Aint Life Grand...

...sitting in the sand? We drove 10 hours across 5 states to spend Thanksgiving on Florida's Emerald Coast with our family who drove down from Iowa. The sand is so white you would think it is snow, especially with the breezy temperatures we're experiencing around here! We have so much to be thankful for this year; two beach vacations, a couple of mom-and-dad-only vacations (thank the Lord for grandparents!), bountiful provision of all the food our family of 6 inhales, but most of all for four very healthy babies and two sturdy parents who haven't quite yet gone insane.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday, baby!!  You are an amazingly beautiful woman!  I love to hear you laugh out loud about silly stuff and how you have helped me to laugh at small stuff.   It takes a very courageous person to do what you do everyday...and to put up with me as well.  I am amazed at how you listen and really get to know people, even the babies; which might explain the love of reality shows:)  Watching  the kiddos climb into your lap for story time is so cool and the excitement that glows in their eyes when you come into the room shows how awesome a momma you are.  I love you babe!!

Surprise!  Happy Birthday!!

Howdy Momma!  Happy Birthday!

Yea!  Birthday Cake!!

Smile Big Momma!  It's Your Birthday!!

Peek-A-Who?

One of our favorite books around here is Peek-A-Who by Nina Laden.  It's a cute little board book filled with a few words that rhyme with "Who."  We are a bit surprised that she didn't include an obvious word used most around babies and toddlers.  We think this sequel below would be a hit for any family, especially for those who have more than one kiddo in diapers.  It's a fun game you find yourself playing at the hint of any fowl smell, searching to find the hidden "gem" among the little bandits.  

We most enjoy Midnight Peek-A-Poo, which involves using a flashlight to hunt the treasure!  What a lucky night when you find more than one!

The Captain Was Here

Table Talk

We took the babies out to eat a few times while Papa and Grandma were visiting from Iowa and they did so well that I thought maybe it was time to raise up those booster seats and let them eat at the table like the big kids that they are.  It didn't go so well the first time.  My first mistake was that I decided to give them plates for the first time and topped them with little pieces of green beans and corn.  Sophia was the first to flip her plate up and corn pieces went flying...as did my temper. Well, the reaction she got from me must've made the boys curious what I would do if they did it too.  So they flipped their plates and food everywhere and mommy flipped her lid again.  I calmed myself down and vowed to do it better next time.  I remembered that a friend of mine had given me these table topper place mats that are like a big sticker on the table, so I put those on and put their food on top of that. It worked out better since only Noah figured out how to get it off and get food everywhere.  Today we brought plates back, because honestly the stickers aren't such a practical application when you use four at a time (I'll save those for the restaurants) and they are doing better. Table manners 101 will be next week...maybe next month. For now, we'll focus on how we don't need to worry about what the bottom of a plate looks like.

Sophia's New Do

Sophia's hair has grown in so quickly, we hardly have known what to do with it. She won't keep her hair ties and bows in it and even if she does her brothers quickly grab them out any chance they get. We finally decided to get her a big girl haircut so we can see those big bright eyes of hers all of the time!  Can't say she's much of a fan of the beauty shop yet, but I'm sure she'll come around! 

Before

Ta-Da!