Its Beginning...

to look a lot like Christmas!

The Royal Family

Upon returning from our Northern Thanksgiving, Hadley got sick.  And in typical Hadley fashion, she did it up good.  She spent four days in a feverish state throwing up repeatedly.  On one of those ucky days, she actually told me to 'Call the Royal Family, Mom, they'll call the doctor."  While she has no recollection of telling me that, she is quick to note that she did make it to her bucket every single time (all 20+ of them, OY!).  We are SO thankful and grateful to report that she is back to her fancy, sassy, dancey, and always happy Hadley today!  Praise God!  Now we are just praying that the rest of the family stays healthy, otherwise we'll have to call the Royal Family. 

Thanksgiving 2012

We spent a lovely Thanksgiving up north with Kyle's family over the weekend. Getting Grandma A snuggles.

Delicious food from Auntie Kim & Auntie Kara!  Piper, however, was most impressed with the 'fizzy juice'.

Cousin Tyler (from Alaska) was on break from college in MN, and while scared to hold Bryndel did so at my request for a picture. He did great!














Hadley asked how she could help clean up, and was pleased to do her job with Uncle Frank!

Puzzle time with cousins: Hadley & Ava, 
and Piper & Sydney.

Lots of Auntie Kara snuggles.












All of the WI Anderson girl cousins ~ Ava, Hadley, Paige, Bryndel, Brooke, Piper, & Sydney.  Lots of sisters!  Wow!  God is good. 

3 Months!

This is Hadley, just a few days shy of 3 months!  It was Valentine's 2007. LOVE her fluffy black hair that is now nonexistent, and how her little eyes were almost as big as her cheeks (still existent!).

This is Piper just days shy of 3 months as well; November of 2008.  LOVE how we could not seem to figure out her hair, never guessing it would be gorgeous blond ringlets now!  And could those cheeks be any cuter?

And this is Bryndel, just days shy of 3 months this past weekend (somehow the onesie survived the Goodwill haul last December!).

She is the only one of the three sisters to actually smile while photographed in that sweet little red onesie!  She did, however, have not one but two sisters and Grandma to look at :)

Boy, we LOVE that sweet little thing!

Last Birthday Weekend

We had our 'last' birthday weekend of the year.  Or at least that's how it feels to Hadley every year!  She always thinks (or whines!) that her birthday comes last, even though we assure her that Bryndel's really does.  She started the day by working on a jewlery box from her cousins in MN.

When Daddy got home from opening hunting weekend (she has that really cool/unfortunate birthday every year), he gave her a pink camo bow!!!  She & Piper had a blast going out to the Land to try it out :)  

And finally time for cake (and yes, she really did change her clothes 3 times, ha!).

 

Hadley is 6!

Happy 6th Birthday, Hadley!  We are so thankful for your ever happy, creative, sweet, and energetic presence in our family!   


(The top professional photo was taken at Grandma & Grandpa's this past summer, and the bottom professional photo was taken out at our land just last month.)

Girlie Weekend

While Kyle and Grandpa were up North hunting with all of our WI uncles & cousins, Grandma came for a girlie visit! 

Grandma got to pick up the 'Birthday Girl' from school on Friday!

Much to our surprise, Bryndel already seems to have a little stranger anxiety!  She cried several times when Grandma's sweet face or voice surprised her.  We saw some of that anxiety last weekend in MN, but thankfully, by the time Grandma left Bryndel loved her just like her big sisters do!

Grandma brought a fun gingerbread house with, and the 3 of them very carefully and happily put it together!  

Piper, getting the sillies out!

Grammie & her girls!

Meeting MN Family

Bryndel made her first roadtrip this past weekend to meet her MN family!  While it was admittedly a bit tiring traveling with a newborn, it was SO special to be with everyone again!

Gazing adoringly up at Oma!

















Giving some smiles to Great-Grandma Joan & Great-Grandpa Jerry.

Snuggling with my cousin, Katie.

Getting some Grammie love, of course!

Getting to know Uncle Mike's quirky side already, ha!



















And finally meeting all of the Graham cousins: Asher 1, Brooklyn (almost) 7, Cylas (almost) 2 months, Kenzie 22 months, Piper 4, Jeremiah 5, Savannah 3, Hadley (almost) 6, & Bryndel (almost) 3 months!

Bryndel was not real fond of all the commotion that comes with taking pictures of 9 grandchildren!  Thankfully Daddy, Hadley, and even Savannah came to the rescue.













The November Birthday Girls got to blow out candles together this weekend as well.

Grandma made Hadley a beautiful book ALL about her at Grandma & Grandpa's house over the past 6 years. She has been carrying the book around with pride brimming in her little eyes ever since!

Another birthday party hit were the hilarious costumes Grandma had for all of the grandchildren!  Hadley & Piper were back in their costumes by 7:30 a.m. this morning!

And last but not least... it was finally time to meet Bryndel's cousin buddy, Cylas!  

It is going to be SO fun watching these little buddies, exactly 1 month apart, grow up together!

 

Happy Veteran's Day!

Hadley was able to honor both of her great-grandpas this week at school.  She very happily & proudly brought pictures of herself with them, and even had Kyle take a picture of her standing in front of them at school!  

My grandpa, Siebert Steck (pictured on the left), served with the United States Air Force from 1951-1954. He was a specialist in B29 bomber engines stationed in Colorado.  My other grandpa, Jerry Graham (pictured on the right), served with the United States Army from 1946-1948. He was stationed in Inchon, Korea keeping the port safe & legal. 

We are SO thankful & proud of their service to our country.  Love you both!

Another Birthday

It was another birthday weekend around here, this time Kyle's!

Bryndel was treated to a manicure, hehe!  With her newfound love of the thumb, she is constantly waking up from her naps with a new scratch on her face!
 


















But, she is all smiles, especially when watching her sisters jump on the trampoline (see photo below)!

Hadley & Piper spent much of the weekend out in the backyard soaking up the fall sunshine.

And to end the perfect birthday weekend, Kyle got to take Hadley out into the tree stand!