Poor Girl

Poor Greta was devastated this morning when she found out that we were not actually going to the Macy's day parade she's seen advertised for weeks, but only had get watch it on tv.

Love these guys

I recently had a wonderful session with my dear cousin Shannon and her beautiful family.

Bookworm

Happy Birthday Josiah!

It's a big day around here, little Mr. is 2!  It's so dear, he's treated like a celebrity in the house.  All his siblings just adore him.  Even as he gets older and more naughty, they still treat him as if he can do no wrong.

These days Josiah is in love with any kind of vehicle.  If it beeps, honks, or has lights it is all he will talk about.  His favorite toys are any 2 vehicles that will hitch together.  It takes a bit of concentration for him but he can get it.  Thankfully Josiah is not a picky eater.  He loves his veggies, soup, oatmeal,  fruit, cheese, etc.  He's still pretty clingy, adores his daddy and grandparents, and hates when mom and dad leave the house.  His favorite wake up time is about 5 a.m. and wants to lay sandwiched in between mom and dad and kick and snuggle.  He still loves his thumb, not sure that will be going away any time soon.

This age is so, so hard to get pictures.  He does not sit still.  And it's dark so early, so these were taken at the worst time of day to photograph (at least for me and my limited skills).  But this is my sweet boy at age 2.  We love you to pieces, Josiah Stephen!!

This is how we roll

When people find out that I homeschool, they often ask me what the little ones do while the older ones are doing their work.  Here 'ya go.

Daddy's Vroom Vroom

Morning sun

Team Rake

Phone pics #2

Here are a couple shots from our trip to Massanutten.

The 2 older girls and I did a rock wall.  It was so fun but bummer that it was over so quick!!

Greta was so very thrilled that there were monkey bars that she could reach!

Out of the Mouths...

Confused?

Greta: "One time daddy was doing the speed lemon and got a ticket and had to pay a lot of money."

Theologically confused?

Singing along to scripture songs Greta sang, "And I will make you fishers again."

Sky Zone

I recently took a bunch of pics off of Steve's phone and wanted to get them on my blog.  This summer when we went to Ohio, one of the highlights for the kids was going to a place called Sky Zone.  It is an indoor trampoline park.  My only regret is that I didn't do it!!  The kids had a great time.

The Morgan blur

Claudia getting some air

Aaron

Claudia's flip

Aaron

Greta

Harvest Party

Claudia was so excited to be a part of her first Harvest Party with the church's youth group.  She and a few friends went as characters from the movie Annie.

Claudia volunteered for the pumpkin pie eating contest.  I knew she would win...and she did!

Precious Girl

This little thing is so sweet sometimes.  In the chaos of life I often forget how innocent her little world is.  These pictures capture her so well.  She's always dressed up, almost always has a smile on her face.  She recently discovered a box of my old scrunchies.  She is on love with them.

Last night Steve and I were engaged in a very serious conversation and she came running into the room, "Daddy, daddy, watch me twirl!!!"  The important things in life...

Out of the Mouths

The life of a 6 year old boy...

Aaron hates anything having to do with getting dressed or picking out clothes.  It's funny to me how it actually kinda stresses him out.  We were getting ready to go away tonight and I told him to go change his clothes and find something that matches.

Me: "You know how to match, right?"

Dead serious Aaron says: "You mean like camo and camo?"

2 cuties

?

I see that my "cups" video is not working.  I'm no techie but I'll see what I can do.

While we were away

Steve and I returned last night after being gone for 5 whole days!!  We went to Orlando with our pastoral team for the Sovereign Grace Leaders conference.  We had an amazing time together, being encouraged by the sessions and hanging out together with the team were a wonderful refreshment to Steve and I.

Getting out of the house to be gone that long was no small feat!!  I had 6 different people in my house to help with the kids.  Yes, I said 6!!  They were all wonderful to help me out.  The kids had a great time while we were gone and they were very well taken care of.

First up was dear Mrs. Garber.  This woman has more energy than Steve and I combined.  She is so sweet and my kids love her.  She babysat for us once before and she told me it was one of the best days of her life.  Really??  I'm telling you, this is the lady you want to babysit for you!!

Kim is a lover of tea parties so she and the girls served a high tea.

I'm so bummed this picture of Kim and the kids is blurry!!

Next up was Mrs. Landis and her daughter Carissa.  Love them both.  Carol was also raised in the Mennonite church and we have lots of family connections.  Steve and I have tons of fun with her and her husband.  They are the ones who recently sent our family to Massanutten.

I love that Claudia videoed them doing "cups" together.

Next up was my cousin Shannon who came for just a couple of hours she had before getting her son off the bus.  She was so sweet to bring the kids each a gift when she came!  Sorry Shannon, no pics.

My mom and dad swooped in and had the kids for the last 2 1/2 days.  Mom heroically got them all dressed and ready for trick or treat.  It is no small thing in my house!  I was so happy to receive a picture from dad's phone of them all dressed up.

Greta the cheerleader, Josiah the frog, Claudia was Luna Lovegood, Morgan the Ninja, and Aaron, not sure what he was to be honest!!  A skeleton ninja??

Poor Josiah had a small accident while there.  I guess someone broke a glass and the clean up committee missed a small shard.  Josiah somehow stepped on it and it was lodged deeply into his foot.  Dad says it was about 1/2 inch into the ball of his foot.  Dad sent me a pic of the shard.

Sat. morning mom and dad took the kids out for breakfast.  I laughed when I saw piles of bacon on all my kids plates.  So typical.

My parents needed to go away Sat. night and Uncle Jeremy came for about for the last 2 hour leg.  He was a very, very smart man and made the kids clean up the house before he would take them to McDonalds for supper.  I was happy to have come home to a house mostly in order!