17 Weeks

Against Sarah's wishes I am starting to post belly pictures of her. She takes thousands of pictures every month but doesn't like her picture being taken. Oh well, she will have to get used to it.

17 weeks and counting. Find out the sex of the Baby McConnell on Feb. 8th.

Brad Paisley Concert

Last night Sarah and I got to go out just us two. We went to the Brad Paisley concert downtown. It was great concert and our ears are still ringing this morning. We went to Fong's Pizza down on Court Ave. (it is quickly becoming our favorite place to eat downtown). It was nice to get without the kids. Sometimes we just need some husband/wife time.

Click here for more pictures from the concert.

What a Beginning to New Year

The girls and their friends watching a movie.

Showing off their huge suckers from Christmas.

Getting ready to open gifts at the Trueblood Christmas.


Hopefully everybody is staying warm in safe in the Arctic of the Midwest. If you are not here lucky you. I am pretty sure that I will be going to school on my birthday this year. We have had another 2 days off last week. That makes 4 for the school year and we haven't even got into the time of Winter where we have snow days. Oh well. The girls and I have been trying to stay sane with all the time together. We have watched a lot of movies, colored, and played lots of Barbies. Sarah and the baby have been doing really well. She is finally over the nauseated feeling and she is glad for that. I will start posting belly pictures starting Monday. We have another appointment then. We will find out the sex sometime in February. My brother is hoping for a boy. They found out they are expecting one and with another girl that poor boy will be grossly out numbered. We have also found out about Skype. What a great thing. The girls can talk to Grandma and Grandpa and see them. Hopefully we can have a full week of school this week and get back into the swing of things.

Busy, Busy

Christmas is over, decorations are taken down, and school has started. Now the countdown begins for the end of school. It was a great break and very relaxing. We got lots of family time, great gifts for everybody, and just a relaxing couple of weeks. The girls had a great time every where they went and loved it. The whole family went to the Princess and the Frog on Sunday and both girls sat the entire time and loved the whole thing.

The following pictures are of Ella and I snowblowing Mark and Gayle's driveway. Ella made me go get her mower and she used it as her snowblower. She did the whole driveway and the sidewalk with me. She just kept following and telling me how such a great job I was doing.

Pre-Christmas Festivities

With Christmas only 2 days away and counting it is time to kick the holiday cheer into gear and get some cookie making out of the way. It is also one last time for Ava and Ella to plead their case to Santa about how "good" they have been this year. Ella finally got the courage to actually get close to Santa and talk to him. Santa said the Ella was the quietest child he has ever seen. I know extremely hard to believe.

We got up this morning and the we all started making cookies for Santa. I have never made a cut-out sugar cookie so today was the day. The girls helped me with the dough and roll and cut them out. Sarah and I then made homemade buttercream frosting in 3 different colors. She then decorated everyone and they look amazing. Santa is going to be pretty impressed and I have a feeling leave some pretty good gifts for all of us.

I will not post over the next few days due to the holiday. I hope everyone has a great Christmas and gets the much needed time to relax with family and friends. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Ella and Ava pleading their case to Santa one last time.

The girls licking the beaters off of buttercream frosting.

Ella "helping" mix the sugar cookie dough.

The girls helping. Ava is drinking her hot tea.

Sarah working her magic on the cookies.

The finished project.

Greeting Card

With the holiday season upon I we look to what means the most to me; my family. My wife of 6 years is the most wonderful person in my life. She is the mother of my children and she amazes me everyday with what she can do. Ava my wonderful 4 year old going on 21. Her brilliance lights up my world. I sit in amazement and watch her write, color, and read. She is growing right before my eyes and sometimes that scares me to death that she will not be my little girl very much longer. Ella, what can I say about my crazy 2 year old. Her smile and eyes make me melt. Listening to her talk to her "bun, bun" always puts a smile on my face. To my unborn child I can't wait to see you and watch you grow. You are truly a gift from God.

I hope everybody has time to reflect on what's important to them this holiday season.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the McConnell's

Lance, Sarah, Ava, Ella, and Baby McConnell

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Just in case you haven't heard the McConnell family will be growing by one in July. Yep, that's right baby #3 will arrive hopefully around July 3rd. It would be great to have an Independence baby but he or she will come whenever they are ready. The girls are super excited and Ava says she will change on the poopy diapers, Ella all the pee ones, and Mommy can feed the baby. I am guessing I will not get to hold the baby till he or she is about 6 months old. We are excited to get the room ready and the girls are really excited to share a room. We even have bunk beds ready to go. This is a great Christmas present for our whole family and next year is going to be something.

First pictures of Baby McConnell!!!