8 Months Old

Sometimes I don't know what to do with all the personality these little ones throw at me, especially early in the morning, but most of the time I love it.  They are each so unique and the way they love one another and enjoy life are some of my greatest joys.

Happy 8 Months Hazelnut!

Happy 6th Birthday Sadie

Happy 6th Birthday Sadie!  Did I really say that???  Ahhh time is going way to quickly. 

The weekend before Sadie's birthday we had a Hello Kitty party with her cousins.  Unfortunately our power went out a few hours before the party, but thankfully Grammy saved the day and we were able to move the celebration to her house last minute.

We decorated bows and played pin the bow on Hello Kitty.

 This guy was really dizzy!  Haha!

Sadie's birthday was a full day.  This was her first year spending part of the day at school which was fun because it gave us another opportunity to celebrate.  Grammy helped me make these awesome cookies to bring to her class, and it was really special to get to be a part of her celebration there.  Mrs. Lute had her sit in the teachers chair and then the teachers, me, and the other students had a chance to say what we like about Sadie.  It was a lot of pressure for her to sit and have everyone talk about her, but she did well and it was sweet to hear what especially the other kids said about her.  Lots of comments about how she's a good friend, plays with everybody, and is always nice.  Mrs. Lute commented on her sweet spirit and how much she can tell she loves her family by the way she says goodbye to us in the morning and always remembers to pray for us, and I shared what a good helper and big sister she is and also that I love how silly she can be at home with her brothers and sisters.

 After school we headed straight to the pumpkin patch with Grammy and Auntie Amy and her girls.  The kids had a great time and played until they and Mommy were exhausted.

 It's rough being the 4th.  Barely time to get a bite to eat :)

Then in the evening, after a few moments to rest we celebrated again with shrimp and noodles, her favorite dinner, and cake and ice cream.  Grammy and Uncle Robert joined us since Robert wasn't able to be at her party.

Happy 6th Birthday Little Chimp!  We continue to love watching you grow.  You are a good friend and a great helper to Mommy and your brothers and sister.  I don't know what I'd do without you.  You're nearly always willing to help with anything I ask, you're a good listener, and you can make your little sister Hazel laugh more than any of us.  We love that you are getting to be so grown up yet at the same time continue to be our silly little chimp who loves to laugh and goof around, who loves to cuddle with Daddy, who's favorite thing to do is going to Grammy's house, and who is always looking out for her brothers and little sister.  We hope that you don't change too much this year because we love you sooo much just the way you are!

Love, 

Mommy and Daddy

A Family Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

We made our yearly trip out to the pumpkin patch to get our pumpkins early in October.   This year was especially eventful as Wyatt decided to wear ankle socks with his boots and Mommy didn't warn anyone that there was a 1/4 mile walk out to the patch this year.  Much to Daddy's dismay, Wyatt's legs "stopped working" not long after we got there or in other words he started getting blisters and needed a ride the rest of the way.  Never a dull moment around here.

These trips get to be more and more fun as the kids are all able to participate more and are excited about our traditions, but the pictures seem to get harder and harder.  So it begins...

 Cooper picked my favorite pumpkin this year!

What a cute little bunch.

 Daddy makes everything more fun!  Thanks for always being willing to play with them Honey!

My Littlest Pumpkin!!

 What Daddy does while Mommy tries to take pictures :)

The best and the worst of our group pictures and yes that's Wyatt's boot right in the middle of everything.

1st Day of School!

Happy 1st Day of School!

There was much anticipation as we approached Sadie's first day of school.  How would she like it?  How would Mommy and the rest of the kiddos fare without her?  Would we be able to get out the door on time most mornings?  Would the walk down a flight of stairs and all the way to the end of the hall every morning with 4 kids be agonizing?  How long would it take to make friends?  And on and on...  

Well I'm happy to report that Sadie loves school and her teachers, Mrs. Lute and Mrs. Bennett, and so does Mommy.  Each day the first week Sadie came home saying I made a new friend today and she'd tell me about one of the other kids in class that she'd played with that day.  The first day it was Violet, who although she couldn't remember her name she did remember her pretty teal sweater, and Zac the boy with a fohawk :) Haha!!!  She was also excited to tell me the first day that she sits next to Johann.  Johann's grandma was Sadie's Cubbie teacher last year, we had no idea that he was going to Crosshill, and how amazing that the first day she sat next to literally one of the 2 people we know at the school.  So fun for her and what a blessing in this transition!

The boys, although they do fight a little bit more as they have only one another to bother, are getting use to our new routine and amazingly most days we actually do get out the door on time by 7:50.  Some days are definitely harder than others, but all in all we are surviving the early mornings and I've quickly found that the walk into school isn't that bad either.  Turns out there are plenty of other moms doing exactly the same thing.  So our kids basically all block the stairway together and it's a good time to meet other families.

So far this month Sadie has worked through all of the letters by name and sound and got her first book to start reading last week!  I've had an opportunity, thanks to Grammy, to volunteer in the classroom a couple of times already, which has been fun, and last week we went on our first field trip to the pumpkin patch. 

1st Day Breakfast

Chocolate Milk and Hello Kitty Pancakes!

Since you can't read our cute chalkboard her are the highlights.

 Sadie is 5 years old, attending Crosshill Christian School, and wants to be a cowgirl when she grows up.  She loves playing with Minnie, going to Grammy's house, and working with Daddy.  She always says, "chucklehead and you're killin' me dude!"  Her favorite food is Shrimp and Noodles, her favorite book is 5 Minute Princess Stories, and her favorite song is Let it Go!

 Daddy and his Big Girl

 Also known as his Little Chimp

Mommy and her girls.

 Hanging up her backpack.

 Finding her seat.

Resting after an exciting 1st day!

Sadie,
We are so excited for you as you begin your first year of school!  I've teased you almost every day that you need to stop growing, saying I'm not ready for you to go to school, and I'm not but I'm also so excited for you.  I loved school and learning and I hope that you do too.  We pray that you will make many new friends this year and that you will be a good friend, we pray that you will learn many new things and that you will have a lot of fun during this first year of school, and we pray for your teachers that God would use them in your life as you learn more about who you are and who God has created you to be in this world.  May you be bold and courageous like your Daddy and thoughtful and kind-hearted like me!
We Love You Little Chimp!
Love,
Daddy and Mommy

1st Field Trip to Greensbridge Pumpkin Patch

Top Row: Mrs. Bennett, Vincent, Daniel, Ayva, Anastasia, Liam, Sam, Luke (honorary pre-schooler), Zac, Mrs. Lute

Middle Row: Chase, Wesley, and Johann

Bottom Row: Violet, Hadley, Bristol, Penelope, Sadie, Kaleb, Matthew (hiding behind Kaleb), Carter, Jacob, and Andrew

Sadie got to pick out any pumpkin she could carry ;)