they like each other

vacation time

Nate's been on vacation and we've had lots more time to play as a family! We had an amazing day of walking, lolligaging and taking a few pictures along the way.

Lucy's new summer hair do!

they're all looking somewhat in the right direction

And time for drinks and snacks. Wish I had more time to arrange these kidlets, cause I like the idea, maybe another time- but let's be realistic here, probably not.

Our life in pictures (cause who has time to write?)

minor  major obsession with boots

Clearly, it's a light saber cake.

mascara gone wrong

Angry birds

Losing teeth, gaining eyes!

Well, I managed to get a few words in...

All decorated!

We finally got our tree!  I felt like we needed to get it because I wasn't quite convinced it was Christmas yet, it just came so darn fast this year for some reason.  So, it was especially important to have the decorations up so I could start feeling the Christmas vibe.






Ada wanted to wear the Easter bunny hat, sure, why not?




The "after", I love it!  The first night we had it all up Nate and I slept on the couch.  Now on to the Christmas shopping.  I'm doing ok on that.  Can't figure out what to get the twins, so if anyone has any ideas, I'd love to hear it.  We don't need any toys and the older kids will be very upset if for some reason M & H were forgotten.  What to do?  What to do?

Nate's 30!!! (like over a month ago)

So the big question, what shall I get for the birthday boy? Well, he did some not so subtle hinting that he wanted a banjo.  I, however, was frightened of the idea of picking out a banjo by myself, so I went another route.


My extremely talented caketress of a sister made the above banjo cake.  I know!  It's a cake!  She made it perfectly to scale and did an absolutely superb job.  I tried to convince him that this was his banjo that we got him (I'm not sure if he bought into it).

Then, I handed him a box that I wrapped up with a jacket in it.  He looked a little confused when he opened it, but seemed quite happy with the jacket.  He then noticed the envelopes in the pocket filled with compiled checks from family and the wifey so that he could pick out his very own banjo.

 And here it is! Isn't it a beauty? He's really good at it already and has used it in worship- sounds great! Next on the list is to get Lucy and Will a matching one.  Partridge family here we come!

As of late

Ada is turning into Miss mom.  She plops herself between the babies and starts to read.  She takes her baby (or bunny) and feeds it, puts it to bed, rocks it.  She'll be able to babysit the twins in a couple years I'm pretty sure.


Family movie night with popcorn, hot chocolate in sippy cups and every blanket and pillow from the house.

The twinsies are starting to sit up.  Kind of.

One of Henry's favorite activities is being spit at.  Gets a laugh everytime.

Reading Narnia with the kids.  I decided to put Will and Lucy to work.  They did it gladly.

So, as of late we have been a wee bit crazy.  We had croup go through 3 kids, a staph infection with 1 and colds have hit us all.  We are actually finally on the mend, but it's been a ride for sure.  I guess the good news through it all is that I'm getting kind of used to waking up in the middle of the night (:  Actually the last several nights have hopefully started a new strand of not waking up in the middle of the night.  Since the sickness has left I've been enjoying longer nights of uninterrupted sleep.  Wahoo!

Summer has officially started which I have to say I have been a little hesitant about.  All 5, all the time!  So far it's been good actually.  I've really enjoyed the extra time I've had with Lucy to read and hang out.  She's really a light in this house.  I'm sorting through what July is going to look like and then Nate gets August off which will be wonderful.  Looking forward to many family reads, movie nights and outdoor adventures.  For the last couple weeks I've been pretty overwhelmed, but I've been handling life better now that I have some energy back and am really enjoying my children and our life.  This is a roller coaster ride.  It really is.

7 months

Oh sweet babes, on the way to crawling, tackling much sickness so early in life, and bringing much joy to our family.  These last 7 months have been hard.  But they've been sweet.  These babes are sweet.




(That's Nate and Molly, if you can't see through the fingerprints)


Still a shrimp- she's sweet.

Looking so old little man.  Those eyes just kill me.  He's a nice boy.

Triple Baptism- May 16

Big day- all three babes baptized by dad.  We haven't waited this long to baptize babies before, but we thought it would be great if Nate could baptize Ada.  It was a wonderful day.

I didn't have enough hands, so we had  my dad hold Henry and Nate's dad hold Molly- it was special to have them up there with me.





None of the babes cried- a little shocked, but no tears

(doesn't Henry look so cute perched up there?)

                                     Here are the grandmas at the after baptism party with Molly.

Catchin' up on the daily