Summer Picnic

We're tired, we're messy but we just had a GREAT time with our moms of multiples club at a little place called Cows -N- Corn Farm. We had 4 hours of jam-packed fun and food.





They had cows, they had corn (obviously) but they also had wooden "playgrounds", a cow train ride and a hayride through the farm.

The kids went on the cow train ride over and over again. They loved it!





Look at that face! Someone enjoyed a great cupcake :)



The hayride took us around the farm. It's a dairy farm and they produce thousands of gallons of milk a day milking their cows at noon and midnight. Caleb really liked learning about the cows and the farm :) It was cute - he asked to go back so he could take notes!



We got to see baby cows (all of these "little" ones are 2 days to 2 months old):



And adult cows (this was a prize-winning cow currently about 8 years old):



After the train ride the kids got to see the animals up close and personal:







The kids also enjoyed playing in the farm's "sandbox" complete with corn!



Look at these smiling faces - I think that says it all.





With the perfect weather and the great company we had a fabulous summer picnic. They had the cows and corn - we brought the SUVS, minivans and loads of twins and a set of triplets along with quite a few singletons - together we created the reason these clubs exist - give each other some support but mostly to have a lot of fun :)

Family Visit

I know, I know it's been a while since I posted (again!) but summer has been sooo busy and August will only be partially better.

This past week we had the joy of hosting Kirk's neice, Amber and her two little ones: Branson (17 months) and Addelynne (4 months). Her husband is still deployed so she's making the family rounds and landed in Virginia for a bit :)

I enjoyed my week - especially holding my great-neice all the time. Not sure if I'm ready for more - I loved having the little ones around but it was oh so great to give them back :) I think I know how grandparents feel!



Mommy and her babies :) Of course - she looks so young most people thought she was my daughter or nanny - we got crazy looks whenever we ventured out especially this past Monday when we went out with my 5, her 2 along with the 2 I babysit - wow! I'm not sure anyone could figure that out :)



Branson Howard



Addelynne Grace Mabel



My kids liked having the younger ones around. Everyone wanted to hold and feed Addelynne - Julianna did a great job feeding her and Kaitlyn is now big enough to carry babies around! But on the other hand they all still very much needed my attention. I think we'd be ready for another in the future but thank God not now...



We're all going to miss Amber and the kids and look forward to having them again soon. Lord willing, when her husband is home safe and sound!

Way Back When-esday: Lollipop and Oreo

Since it was Kaitlyn's birthday this week it seems only fitting to look back at a past birthday for Way Back When-esday.

This is from July 2006 when she first got Lollipop:



And I couldn't post about Kaitlyn's cat and not mention Caleb's :) Oreo is his very early birthday present and he loves her a lot. He has told me numerous times that she is his favorite birthday present and without her he would be very bored without her. Good to know!



Julianna is also quite obsessed with Oreo - all the girls love her but Julianna really likes her.



I think Oreo is saying "help me!"



Lollipop and Oreo seem to getting along really well but Lollipop surely looks huge next to Oreo! Cracks me up :)



Want to play along?



Twinfatuation

Could It Really Be Double Digits?

Oh wow! Kaitlyn is 10 years old today. Seems like just yesterday she was born and yet so much has happened since then. Now she's turning into a young lady as we move closer to teenage years and then adulthood. When she was born I remember thinking how slowly time was going - my pregnancy seemed to take forever and then she cried so much her first 6 months seemed to drag on as well. Now her tears and reflux struggles are a distant memory. Instead she's into animals and friends and of course her new iPod.

Unfortunately I don't have any earlier photos in my computer - she was about 2 here - didn't love the pool so much then but she was the sweetest little girl.



When we started this blog Kaitlyn was just turning 6 - I can't believe it's been 4 years since then.



And this is today - how in the world did she get so big?



I must say that I have enjoyed every minute with my daughter. I am proud of the girl has become and the woman she is becoming. I thank God every day for her and look forward to seeing who she grows into.

Happy 10th Birthday Kaitlyn - Mommy and Daddy love you!

Has It Really Been Two Weeks?

I didn't intend to go so long without posting but these past few weeks have been crazy and I've been so tired that blogging has taken a back seat to life.

So, what have we been up to?

July 4th - Celebrated Kaitlyn turning 10 (1st party) - decided to experiment with brownies - I think I like it!





Birthday Cake #1 by Aunt Kim:





And what do you get a 10-year-old? An iPod of course :) I think she likes it...



After Kaitlyn's first birthday party and before the fireworks Rachel had a "date" with my parent's tile floor. Resulting in a lovely fat lip but thankfully no broken teeth (took a trip to the dentist just to be sure)



Fortunately it didn't deter her from enjoying the fireworks in the front yard. No big fireworks this year due to the weather but we saw quite a few over the houses around us and that was enough till next year.

Multi-tasking with the iPod :)



Caleb using 2 sparklers :)



Watching the fireworks.



Birthday girl :) For the whole month apparantly...



July 6th we made the 16 hour drive north. Didn't go as smooth as going south but we all made it home in one piece and for that I'm grateful!. Once we arrived I had just a few days to prepare for VBS and the consignment sale I volunteer at - both were this week so I was gone all morning and then again all evening often with things in between. Now you see why I haven't posted much - just way too tired by the end of the day!

This year was an Egyptian theme and we all got in on the costumes! My good friend, Kristy, was our leader this year and she did a great job with the help of many.



I got the privilege of being a leader meaning I was in charge of a A"family" - not a same-age class but a group of kids of different ages. I was only supposed to have one of my girls but Alyssa would not be seperated and Julianna just barely would. That was kind of a surprise for me - I thought they would be eager to be in their own classes.



On Friday the kids got the chance to get some Egyptian make-up and hair.



Even though VBS was over my week wasn't. Due to timing we had to celebrate Kaitlyn's birthday last night with her friends. Not quite as elaborate as last year...





But I still had to do a little something :) Kaitlyn's cake #2 - this one by mom. My first attempt at a cake that isn't square...







That's the last 2 weeks in a nutshell. The next week is a little calmer other than my oldest "baby" turning 10 on Monday - yikes!! And I'm sure a third cake :)

Happy 4th of July!!

So much to blog about and yet I have been so busy that it hasn't happened! Kirk made it back safely and everyone was thrilled to see him again.

We've done a lot of swimming when the weather has permitted - lately it's been nothing but stormy. Took a trip to Ikea and all the kids loved it until Aunt Kim and I actually started shopping but ice cream and cinnamon buns made up for everything :)

The girls got their nails painted for the first time and they like how pretty their nails are with color - seems I have a few girls!

We are looking forward to celebrating our country's freedom - every year I am more and more grateful for the freedoms we have as a country and for those who have fought for that freedom. Let's pray our country stays free.

Enjoy your day and stay safe. We're planning to introduce our girls to sparklers - oh the joys of the 4th of July :)