Five

Malia, Cameron, Annabelle, Brandon & Madelyn

(picture credit Brett Okamoto)

Cousins at Christmas

First the girls!! 

(I love love love that Jillian is holding Madelyn's hand!!)

Then then the boys jumped in!

(now take notice that Jillian is holding Porter & Madelyn!)

Hezekiah, Porter, Jillian, Madelyn & Annabelle

(The Iten girls had a few too many Christmas cookies - hence the green lips!)

Papa's Binoculars

I don't think Papa even got a chance to check out his 

new Binoculars before Madelyn had taken them over! 

(alternatively titled, these work for things other than Blazer dancers? no way!)

Christmas Day Cookies

cookie decorating is a huge part of our portland christmas tradition

this year we had two extremely serious cookie decorators!!

i am certain she went straight to the sink to wash her hands after this...

PDX

 not in focus, but I love it anyways...

for most people airports are a necessary evil, and generally I agree

but when I see that teal green carpet, it means I am home

others clearly feel the same way! 

click the link

Winter Recital - Dance Around the World

I had to laugh, because Cassie turned the dance recital into 5 blog post!

Annabelle is an old pro at dance recitals...she loves to perform, and is starting to even practice at home for the event. Between the Turbow & the Iten audience members we took up almost the entire second row (thanks to Scott for waiting in line for our fabulous seats!)

Sea Cruise

Kokomo

Annabelle was fantastic, but the 2 year olds always steal the show, and Vivi was no exception. In the middle of her dance she found Cassie in the audience... and this was her waving. 

Our calendars are already marked for the Spring recital.

The Second Night

Kenzy & Annabelle

Hopefully the start of a new Hanukkah tradition! 

Hanukkah

Well Cassie, and I both talk about getting blogger block when you have poor pictures to work with... well that is part of the reason my blog has been stuck on November for 5 months! UGH. In an effort to move forward, I simply stole all Cassie's pictures from Hanukkah. My Hanukkah miracle was having a photographer there to capture it! Thanks Cassie!!

The bond these kids have is awesome...

A fabulous shot of the donut menorah
Quote of the night "We should take those donuts, and make a menorah out of them!"  - Anonymous

At the end of the evening I asked Cassie to grab a family shot...I can't remember the last time we got a picture of all four of us, and I LOVE these! She sent them to me when I was away on a business trip, and let me just apologies to the 1200 people I was with, because I think everyone had to see them at least once, and many multiple times.

Thanksgiving Feast - Annabelle's Class

Annabelle's class had a Thanksgiving feast!! The kids sang a cute turkey song, made decorations, and the parents made a feast. (Scott roasted an a.m.a.z.i.n.g. turkey!) 

The class about ready to perform...

Annabelle & Catherine (who's mom is Anna - I couldn't make that up!))

Annabelle's 5th Birthday Party - Denver Puppet Theater

Annabelle had a fabulous birthday party at the Denver Puppet Theater!!!

The silly, silly, silly birthday girl...

The party guests jumping up & down! 

From left to right: Ian, Caitlin, Hannah, Annabelle, Leah, Madelyn, Kenzy, Alex

After the puppet show, everyone got to make there own puppet! They all loved the project! I was shocked how long each and every one of these kids worked on their puppets! 

Artistic Ian

And Mady was cracking everyone up...she was so excited she got to use scissors!!!

A great time was had by all! Happy Birthday Annabelle! I can't believe you are FIVE. 

Birthday Shopping with Grandma Suzie

Every year Grandma Suzie takes Annabelle to do something special for her birthday. This year that turned out to be an extra special shopping trip (so mommy invited herself along to take some pictures!) My indoor pictures didn't turn out very exciting, but here are the shopping girls!!! 

Mady is already talking about how on her birthday "grandma take only me!" 

Cupcakes for Annabelle's Birthday

Love these shots! 

We celebrated Annabelle's birthday with her class! I failed to bring a candle, so a straw had to be a silly substitute! 

Star of the Week

Annabelle presented her poster to the class this week. I wish parents were invited to come watch the presentation, but the idea is for the students to get comfortable presenting in front of their peers. After the presentation, Annabelle got to pick 3 friends to ask her a question about her presentation. When we were putting together the poster, she specifically selected a picture of her at the Rockies game just so the boys would have something to ask her about, but then she didn't end up picking a boy for a question! HA.

Madelyn's Class trip to the Museum of Nature and Science

Daddy went with Mady's class...they all had fun exploring the planetarium. 

Hula Hoop

I loved these shots so much they deserved their own post! 

This girl knows how to have a good time!!! 

Annabelle's Class Potluck

Annabelle's classroom mom hosted a nothing short of amazing potluck in her beautiful backyard, on what turned out to be a gorgeous fall Sunday. We had wood fired pizza, and a million yummy side dishes provided by all the families...YUMMY. 

Here are a few shots from the afternoon...it is fun to take pictures of all of these kids playing!!

Hugs for their teacher!