Jr. Prom!!!

Remember that cute, cuddly little baby I had 17 years ago? The one that I bought that little Fischer Price phone that you pulled the string, and it rolled along behind you, with the eyes on the front of the phone fluttering? Why did I EVER get him that little cute phone toy? Look at him now!!! He's NEVER off that cell phone! ha. He tells me it's a sign of being socially well-adjusted, and being fortunate to have so many friends (yeah, and he doesn't have to pay the cellular bill, either) hahaha. He is a great kid though... if talking on the cell phone is his worst offense, then I consider myself lucky!!!

His date, Sarah, is a very sweet girl. They're good friends, and they made an awesome looking couple that night! (I asked her dad if he was headed for therapy after seeing his daughter in such a knock-out dress though). I don't think I EVER had a body like that (not even at her age).

Ben wasn't interested in willingly posing for a photo with his big brother, but I'm GLAD I got him to cooperate, so I can keep this moment in time into the future.

A cool "family" portrait..... Ben, Kylie (the daughter I never had... our neighbor for years, and Matt's best friend), Matt, and Noah. Kylie's a senior... we're sure going to miss her when she's off at college (even if it is just up the road at UND)! She's been just like a sister to Matt & Ben.... and they're truly like her little brothers. So we couldn't pass up the opportunity to snap a picture of all of them together (even though Noah had fallen asleep during the Grand March).

Fun Times in the Spring Time

As I try to get myself in shape (haven't been in the pool all winter... needing to exercise SO bad), I got a jogging stroller. Noah LOVED the run, and he was a great little passenger. Our weather here had a set-back, and it's cold again now. But that can't last forever. So hopefully soon, Noah and I will be running on the streets of town again!

Noah loves his new exersaucer!!! He is starting to stare at the toys, and wants to reach out for them. He smiles when he's in it... so much so, that I think we're starting to see a sign of DIMPLES!

Noah and daddy played on the floor tonight, as they watched tv (ok, so only Ed was watching tv). But it didn't take long, until brother Ben joined in...

Daddy was feeling the weight difference in the two boys! haha!! Noah had a smaller surface to balance himself on, so biggest brother Matt had to stand near for added stability. PIG-PILE!!

A Night of Noah...

An evening at the Hippen house... we come home from work, and try to unwind with the family. Noah gets out of his car seat, we assess if it's bottle-time or not, and go from there. Tonight was no different... although Noah put us through the paces. We went from one activity to another this evening....

First, we couldn't resist the photo opportunity... his adorable polo shirt and jeans (first day wearing "real" jeans) and his willingness to sit for the camera, produced a couple great shots. (I didn't cross his legs, he does that all the time on his own, ha).

Then it was supper cereal time... messy face!!! He's still not high-chair-ready, so it's the bouncy seat that hosts his evening meals of rice cereal. He was easily distracted by the rotating toys overhead, and before he realized it, he had devoured his whole helping of cereal. Mmmm, Mmmm good!

Soon after the cereal, it was time for what I've begun calling his "NAP-ATIZER". We adults like to have "appetizers" in the evening, but for Noah, it's a snack of zzzzzz's. He naps just a little bit (usually less than a half-hour), and then is up for a few giggles and playing before bed. He's cuddling his fuzzy bear-blanket that his daycare provider gave him. He loves that soft furry guy!

Alas.... after fussing, and posing, and eating, and napping, here's the laughter that makes it all worth it!!! He giggles with us every day, but it's so unpredictable, it's hard to capture on camera so far. But I got this one!!! Our happy Noah makes evenings at our house so precious!!! (Ben and Matt are pretty cool too, but they're not as cuddly anymore. hahaha!!!

I hope your days are filled with the laughter and joy that comes with pure pleasure! Enjoy your week!!!

Baptism!!!

Noah Dean Hippen, welcome to the Lord's family! You're a child of God from birth, but by Baptism you have been set free from the bondage of sin! You're such an amazing blessing, little one!!!!!
He slept peacefully through most of the service, until it was his shining moment! He wore his cousin's (Thomas) baptismal outfit.

Godparents Jay and Sarah Raymond embraced the moment, and love him so much!! Noah was attentive to what the Pastor was saying about him!

Big Brother Matt sang a solo in church for Noah... The Borning Cry... a lot of sniffles around the congregation, as it was VERY moving, and so special. Noah squirmed a little, and Matt did an amazing job with staying focused on the song, while rotating his little brother in his arms. A few tears even escaped my eyes, as it was such a cherished moment.

Ben wasn't sure which camera to look at during out "photo opp."... but he looked handsome in his acolyte robe anyway (he was trying not to smile, due to his newly acquired braces on his teeth).

It seems like all we do is gaze down on Noah... he captivated us endlessly. He's such a blessing, and reminds us of what's REALLY important in life.

It's not too often that very many from Hippen clan make it to ND at the same time, so this was a neat photo to get. Dennis & Jodi, (Karyn, Ed, & Noah of course), Karen (Grandma), Dean (Grandpa) and Stephanie (Biological mommy).

We had a reception at the house after church, with WAY more food than we needed (yes, Ed was right... I over-estimated AGAIN). ha. This cake turned out beautiful, and will be delicious to share with my office this week. ha

Matt's big performance

This is Matt's big week... the performance of the spring musical, Mikado! He's having so much fun with this musical, because the costuming and the choreography are so much fun. He loves the humor involved in the script, and it's been fun to watch him as he learns his lines. It performs this weekend (Tonight is opening night... parent's night was the other night, thus the picture above), and I plan to go a couple of times, with family that comes for Noah's baptism.

This is going to be a huge weekend for us... with Matt's musical each night between now (Thursday) and Sunday, Ben's b'day tomorrow (can't believe he's already 12) and Noah's baptism (with family coming to town for it) on Sunday. I think I can expect to sleep soundly on Sunday night, ha.

I'm sure I'll have a lot of photos to add here after the weekend, so I'll hold off for now. On top of the upcoming busy schedule for the weekend, this week has been equally jam-packed with events.... namely dentist visits.... Ben got braces this week!!!!!!!!!!!! (gotta love the modern technology of camera phones, ha).