Alive!!

We are still alive and kicking. We are in our house and trying to get all the boxes unpacked and find a new home for everything. After we left Alabama we spent a few good weeks at my parents house. We watched the annual fireworks show and had yummy Chinese food for my big 3-0. Very good way to celebrate. We are now learning a new city and enjoying life. Thankfully school will start in about 3 weeks, so we are almost done with out crazy summer. I would add some fun pictures of all we have done, but I don't know where the cords are. Perhaps in a few more weeks!

Father's Day

Poor Chris was all alone in Iowa on Father's Day. At church we made some books to give to dads, so I am writing the kids here so he, and everyone else, can be happy!

They were fill in the blank, so they just had to write what they thought.

Grace
My dad is 5ft 10 in tall and weights 113 lbs. He is so strong he can lift my bookshelf. He has blue eyes and brown hair. He likes to wear shorts.

Favorites
Color-blue
food-chili hot dogs
book-Harry Potter
movie-Tangles
Song-Mean
Animal-Lion
Team-Utah

I like to go anywhere with my dad. When he has time, he likes to play with me. He always tells me to be good. When I go to bed, daddy tickles me.

I love dad because he helps me. I also love him because he is very special.


Jed
My dad is 53 tall and weights 93 lbs. He is so strong he can lift a boy. He has blue eyes and brown hair. He likes to wear hats.

Favorites
Color-blue
food-noodles
book-Harry Potter
movie-football
Song-YMCA
Animal-Tiger
Team-Utah

I like to go camping with my dad. When he has time, he likes to go running. He always tells me to clean. When I go to bed, daddy watches t.v.

I love dad because he is my buddy.

Olivia
My dad is 2 ft tall and weights 3 lbs. He is so strong he can lift a stone. He has blue eyes and black hair. He likes to wear church clothes.

Favorites
Color-black
food-cereal
book-the Scriptures
movie-Tangled
Song-I am a Child of God
Animal-Elephant
Team-Packers

I like to go to work with my dad. When he has time, he likes to take us bowling. He always tells me to go to bed. When I go to bed, daddy tucks me in.

I love dad because he's my dad.


Happy Father's Day Chris, we love you!

Iowa

Who would have thought we would finally be getting closer to family?

After 5 years of being alone, we are now a short 3.5 hours from my parents house. We learned yesterday that we are moving to Davenport, Iowa. We are so excited, the kids can't wait for snow, and I can't wait for fall! Chris will be there on June 15th, the kids and I will stay until the end of June.

Just Cute

Happy Easter!

Swimming

Since there was no school on Friday, we had the chance for the first real swim of the summer. It was 90 degrees and the water was cold, but it was a good combination. All the kids had fun and were exhausted by the end of the day. Even Claire dipped her feet in the chilly water and didn't mind it.


Olivia was checking out all the gear that was available. By the end, she was a little fish in a life jacket and went wherever she wanted in the pool.
Jed was a chicken at first, but after some not so gentle persuasion, I got him to enjoy the water. We are enrolling in swim lessons this summer, so after that, no more life jackets!
Grace trying to show off. I don't think she went under again(on purpose) after this shot!

Claire is 2 months

Wow, those were both the slowest and fastest 2 months of my life. Slow perhaps because it feels like I am always a step behind, and fast because I don't remember much of them.Claire is now 2 months and is a pretty good baby. She goes to bed between 7 and 8 and usually sleeps til at least 1, usually 2. She will go back to sleep until around 5:45, at that time she like to sleep and eat in our bed.
She started smiling at 6 1/2 weeks, and would not do it in front of a camera until just yesterday, when she would smile, but put her hand in front of her mouth at the same time.
We love our little Claire bear, and are so glad she is part of our family. The kids all beg to hold her everyday and touch her as they pass her, EVERY TIME. I think she cries more to be left alone than any other reason.