Oh man...what to do?

My boy has now learned to climb out of his crib.

I don't know what I am gonna do.

His nap is a very important part of the day.

He still sleeps, or slept, for almost 3 hours a day.

He is gonna be grumpy if he doesn't get that.

I tried to get him to take a nap several times today....and he got out each time saying he was done with his nap.

Little stinker.

BUT....I do know he was tired.

I found him out back, laying on the pavement playing with his new little doggies.

Pretty cute....but I would still rather a real nap!

Oh well....maybe we can still work something out with him.......we will see.

Later in the day I was jumping on the trampoline with Porter to get him out of the girls way.....

I taught him how to do a 'bummer', he caught onto that quickly.

Then I tried to get him to go on his knees.....and the kid, for the life of him, could not figure out how to get on his knees from the jumping position.

So I told him to pretend like he is saying his prayers......

We tried again and he did it, on knees, hands folded nicely, eyes closed, saying "Dear Henly Fodder".

Oh it was just the cutest thing.

This picture is a reenactment....I had to share the cuteness with Daddy who was at work.....so I made him do it again so I could send it to Dad.

The girlies got to have the Young girls over this afternoon.

It is always fun when these girls get together.

Sweet little Elsie isn't feeling so hot.

I noticed this afternoon that she was having trouble walking, her eyes  seemed extra crossed and she wasn't eating very well.

She seemed to be absolutely EXHAUSTED.

So she lounged around on the couch a lot of the day.

She didn't eat much dinner, and just wanted to go back and lay on the couch, with her trusty Emmy blanket.

She didn't have a fever.....like I said, she just seemed exhausted.

Well, as I was cleaning the kitchen, Elsie started throwing up, A LOT.

Which is crazy to me....she didn't eat much of anything today.

So I cleaned her up, took her up for a quick bath and she cried the whole time for Daddy.

(She knew he was on his way home, and she just wanted him right then!)

Poor little girl.

I hate when she doesn't feel good.

Anyway...thank goodness for having a backup Emmy blanket.

Elsie has taken over mine (the brown one).

But it worked out great tonight....cause her green one was covered!

I hope some good sleep helps her out and she feels better tomorrow.

I need some of that too.

Looky-looky!!!

I am so proud of Madi!!!!!

She has really tried hard not to bite her nails since Meg's put those fake nails on her.

The fake nails didn't last through the weekend.....BUT.....she hasn't been biting them.

And they are looking great!

Great job, Bell!

YAY!!!!

Who needs toys???

Cassi's guitar came in a really big box.

I had it out, ready to throw with the trash, but Port found it.

And the little ones had a really fun time playing inside it.

Seriously....big boxes really are the best!

Look at those cute little faces!

Yes, this boy was dressed today.

He seems to have entered into his streaking phase again.

Good thing that the good weather is returning....well, I think it will.

Yet another wonderful use for Elsie's Emmy blanket.

New guitar

Cassi's new guitar arrived today.

It's not pink....but it is very pretty.

This guitar is a little bit bigger....

But the sound is SO much better.

Her pink guitar served it's purpose, but it was the high end in the toy department.

This one is more of a 'real' guitar.

And I am excited about that.

She is gonna start learning more chords now.

And she is excited about that too.

We got new strings to replace the ones it came with, but those haven't come yet.

Hopefully they will come soon.

She still loves her pink one....she wants it to hang on her wall.....

Lovin' the outdoors!

It wasn't a perfect day.

But we had some pretty great sun for a lot of the day.

When Elsie got home from school, she spent most of the day outside sliding or swinging.

Happy as a clam!!!

Port slept for over 3 1/2 hours today.

I guess he is trying to make up for lost sleep from our vacation!

Once he woke up, he was a very happy boy.

Mostly because Dad decided to burn the bushes today.

These bushes are crazy things.

If we can't figure out how to get them to not produce the sticker things in the fall, then I am pulling them out!

I will give them one more year.....I just need to figure out what to do.

Burning works so much better than to cut them down.

And it involves fire.

Which makes my boys happy.

******

We are so excited to see that they have installed 6 adjustable basketball hoops at our park!!!

After dinner, Brent ran over with the big girls and Porter for some hoops.

Elsie and I joined them a little later.

The little kids had fun playing in the rocks.

And we played a little bit of hoops too.

Lots of fun.

We can't wait until the weather is ALWAYS great!

Catching up.

It is getting harder and harder to take time out of school for these kids.

They have a week's worth of make-up work to do now.

Cassi's class isn't too bad.

But Madi does have quite a lot to do.

After school, she headed straight upstairs and started to work.

And she got a lot done.

She is a good kid.

I can't believe how much she has grown up lately.

So crazy how time flies!!!

*****

Elsie had her IEP evaluation at school today.

I am so thankful that there are so many wonderful people who work with her and love her and want the best for her.

We talked about goals she has met, and goals for the future.

She has made so much progress this year, and I can't wait to see what another year brings!

Her PT at school, Miss Holly, told me that Elsie is her own best advocate, but also her worst enemy.

If Elsie thinks she can do it....she will.

If Elsie thinks it is too hard, that's it....then she won't even try.

Miss Holly said that she has tried everything she can think of to get Elsie to kick a ball.

Elsie just has a melt down when she sees that ball, cause she doesn't think she can do it.

In the car afterwards, we were headed to the store for some milk and stuff, and I talked to her about kicking the ball.

I asked her if we should get her a ball so she could practice for Miss Holly.

She got very excited and said she wanted a purple ball just like Miss Holly.

So we got her a purple ball.

We got home, and guess what?

She kicked it....over and over.

I am so excited for her to play with Miss Holly.

And I think she is excited enough about it, and knows how proud Miss Holly will be, that I think she will show it off for sure!

You rock Elsie!

*****

We got our piano tuned/appraised today.

The guy said it is over 90 years old and in pretty great condition.

We scored!

He said that in it's condition right now, it is worth about $400.

If I were to refinish it and get the pads changed on the inside (or something like that) I would be worth well over $1000.

Not bad for a free piano, right??????

*****

We also got to go spend a little time with the Young's tonight.

They invited us over for Ice Cream.

It is always fun to hang out with them....even when it is only for a little bit.

Thanks guys.

Happy Easter

We are finally home!

What a great, but long trip.

It is good to be home.

Thanks to Em for letting us stay with her for the last few days....Elsie had such a great time with her Emmy!and thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for letting us invade their place too.

We sure have great families!

*******

This morning, the kids got to have an Easter egg hunt at Emmy's house.

It started with a scavenger hunt to find their Easter present.

(Thanks to Em for the clever notes)

Port didn't care much for the notes, and kept stuffing eggs in his basket.

He was loving it!!!

They found their gifts hidden in the toy boxes....Elsie got some Benderoos.....can you tell how much she LOVES Benderoos!!!

Madi has been ROCKIN' some pretty great morning hair lately!

It was a fun time.

After the hunt....we cleaned up the disaster we made at Em's house over the last couple days.

Then we headed out.

The drive was good.

And it is great to be home!

Now back to normal.

Funny thing is, the kids were in bed by 6:30!

We are exhausted!!!

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Peterson

Wow...it has been a long day!

It's done...they tied the knot!

I can't believe Andy is married.

He is just a little boy!!!

But I love Katie, and I think she is just about the sweetest thing ever!

You got lucky, Andy boy.

You got a good one.

Treat her right!

And she ain't too shabby looking either.....

Now tell me that this boy isn't the best brother ever!!!

Everyone but April was able to make it for the wedding.

April lives so far....it is hard to take the time out to get down here.

This sweet boy flew April in just for the wedding.

And it was all a surprise!!!!!

I can't even tell you how excited my Mom was to see her!!!

So, here we are.....all NINE kiddos!

And the whole family....lookin' good.

I am so excited for you Andy and Katie.

Good luck!



Easter egg hunting

It is way too late.

I am so tired, and there is still more to do to get ready for Andy and Katie's big day tomorrow!!!

But we had a fun night tonight.

We went to Rachels house and had dinner and an Easter egg hunt.

Anyway...here are a few fun pictures....I have so many more to post, just not tonight!

Lots and lots of cousin time!

Today we got to get together with Andy and Katie....and all the families that could be there.

We all went out to eat...to Olive Garden...it was a fun time with lots of noise and good food.

Katie has a great family.

*****

Afterwards we headed to the homestead and played all afternoon with cousins.

The big girls have a fun little clubhouse in the back of the lot...that is where they spent most of their time.

The Triplets had so much fun together.

These girls are so cute.

And Emmy was by their side the whole time.

Then the big girls decided to start collecting snails.

They thought that was pretty cool.

The little girls also found them very interesting.

Then there was more goat feeding.

Cookie is more of a puppy than a goat.

She was born the runt, with a lame leg, and was raised indoors for a long time.

She is still very tiny, and still has a limp...but she is a spit-fire of a goat.

Elsie and Porter had so much fun playing with her.