The Bread

These boys are the bread on my kid sandwich.

I love capturing these moments where they are on the floor looking at books, being peaceful. Because if I don't I'm sure that I'll forget because the living room is usually a wrestling ring, or a bull pen before bed time.  That is too loud to forget.

They hang out.

I'll be heading down tomorrow to see what they've done, but this is from last weekend. There is some siding on the south side.

Den started some stone around the basement to see if he could do it himself. He's feeling good about it.

Storage above the basement steps. Eden was in a "don't take my picture" mood.

Dennis has been installing recessed lighting.

My tub, that I got a FABULOUS deal on.

Front of the house.

And this is a live and learn kind of thing.  I wanted a sky light over Eden's bathroom but I did not know there would be a bubble sticking out of our roof. I don't know if I would have done it still.  But Dennis says there will be other things sticking out of our roof too. I don't like that. But whatcha gonna do?

Winter?

We've been taking care of the neighbors chickens, and getting to keep the eggs!

My animal girl loves this.

We have another independent reader in the house. Or perhaps just another Star Wars lover as the book has blueprints for ships from a galaxy far far away.

Our neighbors moved (thus watching their chickens until they come get them) and the kids were able to run free on the other side until the new ones came. Come they did. I'm such a baby about change. Let's just say that I'm going to love living in the country again.

This guy is my little helper. He's been asking me to play with him more and I'm doing my best to oblige. It's really not my strength as a mom. I'm better at having them do things with me, sometimes. Like these cookies for Jesse's class.

Or games, I like games :)

He made this in Sunday school.

We were excited.

So, someone (la) had asked about my new camera. It's a new to me SLR, an upgrade from my power shot which I bought with Christmas money for 1/2 price. Woo!  I'm still learning and playing with it. As you can see by these seemingly good photos of Van until you look closely and see that his forehead is the part of the pic that is most in focus. Like I said, learning.

But, his beautiful eyes distract, don't they?

Flowers in February, what? Is this PA winter?  Not according to the natives and I'm totally okay with that. We've hardly had a day that lingered below 30.  Thank you Jesus.

For the record I notice Jesse is missing again! Ironically he is the best about posing for the camera if I ask. But he's always on the move so I need to be more intentional of recording his life. Who said the oldest child always has the most pictures taken of them? 

Thank You Grandpa & Grandma!

Why....

bother getting a fancy camera and learning how to use it when I have a fabulous friend who takes beautiful pictures of my kids, while she is babysitting, with her own fancy camera.

He's been into holding B lately. "Hold this?" he asks.

And then .."all done" as he pushes B back to me.

Tuesday we went to Den's parents to check on the place while they are in Alaska.

Bringing in the tomatoes.

Fed the fish.

Catch a butterfly, show mama, let it go.

They spent a lot of time chasing butterflies, their were so many!

J had his last summer cello lesson, and during it we went to a nearby park to sweat, I mean...play.

Check out her hair... back in the day when I had bad perms, this is what i was going for...but not so nappy.

mama's day pride

and one more to come...sigh....

Baseball and stuff

J has had a couple of games now and if you ask he'll tell you that they've won them all so far. Technically they still don't keep score at this age, but you better believe that the kids do!


Batting is definitely is favorite part.


He's always ready to be a part of the action.



He actually pitched the first inning of a game. Four strikes! He really got into the form of pitching.



The other night the kids were giggling and talking way past lights out so I went in there with camera (lights still off) and aimed at their beds and this is what I found.

J couldn't handle the flash.




This was at J's baseball opening ceremonies. V pretty much calls any drink of ours that isn't water "coffee". It is actually coffee in Den's mug. Are we starting him too young?

Blown Away

I don't like wind...normally. But, the other night we had one of those warm winds that comes in with a storm, and I love those. So like a safety first mom, I sent my kids out to play in it. (There was no thunder or lightning...if there was I couldn't have paid my oldest to go outside) They loved it, they danced in it. It had been one of those days for me so to go outside and feel the wind blow away all the bad and watch my kids frolic in it and the few rain drops was simply glorious.

This was earlier today, but they were too cute not to share.