India's Two- Take Two...

So, maybe the whole idea of having just my little play group for a birthday party wasn't the smartest move. This might have been a good idea if it was a group twice the size, but it is only 6 moms and 8 kids...and one of the moms was in the hospital having a baby! SO, last week, it was my kids that were sick, and this week it was everyone else. It ended up being two moms with 4 kids. Then when they left, two more moms came with their two little ones. Well, India didn't know the difference, and I was happy to celebrate, no matter the size of the party:) India is so obsessed about babies...if you didn't know already, so we had a baby party. She loved it. We made a craft with the kids hand cut-outs for a hand wreath that I will frame for India in her room. We did that instead of gifts since she needs NOTHING. Here are some pics from our special day.

the only boy in our play group, matthew with Chris
(not sure why the face)

i love India's expression when she sees the baby cake!

my attempt at a baby cake...

moriah trying to liven up the party

elias and kindred making her craft

Look Who Turned Two!

India Shiloah Lahr
26 lbs
34 inches
turned two on January 15, 2009 (MLK birthday)

India officially turned 2 on thursday. We didn't do anything to celebrate because we had planned to hang out at TSW and meet Gareth Higgins, a peace and justice writer from Belfast. I sat between Jamie and Gareth for probably two hours listening to really smart conversation, feeling like a total dummy, but I learned some cool stuff:) Anyways, I was planning on having a birthday party for India on Saturday just for our play group. My parents came up for it. But a couple days before the party, Alexa broke out with these bumps on her chest and back. She had had the chicken pox booster the week before, so I immediately knew what it was. I found out that it is very rare, but she had gotten the chicken pox from the vaccine. She wasn't contagious but I thought I should tell all the moms who were planning on coming for the party. Needless to say, it got rescheduled. So, we decided to have our own fun day on Saturday, despite the FREEZING COLD temps! After their baths, we headed for please touch museum. (Alexa wasn't contagious) We spent about 2 hours there before feeling totally exhausted.
Alexa displaying her creation of foam.

Moriah trying to decide what to make Mimi for dinner.

India assessing her patient.

India delivering the mail.

India in Wonderland

In other news...it was a crazy week! Chris got in a fender bender with our car. We bought this car for $1, 7 years ago from a friend. It is a junker on the outside (which has kept it from ever being stolen), but it has always run good with very little upkeep. We are still not sure if we will be able to fix it. It wasn't his fault and we are waiting to hear from their insurance. I am hoping they will give us enough money to go towards getting a new used car (anyone want to sell a car for a $1??). Well, we are blessed that nobody was hurt. Also, there was a shooting in front of our house this past week. I was trying to sleep when I heard it... then the choppers.... then the cop cars...all that drama that you just love seeing in front of your house. Well, the guy that was talking to the cops said someone shot at him twice and then ran. Luckily he had terrible aim.
Chris has left again for another week long trip. He has been teaching a class in Atlanta which is why he's been gone so much. He is enjoying it, but it's a lot of work. Of coarse he left depressed after last nights dissappointing loss. Well, I am trying to focus on a peaceful tomorrow. If we can get through the inauguration with no crazy happenings...well, it would be a better week than last. And we are having a party for India this Saturday (pictures to come).

A New Year and Remembering the Last One...

Probably the best thing about 2008 is my little brother getting married, bringing two more beautiful members to the Harler fam. Christtany is so precious and incredibly bright. She loves playing with my girls, and fits right into our craziness.
Brittany is so sweet and balances out my little brother in ways we always prayed would happen:) We are blessed to have her and Christtany!
It was so fun hanging out with all my cousins and kids. My girls love nothing more than being with their extended family. I have to say that I could do without the gifts and make Christmas more about the hanging out (like thanksgiving). Maybe I appreciate it more because I am away from family all the time and so when I can be with everyone, it is SO special!

Of coarse, we did get LOTS of gifts, but most of them were just what my girls wanted! Our families were good listeners when we asked for more wood, less plastic, more practical, less crap:) No, reallly, we appreciated the generosity from everyone, especially "old grandma," who passed away this past year. Chris' folks decided to give us some of her inheretence, which ended up being just enoug to fix out van! God always provides!
We loved the new instruments that aunt tami gave the girls, but decided to put them away until we could be seperated by atleast one floor for them to play with them...
Moriah and Lilianna watched for the dinner to be ready...man did we ever eat...i couldn't believe the scales... and am looking forward to getting back on track in that area:)
Moriah is only 3 months younger than sammy, but a whole head shorter. They are both goof balls though!
India stood her own for the first time in the annaul cousins picture.
Our first of many pyramid pictures. Chris had to be back up for any falling children (can you see him?)

New years, we have a tradition for getting together with the bixlers. yep, they are both green bay fans and... if you didn't know they are playing ELECTRIC FOOTBALL! Kelly and I have to yell over the buzzing the whole night to be able to hear each other. We talked raw food and prayer, while they talked NFL. I wonder which conversation was more productive. Oh well, it is new years eve anyways.

Alexa and Moriah hanging with papaw on new years day. we had such a great time, but it was time to head back to philly:(