Luke {a.k.a. turtle boy}

he was quite chilly after swimming in the lake. this picture cracks me up, it is now the screensaver on our computer!

summertime salad

In my humble opinion, there is nothing more delicious than a summer-ripe tomato. My favorite way to eat that delicious tomato is in a salad that looks like this. YUM.

Party pictures

Gabe had such a fun first birthday! When I unloaded my camera last night I realized I had taken 193 pictures of his big day. Sydnee said that Gabe is probably the most photographed child in our family, and I totally agree! Isn't it awesome with digital cameras that we can take as many pictures as we want and delete the ones that didn't turn out? No more paying for film and developing!
Here are a handful of pictures (okay, maybe more than a handful) from yesterday's party. We had a "bubbles, balloons and balls" theme. It was a ton of fun!

I made a collage of pictures from each month of Gabe's life. It is fun to see how he has grown and changed in a year!


We made him a birthday shirt with his handprint and name on the front...


...and the back of the shirt


One thing we did was buy some play balls and put them in a kiddie pool in the living room. He LOVES them!


birthday bath!


here he is opening presents, which he really figured out quickly! You can see the determination on his face!


riding on his rocking horse


ready for some CAKE!


let the fun begin!


hmmm...maybe not


not.liking.the.frosting.at.all.


I never thought I would have a child who turned down birthday cake!


What a fun day, and what a fun boy we have! Here's to another year of adventures with our littlest boy!

Happy 1st Birthday Gabriel!!

And oh how fast this year has gone!





Gabe is such a wonderful addition to our family. He brings sweetness and softness, his older siblings absolutely love him and enjoy playing with him. Gabe is active and playful, quiet and observant, tender and loving. He knows what a doggy and kitty says, where someone's nose is, says "hiiii!", "dada", and "mum". His favorite food is fruit (any kind) and avocado. He is SO proud of himself when he crawls into the little rocking chair. He can clap his hands, wave bye bye, and his favorite way to get around has been scooting on his bottom for the past few months. He only recently learned that crawling is MUCH faster! His favorite toy is definitely a ball, any kind, just like his brothers before him.
Happy birthday, baby boy!

Wordless Wednesday: waking up from a nap edition

Fun on the 4th!

We had a wonderful day yesterday celebrating the 4th of July! We live right on the parade route in our little town, and it is always so much fun sitting with friends (and this year my parents came!) and enjoying the festivities. The kids always have a blast catching candy and watching the different floats that go by. After the parade and lunch we have a tradition of going out to David's parents' house to enjoy the lake and fireworks at night. Gabe and I left before fireworks this year, hopefully next year we'll be able to stay longer! Here are some pictures from yesterday:

Madyson enjoying a blue piece of candy at the parade!


Sydnee and her friend Felicia


Ben and his buddy Nathan


Mommy, Maddy and Gabe


Daddy relaxing with Gabe


Grammy and Maddy


Grampy and Lukey


Gabe and his holiday "fauxhawk" *smile*


All 5 of our fantastic firecrackers
Luke's shirt says "Dad's little firecracker" and Gabe's says "mom's little sparkler". Isn't that so cute...and true? (Look at Luke trying to grab the flag from Maddy, he's such a stinker!)


fishin' off of the dock (side note: Benjamin fell in the water while fishing)

I am a Very Superior Wife, in the 1930s!

101 As a 1930s wife, I am Very Superior Take the test!

This is a hoot, I did this test and it cracked me up at some of the questions. It is hard to believe that women were considered good wives for darning socks and dressing for breakfast! Even though I don't do either thing I guess I am still doing ok. Go ahead and take the test, it's good for a laugh!