First Iowa State Game

Last Saturday Mark and Jane took Sarah, Layla, and I to the Iowa State basketball game. It was Layla's first one and she even got her picture with Cy. I now have all three of my girls, as infants, with Cy at their first basketball game. Layla had a great time watching everything and even taking a little nap. She wasn't so fond of all the screaming and yelling by the end of the game. Another in a long line of Cyclone McConnells.

Happy Thanksgiving

I know, I know it has been a VERY long time since I have been on here. Hopefully things have calmed down where I can update this a little more regularly. Yesterday we took all the girls to see Santa for the first time. I have never seen to excited little girls. It didn't matter who we saw Ava and Ella told them where we were going and what they wanted from him. Sarah and I weren't to sure about Ella since last year she didn't want to get close to him, not the case this year. Ella ran right up to him and started talking and didn't want to stop. Ella even brought the Target Ad that had the gift she wanted in case Santa wasn't sure what she was talking about. Ava did a great job as always, she has never been shy around Santa. Layla loved him and smiled throughout the pictures. Santa loved Layla so much he didn't want to give her up. I am pretty sure he would of held her the rest of the night and Layla seemed OK with that. We are headed up to Ogden today to spend Thanksgiving with the Truebloods, and McConnells. Everyone have a wonderful and thankful holiday.

Here is a picture of the 3 girls with Santa.

1st Day of School

Ava had her first day of school as a big Kindergartner. I had my first day of school also so it was up to Sarah to get her there. She had been looking forward to the first day since about a month ago. The big day came to us and Ava was so excited she could hardly go to sleep. I thought, being the sappy person that I am, that there would be tears from both Ava and Sarah. Not the case. Sarah, with two others in tow and Ava who was so excited she couldn't contain herself didn't have time to shed a tear. Sarah even had to remind Ava to give her a hug before leaving to go to the classroom. At the end of the day Ava had another big first. She got on the bus to come home (actually to Mel's house). Needless to say she loves every minute of school. I thought that getting up and going to school for 8 hours would wear her out. No way, she has more energy then ever, we will see what Friday brings.


Ava ready for her first day.


Waiting outside of school.


Ava sitting at her seat.


Getting off the bus. She loved it and couldn't wait to get back on the next day.

Better Late Then Never

By looking back at my blog it has been almost a month since my last post. It seems that our days just go by so fast and as I look at the calendar it is almost August and time to start thinking about school. We have been busy with Miss Layla. She is AWESOME!! She has not gotten us up more then once a night since being home. When she does get up it is usually around 5 or 6 in the morning. Ava and Ella have been busy playing and going to Mel's to just swim it seems like. Last week they went to Vacation Bible School at Lutheran Church of Hope. They had a wonderful time and sing their Bible School songs all the time. Saturday they got to sing at church service and then afterwords we had supper and played games at Church of Hope. Both sets of Grandparents came down and watched. They are both all ready talking about going next year.


1 month old!!


Ava going down the slide at Taste of Hope.


The girls up on stage.


Ava and Ella singing. (Love Ella's smile.)

Layla Jane

We are finally home and beginning to settle into a routine. I can't say that nights have been difficult. The first few nights we had to actually wake her up after 6 hours to feed her and then she would sleep till about 8 am. The girls got here last night and it is nice to have everybody here. The girls love Layla so much. I am sure that I will never change a diaper by myself ever again. Ava and Ella always want to know where she is at and what she is doing. Sarah is doing great and getting around easier everyday. Sarah and I forgot how quiet the house can be without the 2 older girls here. It was nice but we both missed them very much and would rather take the loud then the quiet.



Ava the proud big sister.


Ella the other proud big sister.

Layla is never going to be alone.

Me and my ladies. I wouldn't want it any other way.

She's Here

Last night at 11:48 our beautiful third daughter, Layla Jane, came into this world. She weighed in at 8lbs. 9 oz. and she and mother are doing great. It was a good labor and Sarah was a ROCKSTAR!! Be ready for the pictures.

Dance Recital

Our rule this year was that baby could not come into this world until after June 19th. Well that day has come and gone and still no baby. We do have a deadline and that is June 30th (induction date). Whether she likes it or not she is coming into this world kicking and screaming.

We picked the 19th because that was the day of Ava's dance recital. She performed two dances at CY Stephens in Ames. The whole family was in attendance to watch her perform. After watching Ava on the soccer field and on the dance stage it is amazing to see the difference. She is more confident on the dance floor then anything else. That big stage does nothing to slow her down and with other dancers just standing there she is smiling and dancing. Afterwards we went to Hickory Park for a celebratory dinner. It made for a very long day with rehearsal at 10 and the recital at 12. At 7:00 that night both girls looked at Sarah and I and said they wanted to go to bed. We put them to bed and they slept 13 hours straight. Ava did a wonderful job in both of her dances and loved being all dolled up with her costume and her make-up.

Baby Watch 2010 continues....