Apparently It's Only An Issue For Me

Steven has been traveling a bit, so yesterday when he was home I took the opportunity to run out and get everything from diapers to blueberries. When I got back Steven met me at the car to unload and informed me that the kids were playing in the backyard. It was strangely warm enough, and I was so excited that they were at least temporarily out of the house. I came to the backdoor to look out at them.

I've seen worse, but I do admit, this much dirt by the door is a red flag.

Who can send a boy outside and not have them be dirty? I wasn't so worried when I saw this.

When I saw this I began to worry. He has a bucket full of dirt? And he's feeling creative with it? Yikes.

I knew it before I saw it. She didn't seem to mind, and she actually was standing still under the bucket for her dirt shower.

The whole time I was washing and washing trying to get that dirt out of her hair, the rest of my family was looking at me like, "What's the problem?" I guess it's my issue!

P.S. Don't let the picture fool you. The whole time this one was explaining in exquisite detail how much she doesn't like teething...

Abigail

I am SO in love with this girl today. Sometimes she just steals my heart.

Today is one of those days.

Marsha

I love this picture. Recently I was going through some letters from when Steven and I were first married. I was so impressed looking back at how sweet Steven's mother was to me, the newbie. She has always been so loving, and this picture shows exactly the relationship they have.

When Baby Blythe was born, she took her sweet time in the delivery room. So, by the time she was born, Steven basically passed out. Here you can see him feeling a bit sheepish, and his mom taking care of him. I loved it. He struggled so badly that my sister Candy actually had to cut the cord because they wouldn't let Steven hold scissors. It was a great day.

Thanks Marsha for being such a great mom and Grandma.

Pictures From Steven's Phone

Our newest blog series, pictures I found on Steven's phone...

Gotta love a dad who loves to take pictures!

Ode To Daddy

We were so lucky that Steven was able to be with us so much during the Holiday's. The kids are trying to adjust to him being gone again, they miss him. There are some days that he is gone before they wake up and home after they go to bed. I feel so lucky that I get to be with them everyday. I never thought about how hard that must be for dad's. I love this picture because you can tell that Steven had been wrestling with Cooper (hence the cheeks), and I couldn't get Abby to leave his side.

Thanks for being such a great dad Steven.

Oh Boy.

The other day Ginny and I were having a conversation and we both stopped and said, "What's that noise?"

Here it is. Apparently a snack was needed. This little guy is boy through and through. If there is a way to get into trouble he'll find it. Not maliciously, he just finds trouble. Oh Boy.

Grandparent Jammies

Grandma and Grandpa Daines gave us some fun jammies for Christmas, so we tried to capture the fun. I realize there is a toilet in the background, but it was the best doorway for the jumper. Just try your best to ignore it!

My life in a nutshell.

It Looked A lot Like Christmas

Here's the story from top to bottom.

We woke up the two older kids on Christmas morning, and they were amazing. We had so much fun opening presents with Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie and Uncle. We're so lucky to have Grandparents who will bring some of their presents and participate with our Christmas morning. It so contributes the feelings of Christmas morning that I remember.

Cooper was in love with his stocking Pringles and dollar toys. He had so much fun opening lots of little things, I'm going to do that forever!

He loved his firetruck. It was too cliche not to get. He slept with the truck on Christmas day, and continues to sleep with it next to his bed.

Baby Abby managed to break her glasses the night before Christmas Eve
at 4:45. Translation-too late to do anything about it before the super long Christmas weekend. Our biggest gift to her was continuing to tape/band aid/superglue her glasses until her new ones came. It was such a challenge because I knew she was struggling to see each day, it was tough. But all is well now. Babs is in love with anything stuffed right now, so we got her the biggest stuffed animal we could find. In one of the pictures you can see her sleeping with it, those are her pink boots in the bottom.

After present opening, we had family come for breakfast, and we had a blast.

Merry Belated Christmas!