a hug :)
my above average daughter who can count and stack and build bridges and and and... :)
We stopped at Perkins in Madison after getting my wedding ring checked and cleaned. I have had two friends lose the diamonds out of their rings recently and since I hadn't had mine checked in over six years I figured it was due. Mark got it in Madison while he was on vicarge so taking it their would be free check, cleaning and fix if anything was needed -thankfully they said it still was great! 
Rachel all snuggled with the blankie from her godparents on our way to visit Sarah who was interviewing in Milwaukee.
I didn't realize the hotel she was staying at had a pool so we stopped at kohls and combed their clearance and found this totally mismatched adorable little suit for Rachie for $4! :) 
Rachie and her godmommy in the whirlpool
all snuggled
wrapped up in the elevator on our way back to the room
Eliya is in the back row - 2nd in from the left
Gabie with her black sheep headband on
In between the girls' part of the service Rachel and Mina played in the multipurpose room where they could run around and be noisy without disturbing everyone else. We figured after sitting through church already that morning we weren't going to fight for them to be quiet for another couple hours.
The whole school (minus the preschool) did a final couple songs together. Eliya is in the front row middle in red.
Gabie watching Elie sing.
I have this adorable cookie recipe that you make mice or moose (and we decided to try cats this year too) from a dough. It's so much fun and the girls loved helping to decorate them! We made these creative cookies for our open house - everyone thought they were very fun.
I had such mixed emotions dropping Gabie off for her first day of preschool. Eliya is my clinger, she loves extra hugs and holding hands when you walk in, and it's ok to hang out for a minute. Gabie on the other hand didn't want to take the time for a picture, hug or anything - "bye mom". Although I'm thrilled with her independence, I wouldn't mind if she missed me a little - :) She LOVES school and is learning so much. Her teacher was happy to report that she fits right in. 
Here is Eliya next to her locker for Kindergarten at St.Paul's Lutheran School in Stevens Point. We absolutely LOVE this school. I am thankful for the proximity and all the love the people have shown us there. 
Elijah and Belle
Rachel and Lydia having popcicles
Gabie having one too
