The Girls

Here are some random pictures of the girls. The were all taken within the last week. (See Glenda, I'm working on being back).

Best Friends

Swim Lessons

The kids just got done with two weeks of swimming lessons and they all absolutely loved them. I did too. They each had their own teacher (life guards) and all the kids had their lessons at the same time. This is especially great for someone with seven kids. We all went to the pool and I walked around with Nathanael and Zoe while all the kids had their lessons for half an hour. On the last day of their lessons, they got to go down the water slides. The pool has three more sessions of lessons through the summer. I think I might sign them up for one more session at the end of July. It gives us something to do, teaches them a valuable skill and lets them enjoy time at the pool.

Rolly Zoe

A few weeks ago, around the time when Zoe turned four months. She surprised us all one evening as she rolled over for the very first time. She is one antsy little girl. Zoe is one who will be up and running with the rest of them before we know it. She keeps her eyes and smiles on her brothers and sisters at all times. They don't intimidate her or over-stimulate her. They make her laugh. I am glad for this since she is number seven. Zoe is a joy and adored by all.

Introducing the Newest Member of Our Family

Zoe Elisabeth

Born on February 2, 2010

At 11:17 a.m.

8 pounds 7 ounces

20 inches long

Zoe has been well welcomed and adored by the rest of her siblings.

Look Who's TWO!

Once again, along with Christmas we were able to celebrate another special day in our family, Nathanael's second birthday. We celebrated after dinner with both sets of Grandmas and Grandpas. He loved tearing into more presents. The other kids think it is no fair that he gets to have his birthday on Christmas and get even more presents. I don't think it is something to be jealous of. He doesn't get anything the rest of the year. Bummer! Since he is still young and doesn't have much of an opinion, what we have been doing, by having a birthday party on Christmas night, works well for us. When/if he starts to get bothered by his birthday on Christmas, we will change things.

I just love this little pose!

Tearing into some pressies!

Enjoying the first licks of his birthday cake. He was adorable trying to blow out his candles. He tried, tried and tried but finally gave up. He just looked up at me as if to say, "this is too much work."

We are so blessed to celebrate another year of Nathanael's life. It was also neat to be able to celebrate it, along with Christmas with the rest of our families.

Leah's Lingo

I found the girls playing in their room this morning.

Leah says to me, "I'm playing I just had a tiny baby and I am in bed."

I look over at her and she is tucked right into bed with her baby doll tucked into the baby bed pulled right up to the side of her bed. Gee, can you tell we have brought a few babies home from the hospital? BTW, Anna was ironing baby clothes at the time. Girls are so fun and they play so differently than boys.

Grandma and Aunt Laura's Visit

Just a few highlights from our visit with Grandma F and Aunt Laura. We visited Warwick Castle on the first Saturday of their time here. Unfortunately, we forgot our camera that day. We had a great time and especially enjoyed our dinner at Nando's in Coventry.

The above photo was taken at Burghley House. We spent the day there walking, picnicing and playing in the water at the Garden of Surprise.
Mom, Laura and Nathanael enjoying our day out to Cambridge while the rest of the kids were at Holli's. We had lunch at the Slug and Lettuce (a chain restaurant/pub in England). Thanks again, Holli!

Mom and Laura 0n the bus in Cambridge

Our day out to Stamford on Cason's birthday. These pictures are of us stopping at Bean's for our hot chocolate and milkshakes.

Mom, Laura, Andrew, Cason and Nathanael (sleeping) on a bridge in Stamford.

Mom and Laura by the train at Kings Cross in London for our girls weekend.

Me and Laura in front of a monument at Kensington Palace.

Me and Mom on a bench at the Cath Kidston store in Covent Gardens. Such a lovely store. It was hard to make final decisions. I did come away with a really nice bag and matching wallet.

Mom and Laura in front of an English phone booth.

The kids and grandma being silly on their last night here.

All of us (minus Steve) before they left bright and early the next morning. We had such a great time with them and are so happy they were able to make it to visit us one last time.