Kicking off 2013 my wonderful hubby surprised me with a night out as a part of my Christmas gift! Auntie Janae was in town and so she watched the kiddos and off we went. We bopped around downtown Rochester and ended at the Royal Park Hotel (where we stayed on our honeymoon night) for our 5 course (yummy!) meal. There were 3 different dinning rooms with different atmosphere feels. Our room had a guy who sounded like Frank Sinatra who sang 40's and 50's music...we loved it! We danced on the dance floor and by the end of the night people would just stand up next to their booth to dance. We felt like a million bucks enjoying the evening together. :)
In our booth, facing the fireplace, all dressed up for the countdown.
New Year's Day we all enjoyed yet another yummy meal at Bravo!
Lukey just loves Ellie. My favorite phrase right now is when Luke will hug and snuggle Ellie and say, "This is MY sister," and he puts the emphasis on the MY...just like a proud older bro would. He also loves to push her in the swing and when I ask him to slow it down he'll say, " Don't worry Ellie, I catch you."
Ellie is finally rolling over! Our peanut may be the most laid back, whatever, go with the flow babe around. Stick her pretty much anywhere and she'll make it work. SO rolling over took a little while because she was just fine laying wherever. BUT she's done it, still not a big fan...she can take it or leave it...but at least she can.
We had a GREAT time at Frankenmuth with Grandpa and Grandma Uitti!!! We spent the day eating chicken dinner, watching Luke's large eyes in the candy shop, walking around town, and seeing the lights at Bronner's. It was a perfect day with our loving family!
Grandma always has such special surprises for the kids!
I think Ben is actually a real Gnomie.
The moment captured below was one of my favorites of the day. During dinner we had to make a few bathroom runs. This entailed walking downstairs and passing the bright, cheery candy shop each time. Everytime Luke's eyes would get so big and he would start jumping up and down with excitement. We explained that after dinner we could go to the shop. So needless to say, right after dinner Luke was bouncing off the walls to get downstairs. He was so careful to look at all of his options knowing that he could pick out one treat of his choice. However, once he saw the large lollipops sticking out of the treee in the corner, it was a done deal. Luke asked his Dad if he could have it. Ben showed Luke the smaller version of a lollipop but Luke said, " Dad that's for you! (in such a a sweet voice) and this is Lukey's (holding up the biggest one they had)." That was it. He was so excited that he attracted a semi circle of spectators watch him take his first bite... they're next to the camera so you can't see it. One lady took a picture with her phone which is a little weird and creepy, but seriously the amount of joy and excitement going through this kid's body was just to precious and endearing.
Such a cute pic of the Grandparents with their Grandkids!
* Note: There was no point in trying to get the lollipop out of Luke's mouth...
Move over Bob the Builder and Thomas the Train because Mickey is the new hottest thing in the Morin household right now! Luke exclaims, " Mick is my best friend." Yes, Mickey even has a nickname in our house. Luke LOVES the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and knows all the moves in the Hot Dog dance. When we feed Ellie her cereal, Luke feeds Mickey his cereal. When I get Ellie up from nap, Lukey gets Mickey up from his nap...you get the idea. Mickey is a best bud however, Luke has had to put him in a few timeouts and if he gets up to early then Luke reminds him that the timeout has to start all over.
Just 2 pals reading together. :)
Just 2 pals reading together. :)
Ellie and her piggies are cracking us up! She is chomping at everything in sight and that includes her pudgy, little toes and feet. If there is nothing else to slobber and chew on then she's perfectly happy sticking her foot in.
She has also mastered the art of grabbing onto things with of course, the purpose of yanking it to her mouth. In the last few days she has really surprised me! I was burping her on my lap and she just reached over and grabbed the tissue right off the side table! And yesterday at her 6 month check-up she kept tearing off the table butcher paper and trying to escape my reach so she could put it in her mouth!
What does a family of 4 do when they wake up with NO heat or electricity on a blistery January morning...
We wore layers, winter hats, and cuddled in front of the fire...
We wore layers, winter hats, and cuddled in front of the fire...
We also built a fort in front of the fire to keep cozy and warm...
We went out to breakfast, went grocery shopping, and church. When we got home it was still out! We took naps in front of the fire and then out to dinner at California Pizza Kitchen and then walked around Somerset Mall. Our kids were such troopers and still so happy the entire day...even when our thermostat read 52 degrees! When we got home from the mall at 8:30 pm, our heat and electricity was on! Luke went all through the house and checked each light to see if it would turn on. He would raise his fist in the air and say, " Good job power guys!" His excitement grew with each light switch. So sweet and I have to tell you I was just excited as him if not more... " Good job power guys!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Showing off our shades...don't let the sunshine outside fool you, it was freezing!
Brian, Molly, and baby Ben came over for a weekend visit! We had so much fun cuddling and playing with Ben...he is just so darn cute! It was pretty cool to have our 2 families together. We went from the 4 of us friends to 7 people. :)
Ellie and Ben chumming it up.
Ellie is a half-year old...what?!?! I can't believe our princess is 6 months. She is the sweetest little person in the whole world. She gives everyone the warmest smile so beware: she will melt your heart.
The pictures below just ooze the joy coming from these two angels. 
