Savvys 10 year Backpacking Trip

Michael came up with the amazing idea to take each of the kids backpacking the year they turn 10.  All the family pitched in and we were able to get her gear to last her a long time.  We went to Savage Gulf and as soon as we pulled in it started pouring.  Michael was prepared and we all had rain gear.  She was incredible, backpacked 10 miles, ate a diet of beef sticks and freeze dried meals, swam to a waterfall, lived off the land for 2 nights, and was hilarious.  I loved so much having this one on one time with her.  At home she is always the responsible, no-nonsense, easiest-oldest child.  But here she was goofy, free, and just wonderful.  She said quotes that we will hold on for the rest of our life-like "how did he break his plasma" and "papas milk".  I hope she always remembers this trip, I know we will

Mud Island

We went with the Mcdaniel's  to mud island and Michael was able to visit us for lunch.  This place is so neat, the weather was perfect and the Magnolia tree's were blooming

Buffalo River

We went with 2 of our favorite families to the Buffalo River.  We canoed on  Friday and hiked and played in the river on Saturday.  Mom offered to keep Norah for the weekend and that worked out perfectly, I would have been nervous with her on the canoe.  We started with Savvy and I in a canoe and then she asked Michael if she could come to his canoe because apparently I make her nervous…. whatever.  Caleb came in with me and we were a great team ;)

 The kids love telling stories by the fire.  They are hilarious but somehow always end with zombies or a werewolf... and usually by the time we go to sleep we have frightened kids

End of Year Fun

The school year is coming to a close and trying to attend all 4 end of the year celebrations has been… challenging:)  I've had a lot of help and had to ask help for reinforcements when things were scheduled at the same time.  Caleb and Norah had a muffins with mom on the same day/time Cohen was leaving for a field trip and luckily mimi was able to go on the field trip with Cohen.  After muffins with mom I drove straight to Savannah's Field day for 2 hours.  (I love field day and it makes me tear up every single year.  Savvy won her division for the 50 yard dash and was so excited).  After field day I came home, ate a sandwich then left to go back to Cohen's field day… this is all in the same day, it was insanity but so so good

 The next day I went with Savvy's class to the Lichterman Nature Center

 Then Savvy had a part in the school play.  My pictures from this night were horrible, I was off my game

                                  Then my Caleb graduated preschool…  sigh

 The kids would NOT cooperate when I tried to get a picture of us together.  It was 10 am and I needed a drink ;)

 Savvy and Cohen both got Citizenship award (All E's).  The both did incredible this year and have learned so much.  So very proud of them

Summers Coming!

Summer's coming which means the kids will be covered in mud at least once a week :)

Caleb and Norah

Man I LOVE his hair!

 Norah had her first dentist appointment and did wonderful.  She's always been so upset when we take the older kids and she couldn't wait for her turn

 The younger two could go to a park everyday.  Luckily we have one close to our house and sometimes end up there in pj's

 Norah decided to put a bead up her nose one day….  The only other experience I had with stuff up the nose was Savvy at this age put a goldfish cracker up there, luckily we were able to get it out.  Norah not so much, I could NOT get it out.  So we loaded up and headed to the pediatrician.  Ours wasn't there but we were able to see someone pretty fast and he said he wasn't sure if he was going to be able to get it out….sigh…. he left the room to find some kind of tool and Norah sneezed and wrinkled up her nose and i was able to get it out!  She keeps me on my toes

Norah's 3

My Norah bug.  She has the entire family totally smitten over her.  She is hilarious, brave, sassy, lover all things little and kisses.  She is growing into this amazing little human and I can hardly handle it, I've yet to get tired of watching her.  At least 3 times a day I say "look at Norah" and she's doing something precious or hilarious.  She loves princess as much as she loves playing outside with the boys, she loves getting muddy but usually has on a tutu :)

She wanted a Sofia birthday and we had all the family over to celebrate her and she loved it.  We love you amazing girl