Spring Break!

All the grandkids, ready for an Easter egg hunt.

J.D., Silas, Kylen, Evie, Lilly, Hazel & Josiah

We had everyone from the good'ol egg hunting days gathered again. We grew up a little and multiplied. Now our kids get to enjoy the hunt.

Barry is in with some pretty shady company here. Uncle John, uncle Greg, Barry & Spencer.

Grandma with Johnny and & Me and all of our kids: Johnny's boy is a month younger than my babies! He might be twice as big as Elise! :)

My lovely aunts, Paula and Debi & Grandma.

While we stayed at J.D.'s, Kara helped me straighten my hair with her fancy straightener...I would love to have hair like hers everyday.

No need to share, each of our kids can hold a baby.

At the Pool

Here was our maiden voyage to Usk, WA, where some brilliant team thought up to build an indoor pool and workout facility in the middle of practically nowhere. Living in another "practically nowhere", we recognise the benefit of such an oasis. We had a great time at a friend's birthday party.

Sweet Elsie, who screamed for about 80% of the time in the water, liked snuggling mommy after the fun, fun, swim.
Emmitt splashed and played and then enjoyed Daddy and a warm towel.

One baby is a handful at a pool, two babies are a hazard at a pool, and two babies and a three year old are certain demise anywhere near the water.

School Carnival!

Columbia School District

Home of the Lions

School Carnival 2009

Yum....cotton candy...

Me & Michelle (friend & teacher) - she's my workout buddy

Michelle (friend & teacher) & her daughter Lexi

Friends and teachers

Joey (aka Dirt Dirt)

Elise, Me & Becky (another friend & teacher)

Alex and Rachel, Barry's kids last year

Barry's friend Tom (teacher) and Elise

Mike (Jen's husband) & Josiah and a student's dad

Jen (friend & teacher) is in charge of the cake walk. Silas won a huge package of treats at her booth.

I Happen to Believe that my Children are the Most Beautiful, Wonderful Children Around...

Seriously, she looks like a doll (even if she screams like a bobcat).

Notice the toothbrush in the packaging...it's a very favorite toy reserved for special occasions, like when Mommy wants to take a picture.

Have you ever seen more dashing stud-muffins? I dare say, no!

Daddy Giving Double Snuggles

Because of the babies' schedules, Barry doesn't get to see them for long in the evening before they are plopped into their cribs. Both of them love attention from their Daddy, though, especially Elise. She gives him flirtatious sideways glances and big smiles.

Emmitt is such a snuggler. I love to hold his substantial self and feel his head as he lays it on my shoulder.

Baby Dedication Sunday

Once again, here are our faithful leaders and friends, the Stones. They are off to new things and today we celebrated our church's 30th anniversary along with Pastor Danny's last day of preaching and a slew of baby dedications. Everyone was trying to jam in one last ceremony with the Stones before they jumped into their next great adventure.

The baby dedication:

Mom & Dad with the family:
What is Silas doing?

Mom and Elise:

Chickie and Elise:

Barry and Grandpa Pat:

Papa and Emmitt:

Ann was there too, she brought Papa over to the service.

Auntie Rosie with her twins, Michael and Jimmy:

Aunt Maria wouldn't pose for the picture. :)

Our crew:

Hey Dad, was your finger over the flash?

Small People Do Business Too

I thought I'd try a new thing the other week. Why couldn't the babies poop on the potty when they have to go? I've heard that with enough effort (which I'm sure I can't muster) you can "potty train" infants entirely. So, I gave it a try with the Little Big One. He took right to pooping on the potty. He sits down and gives it his best push. Amazing. That was two weeks ago and I've only changed one or two poopy diapers since! Now on with the girl...She has a slightly less predictable system, but she has successfully done her thing a few times in the last couple days. I suppose this takes more attentiveness to the babies, but it saves a ton of diapers and I am about the cheapest person I know (besides my brother). Thanks to all those mothers out there who found out through necessity that babies can go potty on the toilet.

Growing Things

If there are two things my father passed on to me, one is the love of proper grammar and the other is the joy of gardening. Here are a few things I've been trying to grow lately. Thanks Dad. ;)

basil, dill, cilantro, and chives

dill? I forgot which plant is which...

butternut squash

baby girl...

At Church Yesterday

We like to obey the rules, really we do. But here is Silas playing in the "under 2" room. He and some little friends had taken over the joint.

So, the reason that I took the camera to church was because our pastor and his wife are leaving after March 1. Iam so disappointed, but if God has them leaving, He has something special planned for them.
Hey, there's my friend Rosie.

Marian and Sandy, I am so encouraged by them both.

Baby boy wasn't feeling so fabulous.

Emmitt's Giggles Sound Like a Man's

My sweet Little Big One is quick to smile, but slow to laugh. Today Yaya got him to show off his low raspy laugh.

Hanging with the Warrens

Yaya was making Emmitt laugh and laugh with the popping sound.

Grandpa Pat and Emmitt: we've been reviewing Barry's baby photos and Emmitt is almost a carbon copy.

Auntie Mimmy and Elise

Justine and Aunt Deedee being silly.

Yaya and Emmitt again.