Dave's birthday

We celebrated Dave's birthday on Monday. Here are some pictures, though not very many and not very good ones . . . The thing I really like about this picture is that you can see some of the built-in bookshelves he made for us this fall. They are on both sides of the fireplace in the living room, and I just adore them! He is so talented and does such a great job. I love how they warm up our living room, too!
He had lots of help with his cards and presents (sorry, Heather!) . . .

He choose his favorite things to eat: Italian beef sandwiches, twice-baked potatoes, apples with caramel dip, queso, and a banana roll cake.

Aunt Heather goes home

We had a great time with Aunt Heather! Even though we missed Daddy, the time sure was easier and lots more fun with Aunt Heather around. Here are a few more pictures . . . . Lucy, just chillin' on that tiger.

We had to get a couple of pictures. Anna Kate is almost always up for a pic with Aunt Heather, and Aunt Heather wanted our little bit of snow in the background.
Lucy
Samantha
Aunt Heather and all our girls! We had a great time! Thanks for missing two of Decker's big basketball games and leaving him to be with us. Thanks for helping so much and spoiling us a little bit, too! Can't wait to see you soon!

some mischief

Well, Daddy is out of town at a conference. We miss him! To help us pass the time with more fun and distraction, Aunt Heather came for a visit (and to help a lot!) . . . here is a first sampling of pictures and activities.
Samantha reading on Aunt Heather's bed! Any books with animals or trains are favorites. This happens to be an I Spy.
Samantha took a bath this morning. She does have a little cold - runny nose and cough. Here she is modeling her robe (and her desire to wait, wait, wait for day clothes). And a little bit of her fire.
She still loves chillin' out on that tiger ("Roar") that Aunt Heather and Aunt Hillery and Uncle Rick and all the cousins sent for her birthday!

On our way to some mischief yesterday - Samantha did not want to get dressed, and I did not have the energy to push it. So, this is how she traveled. Quite an outfit!
Little Lucy on our way out the door!
Anna Kate modeling her new coat from Gramma Maggy and Grampa Bill
And the mischief . . . Anna Kate has not been wanting her hair up, and, as a result, it is always in her face (a pet-peeve of mine). She has such a lovely face, and I want to see it! So we decided to get a hair cut.
The back - just a few long layers to help her curl bounce! Still long . . . and easy.
But we added some bangs, so now the hair around her face is not covering her beautiful blue eyes! (This is the room which will soon be all 3 girls' room - freshly painted a light green. The big move hasn't happened yet. But you can kind of pick up the color.)


Last night, on the couch with Aunt Heather.

Anna Kate's 6th birthday morning

We can't really believe that it has been 6 years since this . . .

But it has! Here is the birthday girl this morning . . .


waiting to begin eating her requested birthday breakfast of pumpkin and cranberry scones and a fruit plate!
We almost always have the girls open their presents from family in the morning because then they get to enjoy them all birth-day long! Take notice of little Samantha quietly in the background. . . .
because this is what she was doing!
Opening a present which was waiting for Anna Kate! Oh my! This is Anna Kate and her new doll, whom she named Jasmine.
Auntie Heather sent her Twister Hopscotch. The girls had a great time playing with that this morning. With a snow storm on the way, this is perfect timing! :)
And Aunt Hillery and the family sent this great outfit - perfect according to Anna Kate's specifications - and a matching outfit!
Our "little" Anna Kate is such a delightful daughter, really a blessing to our entire family. She is so patient with her sisters, so generous and a great teacher. I see her teacher's heart almost every day. She is a great nurturer, too. And, of course, she has a great laugh! She loves to learn - already reading and excelling in math - and to play games.

This is for heather! :)

Unfortunately, Heather, this video is oriented the wrong way, and I don't know how to change it. But, if you cock your head to the side, you can still enjoy it! :)

the last week or so

Together with Ellen, another woman on our staff team, we hosted a baby shower for Jen, who is also on our staff team. She is expecting her first child in mid-January. The big girls wanted to participate and the guests were super sweet at including them. Here, the girls are working together to diaper a baby, each using only one of their hands. They did a great job, and it was so fun to see them working together!
The weekend before Thanksgiving, we always head to one of our favorite places: Camp of the Woods. Every year, the northeast region of Campus Crusade for Christ hosts their staff for a four-day conference. It is always a highlight of the year in large part because of the facility. We can give our young children some freedom that they can not experience elsewhere. And we are encouraged by friends, colleagues and the Lord. This year, however, was a little different because after the conference David headed to the woods with two great friends, J.W. and Adam. The three of them set out for four days of camping and hunting. The weather was great for this time of year. However, they did not see anything. So, really it was more of a camping trip. J.W.'s family - wife Steph, sister Rachel, three boys and daughter - came to our house for those same days. We had a great time living under one roof! Likewise, the weather was great for us, and with seven children under six it is really a blessing to get out! One day we went to the New York State Museum.

Here's Lucy on the subway car. That's the back of Titus' head next to her; he turned away just as I was taking their picture.
There they are from the back! So cute!

Josiah on the subway car at the museum.

Jack hanging on the subway car.

Of course, we had to ride the carousel! One of our favorite places to share with people who visit! Can you imagine the sight of us? Seven children under six and pregnant me, Steph, and Steph's sister-in-law Rachel (what a god send!) . . .

The tiger Heather recently sent to Samantha was a big hit! Here, Anna Kate and Titus are hanging out together in the morning.

MINE! Roar. I ride.

Auntie Heather and Decker sent Samantha this tiger for her birthday! Oh my! She loves reading books about animals. And in every single case the conversation goes something like this:
Samantha: "This?"
Mom: "Dog." (or fill in the blank with any animal)
S: "Ruff."
M: "That's right. A dog says ruff."
S: "Ride?"
She wants to ride every animal we see! It is the cutest thing, and, so, this tiger, which she can actually sit on is perfect. So perfect, in fact, that she slept with it for a couple of days, which is also saying something since it is as big as she is.