Mother's Day Breakfast

Happy Mother's Day! Mommy was woken up this morning with breakfast in bed. The kids were happy to bring a smile to their mother's face and a joy to her heart. They all promised to be on their best behavior the rest of the day.

Karis has braids!

Mommy decided to try a new look for Karis. Two short little braids peeked out from Karis' little head. So cute!

Kobe the Photographer-Part 2

Here are some beautiful pictures Kobe took of Fall with Mommy's camera. He has a bit of his Daddy's eye for photography!

Kyrie standing in her crib

Kyrie was heard laughing in her room and when Mommy appeared, she laughed aloud as Kyrie showed her how she could stand up in her crib! Karis was equally impressed and clapped with delight.

One Smiley Girl

Mommy captured some adorable smiles from Kyrie!

Kobe starts Kindergarten

Kobe is a Kindergartner! Daddy, Mommy and Kobe all went for the half day of Kindergarten. Kobe got to see what he would be doing in class, as well as meet some new friends! After, we all went to the New China Buffet restaurant (Kobe's choice) and had a wonderful time just the three of us. We also took a trip to Super Wal-Mart where Kobe wanted to ride the mechanical horse. The three little kids were being baby-sat by relatives. It was a wonderful start to Kobe's first year of school!

King for an Evening

Kobe was given the royal treatment tonight when he was invited to stay up with Mommy and Daddy to watch a movie and have some popcorn. The movie was The Prince of Egypt the popcorn bowl was so big he could hardly reach around it. Kobe savored every moment. It was our thanks to him for being such a great helper with everything around the house and with his siblings. That kind of help often is unnoticed...

Out of the Cocoon

Daddy was taken out of the shaggy cocoon he had dwelled in for the past few weeks to turn into something lighter. Maybe not the prettiest metamorphosis, but Mommy cut his hair well. Can't help the subject matter...

Read More Mommy!

Karis can not get enough books. Once she finishes one, she is right back with another. Mommy is a champ keeping up with the book marathon with a grin.

Life Without a Bib

This is what happens when there isn't a bib around. The meal has to be experienced to the fullest. But then the whole outfit has to go - Mommy doesn't like that. That fist sure tastes good though...

Brunch at Forest Lake

We were fortunate enough to make reservations to eat brunch at one of the local eateries. We had to drive around the block several times to find a single spot to park. Valentine's Day and Mother's Day are the two guaranteed celebrations where everybody eats out. In spite of our reservations, we still had to wait for fifteen minutes with all four kids to get seated. Keeping them all entertained while starved and in a crowd (in a decent restaurant) is a challenge to put it mildly. But we all survived, even if most the kids' smiles didn't. At their age it is hard to understand the difference in behavior needed for certain locations. We then enjoyed an extravagant brunch that even the three minimalist dieters scarfed down. They had extravagant eggs-benedict, ham, eggs, potatoes and fruit salad - just to mention a few. Karis decided that she only wanted what was served to her on a plate, what we gave her to eat she would set aside on the napkin. She has taste. Kyrie ended up sleeping through everything, but was also content. The deserts were also quite the master-pieces, and the boys had a hard time picking the sweetest ones. A grand visit worthy of a wonderful Mom.

Karis Feed Her Baby

Karis decided she wanted to let her baby sit in her special chair at the table. She wanted to feed her baby and thought she must have to sit where Karis sits. It was so cute and Karis is so proud of being a little mommy!

Super Wal-Mart

Well, it has finally opened...Super Wal-Mart! We have been waiting so long for it to become a reality. A one stop shop for a big family. Before the Awanas ceremony, we all went and toured the place. It was everything I need in one store. Awesome! The children really loved it too and Kobe even commented that it felt like we were in the cities. The prices are lower, and they even have shopping carts where I can fit all three little children in although in this picture all the family carts were being used. Oh what bliss for this busy mother and her kids!

The Life of a Stay-at-Home Mom

This is what a day with four kids and a dog can drive you to do. It contains all the weird thoughts and feelings that might have bubbled up to the surface in a whirlwind of parenthood. It is disposable too!

Stay at Home Dad for a Day

Mommy left for work training with the school district, and Daddy is now in charge of the house, the dog and four kids all day. Karis is sad to see her go, and the rest of the crew is as well...

Bedtime Stories

Mommy caught her boys enjoying a bonding moment together. The boys had just had a bath when they picked out a truckload of books for Daddy to read. They had such a great time together, all the guys (with no girls!) reading favorite stories before heading off to dreamland.

PRETTY

For the past three days Karis has been saying a new word-"Pretty." She says it anytime she sees sparkly things or dresses or necklaces, etc. Today Mommy painted her toenails and she said "Pretty" and posed them carefully for Daddy's camera. Then she wanted to get even more glamorous and put some necklaces on. I guess she needed some "bling" to go with her nails...

Karis Reads to Her Mother

Mommy looked like she could fall asleep at any time, so Karis took it upon herself to read a book to her mother to finish the job. Every page was meticulously formulated with the right words: "hug" and "Bobbo" or "Mommy" - and another 34 repetitions of "hug." The name of the book: HUG. Anyway, she did a wonderful thing - even though Mommy did not get to sleep...

A First for Kyrie

Kyrie loved the new red phone Mommy bought her and actually held onto it! All the other toys we have tried to put into her hand she drops immediately. This somehow she hung on to and didn't let go! Watch the video and please disregard the annoying Mommy in the background...

Karis' Fluttery Fashion

Mommy made her two daughters some butterflies to decorate the girls room, and a couple of winged beauties to go in their hair. Karis is showing off the clip-on butterfly, wetting her appetite for fashion.