Great grandma Phyllis Lee Young, grandma Mary Lee Poole, new mom Jessica Lee Poole and newborn baby girl Annabelle Lee Herzig. Annabelle was born on her great grandma’s 82nd birthday. Submitted by Jessica Poole.

Rose Weilmuenster, of Belleville, celebrates her 70th birthday at a party with her grandkids. From left: Jacob, Megan, Claire, Blake, Brad and Emma. Submitted by Kim Weilmuenster.

Virginia Bell, of Smithton, is pictured with six of her great-grandchildren at the baptism of twins Nina and Ivy Kunkelmann, the children of Darren and Ellen Kunkelmann of St. Louis. Also pictured are Keegan and Cade Gordon and Andrew and Elena Milloshewski, all grandchildren of Ken and Dorothy Kunkelmann, of Smithton. Submitted by Ken Kunkelmann.

These Wolf Branch students and their parents rang in the New Year at the home of Andrea and Larry Smith, of Swansea. Their futures are so bright, they wore 2010 shades. Back row: Matthew Schwarz, Nick Smith, Kelsey Quirk and Megan McKinney. Middle row: Karley Quirk, Clare LaBlance, Katie Smith and Rachel Haselhorst. Front row: Paul Quirk, Erin McKinney, Taylor Pruitt and Rachel Mitts. Submitted by Andrea Smith.

Sisters Emily and Lauren Edwards enjoy the Santa parade Nov. 27 in Belleville. The girls are the daughters of Sue and John Edwards, of O’Fallon. Submitted by Sue Edwards.

Valoria Harris surprised her mother Connie for Christmas. Valoria is stationed in Pensacola, Fla., awaiting her next orders. While home she spent time with her sister Sha, her brothers Donnie and Mack, her boyfriend Keven Pettiford, and a bunch of friends. Submitted by Oshaji Harris.

A surprise party was held for Bill Lanaghan’s 80th birthday Dec. 11 at Fischer’s Restaurant in Belleville. Bill and his wife, Pat, both celebrated birthdays. All four of Bill and Pat’s children were in on the surprise: Jim from Louisiana, Joe from Montana, Beth Daniels from Kentucky, and Kevin from Colorado. Submitted by Jim Lanaghan.

Helen Liske celebrates her 96th birthday with her children. Front row, from left: Al Liske, birthday girl Helen Liske and Eugene Liske. Back row, from left: Leroy Liske, Diane Hardin, Bernie Liske and Charlotte Wimpe. Submitted by David Hardin.

Mark Couleas, Robb Hass, Brendan Hand, George Hass and John Hand. Submitted by Karen Hand.

Matthew West, age 11, sprays ice while his dad snaps a quick photo. Matthew and his family were ice skating together. Matthew plays hockey for the Ice Hawks in Fairview Heights.