Discovering Belly Buttons!

It was just one of those nights ... play time outside in the hot sun ... cooling off and 'winding down' (yeah right!) before pajamas ... funny sight, all three in diapers ... the younger discovering the joys of belly buttons, yes!  Smiling Mommy.

Demolition

Demolition ... !

Birthday Bash

Decided to squeeze a birthday party in the middle of the move and final doctor appointments. Why? ... guess the sweet little faces show the reason for the insanity! ;)
Party girls dressed! ... Kitty in hand.Kory came to celebrate with us.
OK, so it wasn't actually Caleb's birthday ... but no one tell him that! He had been requesting a "yellow dump truck cake with candy in the back" for some time now. Decided to bundle the birthdays and let him celebrate with his sweet little friends before saying goodbye. Here's crazy Papa. Oh how we love Papa!And here's the magnificent cake made by Kelli Hoke, friend from church. Amazing! Yeah, wish I could claim this one.Our sweetest stand-in big sister. Love this girl ... da both of them!

Birthday cake with friends ...... and fun gifts too! Thank you!Another cake 'surprise' delivered by our kind neighbor, Stacia.

Thanks for celebrating our special evening with us. We'll certainly miss our dear friends at home.

Cat Got Your Tongue?

Actually, Anna's got him by the tail. Kitty was a gift from the nurse during Anna's last surgery. Since that day it seems Anna drags him along nearly everywhere she goes ... usually by the tail. Even sleeps with him. This (below) is, by far, her sweetest 'use' of Kitty. Turns out his tail is a marvelous and comforting 'soother' when she's on her way to or from the crib. Sweet sleepy child. Sure do love you.

We discovered Kitty's soothing powers can sometimes transfer to other cuddly animals too. Here's Monkey standing in. Sleep child, sleep.

Birthday Gifts

Three days after the party, we finally found an evening to open our LOADS of gifts from our family. Fun, fun, fun. Ats found a cuddle partner. Sweet hippo. Thanks Scot and Sarah!

And Caleb found yet another tractor to love!

Look ... it's my very own combine and trailer! Thanks so much Gran!Purses from Annie. So fun, so girl.

"I love the blue song." Looks like Ats does too! Thanks to "Jrama" and Papa for the BEST yard sale find of the year (right alongside the Craftsman chainsaw, of course)!

Here's my new Bronco jersey! Hooray ... football!

What kind of shirt is it? "It's a super duper shirt ... kind of big." ;)

And here is the hat show. My sisters LOVE, LOVE, LOVE their new hats. Thanks Uncle Scot and Aunt Sarah!

Shoot em up. Annie get your guns! ... and thanks for getting me one too!

Careful Daddy, you might get shot!

Fun noise maker too from Aunt Annie. Good times.

Oh and we love our cuddle animals from Aunt Patti and Uncle Randy. Thank you.

Love the purses, Annie! ... and cutest outfits ever! Can't wait for summer debut! Fun times. Thanks to all our family for such a loot! Brought many smiles.

Look on the Bright Side

Turns out having a short neck can be an advantage ...

No idea where on earth she got this idea ... but does seem somewhat convenient to have various beauty products / hair paraphenalia right at your fingertips! Also working the 'hands free' idea which is ingenious, truly. Love that Anna!

The creative thinking continues as she discovers ways to turn the bathroom into a home gym. Pull ups, anyone?

Ever Feel Like You're Going in Circles?

Sometimes Ats just does the strangest things. Not quite sure whether she's in training to be a cheerleader or is simply losing her mind? Marlin for extended periods of time can have that effect! ;) It's okay, honey, I feel your pain. Only one week to go ...

By the way, Happy Birthday today, sweet ones.

Aunt Annie's Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day 2012.
Aunt Annie always spoils us. Listen carefully to see who this special valentine is from! ;)

A Sad Day in Marlin

It was a sad day in Marlin ... loading up the old (1948) International and taking it to a new home. Looking out the window as its new owner hauled it off, a sad Caleb remarked, "Daddy using that ... Daddy needs that." Heartbreak. One of many as we leave this place for a new home. Going ...

Going ...

Gone. :(

Cowboy and Cowgirls

*Note those sweet Carhartts going for round two ... thanks to Aunt Patti and Uncle Randy!

Big moment, dressed himself this day to go outside with Daddy. Look closely. :)

Rock Star, Blocks, Balls and Other Mischief

Here is Aunt Annie's ball popper going for round two. Thanks so much! Getting lots of use.

Just to show Anna's strong will ... here she is attempting to open up the stapler. Knows it can be done because she did it once already. Determination, frustration, fit! Seen that pattern before ... oh, dear me!

Meanwhile, Ats keeps us entertained going in circles. Sweet thang.

Spring Takes Us Outside

Yes, spring is springing and we are heading out, out, out. Longing for fresh air. Of course, we all have 'work' to do outside. This was Caleb's spontaneous description of his job for the day:



Girls are starting to get around pretty well on the grass and dirt. Fun to watch the exploration in big spaces. Anna led the charge, as you can imagine!

She really loves playing with Cody. Seemed to know just what to do with his stick ...

And even tolerated his over-eagerness at times! Takes one to know one.

Of course they wanted to follow big brother around everywhere since he's always doing something fun!

Oh what a relief to be able to take the show outside, finally. It's been a mild but LONG winter!

Let's Play Tractors!

Throughout the day, Caleb often declares: "I have a good idea. Let's play tractors!" OK. Here's what was on the agenda for this particular round of work with the green John Deere's:

Translation, just in case you missed it: "Checking those cows and horses out and then build two houses for Uncle Pete and Uncle Scot." Sweet boy. Already a servant to his family ... (or not! ;)

Taking the Show Outside

Was such a beautiful day, thought we'd attempt some 'first steps' outside (in adorable knitted sweater jackets by Elaine ... THANK YOU!).

Cody was a significant player in this afternoon's activities.

As an adult, makes you realize and appreciate what a challenge it is to walk on grass and uneven ground! ... Whew, we're tired and hungry now. Take five gang.

And let me just say, as your mother ... "You BOTH better sleep through the night tonight!!!, and I mean it!"

Diaper Change Assist?

Big brother Caleb helps with all kinds of 'sister tasks' around here. Though it isn't the most complimentary video of little Addison ;), sure does make her mommy's heart fill with laughter!

If we could only get some help keeping the other little tiger/wiggler still while changing! Both of the other two, actually! Maybe we can teach Addison the 'tummy kiss' to pull on her siblings when needed. Hey.

Little Nakers

Remember this little sweetheart at six months old?
Here are his sweet sisters at eleven months today!

Sweet cheeks ... pure and simple!

Mary Had a Yittle Yamb

Just precious ... completely out of the blue, here comes one of Grandma's rhymes ...

Take two ... just too sweet.

Hoping I never forget the others in the "Y" for "L" family:

"Yook, Daddy, Yook!" ... "I yuv you" ... (will have to add more as I think of them).

We've Got a Leftie

Check out these dollies in their new eating arrangement.
And see which one looks like she's going to be a leftie!

Anna Houdini

Background. Seems the Bumbo company has changed their tray design due to little wigglers like Anna and Caleb. Tray used to look like this. Easy to lean back and pop right off, right Caleb?
New tray design includes a little hook under the chair to keep the kids in place ... an honest attempt to outsmart the little wigglers.

Looks like we'll have to write the company to request version #3 of the bumbo tray ... that little Anna!

Officially graduated this morning to a high chair like her sister's. Congratulations Anna. From meal times to diaper changing to daily busyness to fighting nap times and sleep times, looks like we've got another sweet Caleb on our hands. Dear Lord ... HELP ME!!! (Funny ... if you listen to the morning sermon playing in the background, you'll hear it's just what this Mommy needs this morning: Be strong and courageous!)