Random pics

Random pics throughout the year my sister passed on.....

All the cousins from the Smiley side


Shay and Amanda


Ani and Chris


The family

Kylie and her cousins

Kylie and her cousin

Kylie again with her cousins, have no idea when this was, maybe Aprilish??

Nana in town...again, not sure when this was...

Twins second birthday party... eating dirt.

4th of July

The 4th of July weekend was a busy one, but a good one! The weather was great, lots of playing outside and lots of laughs! The 3rd, I ran in a 10k in Barrington, first race back in Barrington in about 10 years. The course was the same, but the humidity wasn't a friend. Managed to win my age group, but the time was not of my liking, oh well. Then we headed to Linda's house to play in her pool and completely wear the children out.... it worked. (Thanks Linda). Chris and I watched fireworks from the deck-- the kids were too worn out.

Sunday we headed to the parade and then Smileys and Danneggers headed over in the afternoon/evening. The kids all had a great time. We put the hose up at the top of the slide and created a water slide that seemed to be pretty cool, just really cold water (no pics, not sure what we were thinking!) We'll work on that for next year. Good food, good company and lots of laughs.

Anika getting her friends ready for a picnic on the 3rd.


Shay too---- she was attending Ani's picnic.


I've got enough food mom!

Cheese! Kylie wanted the picture, but as soon as she got the camera, Ani and Shay came running over to sit with her.

Chris and his girls at the parade.... Odin was there too and quite popular.

What's better than a 4th of July Princess at dessert?

Aunt Julie's dessert has everyone stopped---- and eating. It was awesome.

Ryan looks like he is trying to steal a dessert.... :)

Anika DID steal someone dessert-- Shay's. And in case you did not hear, you have to have dessert while wearing your backpack.

Spring Break Donovan Style

I think we got the best weather for spring break ever--- well, as far back as I can remember... Not only were the kids worn out after this weeks adventures, but damn I was too! We managed to hit the Milwaukee zoo with the Smiley crew on Monday. (Thanks Natalie for coming to help me out-- it made things much more enjoyable for everyone!). We hit 4 parks in three days and also went to see Sleeping Beauty at the children theatre on Friday. We are exhausted, but it was well worth it. The kids were SOOOO excited to be able to go to the parks and play. The twins are much more mobile and it makes going to the park so much easier-- and more fun! I hope the weather stays, but I am counting one more snowfall-- because after all, it is Chicago.

Kylie on the carousel


Cousin Luke


Shay playing with the outdoor toys indoors-- (they've been hiding all winter)

Anika taking ownership of the stroller-- and I mean ownership. She does not let ANYONE touch it. Its becoming a problem.

Kylie playing with the outdoor trike indoors

The wee ones have graduated-- now all three kids can sit, well sort of-- up at the bar. Makes it sooo much easier.

Kylie bouncing on the big pillow

Sick kids, goofy girls, and tired parents

The lovely time change really took us for a ride this year. I think we felt that "lost hour" for the full week. Started with Shay screaming in the middle of the night only to find she had puked for us. Poor peanut. She then spent the night with Chris on the couch and Anika could not sleep in her room without her sister, so she slept with me on the bed.... and so did Odin. Needless to say, the queen size bed was not enough for Odin, Anika and myself....



The week continued on in a daze. Shay finally seemed to kick the virus and fever midweek, but still (Sunday) seems to be recovering still, but gets very tired and whiny after little activity. She'll hopefully get back on track here this week.



Anika was on meds and seemed to bypass this one, so far. I will probably bite myself in the ass for saying that... Kylie has continued to stay healthy as well... hoping it continues because this last week was one I would not like to repeat. However, Chris seems to be starting in with the sore throat and cold.... I just want summer-- sun and warmth!



Kylie swam like a fish this week at swim class. So much it was almost unreal. She wears a little floaty thing on her back and seems to have no fear anymore. She jumps in, goes underwater and swims to the wall with no help. I have to say, it is pretty cool to see, seeing last year was she was so scared. Hopefully it will continue and as one friend says, "she will be swimming 100 flys in practice in a drag suit on the 105."



Lastly, Happy 40th Birthday Big Bro! Maybe Bryn will share some pictures of the fiesta before you turn 41! :)





Kylie in her fort, that Odin took over... Kylie was a real trooper and helped out when Shay was sick. She took care of Anika and made sure she was always happy.




I think Odin really liked her fort more than she did... And I cannot forget to mention the headband that her cousins Annalee and Abby gave her. I am sure she has told everyone she knows about it.



The silly girls-- thanks Katie for capturing this. I think it is hilarious!

I'm not really sure why they are holding their ears on this one.... but again, too funny.

Swimmer Shay

Swimmer Anika

Anika and her green eyes-- they looks so green in this picture...

Kylie supervising her sisters eating popsicles

Anika wearing her popsicle.

Christmas festivities continue...

Christmas, Christmas, and more Christmas.... It seems we can't keep up with things these days... We had an early Christmas at the Danneggers. The whole crew was there- Smileys, Donovans, Danneggers, Nana and even Uncle OJ made a surprise visit! (and for some reason, I have no photos of OJ, but really, he was there!)

Below are some pictures of the kids at the Danneggers and some of Nana's visit to our house.

Shay eating her cookie, but she actually ended up wearing more of it. (And cousin Lily in the background deciding if playing with balloons is more fun or decorating cookies is more fun...)

Anika, the neat eater, is eating her cookie (and by the looks of it, Lily has decided that she wants to try to decorate cookies-- I know her Dad is happy now!)


Elf Annalee

Annalee and Kylie decorating--- thanks to Annalee and Abby for helping the little ones decorate and stay out of trouble.

Ryan decorating

Abby decorating



Shay playing

Ryan, Kylie and Luke watching Annalee on the Wii

Shay crashing on Julie

Anika and Nana reading together. This is about as close as Anika would let Nana get to her- no holding or anything else!

Anika playing my least favorite game.... but certainly is having fun!

Finally! We are up and running again...

A few techincal difficulities with the main computer these past two weeks.... Its been a long haul trying to repair the damages to the computer, but I think Chris has it done.... Kylie is in heaven again because she can play Nickjr.com---

Besides the computer having issues, we've managed to stay busy. Kylie started swimming again, loved it, although I am not too impressed with the teachers. Oh well, I can't always win. Shay and Anika have FINALLY taken to watching TV for 10 minutes. This almost allows me to get something done-- almost. We all got our H1N1 shots- only after waiting for 4.5 hours. It was awesome... just awesome... (sarcasm if you haven't caught it)..Now, onto November....

Here are some pics since the last post...

Nana reading to Shay.... Shay LOVES to read now.. still working on some more words, but the girl would read books all day if someone was able to.

Aunt Julie, Cousin Lily, Luke and Kylie at the village fall fest.


Meeting the crime dog....

Anika testing out if Odin's dog collar will work as a belt. A little big yet.

I'm not giving a caption to this.... All on her own, mind you.