The Strong Man

Erik is the man who brings up toilet paper, Kleenex, almond milk, and greek yogurt from the downstairs supply. 

And he does it with style. 

Look at this strong man. :) 

Different Moments

 Katelyn playing with Joel. I love watching especially the girls interact with their youngest cousins, having fun with them and wanting to watch or hold them. This new baby sibling will be looked after most attentively. :)

Katy got it in her head to do the girl's toes and nails one evening. :) And Laura soaked up her spa moment. 

  Blowing on her freshly painted nail polish. 

It was so cute.

This was at 35-36ish weeks I think. 

Went to the Windmill for supper one evening - and Opa doing his sketching game with them. 

Me and Rach - after a surprise party that Adelle and Shantel had organized for her birthday! Rachel came and spent the afternoon with me, helping me organize some kid's clothes, before I helped get her to the surprise. Fun evening with a bunch of other ladies - at Gus and Guido's for supper. 

Flying a kite with a couple neighbor kids at our park. 

Watching Katy make pancakes. :) 

I love this moment that James captured. 

Poor little sick Laura.

Licking the chocolate off the top of the bun. :)

Doesn't it look like I'm holding everyone's attention? :) Subbing in for Shelly for Junior Church one Sunday evening. And really - they did listen to a short story on Hudson Taylor and about his sister Amelia. And only four of this group is not either one of my children or a niece or nephew. :) 

And a video of Erik snowboarding down our park's sledding hill. He was pretty proud of himself for making it - and I was too!

Getting it Cut

First thing in the morning as James left for work - and before any makeup - I got him to take a quick "BEFORE" picture, 

And the "AFTER" - so much better...and right before one last date with James before baby comes - Lord willing. Yes, I'm thankful for makeup and a refreshing haircut. :) 

37.5 weeks. So close. 

In Daddy's Arms

Waking up from a nap...

Decorating Ginger-Things

James went to Kentucky for three days with the sales team at Whitebird - and we carried on at home. I was thankful that baby "Who" didn't come early at 37 weeks - and was very glad when James came home! In the meantime, we did school, gymnastics, and decorated some gingerbread "trains"...well it was supposed to be trains, but it turned out to be a freestyle design time - as the gingerbread was getting old and broken. :) So instead of trains, Katy made a garden, and Erik made a monster truck.

Laura was sick for the three days James was gone - poor little girl. She was so sweet and didn't complain though. 

Krista came over for one night, which was fun. And the other two nights I tried to mark off things off my "before baby comes" checklist...which wasn't a lot, but I tried. :) 

I liked watching them do their own thing. :) 

Three on a Couch

 Erik often will take the two girls under his charge when I'm doing school with Katie. He'll do some kindergarten stuff on www.starfall.com with them watching him click, play cars and such, or look at books together. 

When it works, I so appreciate it.

But yeah - it doesn't always look so good. :) There is chaos and tears, fighting and frustrations, but it's all a part of learning in this life. 

Daddy's Valentines

I really didn't want James to buy me flowers at this crazy time of year when the prices are so jacked up, and he compromised - by getting me some gorgeous roses leftover from the Windmill. :) And he took three roses for his other little sweethearts, arranging them each in a vase. 

My handsome man. 

My very simple Sunday lunch decor - all thanks to Rachel T. She gave each of the children a chocolate bar and decorated cookie - which made it look a bit more festive. Time ran and I didn't get a chance to get/or do anything too pretty. :) 

Giving Laura her first rose. I love how she just walks up simply -not expecting anything - with chips in her mouth...

...and when daddy gives her a rose, she shares what she has - a chip. :) 

Katie's expression when she got her rose from Daddy. 

And little Amy...

Trying to sniff the rose. 

All cuddles. 

Erik and his cookie. :) 

So it was a simple but nice day.

With my loved ones. 

Two Teeth

This girl lost two teeth in three days. 

She was pretty determined to get that wiggly tooth out. 

And then finally  - on the counter while I was videoing, she pulled it out. 

No tears, but just - shock and excitement. I was pretty proud of her. :) 

A couple days later Uncle Tim and Aunt Lannette stopped by for a visit, and during their time here, Katie got her next tooth out. Lannette was a big cheerleading for her, making it exciting. :) And I got to actually pull it out - which I felt proud of doing, as I'm not super in to pulling teeth. :) Tim got it on video and it was pretty neat. 

Now she has an adorable hole and a cute way of talking. 

And I love it. 

Saying goodbye to Uncle Tim.