Kickball

We had a rockin' game of kickball when Ashley was here.  It's so fun to see Steve playing with his siblings.  It always makes me smile.

This is what Aiden did while they played

And this is who I hung out with while they played

Once again I will not try to defend my "action" photography, but I figured Steve's mom would love these pictures!  :)

Bad attitudes don't get too far in this game.

Sorry, Steve.  I just love something about this one.

9 months

Now that he is almost 10 months I'll post these.  :)

This photo session lasted about 2 1/2 minutes.  He rarely sits still.

Guess I should have changed his diaper before I took these.

Braces

Last week my dear Claudia got braces.  She's been doing really well with all the adjustments to her eating.  She only has to have them on for about a year so we are hoping things go well and she gets them off just in time for her next birthday!!  :)

Greta's Birthday

Little Greta's birthday happened in a flurry this year.  She didn't care, she was just so happy to have it be her birthday.  All day she kept asking me, "Is it still my birthday?"  She does not like cake so all she wanted for her birthday dessert was ice cream.  Her supper request was corn on the cob, watermelon, and cantaloupe.  E.A.S.Y.

A few days before her birthday, my mom took her out shopping.  She told her she wanted a pretty dress for her birthday so they decided to go together to get it.  Greta loved getting to go out with just her and grandma!!

I love that all my kids want to give each other presents.  They initiate that all on their own.

Morgan gave Greta a pink pony

Homemade fairy wand

Greta loved Aaron's candy bar and lip gloss

All ready for church on G's birthday!!

Lovin' him

I am so behind on this little blog of mine!  This past month has been an absolute whirlwind.  Have I said this at the start of every post the last 2 weeks??  I'll stop making excuses and catch up as I have time, sound good?

It was so fun having Ashley and Aiden here.  Steve's dad was kind enough to make that happen.  Thanks, Dad and Bev!  Aiden and Josiah are 6 months apart and I could tell my kids really loved having a baby around who would lay still.  Hang on, Ash, it won't last too much longer!  :)

Here are a few shots of us loving the sweet boy.

Claudia's 12

Yesterday was the conclusion of our annual summer birthday madness.  Our sweet Claudia turned 12.  It is really hard for me to believe that.  Even though I know she's still just a kid, 12 just sounds much older.

Our girl is getting so mature in so many ways.  She's approaching me in height, I'm certain it won't be long until she's taller than me!

One of the ways that I have appreciated Claudia's growth is in her humility.  She is very quick to apologize if she is disrespectful or unkind.  She wants to relate well to others and listens well to our counsel.  She is not content to just cruise by in life, she's asking lots of hard questions and I'm grateful she has a daddy who knows those hard answers!!  :)

Claudia is lots of fun to have around, she loves to talk and is always interested in what others are doing.  She has a real sensitivity to others and is so often doing thoughtful things.  It is fun to see her gifts developing as she is getting older.  She is crafty and organized and super tech savvy, she certainly did not get any of that from me!!  She's often teaching me stuff about the computer.  She is very competent in many things around the house.  I look forward to seeing her continue to grow and learn.

I love having Claudia as my oldest girl.  Happy 12th, sweetie!!