4th of July

I didn't get a lot of photos this 4th, but I did get a few. Here are the boys! Of course, Grant had to blow up a couple army men. We spent the evening with friends from church. The couple hosting the party had a fabulous pool, complete with slide and waterfall. I wish I had a camera there, since Max was jumping off the waterfall with the big kids. It was crazy!

Hope everyone had a great 4th!

blackout ...

Well, life is always an adventure in this house, and last night was no different. In fact, probably more of an adventure. We got home right at 6 p.m. to find the garage door not opening. I figured something was wrong with the garage, but promptly found out upon entering the house that it wasn't just the garage that had problems! The whole house was without electricity. So, we spent the night hoping that it would come back on ... and soon. Unfortunately, it didn't come back on until 10:30, but meanwhile the kids and I had fun in the dark. Max took a bath by "candlelight," the kids played on the GameBoy until the batteries died and then Max, Katelyn and I played UNO. Fortunately, Blake slept the whole time. All we could think was "how in the world did the pioneers do it." It definitely made us appreciate the little things we just come to expect!

Sidenote: When the PG&E guy called me back after the power went back on, his first comment was, "So how do you like me now?" He must have known how happy we were to have our air conditioning back!! (it's only been 106 here!!!).

Blake ... is 2 months old!

WOW! Again, time has flown by. Here is Blake at two months.

Happy Belated Father's Day ...

I had good intentions. I usually do. I just forget things. This being one. I bought this cute shirt well before Steve's parents even came to town. Did I remember to put it on Blake? Hmmm, well if you know me, you know I forgot. So, I had to do a photo session just for Grandpa. Happy Father's Day! Just a few days shy ... sorry!

I also included a behind-the-scenes shot. You can see why Blake is laughing! Never a dull moment in our house!

thumb sucker?

Well, I've been wondering if this day would come. Blake is pretty picky about when he will take a binky (only when really tired, and it doesn't stay in long), but for the most part he's only been sucking on his fist. Tonight, Steve called me in to see what Blake was doing ... awwwwww, thumb suckers are so cute!! Too bad it's a hard habit to break.

the fancy laptop ...

I really do need this laptop. It's not just a toy, and I didn't buy it just so we could take these goofy pictures on it. But, you have to admit, it sure is a lot of fun, and my kids definitely think that's what I should use it for. Almost everytime I get on it, they're begging to take some pictures.

Enjoy!!

High Point Champion!!

Day two of the swim meet was a big success (we don't have to mention that her toughest competition wasn't there, right?)! Katelyn placed first in 100 yd. freestyle, 100 yd. backstroke, and 100 yd. butterfly and ended the day with the 9-year-old high point trophy! It was a fun day, and nice and short, since there were only three teams there!! Here are some pics from today. And unfortunately, Steve got to time today, so I was in charge of Max ... he does not like to sit still!!

Swim Season is Here!

Yeah, I always look forward to this time of the year ... and am always happy to see it go by the end of the summer! Ha, ha! It's a lot of working hauling 4 kids to a meet, but Steve was a trooper while I did timing (sneaky, aren't I?!) and managed pretty well. Of course, Grandma comes along to help too! Couldn't do it without her!

Katelyn had a great 2nd meet (I missed the first, so no photos ... sorry!). We think she placed 2nd in Butterfly, 3rd in Breaststroke, and 2nd in Freestyle. She beat all her times, which rocks! Hopefully she can keep that up! Tomorrow we signed her up for 100's in fly, back and free ... she's not too happy about that! We're so mean!

Here are some pics from today:

bubbles ... bubbles ... bubbles

Max loves his bubbles. Katelyn won him this bubble set at school. She could have used her raffle tickets for some cool metallic markers, but instead thought of her little brother ... awwwww! (The funny thing is, Grant got to pick from the goody bag at his class too and brought home an Elmo coloring book for Max! I thought it was so sweet of them!)

Last Day of School!!! Hurray!

This year has gone by so fast, but we are happy to have summer here to sleep in (of course, Katelyn was up at 5:30 this morning!) and swim all day and play! I'm sure Max will have to adjust to having the big kids home all the time ... he's used to having things to himself! But he'll enjoy having someone to swim with whenever he wants!

Here's a picture of the kids on their last day! They both enjoyed their year at school and did great with their grades! Woo hoo!!

happy m-day

Mother's Day was so sweet ... the kids made me really cute cards and woke me up with a big "Happy Mother's Day"! Grant even made me one of his Lego creations ... so fun!

Blake's a month old ... and celebrating with a smile!

Wow, Blake turned a month today, and while taking pictures, I got a few smiles from him! That is a first. Not sure if it was a fluke or just gas, but it was fun to see him smile! And it wasn't just once ... at least 4 times!

Here he is at 1 month:

Pool Time

While Katelyn was at volleyball today, the boys played in the pool. Well, Max played in the pool mostly. Grant still thinks it's too cold (must get that from his mom). Max and Katelyn can play in there forever ... and he did! Here he is having fun!!

Blake - 3 weeks

Wow, time flies. Blake is already 3 weeks old, and I don't know where time has gone! I should be taking more pictures, but I'm lucky just to get showered and dressed for the day!

Here are a few from week 3.

Baby Blake ... finally!

How can a week seem like an eternity one week and then the next week it just flies by? It seemed like we were waiting forever for Blake to get here, and being overdue was killing me. But, in hindsight (of course), we can see God's perfect timing. Steve's parents flew into Bakersfield on Wednesday around lunchtime, and we were heading to the hospital at dinnertime!

I opted for an epidural this time, and WOW, can I say that had to be the easiest delivery ever??? After my epidural took effect, the doctor broke my water and about 45 minutes later, we had Blake. It only took about 3 pushes, and he was out. Time of birth: 10:25 p.m.

Blake was a lightweight (ha, ha) weighing in at 9 lbs., 10 oz. (Grant was the exact same weight). He measured 22.5 inches long. Because he had low blood sugar levels, they did take him away to supplement with formula and an IV. That was tough, but he was back in my room by the next afternoon. We ended up staying one more night (which was fine, as I knew the craziness I was headed for at home), so we went home Friday after lunch.

This week has flown by!! Crazy, it seems. He's a good sleeper, so nights haven't been too bad so far. It was wonderful to have Steve's parents here for the first week and then my mom has been helping me this week too, so I've been spoiled! I don't know what I'm going to do next week!! Hopefully keep it all together!

Here are some pictures of our sweet little Blake.

Just born:


















One Week:



9 Days:



With Max (9 days):

More video ...

Max tells the funniest story about his fishing adventure last week. Steve, Katelyn, Max & I went fishing over at the lake. Katelyn was the top fisherwoman, reeling in 7 crappie and 3 bluegill. We let Max hold one of the baby crappie, but he didn't throw it back in the water fast enough and the fish decided to get out of his hands on his own. Here's Max's version:

Did we miss Spring or what?

OK, so I'm not too happy with our weather situation now! It's not supposed to be almost 90 in March! I don't want to be horribly uncomfortable during my last month of pregnancy, and I didn't buy any short-sleeved maternity shirts! However, it has been fun for the kids, and as crazy as it seems, Katelyn and Grant have already been in the pool this last week (March 16 on). Max even jumped in his little pool when I was filling it up ... fully clothed of course. The big kids call his pool the hot tub because it's so much warmer than the big pool. I know Katelyn was in the pool when it was 60, but now it's getting up to 69, so it's really warm! ;)

Here's Max in his pool:

Goofy Dog

Izzy is so silly. We never knew this before, but she loves bubbles. We were doing bubbles with Max, when she came out of nowhere and kept trying to "eat" the bubbles. Ewww. Grant was worried she'd be sick, but I don't think she ate enough to make a difference! Here she is.