Decorating for Christmas

This year, like every year, we pulled out the decorations first thing Friday morning (Black Friday). This year though I really didn't have to do anything. Sure there were some putting things away and a little dusting to do but the boys know were everything goes and they just took care of everything! I don't know if that's nice or if I miss being in charge in a way. I was able to get quite a bit done though. I did set the tree up and fluffed it up from being in the box, and then put on the star and the berries and then the kids took over again. Steve and I sat there and watched as our boys led the girls and taught them the art of decorating the tree. We have each child in charge of one type of ornament and they are to make sure that they are dispersed evenly around the tree and then they can move to another style of ornament. In years past I would pretty much redecorate the tree, redistributing everything so that our tree would look just perfect. This year I all but started crying as I watched the magic that was taking place in our living room as I watched my four kids decorating the tree. I don't know what it is but there is seriously something magical about it. Steve and I just kept exchanging glances, trying to keep each other from shedding a few tears. Lets just say that this year the tree was not redecorated. It is perfect just as it is and has the character of my older boys and my little girls, and is full of their perfect finishing touches. Everyday they adjust a few things to make it just perfect for that day. One thing I really love though, about our tree, is that it is filled with photos of when the boys were younger and Railey was a baby (that tells the last time I updated and added pictures) but they love looking at them and reminiscing about the time the picture was taken. It is my goal this coming year to get Kenna on the tree and more pictures of, well, everyone up there. I did get one photo before by camera was dead. Don't worry more will be taken later, I hope.

Fall Leaves

We don't have too many trees at our house that require the raking of leaves every fall. All our trees are out on the park strip in the back of our yard and on the other side of the fence so they just blow away every year. So our kids have been terribly deprived of the opportunity to rake leaves. They have heard about how fun it is to rake up a pile of leaves and then jump in the pile. I know they have longed for the day to finally be able to do that but sadly they knew they would be old teenagers before they would get to experience it and then they would have to say they were too old to do such childish things, but they might just do it to show their younger sisters how to do it. Anyway this year we promised a friend that we would come and rake her leaves since she let us have all of her grapes and apples. We thought it was the least we could do. She has a couple of big sycamore trees as well as several others so we knew there would be plenty of leaves to play in. The weekend we were planning on doing it a storm rolled through so we didn't make it till Monday after school only to find out that her brother had come and raked up a bunch over the weekend so there weren't as many as there could be but we still raked up about 10 bags worth. Lets just say the kids had a blast. We told them there would be no jumping and playing until the last pile needed to be picked up. They went to town. That's not to say that there weren't a few leave throwing wars going on but we were done in no time flat and then I pulled out the camera and started snapping away.

I think this will have to become a tradition and with how much fun the kids had I don't think they will have problems jumping in them even as teenagers!

Between Conference Sessions

So between sessions of conference the weather was beautiful and we made the kids go out and run around for a while. We all ended up being outside enjoying the beautiful fall weather (I don't know if you can call 80+ degrees fall weather). While the boys and Steve played football I gave the girls airplane rides. After a couple times I ran in to get my camera. There is nothing like looking up at your child's face against a dark blue sky and seeing the pure joy shining through. Those are definitely times I want to capture on my camera.

The boys were definitely competitive as usual and always competing for Dad's attention, as was the case here.

Seth got upset and Steve had to go and have a little talk with him. It was quite cute if I do say so myself.

You know Steve is serious when he starts using his hands to talk.

After the airplane rides the girls started coloring

Oh I have great kids and pretty cute to if I do say so myself!

Highland Water Fountains

We have heard about these Water Fountains in Highland for a while but haven't been able to go when others had invited us, but Nat called the other day and invited us to go with her and the kids so we went and had a great time. Damen thought he was a little too old for all of it, even though there were plenty of teenagers having a great time, so he wouldn't show any emotion or proof that he actually liked it. But the rest of the kids had a great time and loved it. Thanks for inviting us Nat.


Seth and Railey

Seth and Kate

Damen refusing to get wet, probably to prove a point

Nat and me and the kids

Kenna trying to climb out of the "river"

couldn't resist this one even though her head is cut off. And to think those legs have actually gotten skinnier.

We did have a good time and it was refreshing to get wet on such a hot day. Thanks Nat and we definitely will go again.

One nice Day

The weather here has pretty much, lets see how to put it nicely,--SUCKED. It has been cold and rainy all spring long. I'm beginning to wonder if we shouldn't change what we think of as spring to later months because that way we wouldn't be so disappointed that it's cold and rainy. Let's just say spring is May and June instead of March- May. But everything would have to change, even school schedules, because I don't want a cold summer. What else would have to change? Growing season--Oh yea it already has. We have planted some things but have yet to plant our big garden because I'm afraid we'd lose it all (that and it's not quite ready--one more tilling).

OK--enough complaining--sorry. Just had to get that off my chest but it sure puts a damper on work and everything else. But on one nice day we did take the kids to the park and let them play. It was beautiful and just fun to be outside! Here are all four swinging away. It was a nice break for them and for me as well.

Easter Pics

Well I'll just begin by saying it was Kenna's nap time. It does explain a lot but I'll let you feel bad that I had to go to church with her after this. Oh what a nightmare. I wish I knew how to combine pictures to have 3 in 1 like I have seen on other blogs but I don't so you'll just have to bear with me. But I love how these first three pictures represent the whole photo session. They are Kenna taking off her bow. Oh how she loves bows! Ready. Set. Go

Can't you tell she is not amused.

The boys did a great job. They can be pretty patient--sometimes!

Dad and his two little princesses

Dad and his handsome boys

Me trying to deal with a screaming baby and still try to fake a smile

The only way to capture Kenna in with the other kids.

These 3 had no problem posing for the camera

As you can tell. You gotta love those cheeks.

Each one had to have a "kissing shot"

The "kissing shot" all started a few years back when one of our favorite shots of the boys was Damen (2) kissing Seth (2 months) on the cheek.

I threw Kenna up and begged the rest of the kids to look at the camera. Didn't really work though.

Dad and all the kids, with Kenna who is so done!

Easter Egg Hunt-s

Oh we had a great Easter. All of the hunting for candy takes place on Saturday at our house, so that we can focus on what Easter is all about on Sunday. Lets just say we did plenty of candy grabbing this year. Last year Steve and Seth happened to be over at Smith's buying groceries when they had a candy grab going on. So this year the kids were all excited to do it again. We got up really early and had breakfast and then went to Smith's for breakfast as well (donut holes and cocoa). Then we wandered the store showing the kids where they would gather candy because each age group is in a different part of the store. I sent the boys off and stuck around with Railey. Her age group was 1-3. So I guess Kenna could do it too but really none of the kids had any idea of what to do. They all just stood there as their Moms threw candy in their baskets for them.

Here's Raiely waiting for "GO." See all that candy in the back.

The girls were gathering away when they would come and dump more bags over their heads. The girls got twice as much candy as the boys combined. Seth said he liked following behind everyone picking up what others left behind. Whatever!

Then we headed home and worked in the yard and shared a ton of our loot with the neighbors. After we got done doing that the kids realized that the Easter Bunny had come and we went and looked for eggs before heading off to a soccer game. Here's Kenna. She loved shaking the eggs and was completely content with these two eggs the rest of the day.

Here's Damen hunting away. He and Seth also got new kites

Seth and Damen were so good to leave eggs for Railey. Here's Seth telling Railey to come get an egg right there.

The pure joy of being a child. I love how happy she is here. It was fun to follow her around and snap pictures of the joy.

Ben happened to show up in time for the hunt and snapped a picture of our family.

Kate had to be in the kids picture. We were glad she was. And grateful she helped eat some of the candy. We had so much as you can see below. One bowl with the suckers and smarties was full. That's what we picked up from Smith's the other was from all the eggs that were filled. We just dump everything together so there isn't complaints about the fact that "he got more eggs than I did."

We had a great Easter Saturday and on Sunday we focused on Christ. I did a little treasure hunt for our Scripture Reading. But the kids were pretty disappointed that there was nothing in the treasure egg, and that it was empty, because he was "risen." They said that was pretty dumb. But Steve and I tried to help them understand that that truly is the greatest treasure we could have, the knowledge that "He is risen" and because of that someday we will be as well!