Trek

So, Zak is off on his Trek adventure! We were trying to take our best, "Aw, shucks" type picture. I'd say he did a pretty good job :) I don't know how excited he was to look so Tom-Sawyerish, but he has been a fabulous sport about everything. He is very excited, which I hear not all of the kids are, so we are lucky. Only positive things have come out of his mouth, so I'm hoping he'll have a great time!

Abram

I adore this child with all of my heart. There's not much that makes me happier than this sweet face and the big, happy personality that goes along with it. Abram loves riding his bike, playing cars, watching Dora, and "nuggling". I love you, sweet Abram. Happy third birthday!!!






best friends

Feeling crafty

I have had the bug to create something and I just can't seem to come up with anything cute. I tried painting something for the girls room that turned out so-so. Then I painted something for my friend Kristi that was just plain embarrassing (and I plan to replace them!). I can create something on paper that I love, but I can't bring it to life in another form. I don't have the patience to stitch anymore. So...that's when I started to give painting a try. Yeah, well, I stink at painting. But I have been messing around with it all week and finally made this today that I actually kind of like! My first painting creation that isn't completely awful. Trust me, everything else I've done HAS been awful.

Book Review

So this book was SOOOO hard to get into. I almost offered to give it away on my blog a few times, but my friend Kristi convinced me to keep going. I always read while I eliptical and one morning I wanted to throw the book against the wall and kick things. I was feeling frustrated because I quite hate exercising and my book stunk. It made for a miserable morning.
HOWEVER, once I got oh, like half way through the book, I started to really enjoy it. And let's be honest, it was more like a quarter of the way through the book. But, my-goodness, it took me a long time to get to that point! It ended up being a pretty good read. I would recommend it and I have a copy to lend out.
For those of you who've read it, one part that annoyed me: when Wanda went into mourning for three days when she realized Doc and the others had killed the souls looking for medical answers. HELLO! Hadn't her species wiped out an ENTIRE planet full of humans?! Finding blood from three silver souls seemed pretty insignificant compared to what they had done. I daresay she over-reacted.
I am a sucker for any type of love story, though, so I enjoyed the romance and characters. Overall grade: B

I am starting "John Adams" next. I can't wait to read it.

To the Fathers...

Dad, Happy Father's Day!! Oh, how I wish I knew you better and got to spend more time with you. I think of you often and love you very much.



Joe, what a good man you are. You are patient and silly and easy-to-talk-to and everything a great dad should be. Thank you for your example.



Christopher, thank you for being the incredible father you are. There is no question how much you love your children and they think the world of you. Happy Father's Day!!!

I could totally have ten kids and love it!

We have been watching the Bouck children for the past few days (Kevin and Joy get home tomorrow afternoon) and it has been party central at our house. The kids have had a blast!!! I thought perhaps I would be in some serious need of "me" time after all of this, but I have enjoyed every second of having them. In fact, there have actually been eleven kids in the house because Jonah and Caleb have had friends sleepover, too. And I'm not going crazy! I'm not even feeling the tiniest bit grumpy or overwhelmed. Chris, on the other hand, couldn't believe the dinner chaos and escaped happily to a movie with a friend :) I said a little prayer tonight that I'd be more than happy to have my twins still. Sure, it may be a little tricky with all that vasectomy business, but I am always up for a challenge!


Lucy and Abram...they love eachother! (and don't they look like eachother?!)

Jonah slip-n-sliding

Nick

Eli, Abram, and Nick...superheroes!

Totally pooped after a long, fun day...watching a movie

Funny story: We took all the kids to Jonah's baseball games last night (he had two back-to-back). His team took second over-all so he got a cool trophy. Nick ran over, gasped, and said in the most EXCITED voice, "JONAH!! You won the PISTON CUP?!"

Baby Girls

Camille & Lizzie, Brittany & Clara, Chalice & Katalya


So aren't these the cutest baby girls you ever did see? Lindsay will be having a girl in just a few weeks, then we will have had FOUR Call girls born within the year. Isn't it funny how the tides have turned? For years, Camille and I couldn't figure the girl thing out (although we quite adore the many boys we have and wouldn't have picked anything else!), then suddenly four of them! There's nothing sweeter!


Grandma Call with Clara and Lizzie