Mr. Big Brother

I cannot get enough of this photo of Samuel. We were outside taking photos of all the kids and their capes since Rosie had just gotten hers and he wanted me to take one of him by himself. He then strikes this pose. I am rarely able to capture his personality very well in photos, but this one screams "Samuel" to me. His shirt says "It's MR. Big Brother to you!" Haha!

Recent Kid Quotes

Andy: "I love you, Ebba."
Annabelle: "I love you, too, Daddy."
Andy: "You love me as good as you can, can't you sweetie?"
Annabelle "Yes, I love you all the way."

This conversation came after she had recently told me she loves me "as good as I can."

Rain Reds the Raspberries
-Sam - May 2014

Late Night Tea Party

Andy took the boys to the park to play some baseball while I stayed home with the girls, which is a very common occurrence these days. (Our yard is too small for baseball, but we are so thankful we have so many fantastic parks so close to our house to enjoy).

While they were gone Annabelle and I decided it was a great night for a nice quiet tea party. So we played with Rosie a bit, did some other stuff and then put Rosie to bed. We got all set up and of course just as we are sitting down to enjoy our tea the boys come trampling home. We had a decision to make... warmly welcome them to join us or request that they let it be a girls only tea party that night.

When we noticed the smiles on their faces and saw how ecstatic they were that a tea party was about to start and they hadn't missed out, our decision was made. We told them they were more than welcome to join us, they just had to not be smelly and dirty :) So as cute as they possibly could be, they quietly went upstairs. They then came down hands and faces washed and completely dressed up in collared shirts and dress shorts! It was adorable. They were beaming - speaking so prime and proper to top it off. We got the extra tea and snacks all set up and laughed the evening away. We even found time to get through another chapter of Little Town on the Prairie.

I've retired to my room for the night to start a friend's second book that was just released yesterday, and I even just ordered myself my Mother's Day gift, a new sewing machine! It's quite simply an ideal way to end a wonderful evening.

The dishes didn't get done, a-gain, but I'm certain they will be patiently waiting for me in the morning. For now, I'm cherishing a rare, quiet and restful evening alone (Andy is out running with a friend) and thanking God for the gift of motherhood that not all who desire get to enjoy.

Is it possible I get to call them all mine?!

Puddle Jumping

Poor pathetic duo stuck inside to watch everyone else having fun in the rain.

Sam has a pretty loose top tooth. He's going to look so cute once it falls out.

Rosie's cuteness finally won out and she joined the big kids outside. Her first puddle experience I believe.

Quite thrilled!

Greensboro Gymnastics Invitational

Sam put on quite the performance! He did so well. He could not contain his excitement. I got comment after comment from complete strangers saying that he looks like he's the happiest boy there and how much he just makes people smile looking at him. He is such a joy and it's so contagious.

I am so proud of him for how hard he's worked and how much he has improved over the season.

Nana and Poppy were just beaming the whole weekend!

Greensboro Science Center

Nana and Poppy met us in Greensboro, NC for one of Samuel's gymnastics meets. It wasn't until the evening, so we spent the day at the Greensboro Science Center. It was fantastic! A zoo, aquarium and science center all in one!

Annabelle giving us her best penguin pose.

This was the strangest thing. This fish was completely smitten with Rosie. He would swim right up to her and just sit there watching her. She would put her hand up to the glass and he would put his nose on the glass. We would walk away and the fish would swim away. There were so many people standing and looking into the tank, but this fish showed no interest in anyone but her. Very cool.

7,5,3,1

VA Beach Gymnastics Competition

Gymnastics Team

Sam's gymnastics team - Coach Spencer, with Mason, Sam, Josh and Nate. What a great crew!

Sam Turns 7 1/2

This precious boy will not stop growing up. Amazing how much he has matured since his 7th birthday. So blessed to call him my son.

Sam's Richmond Gymnastics Meet

It has been one of the coolest things to watch Samuel compete in such a big event at such a young age. He did incredibly well this season in gymnastics. It has been neat to watch him improve so much throughout the year. We're so thankful for such a great opportunity for him.

Placed 3rd for vault.

First Half of December Photos

I could watch a sleeping baby all day.

Samuel has been saving up for a long time for his first knife and he finally had enough money. Can't believe a child of mine is old enough to have his own knife.

Younger brother anxiously awaits his turn to have a knife.

Sam's first competition! He did so well. Placed 9th for rings. It was a huge venue and so intimidating. He wasn't nervous at all. In fact here is a conversation we had the day after.

Me: I'm really proud of you Sam for competing yesterday in that huge arena.
Samuel: Really? Why?
Me: Because it was so huge and there were so many people. I don't like doing things in front of a bunch of people.
Samuel: Really? I love it. It makes me feel like everyone in the world loves me.

He never stopped smiling.

Many days before Christmas Joseph had already made, wrapped and had Annabelle's present under the tree. Melts my heart to see them loving on each other on their own initiative.

Joseph dressed Annabelle up in her fanciest dress, put on some music and told her he was going to take her dancing. Oh my is he going to be a fantastic husband someday!

Sam had a holiday show at his gym.

Her last night being zero.

November - First Half

Daddy teaching Annabelle how to club throw. She's bound to be a pro. Notice the "bucket o' clubs"

We found this while playing in the backyard - a snakes skin. Which is now housed in the boys' bedroom.

Joe loves cursive!

I love watching them work together during free time.

But, I especially love walking in the room and "catching" them reading their bibles.

Sam off for his first ever intra-squad competition.

I think he just looks so handsome in his uniform.

Andy is hilarious. He bought a bunch of new clothes for his new job and wrote himself a gift card. I opened it after it was delivered and just chuckled. I love his quirky sense of humor. 

Lucy came to visit and we had such a wonderful week with her.