The Last 6 weeks in Review

Things around here have been rather busy, what is new! Carson turned 2 and is a very busy, independent, cuddly, sweet boy. He keeps me on my toes to say the least! On top of that Kaylee started crawling / scooting (I don't think she can decide which is easier). So I have a lot of damage control / prevention that takes place in my days. Also, Grace turned 4, Tim and I celebrated our 9 year anniversary, Cait is wrapping up her school year, and Tim and I are getting ready to head back east for a friends wedding and vacation (with just Makaylee). So, here are a few pictures to get me "caught up" so I can post some from our trip.

My cute, chunky crawler enjoying some sun!

Grace showing us how old she is

Carson with his new favorite toy, a drill just like Dad's!

"Covering" their eyes for their birthday gifts, Kites

Cait and I at an awards celebration for a young writers contest

Makaylee is 6 months

I love being outside!

This crazy, go get 'em face is a common one on our Kaylee. She has this big open mouth grin she gets when she is real excited or really wants to go somewhere.

That open mouth grin again!

Her serious, checking things out / sizing them up look

Our happy girl!

Kaylee has been such a joy to our family! From watching Cait mother her, Grace play with her and make her giggle (she truly can make her belly laugh like no one else), Carson loving on her and trying to make her smile and laugh (he is becoming successful!), and the sweet cuddles that only mom gets. She is full of life and can't wait to chase after everyone else. She has taught me more than I ever imagined a newborn could, and I know will continue to teach me to depend on and trust our Heavenly Father and praise Him for the gifts of my children. Her acid reflux continues to be an issue but is controlled through diet and medicine. She started solids and so far is doing well. She loves being outside, chewing on things (or gumming them), playing on the floor (she is not a big fan of the exersaucer), jumping, sitting, getting raspberries, and time with just mom and dad!

Graceism

Grace has taken off with expressing her thoughts more clearly. She tells us long stories that are either "awesome, really funny, or amazing." She talks with Cait a lot, however, when Cait is not in the car with us I don't think she ever stops talking unless she is tired! Here are a few classic Grace comments:

We were in the car driving and Grace was using her imagination (something she does often). All of a sudden I hear her talking to her feet. So, I asked what she was talking to them about. Her response, "I am naming them!" "What are you naming them?" "Tinky and Nicki."

Right before easter her and Cait were downstairs in their room. Apparently Cait knocked Grace's popscicle cross she made at church off their dresser. This is the conversation that followed:
G: Cait, you knocked the cross that Jesus died on for our sins on the ground!
C: He didn't die on that cross Grace so why do you want it?
G: So people will know that He died on the cross for our sins
C: People know that Grace
G: No, there are people around the world that do not know that Jesus died on the cross for our sins!
C: Well they are not coming to our house
G: Well, I want to keep it on our dresser if they do

I love her sweetness, silliness, and crazy imagination!

Tricks!

Lately my kids have been really into doing "tricks." Here is Cait balancing.

Carson, very proud of his ingenuity in balancing the chair upside down against the side of the house!

Cait working on her headstands

This doesn't look like much, but it is the beginning of Kaylee starting to move (she was on the mat originally). This was almost 2 months ago and now she is scooting backwards like crazy. She really wants to chase her brother and sisters (mom's not sure shes ready though)!

Carson, balancing on a chair again. Notice a pattern?! If he wants to do something or needs something a chair is his current solution. In his mind he can do everything as long as he is able to get a chair to the spot needed!

Rainy Days

Lately we have had a lot of rain. And finding ways to keep everyone busy and able to expend the necessary energy has been well, difficult. Especially when it comes to Carson! He is a very busy little boy! So, we play Hide and go Seek, read books, jump, play ball, make forts, make more forts, play with blocks, go visit people, take walks when there is a small break. Enjoying extra time in our p.j.'s

Carsons hat that daddy made him

Grace decided that Makaylee needed to be part of their fort making, so she made her one.

Auburn Snow in February

One of the things I love about auburn is that we occasionally get snow. Every year for the last 3 or 4 we have gotten enough to build a snowman on our front lawn. The girls love it. This year Carson got to join in the fun. He wasn't too fond of being "old" (cold) but he joined his silly self in the picture.

4 Months

I love this girl so much! She is sweet, smiley, and loves interaction, especially with mom and dad. The first 2 1/2 months of her life were a little rough. She has really bad acid reflux and it took us awhile to figure out how to help her. So, now with the combination of me being on a really strict diet and the right medication she is not in constant pain and we get to see the happy, fun baby she is.
One of my favorite times of the day with her is at night. We tend to be pretty laxed with her compared to the other ones and keep her up later just to be able to play with her and enjoy her. She loves these times. She talks, giggles, smiles - she knows she has our full attention.
She also loves her siblings and they love her. She lights up when they walk in the room. Grace can get her to full on belly laugh better than anyone.
Being the fourth she is ready to move and chase everyone around. She rocks when she is on your leg to try to get something and she turns herself in circles on the floor. Before I know it she is going to be moving, and my life will get a little crazier than it already is!