In December our family took a trip to Great Wolf Lodge. We tricked the kids and told them we were taking a day trip to shop at IKEA, so when we pulled into the GWL parking lot they were surprised and thrilled. The girls were excited to wear their brand new swimsuits and hit up the water slides. Christian couldn't stay out of the wave pool and Nadia only wanted to sit in the hot tub where the water was the warmest. After two days of exhausting water play we came home where everyone promptly spent the next two weeks cycling through the flu. Good times, good times!
On the 20th of February, our only son Christian, turned 11. I think that his biggest birthday wish is that the new baby will be a brother for him. Christian is such a nice kid. He is always making some little picture or gadget to show or give to someone else. He is still a Lego fan and can build just about anything that his imagination can come up with. He is very creative and also loves to draw. I have no doubt that his creativity and building ability will be put to good use in his future endeavors either as an architect or some kind of engineer. Sure do love this kid.
In other big news, the Cullen Family is expecting baby #6 at the end of September. Interestingly enough that will leave us with two families members in each birthday month. Laura and Christian are in February. Annika and Sophia in March. Nadia and the new baby will be in September and Ava and Jason are in December. To add to the craziness our dogs also have birthdays in September and December. At least we are consistent. No news yet as to whether this new bundle will be a girl or a boy, but with 4 sisters already, Christian has threatened never leaving his room if this baby doesn't come out a boy. Another boy would also complete our girl, girl, boy, girl, girl, boy pattern. Here's hoping. Fingers crossed. And prayers to Heaven above.
March was a busy month for the Cullen Family. Our youngest daughter Sophia turned 2 on the 16th and our oldest daughter Annika turned 13 on the 22nd. We now officially have a toddler and a teenager both of whom are too sweet for words. Sophia is the life of the party and always has us laughing with some new trick or word. Annika is just so kind to her siblings and always looking to make others happy. Both will give you a smile anytime and are a joy to our family.
I can't believe how fast my kids are growing up. Here is Annika at 12 1/2 looking more mature every day. Where has the time gone? The big girls are such a help to me and I know that I can count on them to lend a hand when I need it.
This is Nadia and her best buddy Kathryn. They share the same birthday and have a great time together. Even though they are the exact same age, Nadia still can't seem to catch up size wise.
Oh, our little pickle!
Sophia loves to dress up. Dresses, jewelry and even glasses. Not that she could be any cuter but it sure is fun trying on new looks.
So as a way to earn some extra money, I have been watching children in my home for a number of years now. With 5 kids of my own and 2 extra every day, life can be an adventure. Right now, I am sitting for my good friend Jenn who is going to nursing school full time. Her boys Bryce (2) and Jake (4) are really fun and bring a "boy" energy to our home. I have been very lucky to have had some really sweet kids "join" our family and am so grateful that God has provided me with a way to bring in extra income and still stay at home with my own sweet kiddos.
Giving it a go! So I am still trying to figure out the whole blogging things. I have a few friends who are really good at it and am trying to take lessons from them. Hopefully, eventually, it will all come together and be the perfect way to keep in touch with family and friends both far and wide.
Jase and I got married on March 26, 2010. We dated in high school and then went our separate ways after graduation. Almost two decades later we were reunited. We had both been divorced and things just seemed to pick up right where they had left off.
Jase is a giver and is always thinking of others. He is really a big kid himself and the children adore his silly ways. He works for JPMorgan/Chase and always goes the extra mile to make sure that we are provided for. He has a heart of gold and a dimpled smile that never ceases to melt my heart. He is an avid biker and ice hockey player, enjoys camping, soccer and loves to go shooting with one of his several guns. Most importantly he makes me feel loved. I want to be a better person because of him and for this I am eternally grateful. I am also grateful that I have eternity to become to person he thinks I already am.
So we added a second dog to our family in January 2012. Her name is Chelsey and she is a short haired Dachshund. Christian just adores her and the feeling is mutual. She is just a puppy so she is still learning the house rules but we think she will fit right in with our family.
One of the children's favorite activities is ice skating. Jase is an avid ice hockey player and has instilled his love of the ice in the kids. They have a great time together and it is great exercise. They have all gotten quite good at it.
SCAPA
SCAPA is a performing arts school here in Lexington. Last year, Ava tried out for admission to the school as a Vocal major and was put on the wait list. This year, as we were preparing to try out again, we got the amazing news that Ava had been accepted from her previous performance. Needless to say we were all very excited but no one more than Ava. She has only been there for a couple of months but has already gotten to perform in a number of concerts and also the play "Mulan Jr." at the Lexington Opera House. We are very proud of her and know her talents will take her far.
Noni & Kids
In August we went to visit my Grandmother who we call "Noni." She is turning 87 this year and unfortunately she is, as she often says "feeling like a rag." She does not have the energy or vitality that she once enjoyed. We spent a week with her before school began and we all really cherished our daily visits. I don't know if we will get the chance to see her again in this life, but if not we have some dear memories to hold in our hearts.
I have a number of close friends who had babies around the same time Sophia was born. One of these friends is Ashlee Millar. Her baby Annie is two months older than Sophia and is quite a bit bigger (Annie's parents are both over 6 feet tall). They spent alot of time at the pool together and also enjoy each other's company as Ashlee and I get together to walk or for playgroup.
Another good friend of mine is Sherrill Moody. Her older daughter Kathryn shares a birthday with Nadia (September 15th). Her baby Elizabeth was born just two weeks after Sophia. Both babies are very laid back and happy. They enjoy laying on the floor with each other. One day at church, we put them on the floor together and they decided to hold hands. Too cute!
Sophia loves her Johnny Jumper. I love to watch her chubby little legs jumping like crazy while she smiles and laughs. She can be happy for almost an hour and I often can fold all of the laundry while she jumps. I love this time together. She jumps, I fold and we listen to Sugarland together.
Christmas 2011
Christmas was a blast at the Cullen house and for Sophia, it was her first. As is usually the case with little ones, Sophie was more interested in the wrapping paper and boxes but did enjoy some of her presents as well. For the most part, everyone seemed happy with their gifts although knowing what to get them was a struggle. The older 3 are at an age where toys are not as cool as other "big ticket" items. However, we tried to please everyone and it seemed to be a successful Christmas. Laura was most happy with her gift from Jason of a new front porch swing. Her always thoughtful hubby had the swing specially made and Laura is so excited for Spring to arrive so she can swing on the porch and watch the kids ride bikes and play outside. Sadly, as seems to always be the case, Christmas has passed quickly and we are already moving on to the new year.
Back To School 2011
Here in Kentucky, school starts very early. The new year began on August 11th. Ava, Christian and Nadia (who started Kindergarten this year) go to Veterans Park Elementary which they love. We have had a child going to VPE since 2007 and have been very impressed with the teachers there. Annika is attending her first year of middle school at Tates Creek. She enjoys her classes but the extra work and responsibility are sometimes overwhelming. The children all work really hard in their classes and Annika and Ava have maintained all A and B grades. Christian has really come into his own as a 4th grader and little Nadia is flourishing in her Kindergarten class.
