Marlerfam

................... SUPER HANNAH!

2009-11-02T10:59:00.004-06:00

Super Hannah!
Defender of the defenseless.

....................Optimus Prime!

2009-11-02T10:57:00.003-06:00

Ian IS Optimus Prime!

Click here to view these pictures larger

2009-09-19T23:36:00.000-05:00

Ellie loves making Max laugh.

Remember when you could do this?

Me neither.

2009-09-02T08:41:00.010-05:00

..

On August 22, we celebrated our 35th high school reunion.

Here are 5 of our old sextet (consistent "I" ratings at contest...ahem),
Kathy Reeves, Joan Gordon, Rhonda Pruitt, Cathy Rowe, Jane Gordon.

Pam Burcham, you missed a FUN evening.

I'm up higher because I'm only about shoulder height when we all stand together, and, you know, enough is enough!

..

2009-09-02T08:02:00.006-05:00

A CASTLE FULL OF MONKEYS

We celebrated Ellie's 3rd birthday on Saturday at
MONKEY JOE'S in O'Fallon.

I made her a princess castle cake.

A party can never
have too many
balloons...

...or too much cake...

2009-07-30T11:03:00.006-05:00

...

Morton's neuroma-----GONE!
A few days with my foot iced and elevated, I'll be as good as new.

Phoenix July 2009

2009-07-18T11:50:00.004-05:00

HOW I SPENT MY SUMMER VACATION

No sane person would go to Phoenix in the summer without a darn good reason.

I have 4.
Andrew, Traci, Ian and Hannah.

They asked for cousin Ellie, who was my shadow the entire time. Really.

I'm not sure why these goggles were bathtub toys and not out by the pool, but the girls enjoyed them just the same.

We swam every morning between 8 and 9 am. Ellie wanted to swim again that afternoon, but it was too hot for that tender skin to be out, so I told her, "How about if we swim AT NIGHT! WHEN IT'S DARK!!"

Her eyes got big, and she said, "That would be WONDERFUL!"

Ian was always cautious, and stayed right around the edge where he could grasp the side if need be. Earlier in the season he had an accidental dunk.

Diego and Kai-Lan were the guests at Ian and Hannah's family birthday party on Monday night. Sweet!

Hannah was helpful while I baked. She spread the paper plates out-----aaaaaaalllllllll across the counter.

Ellie helped lick the beaters.

Ian turned 4,

Hannah turned 2.

Although Ian wanted Ellie there, sometimes the girls were very loud. He plays well by himself, and at one point went into his room and locked the door for some alone time.

He came out later covered with stamped tattoos.

Wish I had taken a picture.

Papi and I both had a fun time

'fwimming' the girls.

Hannah had a cold, so she spent

a lot of the time out on the pool

apron with a watering can, watering

inanimate objects. Like me.

I'm not sure why, but Ellie wanted me

to get this picture of her wet hair.

Oops! She tried to blow into

the water with her lips,

dunked her nose.

On Saturday was the BIG party at the

Bounce Jungle.

Ian and Hannah and

1,000 of their closest

preschool friends,

with their families,

attended.

Both Mommy and Daddy

enjoyed the slides with

the kids!

Traci always throws

an incredible party!

I couldn't aske for a

more terrific daughter-in-law!

Aprons

2009-07-08T16:08:00.002-05:00

If any of you are apron lovers like me, you'll want to check out the giveaway at notquitejunecleaver.com. For some girls it's shoes, for me it's APRONS!

Blessed Babies

2009-06-29T11:36:00.005-05:00

On Sunday, June 28th, we

were in Columbia for the

blessing of Max and Ella Grace.

The weather had been

ridiculously hot last week,

in the high 90's. Saturday

night we had a cold front

pass through, and Sunday

was golden! Low humidity,

high in the low 80's, just perfect.

Good thing, too. There were

about 40 people throughout

the day, dropping in for food

and fellowship.

Lynn and Clyde brought a

tent/pavilion, so many stayed

outside, and the kids played

in the big backyard.

Ella's gown was a Hesemann

family heirloom. Her great-

grandpa Ritterbush was

christened in it, as were

several cousins.

Doesn't she look beautiful

in her special dress?!

Her great-uncle Dale, and

cousin Edward blessed the

babies.

Ella was content during

the actual blessing.

By the time we

got home, she

was hungry and

tired, and let

everyone know it!

Max, handsome in his

blessing whites, was

his usual sunny self.

During his blessing, he

looked up at each man

in the circle, smiling and

trying to make eye

contact.

While Ella was having

a meltdown, Max just

watched her, as if to say,

"Chill, baby girl. It's

all good."

2009-06-26T13:59:00.014-05:00

My New Hobby

I have a fun new hobby--- Cake Decorating!

I made this one for Steve on his February birthday. It is chocolate cake covered with home made marshmallow fondant. The candies are cake balls made of cake mixed with melted store-bought frosting, formed by hand, then dipped in light cocoa candy melts, drizzled with thin icing, then placed in mini-cupcake cups.

Unfortunately, by this time we had been having practice cakes A LOT! He asked for a pie instead. I gave this cake away.

This one was for my daughter Laura's
baby shower. I think they were chocolate
and vanilla cakes, and were covered in fondant.

The wacky 'fence' was made of chocolate.

These three were for my Grammeo's 96th
birthday party in January.

This was chocolate, with chocolate buttercream
filling.

The pink package cake was vanilla with
chocolate buttercream filling.

The red bow cake
was vanilla with
raspberry buttercream filling.

And nary a crumb was left.

.

.

2009-06-11T08:48:00.000-05:00

.......

So this is why Ella eats every two hours--she wants to catch up to Max!

Ella Grace-----or Ella Grande?

Her pose is classic. She's copying Michael Flatley in Lord of the Dance!

..

2009-06-10T12:00:00.000-05:00

...

When my children were small, our picture-taking was done on film that had to be sent away in the mail to be developed! (gasp! the dark ages!)

Or, we had them professionally done at WalMart. (snort!)

So, these old pix of my babies are not always perfectly reflective of their actual beauty, but are good for comparisons with their own beautiful offspring.

I've spent lots of time with Ella Grace, and can see her Mommy in her (but mostly her Daddy).

Ian has his Daddy's bright-eyed smile, inquisitiveness, love of music, and empathy.

Ellie has her Mommy's...ummm....

...coloring. And snuggle-ability. And take-charge attitude.

.

2009-06-01T11:33:00.000-05:00

PLAYHOUSE!

I found this wonderful playhouse
on craigslist for 1/4 the price of
a new one! WooHoo!

I always wanted a playhouse when I was little. Now my grandbabies have a fun place to play outside when they come to visit.

As you can see from both photos, Ellie insisted that the proper pose was with one foot up behind.

She wanted to take a picture of me with that pose inside the playhouse. I had to explain that I would fall over if I tried. She said, in her best encouraging voice, "Yes, Gran. You can DO it!"

I couldn't.

2009-05-05T23:35:00.000-05:00

Cousins

Here is the picture I promised of Ella and her cousin Max, who is only 5 weeks older.

I stole this picture from the Freeds' blog, where his Momma said, "He looks like he could eat her!"

2009-05-04T13:24:00.000-05:00

Enchanting Ella
Born April 29, 2009
5 lb., 18 in.
Daughter of Drs. Nathan and Laura Marler Hesemann of Columbia MO.

Wee Granny 's newest Angel.

This one is a blue-eyed blond.

I love, love, love the beautiful diversity of my grandbabies.

2009-05-04T12:56:00.000-05:00

Recent pix of the Phoenix fam

SUPERKIDS!

Hannah has been helping outside,

and is taking a break in the shade.

Angelic sister and brother.

What a handsome bunch!

2009-05-04T12:54:00.000-05:00

This was a few weeks ago. Ellie can barely hold Maximus, now.

2009-05-04T11:28:00.000-05:00

MAXIMUS!
Maximus Alan Freed

I've been waiting for some good pictures of Max.
He was born March 24, 2009.
8 lbs., 20 1/2 in.
Son of Jason and Katie Marler Freed, of O'Fallon, MO.

The Big Dog has a Big Pup!

Max is a big, healthy boy. Big sister Ellie can hold him now,
at 10 lbs., but not for much longer.

We put Max and Ella Grace together on a blanket---
he at 10 lbs., she at less than 5 lbs.

What a picture--see above.

This one will be blond and blue-eyed for the near future. Both of his parents have very dark hair as adults, I'm sure his will darken with age.

Grandbabies at the Zoo

2008-10-18T12:20:00.000-05:00

The Phoenix fam came to visit Missouri on October 12. Cousin Ellie and Mama Katie joined us for a visit to the St. Louis Zoo. Silly me, thinking the Zoo was open until dark, didn't get us there in nearly enough time to see everything.

Ian is a train fanatic, and was delighted we got to ride the Zoo train.

Old Iron Works 2008

2008-10-17T12:27:00.000-05:00

My camera batteries died right after I took this picture of Papi and Ian at Old Iron Works Days.

Both Ian and Ellie LOVED feeding the fish.

This was our Saturday activity.

Big Picnic

2008-10-16T12:26:00.000-05:00

On Sunday evening we had a BIG Picnic in our backyard. Ellie and Mallory enjoyed the cupcakes. The bigger kids were busy playing with Uncles Jason and Nathan.

More Picnic

2008-10-15T12:25:00.000-05:00

Pumpkin Patch!

2008-10-14T12:54:00.000-05:00

Our Monday activity was The Pumpkin Patch in O'Fallon.

What a great time they all had, and what priceless pictures!

Poor Traci was again ravaged by mosquitoes.

(Hello, Benadryl creme!)

I stayed at the house and cooked an early Thanksgiving meal.

At the end of the day, three tired, dirty little pumpkins shared a bubble bath.

TICKLE MONSTER!

2008-10-13T13:23:00.000-05:00

Our Tuesday activity before our Phoenix fam left was a tickle fest!

Andrew and Ian went for a drive. When Daddy told Ian they would be flying home today, Ian said, "Daddy, no! I want to go back to Cousin Ellie's house. I love her!"

Thanks, Phoenix Family. We loved having you all here!

Ah, Summertime!

2008-08-19T10:10:00.000-05:00

Ah, Summertime.

Here are a few pix of how Ellie spent her
summer--

In the pool at Gran and Papi's house.
The water was freezing cold straight out of the hose,
but it didn't diminish her joy in the least.

The whole Freed clan spent their annual week
at the Lake of the Ozarks. Here, Ellie rescues
her Daddy from the spore pit.

Hangin' with Fozzy Bear.

Taking a train ride with Mommy.

July Birthday Party!

2008-08-19T09:39:00.000-05:00

Hannah turned 1 on July 14, Ian turned 3 on July 15. Their Mommy produced a party that was awesome!

Sure, it tasted good, but it turned out that Hannah is allergic to fresh strawberries. Ugh, itcy hives and swelling.
Thank goodness for Benadryl.

The party was a roaring success, with
arcade tokens for all, kid-friendly foods,
a bounce-house, party favors, balloons,
yummy cake...

...I guess next year we'll all fly to Vegas!

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-03-26T10:12:00.001-05:00

2008-01-16T17:46:00.000-06:00

Some pictures just have to be shared!

Peek-a-boo, Hannah!

Generations

2008-01-16T17:40:00.000-06:00

Father and Son, 29 years apart. I made the yellow costume for Andrew in 1979 from a robe found at a thrift store. (We were poor, but too happy to notice)

Christmas in Missouri 2007

2008-01-16T17:07:00.000-06:00

Katie, Jason and Ellie spent the weekend with us, we had a pleasant Christmas morning together.

Having a UMR Engineer for a son-in-law is so handy! Jason even resorted to reading the directions to put together Ellie's new wheels from Granny and Papi.

Ellie was so impatient to get on her new trike, her Daddy had to wait until she was distracted by breakfast to finish the job.

Ellie was our present deliverer. Most of them were given to Granny (whom she loves the most), who then had to get them to the correct recipient.

Here, she gives Daddy the final piece of his coordinated ensemble...

wait for it...

Jason the Deerslayer!

Ellie stayed on the far side of the room.

Christmas in Phoenix 2007

2008-01-16T16:24:00.000-06:00

The lack of snow certainly didn't dampen the spirits of our Arizona family. Ian and Hannah were happy little elves when we visited them in early December.

Hannah makes a beautiful Christmas present, don't you think?

Ian LOVED his new bicycle! He and Papi traversed the entire neighborhood more than once. Papi was hard-pressed to keep up!

Hannah got worn out just thinking about it!

Phoenix Fam

2007-10-12T23:24:00.001-05:00

Andrew, Traci, Ian and Hannah. The reason we sometimes go to the desert in the summer.

Happy Ian

2007-10-12T23:20:00.000-05:00

Fairy tales come true!

2007-10-12T23:12:00.000-05:00

Ellie and Elmo

2007-08-15T16:59:00.000-05:00

At a recent visit, Ellie hung out with Elmo,

and wrestled an alligator

Meet our Hannah

2007-08-15T14:53:00.000-05:00

Hannah Elizabeth Marler was born July 14, 2007. She was 8- 1/2 lbs. and 20-1/2 in. long. She was smiling at her Wee Granny at 10 days old.

Not only is she beautiful, she has dimples! Again, it was instant love for Papi and Wee Granny.

Big brother Ian loves her, too. He runs to throw away used bottles and diapers, and insists on his turn to hold his "tsitser!"

Here Daddy leads the way to Ian's soccer tots class. This is a picture worth a thousand words--"Lead me, Daddy. Lead me"

Ian was recovering from bronchitis, so he was only at about half-speed.

He was much more interested in the older kids' class going on at the other end of the gym.

Medical School Double Graduation 2007

2007-05-18T21:10:00.001-05:00

CONGRATULATIONS!!
On Saturday, May 12, 2007, Laura and Nathan graduated from medical school at Mizzou.

Now for 4 years of residencies! Laura in internal medicine/pediatrics, Nathan in opthalmology.

Helping Santa

2007-05-04T21:22:00.000-05:00

Christmas 2006 at Wee Granny and Papi's. Ian was the delivery man for presents.

Wow, it wore a guy out.

Auntie Traci with the cousins

2007-05-04T21:14:00.000-05:00

Traci holding Ian and Ellie, Christmas 2006 in O'Fallon, MO. She was holding Ellie first, but when Ian saw that, he climbed up to stake out his territory. Let's hope he is more inclined to share come the end of July!

Anna Caroline, Ellie and Sophie Senkel, April 2007

2007-05-04T08:54:00.000-05:00

Hey, what the... ?

Somebody help this girl, she's falling on me!

Anna Caroline Senkel, Elise Freed, Sophie Senkel at Mimi and Pop-Pop's house.

All in the Family

2007-05-04T08:42:00.000-05:00

You can see where Ian gets his curly hair...

...little Steve at about

age 2.

Let's Play!

2007-05-04T08:35:00.000-05:00

Andrew and Ian have discovered the secret to a happy life...
plenty of play time!

Ellie's First Easter

2007-04-15T12:57:00.000-05:00

A scrumptious Easter confection!

Uncle Andrew called her the happy pink chef.

Cousin Kathy calls them the brunette Barbies.

More recent family pix

2007-03-16T11:45:00.000-05:00

Here are some updated family pictures as of Dec. 2006. One new baby per year is a good start!

Katie or Ellie?

2007-03-16T11:39:00.000-05:00

I found some old pictures of Katie at 9 months. They kinda look like Ellie, don't you think?

Go to freedfam.blogspot.com to compare.

Marlerfam

2006-12-21T21:30:00.000-06:00

Marlerfam

October visit

2006-12-07T12:01:00.000-06:00

Wee Granny visited Ian in October. We played outside a lot. Ian also helped cook. Goodness, how big he is!

Yo, Dog!
We love the red wagon, it's easy to throw stuff out of.

Ian has developed a new method for playing with his toys, called HineyWay!

Santa's newest helper 2006

2006-12-07T11:57:00.000-06:00

So tell me, what's on your wish list?

Okay, I'll see what I can do.

Pretty in pink

2006-12-07T11:54:00.000-06:00

Holy cow, even my feet are cute!

Sweet Dreams

2006-12-07T11:51:00.000-06:00

Always let sleeping babies lie, they will wake soon enough.

Ice in 2006

2006-12-07T11:40:00.000-06:00

Fortunately we had some warmer temps and this all melted, but we're back in the single digits now, Dec. 7, 2006

2006-12-07T11:32:00.000-06:00

On Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006, Missouri was hit by a winter storm. Our area received a thick coating of ice, downing power lines and leaving millions without power. I took refuge at Katie and Jason's in O'Fallon while Steve guarded the homefront. He slept in a house that was c-c-c-c-c-c-FREEZING! Finally he bought a generator on Dec. 5, power was restored on Dec. 6.

This storm was beautiful but deadly. Here are some scenes from our neighborhood.

Ian, the Golden Child

2006-10-26T00:36:00.000-05:00

Birthday at Disneyland for a golden mouseketeer.

2006-10-26T00:33:00.000-05:00

A First Birthday is not complete without

some hands-on exploration.

2006-10-26T00:23:00.000-05:00

Ian is easily the happiest person I've ever met, just always smiling and laughing.

2006-10-26T00:14:00.000-05:00

For Ian and Daddy, the mall
is all about the playground.

Our Fam

2006-10-25T22:24:00.000-05:00

What an incredibly handsome group.

Even more impressive, the cumulative GPA
is totally off the charts!

2006-10-25T12:45:00.000-05:00

Susie and Neecer, waiting for the games to begin.

2006-10-25T12:15:00.000-05:00

We found a great place on the hillside to listen to music. It was too loud for tiny ears, so we all headed up to the kettle corn booth. M-m-m-m.

2006-10-25T11:06:00.000-05:00

Elizabeth entertains between innings.

2006-10-25T10:49:00.000-05:00

Dale, Ross, Edward. Don't even think of asking them to play board games when the Cardinals are in the playoffs!

2006-10-25T10:39:00.000-05:00

Randy, Evan, Cindy.

This is what too many video games does to a person.

2006-10-25T10:30:00.000-05:00

The Face was here for a visit.

2006-10-25T10:23:00.000-05:00

Our happy Ellie is filling out nicely!

2006-10-24T17:02:00.000-05:00