Picture Update.

Since I don't post alot of pictures, I thought that I would try to show some highlights of the past couple of months.

Here is our new room. It is at a bad angle. I couldn't really see what I was uploading. But you get the most important part. Dave's feet as he quietly reads a newspaper. Alone.

Here is a picture of Eli, Emma and Tripper in the side yard from a couple of weeks ago.

Look how tall Eli is! 6'1 and still growing. Only 150 pounds. A beanpole. Emma at dance recital last weekend. I have some really good ones.

Emma and Mallie.

Emma was mad because her costume did not have any sparkles. She is a mini-Pam Sadler.

Mallie is going to be a big sister in November.

Another of the kids.

Emma's soccer team.

Check out her number. Both she and Tripp are #35.

Do you know why they chose that number?

For me. Because I am 35. Well, for another month or so.

Emma pointing as she kicks. I like this because it reminds me of Eli.

The girls again.

My anniversary flowers.

Our anniversary was March 22. He picked out Cala Lillies. I carried them when we got married.

My favorite flower bouquet he has ever sent me~!

All my favorite flowers - tulips, Gerber Daisies... Good Job!

Shopping till we dropped.

Today, I took the girls out for a Christmas shopping day. We went to Santa's Workshop, lunch, JCPenney's, The Children's Place, Old Navy... the list goes on and on. Boy, the girls love to shop. We had a great time.

I was looking for picture outfits. I have decided to become brave and have all five kids' pictures made. Whew! Why would I ever complain about three? It is so hard to match them up. We have a joke that by this Christmas, I would have all three girls in matching smocked dresses and the boys in the matching sweater vests. Aunt Jamie would have to do an intervention. I was excited last weekend when I found Christmas tops with little bells - and they had various sizes to fit all the girls! I got so, so excited! And I called Annie over and showed them to her. She, being the funny girl that she is, said, "Aunt Jamie? Where are you?"

Point was taken. I put them down.

No matching smocked dresses. ;(

So anyways, we are doing all different colors - Hot Pink for Emma, Bright Orange for Michelle, Teal Blue for Annie. I don't know about Eli and Tripp yet. We are also doing scarves and hats.

It should be fun!

Family Updates - in pictures!

This weekend, Emma pulled her first tooth.

Here she is showing what happened.

She has to make a pit-bull face to really see the hole!

The weather this past weekend was great- Ethan came over and rode the tricycle with Emma.



I love this picture. Isn't she so pretty?



The kids were excited to jump on the trampoline.

Tripper's truck battery was dead. So he pushed it to the top of the hill, got in it and rode it down to the bottom. It is still sitting there. His words? "IT WAS AWESOME!"

Notice the bare feet? The kids were outside barefoot all day Sunday.
They asked me to fill the swimming pool. I told them no, it was just February. So then they asked me if I would squirt them down with the hose.

Can you tell they have been cooped up too long?

Here is another view of Emma with the missing tooth.

She was so excited!

Here is a great picture of Emma and Ethan riding. These kids are so funny.

Is everyone ready for SNOW tomorrow?

UGH.

Impromptu photo session

Yesterday afternoon.

The boys were outside playing.

I grabbed my camera.

I sat them under the nearest tree.

Don't they look thrilled?

Look at the babies!

Eli after soccer practice yesterday.


Emma outside playing.

Tripp striking a pose.

Emma got a new haircut today. I will post pictures soon.

Eli got a new haircut last week. See it? It is off his head. Work proactive, please work!

Tripp needs a haircut.

The Weekend.

This weekend was spent mostly just moving more stuff and lounging around. We have had a special guest - my 4th child - Mallie. Since her parents are moving, she has been visiting frequently. She is so quirky and witty. What an attitude! She is tired of being away from home and she told me,"I don't want to be here." Gotta love the honesty.

When I was getting ready for church, this is what I found watching TV. That is Tripp and Mallie. They are big buddies.

Later on the in afternoon, I tried to have an impromptu photo session with my kids. They were playing in the floor, we were listening to music (which seems to be a daily occurrence here) and I thought maybe I could get some shots of them. Have you ever tried to pose THREE kids? Especially when they are not interested and only feel like pestering their mother?

Here is what I got.

Eli picking on the little kids - they love it!

Oh, no. The girl is sensitive. Eli hurt her head.

NO, wait. She is faking.

And then I got this shot. I love it. It is the only good one.

Before Church.

Here are some pictures that I managed to snap this morning before church. Notice Tripp's hand casually in his pocket? That was NOT solicited by me. He posed. And, the kid looks just like his daddy. Oh my.

Where is Eli, you may wonder? He is in the bathroom trying to stratigically place his hair where it looks messy - but not on purpose. He is always the last one out the door. And, he is the kid with the sullen face.

Emma proceeded to strike a pose. This is one of her many supermodel poses. She also posed by the tree, up against a tree, and practiced changing her facial expressions.

Look at this boy. Just so you know, this is his "special face." I get this face when he is trying to get out of trouble, when he is cute, when he is sweet.

I have even been told- during punishment, "But Mom, I am giving you my special face."

Oh wait, here comes Eli. Sullen teenager. It is 8:40 am.