Random things

My first attempt at a crocheted ski mask for Adam

chunk of icicle from our church building!

Adam's Crimson Cruiser (on left) came in 3rd place at the Pinewood Derby this year in our church's cub scout group (of about 25-30 cub scouts)!

Siblings

Gotta luv 'em!

Back to School!

Impromptu family shot...my how our numbers have grown since we moved here 4 yrs. ago!

We've been trying to capture that sweet smile of his. Gotta love the double chin :), chubby cheeks, and peach-fuzz head, etc.

I love it when they giggle together.

K's first day of first grade. She looks like she's ready to conquer school. A's a 3rd grader now! When did they get so old? Last week was a breeze with no homework. Do you think they'll be ready to hit the books this week?

Welcome home, Tyler.

Here are some happy big sisters (for Sierra, it's the first time)! Kaitlyn is always quite the little mother, and she loves holding babies for long periods of time. Raquel wants to, but tires more easily and also has to compete with K! Sierra points, says "baby!", and tries to touch Tyler's eyes.

Raquel has such a tender soul -- here, while holding Tyler, she spontaneously burst into tears. We couldn't imagine what was wrong with her, so we asked. She answered between sobs, "the baby's crying!" We explained that this is just how babies tell us what they need, that it doesn't mean they are in trouble or pain, and she nodded, and her sobbing slowed.

Kaitlyn is content to hold the baby for 10-20 minutes at a time (maybe more). It's one of the few activities that gets her to sit still.

I've always loved baby hand pictures, especially comparing them with adult hands. The delicacy and intricacy is a marvel and a miracle (which emphasizes the miracle of life itself)!

We have a few other "baby foo foo" pictures of our other kids, so here's Tyler's. Awwwww!

Welcome home, baby boy! You are very welcome!

BELOW ARE BABY PIX OF OUR OTHERS-- JUST REMINISCING!

Sierra (2008).

Raquel, 2006.

Kaitlyn (the elf) (2003).

Adam at age 4 months (the first digital I could find!) (2002).

Sisterly friendship

It makes me smile to see my two younger girls becoming friends, helping each other on the swing, snuggling on the couch, playing together, and just enjoying being together. We went to the Meijer Gardens the other day, and they loved getting wet, playing with the toy boats in the mini pools of the Great Lakes.

Look familiar to anyone? (Same artist's [blown glass] work at the Indpls. Children's Museum.)

What big girls! R pushing S.

Chuck E. Cheese's

Adam tried catching a ride on the back, but an employee made him get down (safety first).

This is an American place that we don't take our kids to, unless it's mostly free! Thanks Club Med, the kids had a ball!

Fun in the snow

The kids got a snow day last week. They were so excited :) (These photos were from the Saturday before.) Sierra loved being on the sled while daddy pulled her around; she looked so relaxed. And Kaitlyn and Raquel used some tie-dye water to color the snow. Fun winter art. I think Adam opted to stay inside this time :(

Lovely Hair

I've braided Kaitlyn's hair a few times, and she seems to really like the after effect. She kept looking in the mirror to see if her hair was still wavy.

I've tried to do something with Sierra's hair before, but she always tugs at it and pulls out the holders. This hairdo stayed for maybe half an hour.

For these piggies I used the more rubber-band-like hair holders with hair clippies. That seemed to make the difference. She finally had cute little girl hair for church.

Here's Sierra's hair after-math the next day and cute Raquel; she has nice silky hair :) I love the pictures we've taken in the kaleidoscope tunnel at the children's museum.

We love our pigtail girls

Here's another one...Raquel kept them in all during church :) And after...

Raquel and Kaitlyn rarely keep anything in their hair, so I had to take a picture. Here's Matt kissing Raquel during daddy/kid playtime :)