Little Elm Beach

I have to start off by saying, who can go to the beach in January? We can and we did! This is one nice perk about Texas; the weather is warm enough to go play outside year round. I am not saying the kids went swimming but they did get wet and dirty while enjoying some warm (not hot) sunshine.

It was so nice! Austin and I were soaking up the warm sun while the kids played in the sand. 

The boys wanted me to take pictures of the star and sun they made with their shovels. Not bad, eh?

I love this picture of Emeri. I love how she's wearing her adorable skirt while playing in the sand. The picture represents her I think. She is a beauty that loves to get dirty and play hard. Plus, look how little she is. she is enjoying herself and has no cares. I love the innocence this picture captured too.

The boys started acting like lions and getting into the water. Austin tested the temperature out and quickly back tracked. The sissy man wouldn't even walk in the shallow area after that. lol

Andrew built this and called it a temple. He then took the astronaut out of his pocket, put it on top of his temple, and then told me he had angel Moroni on his temple. Sweet Andrew, I loved that.

I took this shadow picture because Isaac noticed that our two shadows looked like camels. This happened while we were loaded with our stuff walking back to the car. He kept telling me he could see camels but I had tuned him out trying to get Emeri to follow us. When I finally was able to focus in on what he was saying I laughed and had to take a picture. The picture on the right is what Isaac was actually holding to make his camel possible. He is a very observant boy.

Andrew's Rocket Launcher

For a few days in the beginning of January, the weather was warm enough to finally pull out Andrew's rocket launcher he got for his birthday. The boys loved seeing how high they could get it to go. Sometimes they would get the rocket so high it would land over the neighbors' fences or on our roof. Thank goodness Daddy was there to save the day, and look, he dressed just for the strenuous occasion. HAHAHA

The boys learned quickly that the rocket would fly higher when they jump on it with two feet instead of just stomping on it. I liked how they held the rocket for each other to make sure it went straight up.

During the rocket show Oakley enjoyed her first ride on our outside swing. She quite enjoyed herself. I loved how the natural light brought out her baby blues! Such a pretty smile sweetie.

Isaac got in trouble for a bit and had to take a time out. I told him he had to hold Oakley while his brother kept playing with the rocket. She didn't notice his sour attitude, look at those smiles! Happy as a clam!

Don't Eat Pete

Don't eat Pete is a family game that we used to play when I was a little girl. It is so simple yet incredibly fun for kids. I remember getting so excited and nervous when it was my turn. As we got older we would play tricks on each other to make it a bit more interesting.  There are lots of memories with this game that I hope to continue on with our children. 

The game goes like this, you get a muffin tin and fill each cup with whatever candy/treat you want. Then one person leaves the room while the rest of the group picks one of the cups to be Pete. The person who was out of the room comes back in and starts picking candy from any cup they want. If the person picks the cup chosen to be Pete then the group yells, Don't Eat Pete as loud as they can. Then their turn is over. VERY VERY simple, but so fun.

Dad doesn't think he can be beat. HAHA We shall see.

Andrew did great his first round. He got 10 marshmallows before he got Pete. 

I love what Emeri did every time some one went. She couldn't handle the suspense so she would cover her ears with her hands. HAHA She was too smart during her turn though. After her 7th cup she picked Pete and while we were yelling, Don't Eat Pete, she quickly grabbed the rest of the marshmallows with her other hand. Austin and I were too shocked and hysterically laughing to get after her. She was so fast to grab the rest of her treasure.

These pictures were of the three younger kids on the airplane ride home from Seattle. Jenna and I took all 7 of our kids, ranging from ages 6 to 5 months on a 6 hour flight. Man...we were crazy, but hey, we got to see family for a whole month! It was well worth it.

Andi May

 After returning home from our Ohio trip last November, it took Austin only about a week to convince me that we could get one of my Aunt's puppies. The future responsibilities for our kids helped me feel more inclined towards a dog and of course holding the 7 day old pups made my will that much weaker also. So, I agreed and the date was set for Austin and Mitchell to drive back up to Ohio to get a pup and have it back before the kids and I returned home from Seattle. I was pretty excited I had to admit. Through the whole month of December, the excitement of having a puppy for the kids was all I could think about. A fun thought during the holidays was pondering if the puppy that I held and took pictures with could be the puppy we might get. I like to think so but I am romantic and sentimental that way.
The night we came home I walked in the door and this little fluffy sausage came waddling towards me. IT WAS ADORABLE!! She was so cute. I held her on my lap while Austin got the kids out of the car. Once they walked through the door they paused and humongous smiles spread all across their faces. They were shocked and excited all at the same time. They timidly walked towards her not sure to trust her but not able to stay away from her pure cuteness. After a few days with her they quickly lost the shyness and loved on her to death. That night we named her Andi May.

I joke to myself that if Andi knew what kind of family she was going to come home to she would not have come. HAHA The kids do everything with her; she is a new playmate that happens to be fluffy, can't talk, and very small.

Isaac had a fun time with Andi in the stroller. She actually stayed there for awhile. Austin did tell me he picked the calmest puppy in the litter.  Andi puts up with everything from these kids, her personality couldn't have been more perfect to mix with our crazy lot.

Isaac also loves to take Andi around on her leash and pull her in the wagon. 

 
These two sweeties were threading these giant beads in the house and wanted to bring them outside so they could play "snakes." HAHA Silly kids. The other picture is of Andi with her favorite stick.

 Andi even got to play boat ride with the kids. She didn't like this one so much but they wouldn't let her get away from it. Isaac pushed the box back and forth through the house for about 15 minutes. Poor Andi endured it all.

 Silly Isaac even used his head to push them a few times. I was actually impressed by his strength and endurance. Andrew and Emeri were having a blast. Andi, not so much.

 This idea was the kids scariest of all. They put a box on top of another box with Andi on the bottom and Emeri on top. The weight was VERY unbalanced so I told Isaac he had to go slow. It worked for a bit but my nerves just couldn't handle it.

 These pictures are of Andi trying to escape her boxed in area to be with us. She tried any hole or crack she could. Sometimes I would see her with her nose out and her eyes following me. Of course I had to take a picture of that. IT WAS SO CUTE! "Umm don't worry guys, I am cool, I am not stuck, just desperately trying to get as close to you as possible."
 
 This was Andi's absolute favorite place. Whether it was Austin's legs or mine, this was Andi's safe haven. She always wanted to be curled up next to us or cuddled under our legs.

Oakley's is 6 months!

Our beautiful Oakley girl is now 6 months old! She is half way through her first year of life. Oakley is such a little darling and loves to smile at whomever. During her entire 6th month Oakley had the privilege of being at Grandma and Grandpa Ralph's house. She had everyone in their house wrapped around her little finger. They all loved to hold her and make her smile. Her two front teeth that came in last month really poked out, you can see them on the bottom of her mouth in the picture on the left.

Grandma Ralph found this dress for Oakley. The hair bow was the one she wore for our family pictures.  They went perfectly together, and her skin looks beautiful in that dress.

Oakley has really started sitting up all by herself this month. I still put the pillows on both sides of her for precaution but she didn't need them.