Latest and Greatest in Pictures

I love his sense of humor.  He has a minecraft cow that he named Mr. Steak.  He also has plans to save for a minecraft pig named Mr. Baconator.

Shhhhh.......don't tell anyone but this little guy has started sleeping from 7 pm till 8 am.  He wakes up sweet and giggly and squealey too!  (PSA apparently squealey isn't a word, but if you've ever seen this guy in the morning you will understand exactly what I'm talking about.)

Ava made me a little plaque.  It says "hard working Mom."  It's nice that she realizes this and appreciates me.  On this same day I overheard Dawson singing "She is my dearest, She is my darling, She is my Mommy."  What a sweet song!  These little moments just make my day.

I'm pretty proud of this guy.  He assembled this robot with minimal help from Mike and I.  The kids had a blast watching it walk around and talk to them.  Thanks Meme and Bob Bob!

Pinewood Derby Day!  

Carter came in mostly third, but also second a couple of times.  Apparently we still have some work to do with derby cars.  Uncle Patrick, you need to teach us the secrets!!

Ava and Dawson participated in the sibling unlimited round.  It was so fun to see Dawson get really pumped up and excited.  Ava's car won the best gas mileage (slowest car that also crosses the finish line under its own power.)

Little O came to see the sibling round but slept through Carter's races.  I'm so thankful for family that came down to help me today.  It was such a help to have so many hands and made it easier on everyone!  Thank you again!

Beautiful Weather

We have been having amazing January weather.  It's been so warm and we have spent a lot of time out doors.  Today in fact Carter said to me "So Mom, is it safe to say that winter is over?"  No buddy, it's only January there is plenty of winter left.  For Christmas each child got a ride on toy from Santa, and they have really enjoyed taking them outside.  Here are some videos of the kids:

Dawson and his crazy cart.  He scares me because he has no fear and has flipped the thing over by ramping the curb and speeding down hills.  But he is my little daredevil and needs a little adrenaline rush in his life.

Dawson also says the sweetest things about his little brother.  For instance today he told me "Where's my baby?  He's such a delight."  And look!  We were walking around today with no coat on!  So crazy!

Normally I think that Owen favors his brother Carter, but in this picture I can definitely see a resemblance to Dawson too. 

Long Weekend Fun!

This past weekend was a four day weekend for the kids.  We started off with our first sleep over in our house (Ava's friend Ava came over.)  They played a lot of minecraft and had pizza.  Fun was had by all!

Then we went to visit our cousin Andrew for his fourth birthday!  The kids had a great time at Chuck E. Cheese and then had a sleep over.

Then on Monday I took the kids to the North Canton skate center.  The kids had a ball.  There was unlimited bumper cars, laser tag, wall climbing, and roller skating.

Dawson was so excited because he was allowed to do the bumper cars!

Carter is rock climbing on the easy side, and Dawson is on the medium side.  Both boys were able to climb the easy side and neither made it to the top of the medium side.

Dawson and Ava were the only two who were brave enough to try roller skating.  Ava ran into a friend from school, so I didn't see her for the rest of the time.

What a great baby!  He snoozed for most of the two hours that we were there.

And then the kids tried:  EURO BUNGY!!

It was a fun weekend for all!

Five Months Old!

Well, little O today you are five months old.  You are growing more alert and demonstrating more personality every day.

Although, is there anything better than rocking a sweet baby to sleep?  

You are typically going to sleep around seven and wake around 8:30.  Most nights you will wake up once to feed, but sometimes it is twice.  You have been taking 2-3 naps a day.  If you do take an evening nap around 5, it only lasts around 45 minutes or so.

A sweet smelling baby fresh from the bath is pretty great too.

You have outgrown the baby bath, so Ava has been holding you in the tub.  She loves this job!  You love kicking your feet and splashing around in the water.

One morning I was in the middle of changing your clothes and I was needed elsewhere.  I put you in the crib and came back to find your big brother perched on the crib.

Sometimes I do tummy time with you like this, and Ava also likes this job too!

You are definitely working on some teeth, you are drooling constantly and chewing on everything.  We have also started you on baby food.  You have tried rice cereal (you don't like it mixed with formula), sweet potatoes, carrots and bananas.  

But the best development of them all:  giggling!  I love to hear you giggle with delight when we tickle your tummy blow raspberries on your skin.  Typically you are such a happy little boy!

Ahhhh!  What a sweet little grin!

You are also experimenting with your voice, it's so sweet to hear your squeals and screams.

Owen playing with his voice.

We love you little guy!

January: Latest and Greatest

Last week I took this HUGE baby to his four month check up.  He weighed in at 19 lbs 3 oz and was 26.75 inches long.  This makes him larger than all his siblings by a pound and a quarter of an inch.  He is in the 93%tile for weight and 91%tile for height, so he is proportionally large.

This O ball toy is one of his favorites.  It makes me laugh because he loves to stick his tongue into the circles!

Big news for this guy!  While he was away visiting with Meme and Bob Bob over Christmas break, we moved his things and set up his new bedroom!  We hung blinds, and got him a wardrobe to hang clothes.  We still need doors, right now we have sheets up but they will be coming soon.  He also needs a desk but we are working on that too.  He was SO happy.  He loves to have his own space and he will sit there and read for hours.

Meanwhile back in the yellow room......Ava has moved to the top bunk and the bottom holds all her stuffies.  Dawson has the loft.  He doesn't have a real attraction to "stuff" and could very much be described a minimalist.  In fact once he moved all his stuff to the loft the closet was bare!  So I told him we could turn it into a fun hideout with blankets and flashlights.  I even have my eye on a star/constellation/space shuttle projector.  He liked it so much he decided to use it for sleeping!  He told us in the morning that it was good practice for the jungle.  

A Cute picture of my boy before he got sick

Two days later he got up and complained that his neck hurt and I told him it was probably from sleeping on the floor.  By that evening he was running a 102.7 temp, had chills, headache and wasn't eating.  I started to get nervous when he was complaining about his neck and he would turn his whole body to look left and right.  Well, today he went to the doctor and he has strep throat and the flu.  Poor guy!  He did make me laugh because he told me "Mom here is my schedule for today.  Play video games, take a nap.  Play video games, drink a milkshake, take a nap."  Sounds like the perfect day Doc! 

On Saturday we took this little girl to go get her ears pierced.  Recently she asked again and she has been getting better about letting me wash and brush her hair.  I also thought it would be nice for first communion to have a pretty pair of cross earrings.  

She did fantastic and she didn't even flinch!  I told her she was braver than I was, I chickened out the first time!  She has been great about cleaning them three times a day and allowing me to clean them in the evening. 

We almost never go the the mall.  I think I've been to the mall maybe four times since we moved here?  Anyway, the kids saw the ride on stuffies and we had to let them have a turn.

They had a blast zipping around the mall and didn't take anyone out!  Although it came close once or twice.

Back when Dawson was healthy.  I jokingly said that I'll probably see civilization in February, after this sickness runs through us all!

A Portrait of.....

A sitting baby

(First time sitting in a high chair at a restaurant)

Making Friends at the Library

The Smoulder X2

(Little guy learned from the best)

New Years Eve Before

.......and after

Cereal is Yummy

A Teething Baby

(Poor guy, he's done nothing but drool and chew on his hand.)

Stan Hywet

We have talked about doing this for a long time, but we finally got to visit Deck the Halls at Stan Hywet.  

A Christmas Scene of the Old Goodyear headquarters and the blimp flying overhead.

The Elves in the Bake Shop

Ava and Carter got their picture with Gingy

Inside the mansion:  Different rooms were decorated based on different Children's holiday or winter books.  Right up my alley!  Here is Ava in front of The Mitten.

Owen was pretty excited about looking at all the decorations.  He was a pretty good baby.  He got a little fussy in the mansion, but he was tired and a overheated from the hot snow suit.

Our kiddos in front of my favorite:  the candy cane tree!

So gorgeous!

I love Christmas lights!

Thank you Mom and Dad for joining us!

Haha, the baby's face is cracking me up!  He does not look impressed!