February Fun!

Sorry, sorry, sorry! I know that I have dedicated fans that just NEED to read my blog, and to you three I apologize. I recognize that reading about my life provides a real service to mankind. Just one peek into my life and, viola!, you're life is instantly upgraded. (Note: If you ever feel like you have things a little too good, just visit Caitlin's blog. You will be cured immediately.)

So what have we missed? First off, Lauren turned 4. She is convinced that everything in life is better at four. Many sentences start with, "Well now that I'm four..." . In fact, just before her birthday she told me that when she turned four she was going to grow up. I'm not so sure I'm ready for that. As it is she already acts like a mini-adult. She even knows how to give someone a fake laugh that just isn't that funny. Obviously, she never does this for me. Poor Andrew though thinks it's her real laugh. :)

For Lauren's birthday we had a princess party, what else? She was so excited! We invited the girls in the neighborhood and her cousin Emma. I learned that princess is becoming a more broad term. Not only did we have Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, but we also had Princess Leia, a ballerina princess, and Princess Gabriella??? I didn't even know Gabriella Montez was a princess. But why not? She is already a genius, a singer, a dancer, and an all-around do-gooder. Just add it to the list. (If you are thinking "huh?" you seriously need to watch High School Musical and get with it.) Here is Claire, Ballerina Princess, and Princess Gabriella.

Here is the birthday girl, Sleeping Beauty, with Princess Leia.

So, you know the old bridesmaid myth? You know what I'm talking about. The one that says, "You can totally wear this again. You just take up the hem." As a fan of Mythbusters I am duty-bound to report that this myth is true, sort of. I just couldn't decide if I was going to dress up for the party. I did want to be cool and get into the theme. However I did not want to rent a a costume (I'm too cheap) or sew one (I'm too talentless). Leave it to Lauren! She said, "Mommy you could wear your pretty yellow dress and be Belle." Problem solved, except that I had to skip a few meals to zip it up. (Side Note: What is it with satin? Was this a material invented for anorexics? It has no give for say, birthing hips and the "shimmer" changes over ever curve , both the good ones and the bad ones. I actually don't own a "good " curve, so lets just say I was REALLY shimmering that day.) Thanks again for the dress Melissa! See! I did use it again and without taking up the hem.

Here's the whole party crew. We designated Sam the prince. The kids had lots of fun going on a treasure hunt for their accessories, decorating tiaras, making necklaces, playing princess bingo, slaying the dragon pinata, and of course, eating cupcakes.

Next up: Winter Muck! What the "muck" am I talking about? (Sorry, I couldn't resist). Well, Winter Muck is a holiday that was invented, you know, like Kwanzaa. Tricia designated a day to celebrate the drudgery of winter. You see in early December, when the snow falls you look out your window and admire the beautiful flakes, how peaceful the snow makes everything look, you can't wait to go sledding. By mid-February, when the snow falls you look out your window and try to figure how long it's going to take to shovel the driveway, while you're holding an ice pack to your back trying to heal from the last sledding expedition. By mid-February winter is, well, mucky. So at Winter Muck we reclaim the winter.

Tricia's in-laws have a HUGE field behind their house. We gathered there with tons of food, a bonfire, four-wheelers, and sleds. The sleds were attached to the back of the four-wheelers and away we went! Everyone had a blast. I'm sure this was unsafe and possibly illegal, but if you follow my blog at all you know that the Rencher family laughs in the face of danger. Ha, Ha Ha!

Sam and Alex were never apart and I don't think they ever got off the sled either. Those two are the cutest little buddies. What would we do with out Alex?

Lauren was a little nervous, so she opted out of a sled ride and just chose to look cute. I think she did a pretty good job.

Claire spent her afternoon in the veggie tray and was quite content.

Third and most exciting: Mitch and Haley had their first baby, Ben. He is so cute! We all made a visit that night so we could meet our new nephew. There's just nothing in the world like a new baby. It almost made me want another one. Then I remembered that I would be sleeping through the night that night - without a diaper on.

If Haley weren't so wonderful, I would totally hate her. She seriously never got fat, EVER! She is also nursing like an old pro. To top off the insults she came over on Saturday (only 12 days since the birth) in her regular-sized jeans and looked fabulous. She just has to have a flaw, at least one. When I find one I'll let you know, but don't hold you're breath.

Aren't they a cute little family?