Highlights from Summer 2011

A visit to WV Weslyan and our new hometown.

Baby Ben was born!

At the "Mound" in Moundsville, WV

Sam turned 6!

We had a lot of fun at Grandma and Grandpa's house!

The theme for Jacob's party was "favorite things."



The kids all got a puzzle as a party favor. They worked really hard and had fun putting them together!




Posing with one of his favorite toys, a dragon from the movie "How to Train Your Dragon".




Opening presents!




The boy has some lungs!

I can't believe he is 8 years old! He is growing into such a wonderful young man. I am so proud of him, he has such a kind and giving heart. He is a great big brother to his little sister always taking care of her. He loves video games and making people laugh!

February Pictures

She really does rule the house!

We've had to resort to putting all the chairs on the table, Sarah will not stay away from them!!

They're such good big brothers. Always looking out for their baby sister!

A True Blogger

So, I've decided I'm going to join the blogging world for real. I read the other day how a friend of mine really views her blog as a scrapbook of memories for her family. I like that idea. I am horrible at journal keeping and photo albums, so maybe this will help. We'll see how it goes!

Although, life with littles is filled with the mundane there are precious moments I don't want to forget. I may even throw in something neat the Lord is teaching me from time to time. We had some of those precious moments around here last night. With no amount of planning on my part, laughter for a full straight hour. It started with Sarah walking around putting every toy imaginable in her mouth until she ended up with a set of bionicle wings in her mouth. She looked so ridiculous and adorable at the same time, we all burst out laughing. She really enjoys making us laugh and ate it right up. The boys and I laughed through stare contests, thumb wrestling and arm wrestling. I must say, Samuel has surprisingly strong thumbs for such a little guy. Then Daddy decided to join the fun with wrestling the boys. It's fun to see the excitement and fear on their faces at the same time. Part of wrestling with daddy is getting tickled until you can't breath, thus the fear. I'm pretty sure Jacob has peed his pants a couple of times during such fun times! I remember looking around enjoying my family so much and wanting to savor the moment. Yes, life is hard right now but God has blessed me!

Sarah's first birthday! We had a small celebration, just the five of us. The boys thought it was really something that Sarah could make as big a mess as she wanted. They had fun watching her. I'm not sure she was as impressed. In the end, I think she got her share of cake! It is hard to believe she is one year old. She is such a blessing and adds a lot of excitement to our family.

Christmas 2010

Jay and I got to see U2 in concert at Soldier Field. It was a great night! Not only was it a good concert, it was just really cool being at Soldier Field! After sitting beside Lovie Smith at church on Labor Day weekend, I have officially become a Bears fan! :o)