Happy 4th Birthday Ella Catherine

4 years ago today Matt and I were thrilled to hear that God had blessed us with a baby girl. We had all the emotions of first time parents: overwhelming love, extreme excitement, and complete awe that we had created this little life. She was absolutely PERFECT!

I still can't believe that she is MINE! I feel like I mess up 1000 times a day. Moments where I know that what I have said/done or haven't done/said has scarred her for life. Then come the moments of complete grace where she wraps her little arms around me and tells me she loves me or snuggles close, holds my hand and asks me to read her a book. Those moments I cherish and try to hold onto. It is so hard for me to believe that she is 4 years old. Where has the time gone?

Adjectives we would use to describe her are: kind, loving, tender hearted, smart, energetic, talented and nurturing. She has a laugh that is contagious and a smile that can melt even the iciest of hearts. She is so excited about life that she makes me excited about life.

She is a GREAT big sister. She is always trying to make sure Carter is taken care of and shares her things (toys, food, drinks etc) 95% of the time( sometimes a girls just has to have her own things). She is the first up most mornings but when she isn't she comes and lets us know that Carter is up and is asking for us, then she goes back to his room to keep him company until we get there.

She completely amazes us with how she can process information. She is very inquisitive and loves to learn. She can write her own name and all her letters. She is learning Spanish and can count to ten, say all her colors, name the days of the week, say please, thank you and is currently learning some foods.

She is such an amazing little girl and Matt and I are so lucky to be her parents. She teaches us so much and makes us better people.

Her Birthday weekend started off with a celebration at school. It just so happened to be Pajama Day again this year. She was even more excited about pajama day than last year.

Excited and Surprised to see that Nana came with momma

Passing out the Rice Crispie treats she helped me make for her party

Letting her friends pick the treat they want.

Today we had a party at the house for family and friends. It was a play doh party. The weather did not cooperate and it was rainy and gloomy outside, but inside was anything but gloomy. The kids had a ball! Not very much play doh playing but there was dress up, hide n go seek, dolls, tools, etc... Basically good ol fashioned playing. Ella Catherine had a great day and Carter was in hog heaven. He was so excited to be playing with the big kids.

Tables all ready for some play doh fun.

Listening to some music, playing a little play doh.

Chatting a little and playing a little

The cake!!! Made by yours truly.

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Ella Catherine, Happy Birthday to you!
Make a wish!

We decided to try and make the gift opening fun for all the guests as well as Ella Catherine. So, we did a take off on musical chairs. We had all the kids stand around a table with their hands behind their backs and we put a spoon in the middle of the table. When the music went off the first person to grab the spoon got to go get their gift and give/help Ella Catherine open it. It was a big hit and so much fun!! The kids and parents both had a great time with this game.

Her friend Manus was the first one to grab the spoon

Opening her gift

The day wouldn't be complete without our annual Father/Daughter birthday picture! Love this!

Happy Birthday Ella Catherine! Your dad and I love you so very much and are so very proud of you! You make everyday brighter.

First Trip to the Dentist

Waiting her turn

Watching Super Why on the TV above the dental chair. Now this was REALLY cool and something that we never had growing up....diversion!

Getting her teeth cleaned by Jennifer our hygeinist

Picking out her PRIZE for being such a Big Girl.

And the winner is a Yellow ring. (i was shocked and amazed as was Jennifer at how quickly she picked out her Prize)

My Uncle Jimmy would have been so proud of Ella Catherine. Not only was she a star patient but she is now completely obsessed with oral hygeine! Future Dentist? Only time will tell.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day from the Lynch's

Beauty Parlor

Matt and I were cleaning, cooking and getting the house in order because we were having some friends over for game night. We were both very focused on our tasks at hand. When all of a sudden we realized that the house was TOO QUIET. Those of you who have children know that when the kids are home and the house becomes silent then you have to worry. So, we went looking for them. And this is what we found.....
Ella Catherine was playing beauty parlor with Carter. She used the new conditioner I had bought her at the store to give Carter a mohawk! Love it!

Daddy's weekend/Mommy's weekend

I went to Louisville, KY to visit my best friend, Jennifer and Matt had a daddy weekend with the kids. He and the kids decided to have a camp out in our bedroom. Matt blew up their air mattress' and then tucked them into their sleping bags. The first night Carter didn't quite get the concept. He would get out of his sleeping bag and go jump on Ella Catherine's bed just as she was drifting off to sleep. So, he ended up back in his crib. :) But night 2 he came around and stayed all night with Ella Catherine and daddy. Each in their own sleeping bags. Ella Catherine LOVES it and has decided she wants to sleep in her sleeping bag all the time.

They had a great weekend full of playing with play dough, watching a few movies, coloring, rough playing with daddy and ice cream treats!

Mommy had a great time too! Jen and I had a girls day on Saturday full of shopping, lunching and a mani/pedi. It was divine!!! Then Jen and her husband Jeff took we to a wonderful restaurant downtown and to the Improv. The food was DELICIOUS, the comedians were HILARIOUS and the company was AWESOME!! I had such a great time.

Enjoying Life

The day started like most Saturdays, eating raisins and drinking milk all while snuggled under their blankets watching Super Why

But then it turned out to be such a beautiful morning that we decided to go visit an old friend, the park

We are truly blessed!

Happy New Year- 2011 off to the best start!

Our 2011 is off to the best possible start. Carter had his annual Cardiology checkup on 1-4-11 and everything was great! Dr. Doyle still calls him a miracle and is still perplexed about what caused all his heart troubles a little over 19months ago. While perplexed we are all very happy and very thankful that all the prayers he received helped heal him. He is a strong little boy both in body and in spirit. Some adjectives we think describe him are joyful, loving, persistent, tempermental and adventerous. We are looking forward to see all that 2011 has in store for the Lynch Family.

For tha actual New Year we headed to Pickwick to see Grandpa, Grams, Uncle Christopher and Uncle Michael. We had a wonderful time with family and friends. We did a little art.

We played a little Guitar Hero

We baked some cookies

And we had a Wii dance Party

We also exchanged Matt's truck with uncle Christopher's truck. Uncle Christopher is taking ours back to school to get some things fixed. We are very excited to have a future mechanic in the family. :)