Family Pics, 2012

We have so few family photos but through the goodness of some of our dear friends, we now have some current ones!  I am beyond thrilled.  Our friendly photographer says they are not done yet but I had to share because they look great to me.

We wanted to go to Cheekwood for these shots because my previous favorite family shot was also taken there too.  Remember this one right before Oliver was born in 2010? (Taken by Lee Steffen.)

And for the record, I know I look like a lollipop.  I asked for "Emma Stone" red hair thinking that would be easier than describing what I wanted.  Next time, I will go ahead and spell it out.

And here we are in 2012, expecting yet again!  ( And the boys still look tired... :)

Love these!  Thanks so much, Neal and Sarah!

Christmas and New Year's, 2011

 Here is a little photo recap of our recent holiday happenings...

Grandma, Grandpa, and the grandkids on Christmas Eve

A little gift for Grandma...

...that the boys helped me with.

My pillow project plus Jared's project for me ended up sleep-depriving us both enough to get us his and hers illnesses and antibiotics.  LAME

Paint drying on the speakers Jared made for me!  LOVE that he can make this kind of thing!

One half of the final product and they sound amazing!

Angel baby couldn't stay out of the manger.

A wise man with his precious gift :).

A sweet moment Oliver had sharing the view of a phone with cousin Reyn.

Oliver loves his new Rody!

The boys could not be more thrilled to have joined the 21st century.  

We decided to have a bonfire and cookout on New Year's Eve eve.  Zach's face is always like that in pics, huh?

Food and fun with cousins on New Year's Eve.

Some people do consider chess "fun."

Zach and cousin trying to virtually hurt each other.

Its PINK!

We are all in shock.  This baby is a GIRL!!!!!!   AAAAAAAHHHHHGHGGGHHGHHHH!

My reaction: "I don't know how to do hair!"

Jared's reaction: "How will we protect her!?"

The boys were all super happy.  I was tickled with how excited they were.

Then last night Tyson had a concern.  "Mom, I feel bad for our baby girl.  I mean come on!  Who has FOUR older brothers!?"  I just told him I can think of several young ladies who do and from what I can tell, they are seriously loved and protected ladies.

I am over the moon, as you can guess.  I know I would have been happy for a boy again but come on!  Now I will get to shop on the pink side, which has heretofore been known as "the Dark Side."

Total joy.  :) :) :)

Halloween Happened - 2011

In spite of my efforts to the contrary, things keep happening.  Alas, Halloween was a fun day and here is the proof.

This year was pretty easy costume-wise, thank goodness.  Will wanted to be Sherlock Holmes, which just involved teaching him to say "Elementary, my dear Watson" and giving him my tweed coat to wear plus a great hat and a homemade cape.  Oh and a magnifying glass.  Tyson wanted to be Cookie Monster, purportedly because can do such a great imitation of the voice.  He borrowed the hat from a friend, found blue clothing and painted his own face blue with some blue eyeshadow.  He insisted on tilting his head down for all pictures...   Zach decided to dress as Harry Potter at the last minute.  He was very cute and had that fact verified to him by a group of teenage girls, which absolutely left him beaming.  Oliver stayed home with me but was dressed in the boys' old froggy suit and was adorable!

We had an awesome crowd at the house and enjoyed food and general silliness.   Baby 5.0 and I
are sooooo glad its cider and pumpkin cake season!

And then there is this mildly disturbing photo.

Last but not least, here is what I did with the loot.

I'm not sure how this idea was born but it is working out great for us.  First, I told the boys to pick their top ten favorite treats that they could keep and not share and eat at will.  This was soon negotiated to 11. :)  Then we sorted all the candy and ranked it in order of yumminess.  Next, we assigned the candy a Monopoly money value and made a chart depicting how the boys can "earn money."  Their tasks are just their everyday things we ask them to do, like practice instruments, do chores, read, etc...  I am loving this system because the candy is leaving slower, hence no upset tummies or sugar buzzes.  I also love the motivation it added to our daily routine.  I was the banker at first and now I just kinda watch and let them work it on the honor system.  And yes, there is a parental tax on the candy still.  Ha!

Another round of Name That Baby!

Can you name these two boys of mine??  Hint:  The first three are the same kid and the second three are the same kid.

A few recent photos

Poor me.  I am sick today.  Really I am fine, just honestly happy for the excuse to sit right here and not move except for occasionally getting up to grab a snack.  ;)

Here is a glimpse of a few recent haps...

Love this pic of Ollie "driving" Dad's car.

I was the "mystery reader" in Zach's class.  I'm not sure why, but reading to kids is one of my favorite things ever!  Note how Ollie is licking his blanket.  Pretty sure that is his bliss.

I've been telling people to watch for me and Zach in the commercials we shot recently.  Luckily, someone spotted Zach's and I will get to see it soon but I still am not sure if mine is out.  Look for me in a Sylvan Learning Center spot!  And please let me know if you see it... even better, record it for me!  :)

Thanks--

A middle schooler, a 3rd grader, a 1st grader and a lonely little brother

Back to school.  Look how much they have grown since last year!

Since Will leaves an hour earlier than the other boys now, we did pictures separately.  Oliver seems a little stunned at the silence in the car and in the house.  I feel the same.  

And another pic of Ollie with his dad because I love it:

I love how Ollie is just chillin' there, arms hanging down with his rock star glasses on....