iPhone Update

With my cellphone contract coming to an end in a couple of weeks I am due for a phone upgrade and needed to get my pictures transferred onto the computer.  So here are some of my favorites from the last year or so.

The snow pile in our cul de sac

Ruby Tuesday

Always sharing

Haircut by Daddy

Fort Edmonton Bridge

Goofy Girl

"Look into my eyes"

Royal Alberta Museum

and again

Skating with Uncle Des and Auntie Haley

Snoozing in Daddy's suitcase

Dino Dancers

Fashion Forward

Easter Outfits

Sweet Baby Vi just hours old

"Shhh! Sorry baby, I don't have any milk for you."

Kindergarten Kid

Walker headed off to his very first day of kindergarten yesterday and despite the fact that I spent at least one night crying myself to sleep thinking of my sweet boy walking the big hallways of the elementary school, he was so ready.  He hardly batted an eyelash as he waved goodbye and marched into the school in anticipation of spending the afternoon with his amazing kindergarten teacher.  When we picked him up after school he was beaming and couldn't wait to tell us about his afternoon.  Not surprisingly, his favorite parts were recess and snack.  He can't wait to go back on Monday and I am so excited that the transition has been a smooth one.  I even got a nap in with my two little girls while we waited for Emma and Walker to be done with school.

My handsome boys

 

Lillian was all to happy to say goodbye to him after he spent the morning terrorizing her at every turn.  What is it that makes brothers do that?!?

He is so handsome and grown up I can hardly believe it most days.  His sweet face just makes my heart melt.

School, Studly, Sleeping and Smiles

Summer raced by and we began a new school year today.  Emma entered grade three this morning and as always was beyond thrilled to return to school.  She is such a social animal and looks so forward to learning new things and meeting new people.  I never really worry about her when it comes to school or other social settings.  She found out this morning that her two best buddies are in her class again this year and any nerves disappeared instantly.  After school she told us that she "had a huge smile on her face all day".  She's already counting down the hours to tomorrow.

New desk, right in front of course.

Enjoying the traditional milk and cookies.

Walker will start kindergarten on Thursday and unlike his big sister he is less than enthused.  He is our home body and would choose our house over any place in the world.  We could be at Disneyland and he would still ask us everyday if we could go home.  I think I feel just as anxious as he does to send him off every afternoon without me and his sisters who love him so much.  At the same time I know he needs it to get out of his shell a little bit.  He helped me make our cookies this afternoon while the little girls were sleeping.

Looking studly after his haircut this morning.

Always his favorite part

And speaking of sleeping, Lillian has entered that awkward phase where she needs to cut out her naps but most days just can't manage to do it.  Nearly every other day she falls asleep in some obscure place or with her body contorted into some strange position.  Her favorite thing to do lately is to climb into her"sleeping bag" (a pillowcase) and fall asleep on the floor.

Obviously not her toy.

Her "sleeping bag"

Our pretty baby has been fussier than any of the others but when she's up and in a good mood she does nothing but smile and coo.  All three of the kids love to be around her when she's in that kind of mood and can't wait until she's giggling and playing.

Coming Home

In my attempt to catch up before school starts and I have all sorts of new and exciting pictures to post, here are some pictures of Violet in her first few days home with us.  The kids spent every available moment kissing and loving her.  I thought that the novelty would wear off but two months later they still can't get enough of her.

Look at that face!!

They insisted she "play" outside with them on warm days.

Reading her a story.

Snuggling with Daddy.

Proud big brother.

Playing Catch Up

Since I took a bit of a hiatus from blogging there are lots of pictures that I haven't posted that I wanted to.  I'll do my best to post my favorites over the next couple of weeks so that I can get caught up.

These pictures are from an evening that we spent with Allan's brother and his family this summer.  Lillian and Jimmer have become very good friends now that they are old enough to play without fighting over toys.  On this night the older kids decided to have a wedding for the two of them.  They spent a long time in the playroom dressing Lillian up and then had a little ceremony outside for them.  It was pretty hilarious. 

It's been so fun to see their little friendship grow.  Jimmer used to cry when he would get to our house and now he cries when he has to leave.  It makes me so happy!

And here's a picture of our pretty baby.  She still hates her baths so much that by the time she's finished all she wants to do is curl up in her towel with her Nuk and fall asleep.

Violet June

On June 14th we welcomed another beautiful baby girl to our family.  Her name is Violet June and she is just as beautiful and perfect as can be.  She was 6 pounds 6 ounces and 20 inches long and is growing like crazy.  She is the first of our babies to have red hair just like her mama which, although it is probably kind of vain, makes me so very happy.  Her brother and sisters have fallen head over heels in love with her and she fits perfectly into our now rather large family.

Adjusting to being the mother of four certainly hasn't been seamless but I feel like I am slowly figuring things out.  On most days I feel like all I do is laundry and nurse and I don't know that I'll ever get on top of house work again but for now I am just enjoying having a newborn in the house again.  I don't think there's anything more wonderful than bringing a baby home who was with our Heavenly Father such a short time ago.  Everything about her perfect little face and tiny body remind me of the miracle of life and the blessing and privilege of motherhood and family.  

 

I find myself trying to draw out every moment that I have with her as she'll be the last of our babies that I'll change and kiss and nurse and snuggle.  I'm finding it easy to endure the exhaustion that comes with midnight feedings as I try to enjoy these first months that always race by so quickly.  Patience comes easily when she's fussy and unsettled because I know that all too soon these moments will come to an end and she'll be walking and talking and racing to keep up with her older siblings.  Siblings who have taken to calling her "Viley" and holding and kissing and loving her every chance they get.  It has been so exciting to see Emma, Walker and Lillian welcome her into our home and get to know her.  All of them are always sure to know where she is and what she's doing at all times.  I have no doubt that Emma will be her mentor, Walker will be her protector and Lillian will be her best friend.  

My new goal, for only the hundredth time, is to be more consistent in posting and hopefully now I'll be more motivated as our little Violet will grow like a weed in the next several months.  Our talented friend Alyssa from www.studiocampphoto.com was sweet enough to take some new born photos of Violet when she was just two weeks old.  They turned out so beautifully and I can't wait to get them developed and framed throughout the house.

This one is my favorite!!

Could she be any more beautiful!?!