A little more sleep

That is an exciting title; it just really expresses the deep and thrilling day-to-dayness of life with kids. Those with kids especially know what this is like. Sierra has been sleeping a bit better, and we've been getting the kids down at better times (8:00 or 8:30, yeah!); this gets us to bed earlier, and we even get some couple time. If the kids get out of bed, we give them 50 lashes and they go back down. (OK, just kidding. If we give each of them some individual time, they usually go right to bed.)

We had a great time at a local petting ranch/farm. Kaitlyn got a little emotional about this picture ("I don't wanna take a picture!"), and Raquel is comforting her, and Adam is being weird.

Goats are a lot of fun to feed!


The petting ranch gave free hayrides too; gotta love it!


I just don't get tired of cute pix of older kids holding babies.


Another petting opportunity, this time at a local church for a Saturday neighborhood get-together and barbecue.


Awwwww!




Attentive baby during bathtime.


My parents the Ripps came out last weekend for Sierra's baby blessing (which was of course a very special occasion). How wonderful to have them here for two days! We did manage to get some nice family photos, the one above right after church (when else would kids be dressed up?). Mom Ripp MADE the beautiful golden princess dress you see Kaitlyn wearing, above. It for Halloween, but of course it looks amazing anywhere. Raquel loves wearing the dress Mom made for her for Jen's wedding last January (of course, she won't fit in it much longer). Mom McFarland made Sierra's blessing dress, so she's truly our little angel.