Our Beautiful Girls

Rob and I needed some pictures for a project we were working on. We dressed the girls in their big and little sister shirts and headed to Emma's cute room (Emma calls her room her cute room that Goddy did). I think the girls did a great job posing for the pictures. Aren't they adorable?!

Emma & Sara

December 2010

Welcome Baby Lane

Hello Family and Friends~We have missed you.

November 5, 2010 was a very special day for the Lane Family. Our sweet Sara was born. She came a week early, but came into this world healthy and happy. Sara Elizabeth Lane was born at 6:28 pm, weighed 9 pounds, and measured 21 inches.

It has been 4 weeks since she arrived. Rob, Emma and I are adjusting to being a family of four. We adore loving on Sara and playing with her when she is awake. Emma will say, "Her eyes are open, now I can hold her.", and "Put her on the floor so I can play with her." We knew that Emma would be a great big sister. She wants to hug her, kiss her, bath her and help Mommy with all of Sara's needs, even change the diapers. She says to us all the time, "She is cute just like me!"

Rob and I are so blessed to have two beautiful, sweet, loving girls. We simply could not ask for more.

Happy Birthday Sara

Emma meeting Sara

Family of Four

Sara ready to go home

A Future Bowler

Emma received a bowling set from Anna-Grace, Aunt Bess & Uncle Bernie for her birthday back in May. She loves playing with them. In the beginning the bowling pins were used as drum sticks on furniture and the bowling ball was used to throw at the dogs. Now, with a little guidance, Emma requests the pins the set up and then she goes into action trying to knock them all down. The bandanna is from VBS. Emma loves to wear it around her head, and I think she is so adorable with it on.

Look at that follow through

Summer Fun!

Summer time is flying by. We have enjoyed our first camping trip (look forward to another one), a July 4th gathering with the entire family (oops-didn't get a group photo), celebrating daddy's birthday (dare I tell his age), attending Nate's pre-school graduation (wow-he is going to kindergarten) swimming most everyday, and playing outside with Emma. It doesn't sound like a lot but we always seem to be on the go and doing something.

Motorcycle Ride

Nate's pre-school graduation. A big day for him!

Nate & Emma helping to blow out the candles

Happy Birthday Daddy

July 4th dinner-first kid table at Nana & Goddy's

Waiting for the July 4th parade with Ellie

Fashion statement-trying on daddy's shoes

A little putt-putt-seemed to be easier to put the ball in the hole

Trying to climb a tree

Checking out our camper for the weekend

Preparing for river tubing on our camping trip

Playground time with Anna-Grace

Water Bug~Emma loves swimming in Nana & Goddy's pool

Happy 2nd Birthday Emma!

May 18th was a great day for Emma~her second birthday! Emma celebrated with family and friends on the weekend. She gave hugs and kisses to everyone and oohed and aahed at her gifts.
We love you sweetie!

No Fear Emma

Big kid swings, tire wheel, and hanging on her own! Emma doesn't want our help with most things thess days. She simply says, "Myself Mommy!" Which means don't touch me. Even when Mommy is cringing inside with fear of what might happen, Emma always has a grin on her face, and is asking for more.

Bubbles

I think Emma is a little confused on how to blow bubbles. Does eating soap hurt a child?

Our Little Chef

Emma is always wanting to whip up something for us to taste test. Cakes and coffee is her speciality!

Encore, Encore

Michelle, Nate, and Matty participated in the production of Cinderella. We traveled up to see them dance their way on the stage as town children and people. It was lovely and hopefully not our last Ray Family production.

For a group shot Nate was being a little camera shy, but he is still adorable. Ellie is absent from the picture because she was sleeping soundly in Goddy's arms.

Family of Four To Be

We found out at the beginning of March that Emma is going to be a big sister. Months and months of trying finally came to an end with very good news, and we are so happy. We are due Nov. 15th and are expecting a little girl.

A stranger too long!

My goodness how time flies. I can't believe it has been four months since I blogged. I promised myself that I wouldn't get this far behind. Now it is time for catch up!

Scenes of Winter & Sledding

Snow in our back yard

We have lots of deer track and beds. What a pretty site.

Snow at Nana & Goddy House

With all the snow we have had an opportunity to introduce sledding to Anna-Grace and Emma. I can say that Anna-Grace loves it, yet Emma is a little more reserved. Anna-Grace wants to roll in it, eat it, and play with it. Emma on the other hand wants to just look at it without it touching her. I am not to concerned, she will one day love it just like Anna-Grace. The best place to sled at Goddy's is on the driveway riding a beach boogie board. Boy do they go fast and far.

Just watching! Cheering Anna-Grace on

Finally Emma got on-look at them go

We recruited help from Rob to catch rides up the hill

Ready to go inThis is the fun part of snow!

Snowed In Again~

Another big snow storm rolled into the valley. Not sure how much more snow I can take. We have been almost two weeks of school. However, I have had a great time at home with Emma and feeling good about getting things done around the house. Because of the snow Rob, Emma and I had some time to relax and how some fun.

Taking a break from shoveling!

Family time~playing with play-doh

Rob and Emma took some time to play with potato heads. They had a great time. I wonder which one is Rob's?

Look to the right-heehee

Being snowed in gave Rob and I great quality time together. When we put Emma down for her nap we brought out the games. Battleship was our first game. Rob beat me by a couple of pegs. Then we played Monopoly. We began at 1:30ish and didn't finish until close to 10 pm (of course we took a few breaks for Emma). At one point Rob was winning, then I was winning and then Rob made a come back. I pretty much lost everything~hotels, houses, property, and all my cash.

We also have been spending sometime downstairs, which Emma loves because her toy room is down there. Also, Rob and I can catch up on some WII playing. I have to share how Emma gets down to her toy room. Yes, she is using the doggie door. She figured out very quickly that Briggs could get downstairs by using the door, and that she could do the same. So, whenever she is missing or very quiet we know to look downstairs.

Getting caught and taking her baby

My birthday was on Sunday (the day of the Super Bowl). My day began with Rob fixing me breakfast, Emma grinning from ear to ear wishing me a Happy Birthday, and Rob helping me reorganize our storage room downstairs. I received my first birthday call from the Rays~they sang beautifully. Then Goddy, Beth and Anna-Grace called~they sounded great. Finally, after Nana got out of bed she called me and sang~she did a great job too. Thanks for all my birthday wishes!

Before the game Rob took me around town to show me what my birthday gifts were (because of the weather he was unable to get out before my big day). Our little road trip began with a tasty vanilla latte. Then we headed to High Tech where I will have a relaxing massage. A little down the road we came to The Fashion Gallery, our last stop, where I will purchase my croc boots. Can we say romantic. I have the best husband. Thank you Rob for making my day special.

We ventured up the hill to the Campbell'sto watch the Super Bowl. Snow covered roads were not going to stop us from watching one of the best Super Bowls I have ever seen. We had a yummy dinner and then enjoyed the Saints beating the Colts.

Even the girls were excited about the game

The weekend has ended and the snow has stopped, but winter has not. We are due for more weather in a couple of days.....I am ready for spring!

Snowed in and able to blog!

I am on day three of having no school due to the lovely white stuff that just seems to keep coming down. In fact, we are in for a big storm this weekend, and we have no more built in snow days. So there is no better time like now to update the blog. Being home does have many pros. The most important one is being home with Emma. She is so cute and funny and everyday I reflect on how blessed I am to have her. She likes to play doctor. She says "lay down" and then will take my temperature. When finished she says, "Your temperature is 99!" We stack blocks, built castles, put together puzzles all while holding a baby and watching Elmo. Today, when I got out of my shower I found Emma with my bra around her waist, my shirt around her neck, and my socks on her arms, saying, "Are you done with shower?" I will spare the picture with the bra and shirt, but the sock arms made me laugh.

A castle for a princess

Is this where the socks go?

A Story to Share~

Just the other day, Patricia and I were on our way home from work. We picked up Emma and while driving down the road the back window rolled down. Yes, my talented daughter rolled it down itself, because I forgot to turn on the window lock. She didn't do this with her hand, she did this with her toes. Patricia found this quite funny, so I had to tell her the whole story...The moment we get in the car Emma tears off her socks and shoes. At Christmas time, while driving to Covington Emma did just that, but on this particular day she learned to wrap her toes around the door handle and pull, which opened the door. Now picture Rob and I in the front seat and realizing the back door being opened-scary! We quickly pulled over and turned on the child locks. Very soon after that she learned to roll down the window with her toes, so now we have to lock the windows. As I said...Emma is talented.

An innocent smile!

A weekend with Anna-Grace

Last weekend Rob, Emma and I had Anna-Grace stay with us while her mommy went to a horse show. We always love having Anna-Grace spend time with us, but does she ever keep us busy (I wonder if Emma will have the same amount of energy when she is 3). Put Emma and Anna-Grace together and you have a wild house. Toys are everywhere and the girls are girls. One minute they love each other, the next they hate each other. One minute they play with separate toys, and the next they are fighting over the same one. This behavior went on for 2 1/2 days. We decided to take them outside with us to play in the snow while we shoveled the driveway. Shortly after that we returned Anna-Grace to her mommy. We can't wait for the next visit!

Reading Time!

Snow...here we come!

Putting them to work...

Christmas at the Lane's

Our Christmas was joyous and very memorable. It all began on Christmas Eve in Covington. Our visit with Granny and Grandpa Lane was nice. Emma was spoiled by Granny and Grandpa. Two of her favorite presents were the Elmo doll and Kitchen. Emma was in awe of the camera and video camera. She kept wanting to see herself even when we were recording.

Merry Christmas Granny & Grandpa Lane

Elmo...my favorite!

We headed home and went straight to bed to get ready for Santa. Okay, well Emma went straight to bed. Rob and I had a few things to take care of, which took a little longer than we thought it should. Rob also thought we should open our presents to each other before we went to bed so when Emma got up it could be all about her. It was actually nice to have just a moment with each other, something that is rare these days. I love my wonderful husband! Our sleepy heads did not touch the pillows until after 1 am.

Note to self:

Next year we will share house space (a hiding place) with our good friends up the hill (you know who you are) and pre-assembly items long before Christmas Eve.


Emma woke up around 7:00. After Christmas hugs and kisses we made our way out to the living room. The video is priceless and if this is Emma's reaction on Christmas morning from here on out we are blessed parents. Obviously, Emma was very excited and happy because Santa did a great job. After opening presents from Mommy and Daddy Emma spent the morning playing with her new toys. We had a visit from Nana and Goddy. Emma was so cute showing all her presents to them.

Best reaction I have ever seen!

Watch out here I come.

Emma~Local Artist!

Love the baby...it goes everywhere she goes!

Making something yummy!

Merry Christmas Nana & Goddy!

We had a few days before the celebrating continued, so Emma became my little helper with putting her toys away, finishing up her toy room (yes, it is finally done), and preparing for the two more Christmas celebrations with the extended family.

My Little Cleaner

Playing with Mommy's make-up brushes & waiting for

Daddy to come out of the bathroom.

New Year's Eve Lane's, Boteler's, and Ray's were all together at Nana and Goddy's. We had a blast watching all five kids tear into their presents. Boxes and paper were everywhere. Emma received many nice things....clothes, back-pack, books, giraffe pillow, lacing beads, a motorized motorcycle, a doll house book case built by Goddy, and much more. She is very lucky to have such giving grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Awesome job Nana & Goddy!

Wow, these look like fun.

My over sized giraffe pillow. Emma now lays on it right beside Briggs on his big pillow.

Soon the big kids (sisters and brother-in-laws) got ready to head out for night. Nana and Goddy were the babysitters and we were heading out to dinner. We went to Edelweiss (German Restaurant). It was fun and quite memorable. Of course we needed to head home to watch the Tech game....GO HOKIES! On Friday we headed to Massanhutten Water Park. Emma came down with the stomach bug, which she passed around to some of us (at least mommy and daddy). Unfortunately, she was not able to go, so Rob stayed home with her. I know Emma would have enjoyed herself. If we went down the big slides once we went down them 20 times. Nate has no fear. I hope Emma grows up to be like him. Matty caught all the girls attention in the lazy river, and Anna-Grace went down all the slides she was able to without a care in the world...except the water kept going up her nose. We always have a great time...even Ellie enjoyed the kiddie area. Saturday we had breakfast and Christmas with the Wines at our house. Always fun having 6 little kids running/crawling around the house. All in all we had a blessed and wonderful holiday. It is just to bad that it comes and goes so quickly.

Happy New Year!

May 2010 be another great year!

Blazing orange for the boys!

Aren't they cute...Ellie not so happy. Always fun getting this many kids ready for a picture all at the same time and smiling.

Merry Christmas 2009 to all our Friends and Family. We hope your was just as fun!