My Baby is Growing Up

 Lily started opening her presents before we were even ready.  She had this swimsuit unwrapped and her clothes half off before I even realised what was happening.  The swimsuit stayed on all day and has now been hidden because if she can find it she wants to wear it.

While opening every present she said, "Ahh."  Like the noise people make when they say, "Ahh, it's so cute."  She would make that little "Ahh" even before she saw what was in the package.  It was so funny.

Here she is - loaded up with favorites from her stash.  When it came time for cake and ice cream she knew exactly what to do with the candles.  Her petite little puffs put out the flames and she devoured her ice cream.  Lily lights up my day and we all dote on her.  Her vocabulary is growing so fast - I love it. Can't get enough of my little cutie.

Family Pictures 2014

Family pictures - turned out pretty well except that Lily was super grouchy and is eating Smarties or playing with a phone in every picture.

 Kate was a bit of a photo bomber.

Halloween 2014

Elsa and Anna - Kate picked out her fabric and helped me make her costume.  I wasn't quite up for Anna's coronation gown so Emmy got store bought.  She was thrilled and wasn't about to ruin the costume with a long sleeve shirt.  She lasted all night without a jacket or anything.  Crazy girl.

The funnest part was fixing their hair.  Natalie found a bunch of how to videos and we had a great time trying them out.  Kate's braid was so perfect with her thick hair - if only it were longer.

 Natali got flustered about her costume and refused to pose for pictures so we will just leave it at that.

 Andrew wanted to be a nerd and made a pretty good one.  Although he did learn that he could only hike his pants up so far without uncomfortable side effects.

 Anna again.

 Mack borrowed one of my brother's old costumes.  I have no idea what he is but it was creepy.

Lily refused to wear the lion hat until we actually started getting the treats.  Then she put it on without complaint- she is all about the candy - whatever it takes.

Football Concussion

Mack and Andrew got to play on the same football team this year.  Mack's age team was full and he was so light that he was able to play down.  Even after playing down he was one of the four lightest kids on the team.  Greg was assistant coach and the boys loved it - until one tackle during practice where Mack sustained a concussion that kept him out of school for 12 days.  His hit didn't seam that bad at the time but the ensuing headache and neck pain didn't ease after a good nights sleep.  I kept him home and figured he could take it easy and be fine in a day or two.  He didn't improve so I took him to a Doc and stopped all stimulation.  No light, no TV, no toys, nothing.  Just a dark room, alone; I told him he would learn what it meant to be bored.  After a day of that I gave into audio books to keep him from going crazy.  He listened to 40 hours of Harry Potter and at least 4 other books.  After a week in the dark and no improvement we sought other Doctors- it took a while but we finally ended up with a prescription and physical therapy.  Thankfully, the combo finally helped.  After more than two weeks gone he eased back into school with half days wearing a hat and sunglasses to protect his sensitive eyes.  It was a rough three weeks of worry and frustration but he is fully recovered now, although he still prefers to wear sunglasses to school.  He has always been a little sensitive to light and I think he just likes having the shades in bright room.  He looks pretty silly because the shades are the type that attach to your glasses and flip up and down.  Dorky, but functional, and he doesn't seam to care about dorky.  Nearly a month after his injury he was cleared for physical activity again.  It was so strange to him to be out of shape.  Luckily, football was over by then so we didn't have to address that issue.  I'm just hoping next year he doesn't want to play.  Maybe he could get a little more into soccer - that's safer...right?

Fun with my Littles

Just one week after school had been out Emily asked me, "Can they go back to school now?"  She loves the big kids but she likes her mom time even more.  This last month she has been thrilled to just hang out with mom and Lily again.  

 Early in the morning we love watching the ducks in our backyard.

I wrapped them up, called them burritos, and gobbled them up.  They wanted to do it over and over.

I love my job.

Arrow of Light

Mack receiving his Arrow of Light Award.  He earned the award right before we moved so we went back to Nampa for the presentation.  All done with Cub Scouts.

Yes, he is wearing football pads.  We came straight from practice.

Lily wanted in on the action.

First Day of School

I took a ton of pictures of the first day of school and was so proud of myself - then I realized the camera settings had been changed and most of them were blurry.  At least I tried.  

 7th Grade

 2nd Grade - loved that her teacher, Mrs. Kinley's, name was similar to her middle name, McKinley.

 Emmy is wishing she was in school but I'm not willing to giver her up.  Going to miss her next year.

 5th Grade

 4th Grade