Bring this boy some steak!

Shane's first tooth just popped through. Very exciting news for him. This boy wants food. Now please. We couldn't get a shot of his tooth but I couldn't resist putting up this adorable photo of him.

Snow Day!

Yes, I'm late posting this. We had snow last week! All of 2 inches but the kids were thrilled. Jake was on a Boy Scout ski trip so he missed our excitement.

I was born and raised in Texas. I don't like to be cold at all. Snow is not my friend, but I bundled everyone up and we headed out to follow deer, fox and rabbit tracks around our yard and along the creek. They really had a great time shoveling the gravel driveway and sliding down our big pile of mulch. Hank made snow angels while Ella threw snow BB's (not big enough to be a snowball) onto him. Shane, as always, was a good sport and was happy for me to drag him around in his sled.

Blu is our short, fat dog. He is well insulated for this weather (think whale). Lester is a wimp. She's also skinny so she gets cold easily. She danced around in the backyard for a little while trying not to get her feet wet but then ran up to the deck and waited for us to finish our adventure so we could let her in.

Ella and Hank were very disappointed that it was all gone by the next day. Bill may have to break down and take the 3 big ones skiing while mommy and Shane sip hot tea next to a toasty fire. hmmmm that sounds like a really good idea...

Ella's Nap

She can sleep anywhere, anytime. She is famous for falling asleep standing in the livingroom and at the dinner table. We all have gifts and special talents. Now we need to figure out how to capitalize on this one. :)

Before and After

http://www.babyblues.com/Testing/index.php?formname=getstrip&GoToDay=07/1/06

http://www.babyblues.com/Testing/index.php?formname=getstrip&GoToDay=04/09/06

I was looking through the archives of one of my favorite cartoons and found these to be very appropriate for my life currently. One day I'll look back and only vaguely remember the things that seem so hard right now.

What I will remember is these 4 little peeps are each rather amazing in their own little way and that I have been blessed far more than I imagined possible.

Special Nap

I just had to post this picture. I have a couple of pictures (I think) of him holding Ella's hand during a nap. I'll have to find it.

Hank really enjoys his role as a big brother and he's pretty good at it, too. I can usually count on him to look out for Ella and Shane. Pictures like this help me forget the times he leads the pantry invasion to liberate all the marshmallows and graham sticks. :)

Open your eyes Bill!

We have noticed that Bill has the uncanny ability to blink nearly every time you take his picture. You can bet his eyes will be closed or almost closed 99.99% of the time. It's true. We have started documenting this because he doesn't believe us.

I'm organizing our Photobucket

I won't post the individual links to all the albums, but I'm trying to get more photos uploaded and organized.

I have created a folder for Ella and Hank's photography. They love taking pictures with the camera Aunt Cindy and Aunt Helen (oh yea the Uncles Keith, too :) ) got Ella for her birthday.
There's also a folder for Jake's photography. He earned the merit badge for it and seems to enjoy snapping pix of plants and flowers.

Enjoy!

Christmas 06

Wow. I haven't updated in a while. Sorry about that. We had the plague make a few rounds through the house. Something about 4 sick kids throws a wrench into your schedule.

Here are some shots from Christmas. As always email me if you need the password.

Our new church had its first Christmas service the morning of the 24th. It was very well attended. I'm glad we're here. Frederick county seemed to have been waiting for us, and it is exciting to see it all unfold.

Christmas Eve we went to Bill, Sr's house to eat and hang out with aunts and uncles we don't get to see nearly enough. We forgot the camera so there are no pictures, sorry.

We spent Christmas morning at home taking it easy. The little ones were tired from the day before so we slowly opened gifts and layed around.

We headed to DeeDee's house that afternoon. Hank seemed a little out of sorts and we figured he was tired. When we got there, we realized he had a pever, as he would say. He lay on the couch next to Grandpa Frank during the gift frenzy. We didn't realize how bad he felt until he almost threw up on Frank's lap. oops! So we spent the rest of the evening running to the bathroom so Hank could be sick. Poor little guy.

We all spent Tuesday taking it easy and thankfully none of the other kids got sick. It really was a great Christmas and we enjoyed spending time with our family.