One Year Later....

It's been FOREVER since I've updated my blog. The kids are getting older and cuter, and my husband and my lives are getting busier. Natlatlie is in Kindergarten and also involved in gymnastics. She loves BOTH! She is learning to read and can spell the names of everyone in our family. She has mastered forward and backward somersaults and is working diligently on mastering her kartwheel. Nolan likes TAG this year (thank goodness). His mind works so much like mine....adding birthdays to get someone else's birthday, using phone numbers to make words.....I can see the math coming out in him already!

Nathan is as rotten as ever. He has had a few mishaps at school, as far as goofiness is involved. He is improving his behavior, however, and is very proud when he gets a good report from preschool. I didn't really expect anything other than this, as he is the clown of the family....always looking for a laugh :) And who can fault him for his comedic behavior?

Nick is getting bigger and smarter each day. As the fourth child, his vocabulary is quite remarkable and he catches on easily with all things the older kids expose him to. He's becoming sneaky like Nathan, independent like Natalie, and brainy like Nolan. He's a complete combination of his siblings.

I am winding down in my college education and can FINALLY see the light at the end of the tunnel! I am so thankful for a husband who supports me and helps me and for kids that are excited for me to become a teacher. Though not every single day is perfect, I LOVE every part of being a wife and mother.

Here's a more recent picture of the fam!

The Christmas Play...

Nolan, Natalie and Nathan had a Christmas play at their Awana club last night. Nolan did a great job. We had practiced his song and he sung it wonderfully, and of course, as his mom, I could hear his voice above the others.

Natalie and Nathan on the other hand, had practiced their lines and had them down pat! I was so anxious to see these two on stage for the first time. When they came onto stage waiting to start, Natalie found me in the crowd and waved repeatedly. I waved back. She then says, "I love you mommy," which melted my heart and made the other audience members say, "awe." Then the kids were ready to begin. Most kids did not want to say their lines, and one boy started his quietly then ended it by screaming. My two thought it was hilarious, especially Nathan, whose laughter could be heard well afterwards. Finally, it was my little Natalie's turn. She turned in one knee and looked shy. The teacher says, "Let's help Natalie," and she lashes back, "I know it!" But then she continues with her silence. Then beside her is Nathan. He gets the mic..."I love mommy!" he screams. But his line is "our King of Glory." The final kids say their lines.

Next is a song. My two make up their own lyrics which mostly consist of" "I love mommy." Needless to say, I was mortified by their behavior, but nonetheless happy that they declared their love for me. If ever there was a time I wish I was invisible, this may have been it!

Fall Pictures

We have all been extremely busy so far this Fall. With four of us in school and Matt transitioning at work, I have fallen behind in everything....especially blogging. I took an opportunity yesterday to snap some pictures of the kids. They are growing up so quickly and are so much fun.

I can't believe how big he is now!

My pretty girl.

Cute as can be!

Adorable boy.

Everybody say, "pumpkin head!"

Three in School

Nolan, the first grader.I'm so thankful that he enjoys school. He is so smart and I can only imagine how his teachers must love him.

Natalie in Pre-K.

Natalie is at a new preschool this year, as she was on the waiting list for the elementary school. Matt and I decided to go ahead and enroll her at a different school rather than have her sit out a year. She's got a friend that was our old neighbor in her class, so that helps. She really seems to enjoy her new school so far.

Nathan in Pre-K as well (for 3 year olds).

Nathan, too, is excited about school. He's only been 2 days, but each day when I arrive to pick him up, he tells me he doesn't want me there cause he wants to stay at school. He is attending the school that Natalie went to last year, so the teachers already know him and me. I have warned them that Nathan and Natalie are like night and day, and that Nathan is a class clown. He wasted no time living up to the title as he greeted his teacher on the second day by saying, "Poopity-poop-poop." There's really nothing left to say :)

Settled....

As I mentioned in a previous post, Matt and I decided to sell our townhouse and buy a home. After a very quick contract, but a long and drawn out loan process for our buyers, we finally sold our townhouse and bought a new house.

















It is so nice to live in a brand new home. Everything is clean and new.....until my kids get their opportunity to dirty it up! So far, so good, though. We're trying to make sure that everyone understands we must do our best to keep things nice, not that we didn't do so before, but since this is a new house, we have a greater sense of pride, I guess.
















We are in a smaller subdivision with fewer kids, but we have made up for that with a fenced in yard and playground of our own. The kids have so much more space to play inside and outside. We are pretty much settled in, but there are things that we will improve and change as we live here longer.

Happy 4th of July!

The kids and I spent the morning and early afternoon of the 4th at Mom-o and Pops' house. I was heading back home later in the day and wanted to make sure the kids were worn out enough to sleep for most of the trip. Wearing out he kids is no problem at Mom-o's house. The kids spent a couple hours in the pool having a great time.

Natalie floating.

Nolan floating on his back.

Nathan. He was really into having his picture taken.

Mom-o, Nicholas, and Natalie.

Natalie....she won't let go of her floaty.

Mom-o helping Nicholas float in the duck.

Granny & Poppy's Anniversary

My mom's parents have been married for 60 years, WOW! I look up to them so much, and admire their marriage...the ups and downs, the tears and smiles, the sorrows and joys. They are truly an example of what life is.....not always perfect, but when you stick together, you can get through anything.

We spent the day at the church building for food and time with extended family and friends. Then we (my brothers and all of our kids) headed to Granny and Poppy's house to watch the kids play, "country style." Granny got out her slip and slide and blow up pool, and I brought along our jump and slide. It has been a year since all of these kids were together, so it was a true delight to watch them all have so much fun. I love that my grandparents wanted nothing more for their anniversary other than to be with family and friends and to see their great-grand kids. I cannot express enough how much they mean to me.

Here are just a few pics of the kids at play.

Judson getting a running start for the slip and slide.

Nolan sliding down for a splash landing!

Nathan and Nicholas kicking around in the kiddie pool.

Natalie and Nicholas bouncing around.

Kids' Photo Shoot

Nolan, Natalie, and Nathan like it when I take their pictures, and ask me to do so frequently. Nicholas, on the other hand, doesn't always get in on the action. I attempted to take pictures of all the kids together, but Nicholas wasn't quite up for it. Here's the product!

My big three were ready to cooperate and looking so cute!








Big smiles :)





















Nolan's pose.




















And, Natalie's pose too.










Isn't she sweet!?!




















Looking like he's about to stir up some trouble!












"Forget it, Mom, I will not take this out of my mouth!"