yummy

Could you just eat these little piggies right up or what?!

So just look at these cute, chubby, Fred Flinstone feet/legs/chin/arms/body.  Seriously, we just gnaw on them all day long!  And with those nibbles comes the giggles that are completely contagious!  Such a good-natured little boy this one is!  This past week Eli has accomplished some great "firsts."  His first tooth finally broke through and another is not far behind!  He has mastered the tummy-to-back and back-to-tummy roll.  Quite a feat!  And just look at our little genius--concentrating so hard--it's all very serious! (don't mind that the toy is holding on for dear life with masking tape!  Oh to be the 5th child!)  We are loving and enjoying Eli immensely--we just can't get enough of him!

happy birthday natalie!

Where has the time gone?! Natalie has been waiting and waiting to turn 6 . . . because on the time line of events, it's after her birthday that she goes to kindergarten! We celebrated on her very birthday, June 22nd, with a family dinner consisting of all her favorites--spaghetti, pretzel salad, and birthday buttermilk pie!

Because it is the year for a friend party, we took Natalie and 5 little buddies to Kangaroo Zoo. They jumped, bounced, and slid for 2 hours and had a blast! We hope you had a wonderful day, Punkin! We love you!

Exhaustingly Joyful

I'm a firm believer that the "terrible twos" really begin about 3 or 3 1/2 years old! And this time is not really terrible (or so I try to put this thought "out to the universe")! Rather it is exhaustingly joyful--the snuggles as we read bedtime stories, the inconsolable injuries (physical and emotional)--I truly mean inconsolable, the many creative pictures of Millie and mommy, the hours of changing Barbie and Polly clothes, the "you're the meanest mom ever" to "you're the best mommy ever" in almost the same breath, the out-of-the-blue hug and caress on the cheeks from the cutest little hands, and the list goes on!  I mean, some days I could just smother her with loves. And other days I could just put her out on the porch with a "FREE" sign hanging around her neck!  

But just look at this face--who could think such a thought!   

Just the other day, I had a neighbor stop me in the hall at church--she needed to tell me about an incident that she had with Millie recently.  I immediately began apologizing and thinking the worst.  However, she proceeded to tell me that our little Millie was an answer to her prayers.   I didn't see that coming!  Her eyes welled up with tears as she explained that she has had to face some difficult challenges lately, and through her prayers, has pleaded for extra strength.  One particular difficult morning, the doorbell rang. It was Millie with a handful of flowers (hand-picked from another neighbor's yard, of course!), and said that she brought them especially for her.  My neighbor was extremely touched and felt that little gesture from a 3-year-old to be an answer to her prayers.  

Are you SURE it was Millie?

Now, if you know Millie at all, no one can even LOOK HER WAY without a scowl and a grunt from her and often a high-pitched scream--yes, she even does this to her mother!  

After hearing that she approached a neighbor's house (whom she barely knows) and rang the doorbell all by herself, I, too, know that there was a little bit of heaven guiding her that morning to cheer up our discouraged neighbor with borrowed flowers from someone's garden! 

How I love, love, love the lessons that my little ones teach me.  And I'll take those scowls, grunts, and tantrums for those precious heaven-sent moments that reminds me what I signed up for! 

Can anyone say SWIMMING?

So this pretty much sums up the first few days of our fabulous trip to Arizona. . .swimming, swimming, and more swimming. That was before the weather went from 110 degrees to 75 degrees! Can't say that I minded it a bit! There is nothing like an Arizona thunderstorm! The kids just swam their little hearts out--in and out all day long. Uncle Michael and Aunt Becky (and Melanie, too!) were sure good sports about the seven of us taking over the east wing of their home! Thank you, thank you--We love you!

Isn't this an awesome picture!? Maren was our very talented photographer; thus, she was not in any of these photos.

Davis and cousin Rylan--these two are great buddies. Time passes between visits, but they pick right up and never miss a beat!

Millie sure had a fun time swimming. Of course, I don't think she even got her hair wet! But I think she sure has a bright future in modeling, don't you think!

Here is our good-lookin' future olympian--what perfect form!

Swimming, $1 Tacos at Cafe Rio (they don't do that here), making lotion, golfing, shopping (Maren says we could have done more of this!), Wii, and relaxing. We had a great time spending time with family and friends that we don't get to see very often! It was sure fun to show off our newest little addition, Eli. However, he is not so small anymore--he is a whoppin' 18 pounds and only 4 months old! What a joy he is!

Our Upside-Down Preschool Graduate!

She did it!  Natalie has officially graduated from preschool...and now it's off to kindergarten!  Natalie was so lucky this past year to have 2 preschool teachers at two different preschools--Miss Denise and Miss Barbara.  It kept her busy, but she loves learning and being with friends.  She is SO ready for kindergarten...we decided last year to wait another year (just because) and now she is ultra-ready! She is beginning to read and, in my opinion, a smarty-pants!

Besides preschool, Natalie has enjoyed gymnastics and has quite a talent!  The bars and floor are her favorite.  She is very proud of her medal that she received for participation. I think everyone we visited in AZ had the opportunity to see a cartwheel, backbend, or handstand.  It is funny because she can't stay off of her head--always upside-down going up the stairs, on the furniture, inside, outside, ANYWHERE!  Of course, it brings back fond memories of my oh-so-long-ago life as a gymnast--can hardly touch my toes now without really feeling it!  We are so happy to have Natalie as a part of our family.  She has grown up so much this past year. She is such a big helper--entertaining Millie and Eli.  I am going to miss here when she begins school--maybe I should homeschool--who am I kiddin'!  We love you, Natalie!