all grown up

We usually wait until the boys' 2nd birthdays for hair cuts but Nash's hair was getting so fuzzy all the time and I had finally convinced myself it was time so we did the deed... he was such a ham but as soon as that apron came off, he was done. Touch ups were done while I held him down. :) Otherwise, he did great!

...introducing... The Beast!

drifted

This is the view out our back door into the yard. Seeing the sun on the beautiful snow drift, soon to be demolished by the obnoxious dog, made me stop, even if just for a second, and appreciate everything I am blessed to have and reminded me to focus on myself, the things I can control, and my loving husband who puts up with all the craziness the kids and I create daily.  Forever.  :)

the end of the beginning of bucket ball

This last weekend we got to watch Peyton's last tournament for this basketball season. They played 3 games and I think he scored 1 basket. Not very good odds but he's gaining experience and he's doing a great job! I think he enjoys playing and I know we enjoy watching :) Let's hope we get a break for awhile from running him to some sort of practice.

Austyn and Aunt Pigg



take note of Peyton's basketball attire... nice shorts ;)



success

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.
~Mignon McLaughlin

little man Cullen

Also a big Thank You to this family for letting me practice my skills. This little guy was so relaxed and cooperative that I actually had to make myself stop. He did such a good job with the partially naked ones. Maybe if I go over there again we'll take the diaper off and get his little tush. :)

Mr Man Cullen - 2 weeks old

Miss Blue Eyes

This last weekend I did my first official photographs of a couple newborns. Miss Emma is 4 weeks old and little man Cullen is just 2 weeks. While Drew is only 2 months old, it feels like so long ago when she was that small. The tiny hands, the peeling skin, the smell... aaahhh babies! They will forever hold a spot in my heart.

Many thanks to both families for letting me practice on their little ones. Kudos to my sister, Casey, for making them look even better. (photos 1, 2, and 5 are unedited)

2 months

This is almost a week over due but Miss Drew is 2 months old now. She's becoming much more alert during the day and even more demanding when it comes to feeding and being wet or messy. Smiles are intentional. And she tells the best stories. I love getting those smiles and listening to her stories at wee hours of the night! Also, she loves the camera ;)

Little does this girl know that she has to put up with Tayt (above) and Nash for the rest of her life. I wish her all the luck in the world ;)

disconnecting neck

This "stunt" must run in the family because now Dave is doing it to our own children. I remember letting my Dad do this to us when we were smaller and the kids think it's just as hilarious as I thought it was then. As a mom... I'm not sure it's as humorous as when it was ME being lifted...still pretty funny though. :)



pay no attention the manly voice controlling the camera...

no Mother Superior in this house

Last weekend we had the privilege of adding another Godchild to our family.

*Tylan Rae*

She joins a wonderful family who we've had the pleasure of getting to know better in the last few years. What drew us to this family first was the shared love of big families. We hope to continue to get to know them better and look forward to getting all the crazy kids together again soon. :) I can quite honestly feel a lifetime relationship with this family and I love it!

A HUGE Thank You to Gina and our families for all the help and gifts and also Father Hackel for performing the baptisms. Everything was greatly appreciated!

notice Gina's face here (bottom right) as he's telling us if Tylan continues to cry she will be a Mother Superior :)

Tylan being baptized

Drew being baptized

top left - Dad's goofy face
top right - Gina with both babies
bottom left - Mallory's crew
bottom right - our entire crew

Casey & Kati

Dave & Erik
and Drew & Tylan

baby Drew

possibly my all time favorite of Casey

Dad trying on my glasses... decided they made him smarter...

birthday girl Hayden showing me how old she was... TWO!

lonely Sunday

I have to admit, yesterday was a little ... solemn without any football on television. After the incredible Super Bowl XLV for our Packers, we (and by we I mean Dave mostly ... while I nap on the couch most of the time) are at a loss as to what should be on the television on Sunday... all day! Dave is a HUGE Packers fan so he's been in Heaven since their win and even took the kids outside yesterday to enjoy the beautiful weather. This is what usually happens on Sunday. :)



Packers vs Bears win aftermath

CHAMPIONS!

packing of the nostrils

Parental Advisory: What you are about to see might be slightly disturbing. If you live with a male, own a male pet, or gave birth to a male... you may understand. If you gave birth to a female who exhibits traits of what you are about to see... I'll pray for you before I go to bed tonight.

This last one is the main reason I have SIX children. That grin. Those eyes. COME ON.

Mission of mashing all his cupcake frosting in. his. NOSTRILS... complete! Only 5 days before these photos were taken, Nash visited the ENT specialist at our local clinic to have a rock removed from his left nostril. I'm not sure he learned the lesson.