Noah

I was finally able to get the nail polish out of his hair and all without cutting it. :) I love how his hair curls all up after his bath.

Daily Life

I've not written much at all since we've moved! It's too bad, because its been such an eventful year, so much fun and so many firsts... I guess too many though, because I've been so busy I haven't even thought about blogging. Hoping to catch up though. :). Here is just a little glimpse into daily life right now for us. :) Not sure how to caption the photos in order using the phone app... So hopefully it makes sense. Jaden has been reading more and more! Big blessing, because he has had such a struggle and little desire to do so. He loves Hank the Cowdog, it is for sure his favorite right now. :). Noah still has not had a haircut. It's getting so out of control that it is almost funny. He currently has a big clump of nail polish stuck in there... as is common, he is always getting into something he shouldn't and making a huge mess!!! We are absolutely loving our chickens. This is a picture of Noah trying to give the chickens back one of their eggs. :). He is so funny right now, saying so many things! The last picture was just the kitchen after dinner last night. This is a very common scene, it is amazing how much of a mess is involved with cooking for all of these people. I know someday ill want to remember these things when I have it easy. ;) That's it for now, but I am planning a big photo shoot with updates on all the kids, so stay tuned! :)

Rango

I thought It would be appropriate to make my blogging comeback with a cute picture of the newest addition... meet Rango! He is a baby blue and gold macaw that we have been wanting for so, so long!! He is a sweet guy and we are thrilled to have him... He is our 10th anniversary gift to each other, haha, not how most people would celebrate, but we couldn't be happier with the milestone and the return to something we both loved and enjoyed long before children! :)

a few photos

We made it!!!

Well, after much neglect, I am making a blogging comeback... I need to update about 4 months worth of stuff, life has been really crazy and hard and wonderful for the past 4-5 months! For now, and until I have an Internet connection, I am just going to put up some of the pictures from my cell phone and update with what is going on, and what funny things kids are saying. Here is a picture of our new house, complete with snow and a fun instagram filter that makes it look very dreamy. That is exactly how it feels, we still can't believe that it worked out, but we are here!! :)

Kid quotes

Jaden: "Why would we want to get a cat??" Me: "To catch mice.". Jaden: "So they don't eat our cheese fields?!"

Look Who's 2!!

We did a little birthday photo shoot at home since we had already had photos taken.  This was the day they turned two.  Two two year olds.  Two of them.  That are two.  Whoa!  You can tell who is happy to have her picture taken, and who had other ideas.  :)

Cuteness

Family Pictures (November 2011)

Fun with Lights!

I had a little helper with the lights this year...

He was quite enamoured with them, and didn't want to let me put them up on the tree.

But he looked so cute, I couldn't resist snapping a few photos. :)

We eventually got the job done, and now my job is to keep him away from the tree!

Christmas Program 2011

Halloween 2011

Pumpkin Patch 2011

Kid Quotes

"Jaden, I know this is a fun day, but it is also the anniversary of something terrible... Pearl Harbor Day...the Japanese attacked our Navy and killed thousands of our men.". J: "Oh, I know, it's awesome, because then we dropped an atom bomb on them and destroyed most of their cities. We won. Can you imagine all of those people laying around in the sun and enjoying the beautiful state of Hawaii, and then getting bombed??? Why would those Japanese do such a thing??? I'm glad we won.". Haha, I love this kid.

Kid Quotes

Jaden came in for the 700th time (it seemed) tonight and said, "Baylee is being mean again.". I, exasperated, nursing Noah and just wanting to be left alone replied, "Well Jaden, what can we learn from that?". He replied, "We can learn to be thankful.". I perked up, hopeful that my exhaustion and apathy had lead to a teachable moment by the grace of God. I said, "Ok, what can you be thankful for in this situation?". He quickly asserted, "That her kicking skills are not very good!"

Giantmouseratleopard

The infamous giantmouseratleopard. Someday he will outgrow this and I will miss the legendary, mythical creature I hear about every waking minute. Until then, I will let you all enjoy along with me.

recent things...

Can anyone believe my mom is 50???  I can't.  Except for the fact that she has 7 grandchildren, you would never know.  :)

Baylee and Madison

Mom and her kids. :)

Brenna loves to smash scrambled eggs in her hair every morning.  Lovely.

Which leads to bathtime, inevitably.

It is probably her plan all along.

Our olive tree has ripe fruit, finally!

We have been harvesting and curing like crazy!  :)  It is my first time, so I am hoping it works out!

A few of our jars, should be ready in May.  :)

Noah got a high chair!  He doesn't look all that happy about it here, but he loves it.  Now, he is part of the family at meal times.

And then there is this one... he is just busy being adorable!