Happy Birthday, Lovebug!

So our little one is already one (already 3 weeks ago), and we can hardly imagine our family life without this little lovebug...

I'm trying to learn how to capture my own portraits, but I see I have a long ways to go (any tips?).

The goofs!  But they all get along so well (most of the time). 

Another Hannah shot...

Isaiah at 3 years...

Judah at 4.5 years...

Selah at 5.5 years, too quickly turning into a young lady...

Our boys are into all things boyish, but sometimes they sneak in some daddy practice...

For Hannah's birthday we gave her a dolly and some play food...

Just love those cheeks!  One day I may look back at these photos and cry- they are too precious!  Let's see, some facts to remember about Hannah at one years old:
-10 teeth and counting
-words: "Daddy!", "Uh-oh", "Mom", "Ay-lah" for Selah
-favorite song: "Happy Birthday to you", to which she sings along
-still wakes for nursing in the middle of the night (sigh!)
-favorite activities: sharing hugs with every member of our family, tasting any object on the floor, scribbling with pencils/markers, turning/bending the pages of books, climbing the stairs, sticking her fingers into the dirt of our potted plant, singing with the family
-temperment: loveable, hugable, smiles quickly for family and slow-to-smile at strangers, at times very determined to get her own way, but usually rolls with the flow of activity surrounding her

Chubby little fingers hugging her dolly...

We love you, little one, and we will continue to pray that your heart and life will be overflowing with God's grace like the meaning of your name. 

Around the Home

Just some random shots from around the home...

A mini United States geography unit included 2 'statues of liberty'...

Two little boys into a book.  Judah is only beginning to sound out the simplest of words, so it's only picture reading at this point- but they can spend quite some time doing just that - until they beg Selah to read it for them... 

"Now, where did that delicious-looking ladybug go that I just discovered?" 

When the cousins come for a play date there's always double the fun.  Hannah showing Willa all her favorite toys...

"Every band needs an audience.  Would you care to listen?  We think we sound great!"

Thomas the train- I haven't found a kid that wasn't fascinated yet...

Another by-product of my birthday was a new laundry room!  Before it contained just the basics- a washer, a dryer, a sink.  Now it's painted with cabinets, a drying rack, mop rack, laundry sorter & ironing board holder.  Thanks, Uncle Mike, for helping install the cabinets, and thanks, Mom & Dad, for the birthday gift!!  Below, the kids watch Duane install a new dryer vent to increase room space...

Little things like this make me grateful...

 

I guess I need a better finished-product shot...

And our kitchen painting project is nearly complete!  Do you like our new hanging lanterns? 

Willow Valley - Part III

Here are the last pictures of our Willow Valley trip.  Capturing a cute expression from Hannah...

Selah and Julia painting at the children's museum...

Um...

Cute!!

Even cuter!

Um... yeah- I guess there's one in every bunch...

Checking out groceries at the Children's museum...

...and selecting a healthy snack...

One of the evenings we met in a private room for crafts, games and family fun...

 

I love all these parent-child shots with all the kids intently absorbed with their work...

 

 

Hi, Cutie!
 

 

A pirate dog, or an adorable 3-year-old boy that I love?

On the last day we filled an Amish buggy (I lost count after 24 passengers!) for a ride around the country-side.  Most of the kids were piled in the front, but none complained...

Selah & Julia, glance for a picture... 

 

It was a fun trip- especially for the kids to be with all their cousins and friends.
"Mom, when can we go again?" 

Willow Valley - Part II

LOTS of kids- that's what you get when a bunch of young families all decide to go on a mini vacation together.  But it was LOTS of fun.  Probably the highlight of the trip was the indoor water playground, so here are lots of pictures of lots of kids with lots of water...

Selah loved this water slide.  Judah was also tall enough and brave enough to ride by himself.  But by the end of our stay, Selah learned how to swim to the side of the pool by herself.  She said 'Uncle' Dave and Julia taught her how- thanks Uncle Dave and Julia!

Hannah, ready for her swim...

Isaiah, braving the rainbow sprinklers- he detests getting water in his eyes...

Hello, Princess!

From the mouth of the frog...

...to Daddy's arm's at the bottom of the frog's tongue- Isaiah finally worked up his courage!

3 water princesses...

...and 3 boys for a ride...

Trying to get some rainbow shots...

 

 

 

No kids in the hot tub- but what about our feet?

Tia, just resting...

Little Lena, wet & cute...