Swinging Good Time

With the warmer weather, the kids have been out in the backyard, but since the swing set is in the dirt, the kids would finish playing covered in mud!

So we decided before we were forced to replace the carpet we would cover the dirt!

First step: Lay down the weed blockers...

Then over several days (and with "help" from the kids) we moved 2 tons of recycled shredded tires.

During the process the kids had a blast and since we have hardly been able to get them to come in for dinner!

Jake

After having a coughing attack, Jacob said to me, "Mom, come here I will hold you." Such a sweet boy! I went over and sat by him, he put his arm around me and pat my back. : )

Piano

The girls have been taking piano lessons for 2 months now and are doing very well. I have been pleasantly surprised at some of the pieces they have played. Here are some of my favorites.

7 Months old

Zac is growing so FAST!!! It is sad but fun all at the same time. It has been fun to watch him grow and learn new things. After a month of trying food he is now getting it down (not just spiting it back out)!

Tummy time & enjoying his favorite ball.

Play time with brother and sisters!

ENJOYING the freedom of the "real" bathtub (he kicked and splashed up a storm)!

Zachary loves to sit up and play!

Zachary moved out of our room, and into Jacob's (sending Jacob downstairs to a new room). Zac is sleeping so much BETTER and so are we!!!

Jacob in his new bed (about ready to fall off).

Our BEAUTIFUL baby boy.

33 is the number to be!

On Friday I turned one year older. Birthdays to me are just not the same as they use to be. One year older!?! It would be nice to just stay the same age for a while! I was spoiled with lots of attention though. The kids had the day off (and were so excited to get to be home on my special day). I got to sleep in (which is ALL I wanted for my birthday). The girls made me chocolate chip pancakes (our birthday tradition) Mark came home for a short while on his lunch break, I received phone calls and even had some neighbors stop by. When Mark came home we went out and Moriah watched her younger sister and brother (we of course didn't go to far for too long), thanks Moriah. And oh ya I failed to mention the beautiful song Kayley wrote and sung for me, so sweet!

I awoke to painted faces. (I heart M, for Mom of course). When Moriah ran off with Zachary I told her she could NOT paint his face (I know, I'm no fun) she came back with Zac in a hat that she had decorated instead (but I unfortunately didn't get a picture of that).

Birthday festivities!

With supervision the girls made and decorated this cake for me. I think Moriah did most of the decorating, she wanted to do a "beach" theme cake and asked for graham crackers before I left. When no grahams were found to make sand she opted for the next best thing we had, pretzels. (The salt from the pretzels and the chocolate chip cake tasted really GOOD together!)

The BEAUTIFUL flowers Mark brought me (purple, my favorite color)!

Valentines Day Parties

The girls had their V-day parties at school, they were out at 11:30 on Thurs. (school for 3 hours???) for a 41/2 day weekend due to parent-teacher conferences and Presidents day, YEA!

Happy Valentines Day!

6 months old

Zachary seemed to like his rice cereal today, his brother and sisters were excited for him to try it! The time is just FLYING by, it seems like just yesterday we moved out here with little Zach being only 2 weeks old. He is sure a JOY to have in our home.