A picture's worth a thousand words.

I took this picture so that one day when my kids are grown up and gone and I am feeling sad and missing them, I can look back and remember what my kitchen floor used to look like and maybe not feel so sad that they grew up.

Excuse me while I go take some photos of the laundry room.

This Summer

We had a great summer which included a lot of playing in the backyard, some fence building (still not done with that project), and a massive road trip with two family reunions. I did not take a single picture while we were with family. Not one. I guess I was too busy soaking up family time to bother pulling out the camera, but I regret that a little now. We had such a great time with such amazing people, and I wish I had something to look at now to help me remember it all. I did take a few pictures of some of the things we saw on the way, though.

We went to the Grand Canyon, and were definitely impressed. I thought we could see it and be done with it in less than an hour, but we spent all morning there, and could have stayed longer.

The vastness of it was a little hard to take in. 

After we took this picture, Barak said, "I don't ever want to go that close the edge again." We were still on the regular trail, but he didn't like how low the wall was.

I think this is called the Navajo Bridge, and we've crossed it a couple of times, but never taken the time to stop. It is very, very beautiful. To me it felt like the Grand Canyon, but on a level that I could comprehend.

We also stopped at Shoshone Falls, which was incredible! Why don't more people talk about Shoshone Falls?!

And of course Multnomah Falls. Because how can you just drive past that?

Isaac did ALL of the driving. He packed the car by himself, too. 

I wish I could add pictures of Lizzy fishing with her Uncles, the hikes we went on, the campfire s'mores, playing in the dunes, the kite festival in Lincoln City, playing at Chuck E Cheese, and all my favorite people, too. Maybe next time. 

First Day of School

The first day of school is rough. Not for the kids. I completely forgot to take the usual picture until we were almost to school and it was too late, so these are from the afternoon. As I am writing this post it is 1:15 on a Tuesday and the house is very quiet. Henry and Ivan are napping, so the only sounds I hear are the click, click, clicking of my keys and the ice maker filling in the freezer. (Why is that so loud?) Usually I find a quiet house restful, but you know what? I miss my kids.

I think we need  bigger front door.

 Third grade, here I come!

So excited for Kindergarten, but maybe even more excited for his new lunchbox.

Too cool for school.

Just kidding. He was just in a hammy mood.

Second Grade!!

Now My Butt is Even Bigger

If you have a moment, you should go back and watch a video that I posted here on September 1, 2010. And then watch this one and marvel at how much my kids have grown up.

Yellow

We have these little tabs that change your bath water different colors. Yesterday, I made the boys' bathwater yellow, and they splashed happily for a time. After awhile I thought I would tease Sebastian about the color of the water, so I said, "Sebastian! Did you pee in the bathtub?!" 

Without even looking up he said, "Yup." 

Well. 

I guess that was a silly question to ask a four-year-old boy, potty trained or not.

This is what it looks like

This is what it looks like when your dad has an awesome lawnmower (which he has already had to fix three time).

 This is what it looks like before a mud run.

 And this is what your team looks like after the mud run is over.

 This is what it looks like when too many kids try to ride the tricycle at the same time. 

 This is what it looks like when the tornado sirens go off on the way to soccer practice. (Please note the NOAA radio, the iPad tuned into a local weather station, and the scattered boxes of raisins that were intended as a team snack. Missing in this picture is the Gatorade stain that was the obvious result of allowing Sebastian to drink something red on the carpet.)

And finally, this is what it looks like when you have the world's cutest baby.

Sandbox

Ever since we moved in, we've had a hard time keeping our children from digging in the backyard. Isaac and I are not completely opposed to the kids playing in the dirt, but Sebastian liked to pick random places in the middle of the yard. A friend of mine loaned us this ladybug sandbox, which the kids loved, but as you can see, it's kind of a one-kid thing. I'm not exaggerating when I say that all four of the older kids tried to fit into it at once.

 So I found some plans online, and we got a pile of wood.

 We also had to buy a couple of power tools, which is awesome. I've been dreaming up new projects to use them on ever since. I did a lot of sanding, and I painted on the seal, but Isaac pretty much did everything else. 

 It fits our family much better. 

Almost every day after school Sebastian runs outside and sits in the sandbox. Sometimes he builds sandcastles, sometimes he tunnels, and sometimes he just sits, letting the sand run through his fingers. One time I stepped outside to check on him, and I didn't see him, so I called his name. His little voice answered from inside the sandbox's closed lid. He was just lying there relaxing. Anyway, he doesn't dig up the yard anymore. Much.

Easter 2016

All five of them managed to hold still for half a second, so I was pleased.  I think they clean up pretty well. 

 

Of course, this picture is a little closer to reality.

The oldest and the youngest. Seriously, I should have had an eight-year-old daughter with all my babies. She is such a great big sister, and a huge help to me. 

Lizzy adores the Easter dress my mom made for her this year. She said it makes her feel like a ballerina. 

It is my favorite times a hundred when they can all play happily together. 

Lizzy decorated this year's bunny cake all by herself. She was very proud of it. 

So. It's been awhile. Since the last time I wrote, we had a baby, bought a house and collectively ate 12 birthday cakes. Well, a couple of those may have been pie instead of cake, but let's not quibble. Anyway, the most recent pictures have not been uploaded from my camera, but since the baby is going to wake up any second, and Sebastian will only be distracted by the sandbox for so long, this is what I've got.

Ivan

 We love him. He is happy unless he is hungry or sleepy. He learned to crawl way before I was ready for it. His favorite thing to do is eat things off the kitchen floor.

 Henry

No longer the baby, and don't you dare call him anything but a big boy (to his face), but still wants to be carried around the house and have his every whim immediately satisfied. Tells very good, detailed stories. Copies absolutely everything he sees his older siblings do. Loves yogurt, and books, and playing with toys.

 Sebastian

Funny. We had to build a sandbox just so he would stop digging up the yard. It mostly worked. Loves ramen and jumping around. Knows all the words to his school and primary songs and sings with gusto. Wants to know about everything.

 Barak

Loves to run, play soccer and read. He is anxious to learn multiplication and division. Socially adept, messy, fun. Ivan thinks he's hilarious.

 Lizzy

Dreams big. Reads better than I do. Loves to bake and share. She is getting so responsible and has been a huge help with the youngest two. Fun to talk to.

And now the baby's awake. So that's all.