Boys Will be Boys...

last week Caleb went down the driveway on his bike and tumbled into the sharp rocks on the side...face first. This photo was taken after about 4 days, it was already MUCH better. he keeps picking at his scabs. once he picks a scab off he cries and says he needs a band aid. I tell him "you had one that God gave you and you picked it off silly boy!". Do all kids pick at their scabs or is that a boy thing? I don't remember the girls doing that but I also don't remember them getting very many substantial owies!!

Caitlyn at 11 Weeks

Our little girl is growing so fast! She tried out her Bumbo seat the other day. Here she is at 11 weeks old.

"this is different...I'm upright"

"actually, this isn't so bad..."

"look at me Mom!"

Lemonade Girls

The girls decided to have a lemonade stand during the garage sale. They made some cute signs and even mixed the lemonade by themselves. When the traffic to the garage sale was slow, they hit the streets with their lemonade and sold it door to door.








Lovely ladies; my girls and their cousin Jenaya...they even dressed in matching shirts for the occasion.

I got a big kick out of their sign.

They ended up making close to $40, not counting the other "donations" that included gum and sunflower seeds.

A Work In Progress...

We are finishing our basement! We currently have 3 bedrooms upstairs. We are making 2 more rooms, one more bathroom and a "media room" (as Mike calls it...which sounds nothing like "craft room" which is what I was rallying for). Here is the progression so far.

Here was the basement BEFORE the big clean up= shelves and tubs in the garage/garage sale/trip to the salvation army.

Mike's brother Brian is doing the work in the basement. Mike and Caleb come down and help when they can. Mike's Dad is overseeing the entire project with a wise and watchful eye. The rest of us are steering clear until it is time to choose paint colors!

Thrill Seekers

I was so impressed with my family this trip to Disneyland. All of the kids wanted to go on bigger rides. Mailee is our most "safe" kid and she let us know when she didn't want to go on a ride but all the others were eager for a thrill. Caleb and Maddie loved Space Mountain. The family favorite was Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. We must have gone on that ride 7 or 8 times. They also really liked the "Go Coaster" in Toon Town. We did that one a lot too. Here is the whole gang sans me and Cait...


...with their hands up...ooooh! Daring!

Meeting Minnie

So Much To Say..

...Not enough time to say it all. I want to tell you all about our trip but I have been super busy at home clearing out the basement so it can be made into extra rooms for the big girls. As if that weren't enough, I have decided to do a garage sale tomorrow morning to sell all the stuff I cleared out! Hopefully I will get back on track next week.

Here's Caitlyn showing off her milk tounge. She is such a cutie!

Missing You...

It's great to be back at home but we really miss everyone in California too!!

So Much Swimming

The kids had a great time swimming in California. It is always fun to jump in the pool when it's 106 outside! On this trip, Maddie became completely "swim safe" and is now a little fish like her sisters. Caleb jumped in once without his life jacket when I wasn't looking and although he was terrified, he safely got himself to the edge so I know swimming without the jacket is around the corner.

Caitlyn loved the refreshing water on so many hot days.

Swimming with Auntie Kathryn who drove Grammie down for a few days. We had a great time! My kids love Kathryn

10 Years and Counting

I'll be playing catch up for a while as I try to post about all the fun we experienced on our trip to California. Most notably, Mike and I celebrated our 10th anniversary! Mike had a whole evening planned, there was chocolate from See's candy and roses and the honeymoon suite...it was really great! When we got home, the kids surprised us with their own anniversary surprise.

Honeymooners

Standing in front of the church where we got married.

So the kids (with Grandma Bev of course) made an adorable book for us. It was really touching and super cute to see their little proud faces as we looked at it together.
They listed all the things they love to do as a family..

Each kid wrote a note and decorated their page. (Some had a little help)

So sweet! I just have to comment, Mailee's printing is looking so great. She has grown so much in this last year!

Mikayla's words were from her heart and all on her own. What a sweet girl.

An awesome memory...looking at the book together.



10 years already...it's hard to believe. I am so thankful for

the full and blessed life we have shared together this far. I love you Mikey!!

Ocean!

Cailtlyn's first trip to the ocean!

The kids loved the waves.

Just Checking In...

We had such an awesome time together as a family at Disneyland. I have tons of pictures that I will eventually post but for now, while we are still in California, here is one picture to show ya why I haven't been online!