Lyla Beans (15 months)

Doing your best to keep up with the crew.  You're a go-getter little one :).

Happy Birthday... Love you my seven year old Madison!

Happy Birthday to my first little love, the little one who first made us Mama and Daddy.  Miss Madison, I could say 'where did the last seven years go?', but I know the answer.  They have passed by, one day at a time.  We have slowly, at times, and so quickly in others, watched you turn into a beautiful little seven year old.  Your kind heart and helpful hands amaze us.  You have been 'big sis' three times now in your short seven years and have done it so well every time.  Many times I have thought that I have not given you what you needed as I have given so much to those babes.  Yet at the same time I look at you and think about who you are and how that has been molded in those years of hard days at home.  You are quick to help, respond to a need without being asked, are so patient to those who don't do things quite as well as you, and love others without condition.  We have spent many of your 2,555 days rubbing shoulders during the day as I have asked you to meet a need way more often than you have asked for yours to be met.  As you have celebrated your 7 years, I have realized that you and I need to take some time this year remembering how to find a little joy that is just you and me.  Not because you asked, or because you really feel like you need it, but because I'll sure be missing out if I let a year go by without it.  Here's to being seven sweet little lady.  You are a delight.

Winter White Out

So... sometime here I will fill in the blanks between summer and winter, but for now these will do.  First time out in the snow for our little Lyla.  There were a few tears, but I decided that there was enough fun to make all that bundling up worth it.

Found these :)

These two are a few of my favorite people.

Eliott - four years old

Full of big smiles, funny faces, and lots of scraped knees.

Madison - six years old

Big enough to lose teeth.  She lost her first oneat 6 1/2.  It was hanging by a thread and finally (with a little help from Dad) pulled it the rest of the way out.  The second fell out when she clonked heads with little sis on the tramp.  A few tears and a lot of blood.

You two are a gift to this mama.

First Day of Classical Conversations 2015!

The crew was excited to start our second year of CC... well, Madi's second year and T's first.  The two little are darn spoiled this year as they get loved on from both grandma's (woohoo!).  They both did great... such a fun morning packed full of wonderful.  We love our CC mornings!

I'm pretty sure he thinks he is smiling

another try

"Hey Mom!  This is my 'sour' face!"

Fourth time's a charm

Tay has her backpack and new water bottle and is all ready to go to... Grammas!

My leader... Miss Madison... 6 years old and working through first grade material

Miss Lyla Beans... sweet, sweet Beans.  11 months

Our little one room school house