Slow Down Baby Kate!

In the last few weeks our baby Kate started MOVING! I guess at almost 8 months, we should be looking for these milestones. It is fun to watch, but also sad as I have enjoyed her as a BABY soooo much. When Ethan and Luke are running circles around me, I just hold and cuddle her and then she gives me a BIG gummy smile and a coo! I love that!!! Guess we'll just have to have another one!! JUST JOKING, don't go spreading rumors now!!! "How do you solve a problem like Maria?" or maybe princess Leia. However you see it, it sure is cute! She just finished gumming a banana to death in this picture and you would not believe the front of her dress - this is how it ended up. The boys thought it was pretty funny!
All 4's!!!??? What??

When did this happen? If she starts running circles with the boys, I don't know what

I'll do!

The sink is where she hangs out after her bath. I throw all 3 youngin's in the tub at the same time. Ethan helps me hold her while I give her a quick scrub. Then I wrap her in a towel and plop her in the sink to coo happily while I scrub the boys.

Not anymore! The little worm squirms out of the towel and wants OUT of that sink!

On a ride with Luke! Grandma thought this little basket on the back would be great for transporting little toys...or Kate!

We've been enjoying the nice weather. Here is Kate trying to figure out what this grass stuff is and why her legs are itching!

I am thankful for a healthy, growing baby, but I can't believe how FAST the months are flying by!! I guess I will have to hold her more tomorrow!

Biter Biscuits - A Love/Hate Relationship
I picked these up yesterday while I was at the store. I remembered they were messy, but I forgot HOW messy! It buys me some serious "happy baby" time, but then I have to ask myself: "Are those few minutes worth a full bath and a load of laundry??"

Kate was diggin' it!! Her vote is "YES!"

T4S

"Together for Sanity Conference"

April 15-17, 2008

Becky's house, PA

3 girlfriends, coming together for the sake of sanity!

Side note: Sanity was the goal, not reached due to the 3 girlfriends neglecting to take into consideration that when combined, there would be 7 (yes, 7) children age 3 and under running amuck.

To sum up our 3 days of fun:

overstimulated, tired children, fevers, snot, LOTS of poopy diapers, the pitter-patter of Luke feet at 6 AM (to be followed by the 3 more pairs of running feet just minutes later), peanut butter sandwiches, 1/2 finished conversations, DUMPING of all the toy bins just for the sake of dumping (while the mommies sipped coffee while hiding for a few minutes -well worth it!), a Karis, a Krista, a Kayla, a Kara, a Kate, a Carissa, SCREAMING, laughing, chasing, nursing, nursing, nursing, napping (LOVE those naps!!!!), "time outs", crying, interrupted thoughts, playing, fighting, a noodle (one single noodle), meltdowns, sunshine, great memories. Would we do it again...

after careful thought and consideration...YES!

But we're thinking next year we leave the kiddies with the daddies and we go to, let's say, Jamaica! (Of course, we would have to be back within 24 hours!)

If you would like registration information, please call our crisis hot line:

1-800-T4S-what -were-we-thinkin'

Just a dirt hill? No, this is heaven to boys (Even Kayla enjoyed getting dirty!)

Kate and Krista drooling together

The "Wild Men"... and sweet Sam!

"Winding down" for bed time

Kate and Kara enjoying the park!

Static?!

Driving at 2 and 3!!!

Sweet time with our children and good friends! I love you Becky and Karis!

Thanks for the adventure!

From one OPRAH fan to another...

if you enjoy an occasional Oprah show, then please take the time to check this out and let me know what you think!

Yes, I admit it. If I turn on the TV during the day, it is at 4pm (which, by the way is a horrible hour to enjoy a show - dinner prep, a hungry child clinging to each leg, etc). I have always enjoyed The Oprah Show: "Dr. Oz" on what a fatty liver looks like, "Nate" and his decor secrets, and of course "How to avoid buying "mom jeans" and "are you wearing the right bra size?" shows. She has USUALLY avoided the usual "talk show" topics (if you know what I mean). I don't really get into the celebrity interviews and occasionally she will have something really strange about "finding"peace or joy or something. On those days, I will just turn off the TV. She talks about God often, but I never really know what she means or where she is going with it. Sadly, I have never paid that much attention to that, I just want to know what size bra to buy! WELL,

Our Wednesday night bulletin listed the following web site along with our "pray for the nation". Ben called me right away when he got the bulletin early Wednesday and checked out this web site. He has always laughed at my "Oprah following". Anyway, this site has a few videos and a promo for a book "Don't Drink the Kool-Aid". Ben, as a pastor had a coupon code to access the book online, so I read all 80 pgs that day. My stomach dropped as I watched the videos and read the book. If you have a few minutes, please check it out and tell me what you think of this whole thing. Thanks!!

www.csteeleonline.com/

I wanna do it! Luke loves to wear shoes...anytime all the time! Especially Ethan's -

they slip on better!
"Can mommy help you?" "noooo!"

You know you have boys when...

I was sitting on the couch nursing Kate yesterday when the boys disappeared for a few minutes and things got quiet (never a good thing). Pretty soon, I heard the two of them marching down the hallway chanting "kill the beast". A side note: This occurs on a regular basis at our house ever since we watched "Beauty and the Beast". My boys love this "princess" movie only for Gaston leading the townspeople in a quest to find and kill the beast. Anyway, here they came in their regular fashion marching in time and pumping their fists in the air chanting in a deep, funny voice, "KILL THE BEAST!" When they rounded the corner, I noticed they had weapons - tampons! Luke's still had the little string hanging off the end of his. I watched as these tampons morphed from spears for combating the beast, then into swords for a quick sword fight, and finally into guns. I was sitting in a war zone as the boys ran up and down the hallway "shooting" each other. Just imagine the sounds of combat:

pweeew, pweeew, pweeew!

I can't wait for the day I can go shopping with Kate!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!!

This post is dedicated to a wonderful woman whom I love and am truly blessed to have, my grandmother, Audrey Ehmann. Grandma, you have been an example of godliness, of thankfulness, of contentment, and faith. You have displayed for me how to love my husband and children and how to impart to my family a spirit of thankfulness to God. You have given me encouragement in times of hardship and confusion and have lived out before me a humble reverence for our Lord and Savior. I love you with all my heart! We send our love, hugs, and kisses. I wish we will we could all be with you today to celebrate. I guess we will have to imagine Ethan in the closet, pulling out all the toys, Luke knocking over all your pretty things, while pushing your walker around the house like a mad-man, and sweet Kate spitting up all over your shoulder. See what you're missing! We love you! Happy Birthday!

Psalms 61:5 "For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name."

He is RisenDiving into the Easter basket - who needs pants anyway?

We got to church and found that Luke had a twin (actually there was yet another little boy that had the same vest in Sunday School, but I did not have my camera.)


Here's a peek at our Easter egg coloring festivities

And the grand finale... Ethan tells the Easter Story

We're Back!!!
Our computer has returned from it's rather lengthy stay in the computer hospital. It had a condition that was not easily diagnosed, therefore, not easily (nor quickly) repaired. For now, good ol' Dorothy (the affectionate name I just, at this moment, gave her) is running smoothly. I am looking forward to catching up on the blogging world. Here is a peek at a family day we had a few weeks ago.

A Petting Zoo Comes to Town

Awwww! "I wanted to be eaten", says Luke

1st stop... food

A napping kangaroo

This is a "unicow" VERY strange!

Rides, Rides, Rides!

Horse ride

Train Ride

Airplane Ride

And... Elephant Ride!!

And, of course, a souvenir to remember the day!

Blog on hold

Dear visitors of The Smith'sonian,
Our computer has been very sick over the last month and blogging has been the last of things attended to. We appolize and hope to be up and running again in the coming week(s). Please pop in again soon! Thanks!!