A few September Pics

These are a few of the pics i snapped of the girls last week. I was really just doing some experimenting with different areas because we take our family pictures every Fall. This fall I will most likely take all of the pics of the girls and them have someone take a few of all four of us with my camera. I LOVE my Canon!! So.. here's a couple from last week.

Bella is obsessed with these 'caterpillars.' She knows right where they are, and grabs one every time we go outside!

Look, I found a perfect Acorn!

2 acres, one patch of mud... and of course she HAS to play in it. Its too fun to resist. I have to admit, it did look tempting.

Apple Orchard

Our fun.. but very short.. trip to the Apple Orchard.

The above pictures were all taken from our trip to Curtis Apple Orchard. They were taken in the first 15 minutes that we were there, because about 20 minutes into the trip Bella vomited all over Brandon, suddenly had a high fever, it was terrible. She threw up in the van on the ride home, too, poor girl. She was so miserable. We all felt awful for her.

All that aside, we enjoyed our 15 minutes of fun! The girls got to take a pony ride and feed the goats (and then wash their hands.) We hope to go back soon and actually get to pick some apples and enjoy a little longer stay, hopefully without as much puke.

One of 'Those Days'

Well, today was certainly 'one of those days.' I am sure almost anyone with kids, especially my fellow mothers, can relate. I was trying to do something that was, to me, very important. To my kids, however, my "work" was the one thing standing in the way of their having my undivided attention. There were more screams, spills, fights, tantrums, snacks, refills, and things mommy just 'HAD' to see than I would have thought was humanly possible.

To say that I handled it with ease and I kept my cool and never let a bead of sweat fall would be a complete lie. I was irritated, I raised my voice, and there were times I about brought the 'whooping hand' out! Hah! That sounds funny, I realize, but it was not funny at the time. Today my four year old was acting like a 2 year old and my 2 year old was acting like a wild animal. It was complete madness, I tell you!

Around 7pm, I put Bella down and went to the bedroom to read Sophia a story and they were both sleeping soundly by 7:15. It was AWESOME! Mom's, I know you feel me.. that moment in the evening when the screams are replaced with sweet, silent slumber. The little mouths that were making demands and tattle-telling are softly closed and still. Its a moment you take to stand above them and thank God for giving you such precious gifts.... then go throw yourself on the couch and thank God for a few minutes to relax and enjoy some quiet and think (.. okay, okay AND watch Keeping Up with The Kardashians that i DVR'd.)

But as I sit here, I guess I feel a little bit guilty. Instead of being irritated that Bella wants to sit on my lap or have 100% of my attention, I guess I really should thank God that she LOVES me so much she WANTS my attention and desires 'mommy time.' And when Sophia cries like a toddler because she cant go to the bathroom, the kitchen or the bedroom without me... really what she is saying is 'I love you mom, and I want your attention and company wherever I go.' I guess the heart-breaking truth is, that there will come a day (much sooner than I like) when they wont ask to sit on my lap, or to walk them to the kitchen for a drink, or to read every book we own to them. Thats the days when I will probably cry tears of regret that I actually got irritated on 'days like these.'

However, if it weren't for the quiet evening after this day, I wouldn't have spent all this time reflecting on my blessings. I have many more besides my children, of course... but they are the ones weighing on my heart tonight.

Now if only I can remember this in the morning when this Circus starts up again... ;)

Bang Bang

This video was taken this July (maybe Aug?) when Sophia shot her gun for the first time.

Labor Day Weekend

From our Friday night 'camping' we did in the back yard. We roasted some hot dogs, made some s'mores and played outside all evening. It was SO fun to get to enjoy a gorgeous evening outside together.

Sophia likes to collect these 'caterpillars'

Bella looking very thoughtful. :) These are all pics i took on my new Canon Camera and i LOVE the way my pics are turning out so far. They have really great detail, and really capture the moment!

Sophia taking a break from the action, its exhausting chasing those little sisters around!

Bella is just so photogenic, its not fair! Its hard to even choose the ones to show with all the adorable ones i have!

Labor Day Weekend, Cont'd

This pics are really scattered as to which day of the 3 day weekend they were taken on... but for the sake of my time and sanity, i will just post them.
So, in no particular order...


Miss Bell and Gramps having a popsicle in the pool.

Sophie and Gramps sharing a laugh and a popsicle

Sophia got to go fishing @ the campground when we went to visit Great G-ma & G-pa.

She sure did look cute fishing, and she had fun even though the fish werent biting.

Fishing wouldn't be any fun without worms!

Baby Allison even got to enjoy some outdoor time with all of us (minus her daddy, who we all missed!) She is WAY too cute!!!

Bella and Madelynn were having fun running through Grandma and Grandpa S's willow trees! I have to admit, it looked like fun to me, too!

Because is could NOT have been any nicer this weekend, we were all too happy to spend most of it outside. We had so much fun that its hard to see it end. I wish every weekend could be as fun as this one was! Hope you enjoyed yours, too :)

Preschool and Baby Allison

Wow! I cannot believe that summer is almost over already. :( It seems like it just started. Although i do LOVE fall, its my favorite season.. i dread the long, bitterly cold season afterward which i will not speak of now.

So... a couple of big news events for the fam in the last few weeks.

#1: Sophia has officially started preschool. Last Wednesday we attended her Open House @ the school and got to meet her teachers and see the classroom. She began to get really excited, which is good since she has cried at the mention of school for the last year.

Last Thursday was the first day, and she loved it! She has happily went for the last week and she always has a good time. She seems to focus on playtime more than the lessons... but we are just thrilled she is still willing to go! So on the school front... so far, so good! I will say, though, Mommy, Daddy & Little Sister miss her when she is gone.

#2 My brother and his wife welcomed their second daughter into the world last Wednesday. Her name is Allison Kimber and she is at least 75% angel, i could tell by smelling her. :) She is so cute and tiny and sweet and all those things that babies are. :) I love her already. I think she looks like her big sister, too. I hope we get to babysit for both the girls soon... it will give me a taste at what having 4 kids would be like!