Christmas parties ...

Zoey, Liam, & Jericho all had school parties!!

I wasn't able to make it to Jericho's ... however, despite the fact that they

were on the same day - they were at different times, so I was able to go to both!

it was so cute and so fun!

here are some pics ...

apparently Zoey really liked the felt tree and would decorate it often!

they sang some songs for us ... well, the other kids sang - not Zoey - lol!

Zoey got to be the instrument helper - so adorable!!!

some cookie decorating!

and I (barely) managed to get a pic of Zoey with Ms Karen!

when we came into Liam's classroom, they were all lined up - ready to sing their songs!

it was beyond cute!  I did get some video before I ran out of space!

 

sleepy time ...

I love how we'll just find Liam sound asleep! he'll cuddle all up with his "nigh night" and just fall asleep - usually watching a movie or one of his favorite tv shows! (I must mention, for remembrance sake, his favorite shows: Little Einsteins, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Wonder Pets, Caillou - he really loves Caillou!) He's so precious!

Liam-ism ...

so, it's Liam's turn to go "shopping" with me (which, generally, means errands) and I was getting his cowboy boots on him and he goes "there's a snake in my boot"! This was following "yee-ha cowboy" that he said as I put the first boot on, so I just thought he was in Toy Story mode ... but guess what, there really was something in his boot! It wasn't a snake, it was one of sissy's littlest pet shop animals - lol! I just thought that was super cute!

you're kidding me right!

so, I just said to Liam "go upstairs and get in your bed" (I send him up while I cleanup lunch) and he replies: "I get in my prim" (that's crib) I respond with, "no, in your big boy bed" ... Liam: "no ... big boy bed's like poop"!

oh boy! perfect timing Liam, cause the crib is GONE!!! I sold it just yesterday! I especially love how he always says things are "poop" or "like poop" - as in, "sandwich is like poop" and other thing that he decides he doesn't like at that moment! what a silly little boy (with a big boy attitude)

a couple saturdays ago ...

ya know, I actually feel like I've been managing to blog quite a bit - especially considering my (usually) small amount of internet time these days! ... but still, some photos don't make it on here within a day or two of being taken - and that's when we have to play a bit of catch up! these are from a couple saturdays back: the boys were having lots of fun outside that morning, while Annicka was having fun crafting ... and then later I put Zoey in her bassinet for the first time - and was amazed how she filled it!!! Guess that will be going to my next yard sale, but for the time being it's a nice spot to lay her out in the living/dining room (and the other day I even wheeled it into the kitchen while I did dishes!).

Zoey is still doing well, however her breathing has been harder more often as of late. The cardiologist said "the medication is barely controlling her condition" ... so it's very good that her surgery is coming up! She has a doc appt in the morning and will be getting vaccinations, let's pray that that all goes well! bless you all

FoUr ...

well, here it is: my first attempt at photos of all four of my children - together! I can't say the results are too outstanding, but finally it's been done! They are cute and they absolutely have character ... I believe I'll treasure these photos - not because they're excellent photos - but because they show a moment I always want to remember! My girls ... my boys ... all together ... on our couch ... in the living room. My camera battery died, so only these first two are with the "good" camera ... but the show had to go on, and I'm so glad it did because that last photo (the one of Jericho and Zoey) is absolutely precious. He was very proud to finally get to hold his baby sister for the first time. Annicka, Jericho, Liam, and Zoey - you are a treasure to me. You are each a very special blessing given to me by God. You are each important and so very much loved.

last Saturday ...

last Saturday we (Liam, Jericho, Annicka, Nana, and Mama) went to a very fun event ... a pancake breakfast and egg hunt! it was a lot of fun and it was nice that it was right here on base, I was a little worried I might not make the effort to get my kids to an egg hunt ... and I know, that's so NOT what Easter is about, but it's still a super fun thing for them! they had a ton of fun. they pictures are awful, I really need to pay better attention to my battery on the good camera - since I don't have a back up - I'm just trying to be thankful, though, that I have a back up camera, even if the photo quality is so bad in comparison. so, here's our pics from that morning!

can you feel the love?

too cute, he was acting out a scene - at least that's how it seemed ;-)

he was the only one who would cooperate for a pic with Mama

lovin on Nana

he's so darn cute!!!

Liam loved, and I mean LOVED, the egg hunt!
he was awesome and shaking the eggs was his favorite part,
I think - lol! later when it was the big kids turn he
was going around finding more (shh, he wasn't supposed to)!

yes, I forgot their buckets - duh!
but here's Liam with his treasure!
note my thumb sucking son in the background!!

then it was the big kids' turn

then Liam decided to run off from Nana - boy was
he having a ball, so I followed him and tried
to capture some of his joy to be free and run all over!

tallying up the treasures!

goodbye (for now) to a good friend ...

so, one of my most treasured friends came and visited us! she was here all last week, but do you think I took photographs of her - um, no. I waited until the day she was leaving to finally get some pics of her with all my kids! How bad am I? She had a little good-bye photo shoot and took turns with each of my kiddos. Leslie is a very special friend to me, we've been friends for fourteen years! Those years have provided challenges and I believe we each know the best and worst of each other, she's absolutely seen me at my worst and loves me anyway ... that's why she's so special. She prays for me and I pray for her and we have a sisterly love, which is why she is "auntie Leslie" to my children! I know she'll always be there for me, and I hope she knows I'll be there for her. We love you Les, thanks so much for visiting!

please note, this is Zoey's first caught on camera smile!
she seemed to smile for everyone before she finally smiled
for me! I walked in there to take the pics and Leslie
was so excited, they were having quite the smiley chat!

and with Annicka

with sweet little Liam, he wasn't too interested
in standing still for a photo!

but this one, Jericho, was the real stinker!
he was being quite stubborn about sitting with auntie Les and
letting me take a pic, which is why I ended up with so many
of him with her! She got him smiling after planting a big
kiss on his cheek, which is when the tickle and laughing
fest began, love - LOVE - these pics!