Birthdays Galore

The Sanker family is having a wonderful summer. As usual a lot has been going on. Emma and Ellie both celebrated birthdays and we had a joint party for them last weekend. The party went great but was very hectic because I just started a new job and was in the middle of my training. I have now graduated from commerce university and started at my store yesterday. So far I love it! The girls are enjoying the summer and are not ready for the approaching school year. Here are a collection of movies and pictures from the last few weeks.

The Sankers had a great Birthday Camping Trip. Here are some movies from our trip.

Movie Collection

Sanker Family Vacation

A lot of things have happened over the last few weeks. Emma and Annie finished up their school year and are ready for summer. They both had great report cards. After 5 long years I have decided to leave my job at shop rite. I have had my share of issues with my fellow coworkers and really feel like it is time to move on. I am technically not unemployed until Saturday when my second vacation is over. I'm scared. I need a job.
Schools out for summer and we have already taken a week of vacation down the shore. This was not a smooth vacation. Actually it was pretty bad. The week started with Emma getting burned in 5 places on her back. One of parents worst nightmares. Taking your children to the boardwalk to go on rides and your child gets burned by pieces of metal that fall off the bumper cars. How awful and scary. We filled out an accident report and at least Emma and Annie got free tickets. I don't believe we will ever ride the bumper cars again. The following day we went to the beach......briefly. Ellie's first beach experience was ruined because I pulled a serious muscle in my neck within 10 minutes on the beach and had to pack up and go to the emergency room. Fun in the sun. After two days of ice and ibuprofen I was back on my feet and headed out to only find that my van had a flat tire. Well the tire was plugged at a local repair place and the Sankers were ready for a fantastic beach day now that vacation was almost over. The day was hot and the girls went ahead of dad on the walk to the beach. When we arrived at the waters edge we were greeted with swarms of greenheads. Let me just say that Emma is terrified of greenhead flys. Not the I blame her. Needless to say Emma,Annie,Ellie(in carrier) and I ran as fast as we could back to the car leaving a trail of beach gear for dad. We made it back to the car and inside with about 6 flies to kill. We were scared and sad for daddy who rounded the corner covered with flies. It was a bloody scene. We went back to Somers Point and filled up the kiddie pools in the back yard that Emma and Annie are to big for.
There was some fun to be had on this vacation and we had it during the beach blast. The soccer tournament was awesome. We all had fun and the girls really did great playing with the boys. I would definitely let the girls do this again. The last day of vacation was really nice too. We finally had a great beach and boardwalk day. Now we are back home safe and sound and that is really the only important thing.

Best Memorial Day Weekend Ever

The Sanker Family went camping this weekend. I have to say I think everyone had a great time. The girls were good and had fun doing all the camp activities. We went to Lake Laurie which is between Cape May and Wildwood. The camp ground was big but very nice. Aunt Jenny came down and spent one night with us. No one wanted to leave when the weekend was over. Ellie really liked camping. Here are a few movies of our weekend. Now we are planning our next camping trip.

Mommy's Day

Happy Mothers Day!
One of my favorite holidays and this year did not disappoint. I was able to have almost all the moms that are important in my life together at my house. Aunt Adrienne was missing only because of distance. I hope everyone enjoyed being together as much as I did. We had lots of food and so on. Ellie was very cranky while everyone was over and then got much worse later on in the night. Mike and I just thought she was over stimulated and exhausted until today when she woke up no better. I figured out what was wrong around noon when I put a spoon in Ellie's mouth and heard the clicking of her very first tooth. Yeah for Ellie we finally have our first tooth! Yesterday was extra special because we welcomed Aunt Karen into the Mothers Day club and soon Uncle Craig will be celebrating his first Father's Day too. Ah what good times lie ahead.

May 4 th 2008

What a fun day! Sunday May 4 th was Pop Pop's Birthday ! Happy Birthday! The whole family was together for Birthday dinner. We had great time . Mike and I were a little tired from running the broad street run earlier in the day but we survived. Mike , Jenny and I had a good time doing the run and we all did much better this time. Here are a few pictures taken over the last few days. Miss Ellie is all over the place and her knees are showing the signs. She is such a ham.

Long Time No Blog

There is no good reason for my lack of blogging other then the Sankers have been really busy. So much has been happening. We welcomed the newest member of our family Miss Mara on Friday April 18th! She is beautiful and healthy! I have been lucky enough to hold my new niece twice already and can't wait to see her again.Clara and Mara how wonderful.
Emma and Annie are doing great. Their weeks are filled with activities. They are in the last marking period already. Everyday we either have soccer, track or softball. Last Tuesday Emma and Annie participated in a fundraiser for a victim of the Virginia Tech shooting called Poems for Sean. Wow ! What a great job all the kids did. Emma and Annie both made the 6 o clock news.
Ellie is now crawling and standing. She is on the move! My freedom is now over. I can't believe how big she is getting.
Mike and I have been busy working on the house doing a few home improvement projects. We took out the window in the dining room and put in a door. Mike also put in steps down to our patio.

Birthday Cluster

Wow! What a great couple of days. Saturday was my Birthday. Daddy and my girls really made my special day. Sunday was our cousins first birthday party. Mr Lincoln turns 1 on April 8'th. During his birthday party Aunt Adrienne went into labor. Uncle Danny got her to the hospital just in time to have their beautiful baby girl. I am so excited. Clara Elizabeth was born at 6:14 pm. She weighed in at 8 lbs 13 oz. High 5 to Aunt Adrienne! We can't wait to meet her. Everyone is happy and healthy. We are already trying to figure out how we can get up there to see them. Today is Happy Birthday for Lincoln. Hugs and Kisses and best wishes for a great Birthday!

Ellie is moving at lightning speed. Her she is standing up in her crib!

Ma Ma

Today we can say Mama! I am so excited! I actually have proof in this video. Ellie doesn't say it till the end but she says Mama. Wow!

Baby Shower

Yesterday was Baby Mara's Baby shower! I had a blast and I think it was a great success. Aunt Karen seemed to have a great day and really got a lot of wonderful things for Mara. The work is done and now we are all anxious to meet our new baby. Tomorrow is April first and I think everyone is ready for some warmer weather. The Sankers have a lot going on this spring with sports and girl scouts and I am trying to stay on top of everything. Ellie is about to take off. She can crawl backwards really well and tries to stand up as much as possible. Ellie is almost 8 months old. Time flies.

Happy Birthday Uncle Danny

We hope Uncle Danny had a great Birthday! I hear everyone in Lockport is a little under the weather. We are sending the get well vibe! Here are a few videos of the youngest Sanker! Enjoy!

Happy Easter

What a nice Easter. We had everyone over for dinner this year and I think we all had a nice time. These last few weeks have been really busy getting ready for baby Mara's shower which is next weekend. Nana and Pop Pop are getting their house ready for the party, cleaning and doing home improvements. Mike and I have been busy getting ready for Easter dinner by deciding to remodel some of our kitchen.So far everything is going well with the remodel. There are a few things we still need to figure out and finish. I love what we have done and wish we had done it years ago. I posted a few pictures of what we have been up to. Today was just a great day to be with family and think about how blessed we are.

Good Day Bad Day

Yep one of those. Today my baby was delivered. The newest member of the Sanker family is a GE profile bottom freezer fridge. She is beautiful. I got the greatest deal on her. I am Sooooooooo happy. I wish I could enjoy her right now but Ellie is very ill. She has a nasty cold with fever, runny nose and eyes. My poor pumpkin is miserable. Here are a few pictures of the fridge and of Emma and Daddy at school during read across America. The movies are of Ellie in the tub and today feeling sick.

Bathroom

The bathroom is not done yet but here are the before and after floor pictures. We still need some trim work.

So Much Going On

The Sankers are doing great! Everyone is ready for spring. We are very busy working on the house and business. I have taken on a few home improvement projects which is always fun with a baby. Annie and Emma are trucking along through the school year. Basketball is over and spring soccer has started. Yeah. Emma's first game is tomorrow at home. They had practice Thursday night and it was 25 degrees out. Softball and Track are the next to begin. Busy Busy. Ellie is so big. She spends her day saying DA DA DA DA DA DA DA. I am working on MA MA but nothing yet. She is eating all kinds of foods now. She really likes toast and biscuits. Today is bathroom day and we are preparing to put in a new floor. This should be fun.

Snow Day

There is nothing better in the winter then a snow day. Not only did everyone in the Sanker family score a snow day today but it is also Friday. Yeah! We are having a blast. Emma and Annie have been out all morning sledding and building snowmen. Daddy has been out shoveling the neighbors sidewalks and building a fire on the back patio. Ellie and I are about to spend a full day in the kitchen. Always my favorite any day but especially on a snow day. We already have a chicken in the pot. Soups on! I hope everyone has a great day too!!!

My Best Friend Mastits

I hope everyone had a nice Valentines Day. The Sankers had homemade pizza and homemade chocolate covered pretzels. Yum!

Mike called me out of work today because I am yet again running a fever. Yesterday was the semi annual Duble trip to Ikea. I had a great time being with everyone but felt like I was hit by a bus by the time we left. Thanks to my little sister I was able to get a little rest afterwards. Unfortunately this round of Mastitis is not going to go away on its own. I didn't take the antibiotics last time I had this which I am thankful for now. I feel really awful. Ellie is being good but as all moms know its sooooo hard to take care of babies when your the one who needs to be taken care of. If I felt up to it I would go to my Mommies house but I don't. So heres to Mastitis!

Bad Blogger

I have had endless things to blog about but no time to blog. The Sankers have been very busy. Emma and Annie are half way done the school year already. They both received excellent report cards. We are very proud. Emma is still in Basketball and spring soccer starts in two weeks. Annie would like to play softball this spring. Mike is doing great. He recently got a promotion at Eastern and I am really proud and happy for him. He deserves it. We are moving forward with the Cider House and there is so much to do. We have been to 2 meetings with the Small Business Association and now need to apply for the mortgage on the new house. Fingers crossed.

Ellie is so big. This week she turned 6 months old. Time sure does fly. She weighs in at 13 pounds 3 ounces. She is still just a little guy. For the most part she is happy and healthy. Our biggest problem right now is pooping. We are having some trouble. She is eating a lot of solids now and having some issues. We are hoping that prune juice will help.

Here are a few pictures and movies we have taken over the last few weeks.

Happy Friday

Ellie can sit in her big girl chair. She is eating her most favorite food......sweet potatoes. Yum.

Happy Birthday Aunt Jenny

Yesterday was Aunt Jenny's Birthday. We all got together and had Birthday dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We had a great time and hope the birthday girl did too! Here are a few pictures from the party. Today I had to cancel dinner at our Pastor's house. It looks like I have Mastitis again. I just started running a fever and I'm feeling pretty awful. Of course it's Sunday and I can't go to the doctors until tomorrow. I really hate my milk ducts right now. The clog is in a different spot this time and it is much more painful. So I have at least the next 3 days to look forward to being in bed with a high fever and body aches. Boo Hoo.

Dance Dance

Well Emma went to her first dance on Friday night. She had a blast with her friends and was allowed to sleep over her friends house. She is getting so old. I guess they all are.

5 Months Old

Ellie is now 5 months old. Where did the time go? Today she woke up with a full fledged cold. Sneezing, coughing, run away nose. My poor baby. On the plus side we already had a doctors appointment today for a weight check. Ellie gained a pound this month and now weighs in at 12 pounds 5 ounces. They did not give her any shots today because she is sick. We will be going back to see Dr Angela in two weeks for our needles. Emma and Annie both seem to have a cold too. Mommy is trying to nurse everyone back to health. Daddy is working very hard on our business plan. Nana is starting to get things together for selling our house. We still have a lot of ducks to organize but my fingers are crossed. I took this video this morning of my congested little one taking her bath. She had a lot to say.

10 Wonderful Years

We did it! Well we made it 10 years anyway. I have to say that I hope the next 10 years are as good as the last. I couldn't ask for a better husband then the one I've sunk my claws into. We are very busy now working on our business plan and starting the wheels turning on putting are house on the market. Keep us in your thoughts we need all the good vibes we can get!

The Cider House

Do I dare to try and make my Dream a reality. I want to so bad it hurts. I fear failure. I have spent so much time doubting myself. I really want this. I have always wanted this. Can we make it happen? I need to see with clear eyes and not my heart. I want to do what makes me happy and I think people will benefit from this. I'm tired of wasting my valuable time and I deserve to make my self happy right????
Well here are a few pictures of my dream..........Living and running my CiderMill. Fresh baked apple cakes and fresh pressed apple cider. Am I crazy? All I can do is work really hard to make it happen and pray.