Sunday, July 29, 2018

January/February 2018

I am gearing up to take a photography class next month. Since I am doing that I also needed to finally sort through my computer which I never fully got set up after my last one failed. This has meant a lot of editing in the tiny bit of time I have lately to do it, but I am getting organized.


January we said good-bye to Kenya. I remember why I put off blogging partly was going through these photos was painful in some ways. We do miss her, but in some ways it has made my life easier. She got an infection and we had to put her down. The cost was so high and they couldn't guarantee  surgery would cure her. She was so sick here but still patient with Annalise that adored her so much.

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Anthony and I celebrated 10 years married. We had plans to take a trip this fall, but we have had a hard time committing to spending a lot of money on a vacation. We did enjoy a quick weekend away.

We also celebrated Lilliana's 7th bday. Yes, I wrapped her gifts in Christmas wrap. The time of year that keeps on giving.




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Eli has taken an interest in helping document. He took these pictures of her blowing out her cake since I wanted to be next to her. We tried it again for the girl's bday and it didn't go over as nicely.


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I took this photo of perfect curls and promptly cut Annalise's hair off 2 days later. Her hair was turning into a ratted mess in the back and it was the easiest solution. She looked cute, but we missed her long hair. Thankfully it is all grown back 5 months later.


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We had an unusual warm spell in February. Of course it didn't last but we enjoyed outside for a time.



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What kept us the busiest was lots of school. Eli was at this point branching out and reading so much of his own work. Looking back, I now realize this is going to help so much with the coming year and having 3 kids full time in school. Yes, the homeschool room was a disaster. Thankfully we have tackled that this summer and the little girls are less of tornadoes because I don't know if I could handle another crazy year of messes. LOL

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Saturday, June 30, 2018

Happy 6th Birthday Ari

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My Dear Funny Ari,

Today you are six and it has been hard to think about. I think about it and my heart kind of catches in my throat. We have slowly watched your love of cars, trains, and construction equipment change to   Legos, Star Wars, and Minecraft. I am sure your older brother's influence has helped that. You also have grown in your attitude. Many of the frustrations and things that we struggled with every day you and I have worked on to be better. We understand each other and it is a beautiful thing.


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Your willingness to help me has become so great. You love to help me cook, and clean along side me. You also love to help with your sisters. Your favorite is to make them breakfast even when I insist I can do it. You also love to help me work in the garden and water the flowers. I love your willingness to help. 



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You are growing into such a wonderful young man and I am so glad you are mine. I am so proud of you. We have had some pretty rough years trying to understand each other. In the end you love so fiercely and no matter what you always love me. For that I am always grateful. I love you my funny clown. I am so thankful you are mine. I couldn't imagine life without you.

Love, Mom


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Birthday Interviews

6 years Old

1. What is your favorite color?  Red
2. What is your favorite toy?  Star Wars Figures
3. What is your favorite fruit? Plums
4. What is your favorite tv show? Johney Test

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Hot Dogs

6. What is your favorite outfit? Tractor Shirt

7. What is your favorite game? Sorry
8. What is your favorite snack? 
Crackers
9. What is your favorite animal? Alligator

10. What is your favorite song?  Star Wars Imperial March

11. What is your favorite book? Truck Stop
12. Who is your best friend? Dillon

13. What is your favorite cereal? 
Oatmeal
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Jump on the Trampoline

15. What is your favorite drink? Root Beer

16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Quilt Grandma Jenny Made
 18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Oatmeal
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Culvers
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Construction Worker



Year 5 is missing because he wouldn't do them. 
Four Years Old

1. What is your favorite color?  Green
2. What is your favorite toy? Ride On Tractor
3. What is your favorite fruit? , Cherries
4. What is your favorite tv show? Thomas the Train

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? 
pizza
6. What is your favorite outfit? Construction outfit with wrecking ball shirt

7. What is your favorite game? Minecraft
8. What is your favorite snack? 
Fruit Snacks
9. What is your favorite animal? Snake

10. What is your favorite song?  Jesus Loves Me

11. What is your favorite book? Good Night Good Night Construction Site
12. Who is your best friend? Eli

13. What is your favorite cereal? 
Oatmeal
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Ride his tractor

15. What is your favorite drink? 
Lemonade
16. What is your favorite holiday? 
When Daddy doesnt have to work
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? 
Snake and his claw
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? 
Oatmeal
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Pizza
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? "A Construction Worker Daddy"




Three Years Old
1. What is your favorite color?  Green
2. What is your favorite toy? Construction Toys
3. What is your favorite fruit? Blueberries, Grapes, Cherries
4. What is your favorite tv show? Curious George
 
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? 
Peanut  butter and Jelly Tacos
6. What is your favorite outfit? 
Outside Clothes
7. What is your favorite game? Monopoly, Operation, Lazer Game
8. What is your favorite snack? 
Graham Crackers
9. What is your favorite animal? Elephants

10. What is your favorite song? 
Amazing Grace
11. What is your favorite book? Good Night Good Night Construction Site
12. Who is your best friend? Hayden (FYI He never sees her and is copying his brother! LOL)

13. What is your favorite cereal? 
Oatmeal
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play in the Sandbox making a construction site

15. What is your favorite drink? 
water
16. What is your favorite holiday? 
Christmas
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? 
Dog that sings, lion, monster trucks
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? 
Blueberry Pancakes
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Regular Spaghetti
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A Superhero-Ironman


Monday, June 11, 2018

Summer Dresses

I don't take nearly as many photos of these sweet girls as I did with the older kids. To be honest they keep me crazy busy along with their siblings. I can't leave my camera just sitting like I use to either. Daphne has pulled it down more times than I care to count. So when I do get the chance to photograph them I remember again why I love photography. I also realize how absolutely adorable they are. They are so busy these days but they just are so fun. Their personalities are growing even more.

I made these dresses for a Sew-A-Long for work and took them to this field with yellow flowers. They love their dresses but gave me all of 5 minutes to grab photos and then just wanted to run. They are so perfect for summer. I can't get over how big they are looking these days!

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