Cell Phone

I bought a new phone, a smart phone (you are suppose to be impressed), in Feb of 2013. I today, just figured out how to get the pictures off my phone and on to the camera (not impressive). So, here are some pictures from the last 16 months. A lot of these I have sent to you already but here they are again.

 Family Home Evening was pie night. Caroline's first taste of soda.

 Maddie Mae getting her ears pierced, the reward for being potty trained.

 Pretty girls getting ready for the day.

 The nickle arcade with Drew. Drew was busy playing a battleship game with Topher. The girls used their nickles to go around and around.

 Topher showing off his art work in Kindergarten.

 Enjoying the remainder of mom and dad's date.

 Breakfast in bed.

 Kindergarten field trip to the zoo.

Kindergarten graduation day. My little cheetah.

 Miss Maddie Mae showing off her pretty hair at Mimi's house.

 Left to her own devices, Caroline likes to sample each doughnut.

 Caroline rocking and at the doctor for her well child check up. She is healthy.

 ICE CREAM!!

 Grouchy day.

 Discovery Park in Pleasant Grove.

 At the Daybreak Splash Pad

 First day of First Grade!

 Waiting for Lori and Zach to get hitched!

 Homemade raspberry jam.

 Rope park in Daybreak by the lake. Maddie likes to climb!

 Helpful Caroline.

 Happy Halloween. Pretty girls and scary boy!

 Baby number 4. Hercumur according to mom.

 Topher's self portrait of him eating peas and chicken. He is smiling I think.

 Ugly Christmas Sweater #2.

 Girls relaxing after Christmas.

 Baby 4!

 Crazy hair day and normal smile day. She smiles so silly.

 What I let the kids do while Tyler's not around. 

 Normal Caroline smile.

 My kids love cheese cake unfortunately for my waste.

 Shopping with kids = hell. That is why we gave up and watched a movie at the store instead!

 Wet yucky day means movie day for all.

 Maddie Mae is already allergic to school. She got this on read to a sibling day at Topher's school.

 When I do hair now I have three requests - Elsa hair up, Elsa hair down or Anna hair. This is Elsa hair up.

 Off to save the day.

 Barnes and Noble.

 New baby at the hospital - August!

 Little chicken legged August

 August and mom napping.

 Baby August!

 Brothers

 Brother and Sister; Baby and Former Baby

 Fashionistas

 Summer lunches are almost always outside. Eliminates sweeping!

 Couch buddies!

 Best picture I have. And as Caroline would say - "My butt!"

 Good morning to my early risers.

 Blue eyed boy!

 Trying to get August to smile. Instead we get weird.

First Bath and Life

With your first kid you, as a parent learn to change your life and adapt to this new little person. For second, third, and fourth children it is the other way. There is already a routine and a family dynamic. They get to adapt to us. My house is not quite or calm. August has to adapt to that. We are on the go so naps in car will be regular. And getting jumped on is a hazard of having wild older siblings. So far August has only been jumped on twice. 

My "baby" blew up! How sad they grow up as soon as you bring home another little one!

August hated his first bath and all the subsequent ones until Mimi came to visit. I should get an updated picture of him bathing because he loves it now.

Mother's Day 2014

Every 7 years two of my Mother's Days will be a birthday party for either Madelyn or August. This year was an especially busy Mother's Day. I came home from the hospital the day before and it was Madelyn's birthday. While Tyler did a little for me, it was really about them. But hey, without them I wouldn't get to celebrate Mother's Day. So Madelyn and August, when your birthday falls on Mother's Day, only one request, choose something good to eat because dad gets to cook!

Maddie Mae's Birthday and Bringing Home Baby

On May 10th we brought home August. We also celebrated Maddie Mae's 4th birthday with Peter and Jill in town. Maddie Mae wanted a party with friends and for obvious reasons I was not up to that. But having Peter and Jill here was a treat to her and she enjoyed her party!

Jill helped out by holding August. Peter held him for just a moment. I think to get a break from the older ones!

Siblings are always there to help you out, whether you want the help or not.

Tyler and I learned that we have a snoop with this birthday.

Two weeks before her birthday Maddie Mae came to me and said:

"Mom, you know that room that I am not suppose to go in? Is that my bike in there?"

Yup, she found her gift and knew exactly what to expect.

We've learned our lesson, we must keep her gifts under lock from now on.

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As for the birthday cake - well - I won't place blame on anyone as it still tasted good and all was eaten. But we call this cake soup,

On Maddie Mae's official birthday she was provided with a cake that held its shape :) and another gift from Gramma that had a beautiful bow.

Maddie Mae - I am so glad you are in my family. You are so much fun. You make my life interesting (almost always in the best way)! You are amazingly talented and I can't wait to see what you do in your life. I am sad this is our last year to hang out all day. I will miss my little girl next year while you are gone. I love you my Miss Maddie Mae!