Okay people.  Let's give this one more shot.  A few days ago I uploaded double the amount of pictures, got them formatted, and wrote my entry.  Then the program I use shut down.  Without saving my work!!  So today you get half the pictures.

Like I said earlier.  It has been a busy couple weeks.  All of us have been sick at one time or another.  Here is a picture of Kalyn.  Poor little girl just looked so miserable!  She ended up having a stomach bug and we found out she was a carrier for strep throat.  Yup.  A carrier.  She didn't get it--but she'll give it to anyone around.  Luckily none of us have gotten that yet.  I remember I had it so bad last year.  Heath too.  Hopefully we will get out without contracting it!

For the past almost week we have been suffering the effects of Jonesboro Ice Storm 2009.  It is said to be the worst storm here since 1957.  Many places still don't have electricity and won't for several more weeks.  We have been very blessed.  If it weren't for the danger and lack of electricity I would ask for more ice storms.  They make everything so pretty.

The trees looked as though they were made of crystal.  Beautiful.  Deadly, but beautiful.   About 30 minutes after my post complaining that I had to be at work last Thursday, the University lost power again and decided to shut down until Monday.  That is crazy!  A huge step, and a good indication of how bad things really were.  We don't shut down for anything.

Now to the birthday party of the year!  I can't believe I am the Mom of a 4 year old and a 2 year old!  Are my babies really that old?  Apparently.

Here I am explaining the rules of a game that I thought the kids would love.  Balloon tag.  You tie a balloon to each ankle, then stop on everyone else's.  The last balloon standing wins.  Sounds fun right?

I clearly didn't think it all the way through.  Kids love being given balloons.  Kids love popping balloons.

Kids DON'T love other kids popping their balloons.  More than one child was in tears over this game.  What was I thinking?

Then it was the adult's turn.  At least I had the sense to have the adults and children play separately.  I don't know if the kids would have recovered from having a grown up pop their balloons.  Or survived period.

Next was High School Musical Chairs.  The game Kalyn has been planning since her party last year.  It was a lot of fun and really funny.  Most of the kids did well when Andrea and Jimmy kicked them out of the chairs Ha Ha! 

I don't remember who won, but it was so fun to watch.

I read my friend's and cousin's blogs and I see the adorable cakes they make for their kids' birthdays.  I am just not that creative, nor do I have that much patience.  So we buy ours.  Here is the High School Musical cake.

Blowing out the candles.  Keali was able to be much more of a participant this year!

It wasn't only Kalyn and Keali's birthday!  Shannon and Devin share Kalyn's birthday so we surprised them with little individual cakes of their own.  I think they liked them. 

Isn't she pretty?

We were all so happy we got to have Gail, Sophie, and Emma with us.  The noise and excitement was a bit much for Emma sometimes so she had to go quiet down in the bedroom.  We loved having them there and wish we could spend more time with them.  Emma is so big! 

Piñata time.  The kids did their best to beat the crud out of this piñata.

Look at the force of Sophie's swing!

Klarice got the first little hole.  That was the most sturdy piñata I have ever seen in my life.  We finally had to rip it's legs and head off because it wasn't breaking quickly enough and it was freezing outside.

This is what the party was all about.  Family and friends getting to spend time together.  I was so happy to see as many friends and family who could come.  Unfortunately I forgot to get the picture while everyone was there--some people had already left so they aren't in the picture.  I'm not going to name everyone here, but if you are curious about who somebody is, please leave a comment.

This is the girls after their long, exciting day.  They like to snuggle together in Keali's bed.

My Mom made these adorable denim skirts for both girls.  They are so cute and the girls love them. Kalyn still won't take a normal picture. 

Keali won't even look at the camera!

In all, we have had a busy and wonderful month.  Sorry it took so long to get this stuff up.

Funny story to tie this up.  Today I made peach cobbler.  I LOVE peach cobbler.  Heath was out with the Ward assisting with the clean up efforts.  I ate a bunch of the cobbler and left it on the stove.  When Heath got home, he saw it and got a bite.  Heath HATES fruit inspired desserts.  He thought it was scalloped potatoes!  He called me and called it a 'cruel, cruel, joke.'  I thought it was hilarious.