Jack.

birthday.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

My happy Jack is eight.  Wow.
He's always been a joy...snuggly, and sweet, and loving.  He pays the kindest, most thoughtful compliments, he has a heart for the underdog, and he could not be kinder to his siblings.  And now that he's eight, he's all of those things and so.much.more.  He loves to work hard and serve others and he constantly looks for ways to do so.  It is such a pleasure to watch him grow up.

Jemma's film debut

So this was fun.

Jemma was invited to be in the filming of a short film this week.  The whole thing took about an hour and a half for probably 2 seconds of the film but it was super interesting and she had fun!  

Although she was a bit bummed she wasn't filming Frozen 2.

checking out the on-set subway tunnel:

acting with the green screen:

 Lead star there on the left (his name is Propaganda--funny, friendly guy) and Jemma is in the silver coat, getting ready to be pulled off into the distance.

waiting patiently (can you tell she is on the mend from serious fever/cold?): 

So stinkin' cute.

kickin off the new year....

 sneakin' in late,

 setting off fireworks,

 a whole lot of sleeping,

and eating.

 We did take the kids to Spokane for a showing of Frozen and some serious fry-eating at Red Robin.

And my parents got a hotel room and invited all the kids for a night at the pool, which was hilarious:

It was a long, lazy break.

Just the way we like it.

Henry says

"what day is tomorrow?"

Tuesday.

"Funday??"

No, Tuesday.

"Jemma be here??"

Yep.

Sage nod.  "Funday."

Today

Jemma says, "can we have mac and cheese and watch a movie for lunch?"

I say no.

And she says, "I guess you don't want to have any fun at all today."

today

I am missing my babies.

I mean they turned into some pretty spectacular big kids but these chubby faces cannot be beat.

Hello 2014....

This year started off with fireworks and chocolate and snuggles with our kids.

And then we put them all to bed!  When we finally got up this morning we had a long, lazy day.  If the rest of the year is anything like it started, it will be our most relaxing yet...but I won't hold my breath!

Good-bye 2013!

 January.

Snow.

 February.

Ava turned 10!

 March.

Henry moved to his big bed.

 April.

Jack broke his leg.

 May.

We went to Hawaii!

 June.

Disneyland!!

 July.

Ava went to her first ever summer camp.

 (and we bought a boat)

 August.

Backpacking!

 (and Jemma's first ever day of school!)

 September.

Ava and Jack did a triathlon.

 October.

The kids got their first box seats.

 November.

We actually took family pictures!

December.

We snuck away to San Diego.

Whoa.  This was a good year.  

And we no longer have a pottyseat, crib, or high chair.  

Which, frankly, makes me sad.  Except the pottyseat (good riddance).  

We've been married over 15 years.  Our kids are big.  They're funny and sweet and kind.  And they speak in complete sentences and dress themselves.  

There are some seriously good times coming, I can feel it.

post Christmas happenings

Ava and Jack spent the first two days after Christmas at basketball camp but they made up for it when the got home!

Jack set up a pretty serious battle in the middle of Thomasland:

and Ava's been wearing headphones and belting out tunes:

Christmas!

 Stockings!

 Taking a break to check out her new book.

After cleaning up, we head to Ed's parents for more presents!  And food!

A little Christmas morning football:

Christmas dinner!

Christmas Eve

After a cozy sleep in our own beds, we meet up and head back out for presents!  and cousins!  and food!  We like to do the kids' gifts real quick and then they toodle off to play and we settle in for the grown-ups' gifts!

While we worked on these piles, the boys went outside to try out their new footballs and baseballs and lacrosse sticks:

Then we come home and enjoy the loot for a bit before naptime!

And then we head to the Christmas Eve service for one of my favorite parts of the day--singing lots and lots of Christmas carols!

More eating!

And then Ed gets to work and I stuff stockings and we sit by the fire and think big fat grateful thoughts for our wonderful life.