Clean up, clean up, everybody does their share...

Snow fun

Isaiah snow sledding. He didn't like it very much

Ru liked it !!

Alan and Ru in front of one of the snow men they made

I can't take credit for the snow men. In fact, Alan almost wouldn't let me in the picture since I was in the warm cozy house. Someone had to take care of Isaiah though !!

Opening Gifts

A book from Gram !!

Isaiah LOVED this ball.

A very special doll that Ru inherited from Aunt Natalie.

Ru opening a snowball maker while Isaiah tries to steal the doll !!!

Ru and Alan

My Woman

My Girl

Gingerbread houses

This is the first year we have made gingerbread houses and it was a lot of work but a lot of fun too. We invited friends over because what is the fun of eating icing, gum drops, sprinkles and cookies without moms and kiddos to share it with !!

Here is Ru ready to go !!

The houses before

The houses AFTER. The one above is Ru's

More finished gingerbread houses. The kids (and moms) did a great job.

Our trip to Ohio for Thanksgiving

Well, now that Ru has turned three and things have settled down a teeny tiny bit, here are some pictures from our trip to Ohio. We had a fun time and stayed pretty busy. We had Thanksgiving at the Youth center in Eaton and all of Grandpa's brothers and sisters and their families came. He has 6 still living. ( A whopping total of nine kids total !!). Ru got to participate in the Thanksgiving church service and sang with the other kiddos and even got up and said a little saying. (With some help of course!!) I was so suprised she actually did it. Ru loved getting to play with Brittany, Katie and Regan too. She loved it and still asks where they are .



Mom threw a birthday party for Isaiah, Ru and Brittany. Here are all the kids digging into the stickers with Grandma watching!!

Mike playing with the kiddos

Mom cleaning Isaiah up after his yummy cupcake. Look at his chubby cheeks !!

HAPPY THIRD BIRTHDAY-A DAY LATE !!

I know I know. I should be shot. But I figure I get sympathy points since we had a HUGE party for her the day before and were so tired and worn out that I forgot to post yesterday !! Good thing she will never know!! I am so glad she is three. I think three will be a good year for her. We love her lots!! From her love of carbs (like her daddy), to her wanting to sleep with me at nights when Alan is gone, to her amazing people person personality, to her love of music and dancing, to her great nap taking (fingers crossed this holds another year !!). WE love her for many many more reasons as well. She is our first born. The one I prayed for, for almost a whole year and then once concieved another 9 months that she would be healthy and grow up to be a Godly woman in her own unique way. She brings many firsts into our lives and takes us on a wonderful ride of "should we let her or should we not let her " . I can't wait to see what the next year brings !! (Raise your Sippy Cup full of Milk with me . . . ) Happy 3rd Birthday Jerusha Carmichael Burdette !!!!

Ru's 3rd Birthday Party

Ru with her gift from mom and dad

Ru opening her gifts

Ru playing with play dough !!

Ru's 3rd Birthday Cont.

The Pinata

The Cake

The kiddos playing with play dough

All the kids (especially Ru and Lucille going for the candy

Ru's Birthday Continued

Liam with his pregnant balloon belly


















Isaac with his balloon belly and Cal beside him wishing he had one too!!

Rockin and Rollin

Ru loves the children's museum and this is her favorite part. She plays the guitar andt here is music to "play " to and a t.v. that shows them playing, dancing or whatever your creative kiddo can come up with. She can spend a long time in that place!!!
The second picture is of Ru on a ride at the state fair. It took her a while to get used to get but by the end she loved it.

Ru and family

The first picture Ru is feeding ice to Aunt Natalie. Ru has green guacamole ALL over her shirt. She ate soo much food that night. The second picture well it speaks for itself. She loves her Grandpa Dub AND her chupie!!!

Girly Girl

This was our first easter here in Minnesota. Nana provided the dress and Woofie provided the accessories !!

















This was at Nana's house. Nana is a very girly girl and is teaching Ru to be as well. Whenever we leave Nana's, Ru is stocked with dresses, makeup bags and sometimes even perfume and lipstick (a.k.a. chapstick) Ru somehow loves all of this girly stuff. She didn't learn it from me!!!

Daddy's Girl

Can you guess who dressed Ru both of these times !! It is one of the memorable things about Ru and her dad. He always dresses her kinda like a boy. These pictures were when she was just a year old. The winter really left this red rash around her face. I never did figure out how to get rid of it before winter was over.