For the Grandmas . . .

And all the other people we love . . . .

Look who is seven months old today!

He is such big stuff now and wowed his nurses by showing off how he can sit up. He still absolutely refuses to roll over . . . Laying down and playing is soooo last week. Everyone is very impressed. Especially Carson.

He officially weighs 13 lbs. 4 oz. - still a peanut!

The mo-hawk - is from his mom's side of the family. (Pun totally intended.)

 

 So here's to little hugs and big slobbery kisses . . . .

The family . . .

This time each year I drag my family out kicking and screaming and tell them to stand still and smile. We have a Christmas picture to take and so help me this is going to be fun. We'll look like a happy family if it's the last thing I do.

It nearly was.




I've since seen this face in many of my dreams. Now you can see it too.


You're welcome.


Two seconds before this shot I heard, "Mom, I REALLY have to pee!"

Yep. Looks like it.

Really, Owen. Just one more picture.


We allowed all the kids to take their turn at shooting a picture of us.

Brice.


Carra. Wha-hoo. Both of my chins are in focus.


Owen.



I will not tell you what Buff was doing next to me in these shots to get them to "smile".

It wouldn't be proper.


But then things calmed some and I got some shots of my children as they really are.

Beautiful. Obedient. Smiling.

Stop laughing and start scrolling.





Mikayla - 13 years old
13 . . . Really??? Am I old enough to have a teenager???





Carra - 7 years


Yep, that's me.

Yep, that's Buff and me.




Owen - He'll be 5 years in 4 weeks.

We got his hair to stay down for 2 3/4 minutes.



Explain to me again how my "baby" is turning 5 . . . ?????


Brice - 10 years




This kid loves, loves, loves his dad. Good thing because he looks just like him.



And there you have it.

One big happy family.

Happy Wednesday . . .

Wishing you a great hair day . . .

Awana Grand Prix

The designer . . .

The design . . .
(and the mascot- for those unfamiliar with the video game world, the car is designed after the bullet on Mario Cart)

The race . . .

The winner . . .

He didn't come close to winning, but had an absolute blast otherwise. He did learn a thing or two about design and speed - and is already planning out his car for next year . . .

Oh, and he jumped very little . . . (inside insight for those of you who know Brice when he is excited.)

Don't be fooled . . .

It is just the eye of the storm . . .

He doesn't sleep - he recharges.

Let it snow

Winter hit Wisconsin early and in full furry (or should I say flurry . . .?). If you haven't noticed, you've not been watching the news. If you can't tell on your own that there is a lot of snow on the ground, the news is there to pre-empt all daily programming and let you know - that it is snowing.

According to my unprofessional guessing (yeah, I turned the news off), I think we have gotten over 20 inches of snow in the last 8 days.



I think the woolly worm was right this year . . .*






The kids have taken advantage of the sledding opportunities already. It should prove to be a good sledding year . . .

Free Ride

Of course, Owen doesn't sled - he snowboards . . .

Still working on the stopping part . . .

Yeah, that's cold . . . .

Brice apparently left his face print on the hill too . . .

It's the new extreme sledding -
If Owen can go down on his feet, she can go down blind . . .

Look out!

(*Explanation: My dad would always predict the coming winter by the color pattern of the woolly worm in the fall . . .
dark = harsh
light = mild
So - this woolly worm predicts a harsh beginning, mild middle and a harsh ending to our winter . . . so far he is right . . .)

Speaking of growing . . . up . . .

I know I post a lot about the little kids in the family, but we all have to admit they do cuter things more often than older kids and just make the material easier to come by.

So here is my update of the older kids of the family.

Today I am feeling old, sad, excited, nervous and everything else in between.

Mikayla has had her first official babysitting job. You know, the kind where they pick her up, pay her and everything!

I feel old because I still picture myself as the mother of young children. I am excited because it means she may actually be old enough for me to leave the house once in a while and leave her in charge. I think I'm nervous because I wonder if she is really ready - sheesh - I remember being 12 and I am amazed that no children were harmed when I was in charge! (Actually, I'm 36 and I'm still amazed that no children have been harmed . . . )

It's just one of those sappy moments where I picture my toddler pushing the baby stroller across the living room . . . and then . . . bam! . . . she's now making money doing it . . . where did the time go? When did she grow up?

Speaking of up . . . here is where I found Brice today . . .


Yeah, it will be a while before we will be leaving him in charge . . .


Oh, and I found this wandering through the house the other day . . . .

We can't find any info as to identify the species or origin . . . it's just so . . . happy . . .

Summer Was:

**** Riding bikes











**** trips to the zoo

**** pogo sticking

**** summer school



**** geocaching










**** gardening

Well, a valiant attempt at least. I have a beautiful rock garden and I can grow amazing weeds!

**** sidewalk paint

**** trips to the park


**** t-ball

Way to go, Carra!

**** tea parties

**** summer walks




**** swimming lessons

****vacation

and now
Happy Fall!