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!

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

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

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

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

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

Pumpkin Patch!

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!

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!

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!

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!