Family Photos 2012

A few weeks ago we had family photos taken, and I was excited to see the disk arrive in the mail yesterday!  Woohoo!  I thought it would be fun to compare photos from years past, too.

I love this picture of Prince K - he always has sunglasses on hand these days (much like his uncle and daddy), and is getting so big I can hardly stand it.

Prince L is still a little reserved and sweet (but loud as can be in the comfort of his own home)!  He was the most willing to participate in the photo shoot.  If only he could have had a little chat with his brothers beforehand so they were all on the same page.  Hehe.

Prince M cried.  The entire time.  No, he screamed and flailed around.  He didn't want pictures, and no bribery could change that.  Sigh.  He is a 3 year old, through and through.

Prince N slept for a while and was not too happy to be dragged from his warm car seat on a chilly day, but his smiles were generous.

 

 

Back in 2011 we got these beauties:

 

(Prince K was on a mohawk streak - kinda miss those days!)

 

And in 2010 (when Daddy was deployed) we got these taken:

 

(Prince L was going through a phase where he was always playing with his belly button - he sure had a good outie!)

 

Seriously, it's like watching my kiddos grow up before my eyes.  I love looking at their sweet faces and remember what life was then at each given phase.  My, how quickly things change.  I am so blessed!

 

 

Waiting On Our House

We sold our old house mid-May, excited to be moving somewhere new, but scared because we didn't yet have a plan.  We ended up spending the entire summer with my parents (bless their souls!) while we built a new house in a new town. 

We would drive by the site often, looking for progress, and playing in the dirt, trying to make this piece of land "home" for our boys.  As hard as this move was on everyone, I think it may have been hardest on them with the majority of their things in storage, and their old life as they knew it left behind.

Finally, the house was delivered and set (and we were able to watch!), and it was only a matter of time until we could move in.  To say we were excited would be an understatement.

On to bigger and better things...!

And then there were 4

On July 5th, we welcomed Prince N to our family.  My labor with him was fast and furious, but just as magical as could be.  Even with months of preparation, seeing his face for the first time was priceless.  I happily shed tears of joy, admiring his dark hair and sweet features.  He was the biggest newborn in our little family, and looked like a great combination of all his brothers.  We love you so much, Prince N!

Gazing at his Momma...

Proud Papa...

Biggest brother gets the first opportunity to hold you, and takes his job with great seriousness and care...

Prince M kisses your sweet cheeks and jabbers constantly about your new presence...

Prince L is smily and proud, wanting to stare at you for hours...

And then there were 4...

Reservoir

We bought a season's pass to the local reservoir this summer, and it was well worth every penny.  I sat on the beach watching Prince L learn to swim on his own...

Prince M trying to keep up with his big brothers, nearly submerging himself every time.  No fear...

And Prince K antagonizing his brothers to no end, and experimenting with his new strength and swimming abilities.

I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Things got so much more complicated just days after this picture was taken, however, when we added #4 to our family!

July 4th Festivities

This year I was determined to do as much as I could with our 3 older boys before Prince N was born.  His due date was July 3rd, so I was thinking I would miss the parades and fireworks, but Prince N held out until the 5th and I was able to participate fully!

Prince M saw a fun house and had to try it out.  Mid-way through he got scared and had to be ushered out by his big brothers.  It's times like this that make me appreciate how close they are, and just how much they love eachother.

With 3 (soon to be 4) active fair participants, we have to really limit rides and games, but the kids don't seem to mind.  They all took turns at 2 games (I love how they are small enough still that they need to stand on the game surround itself to play!) and a ride, and got a snack, then we settled in for fireworks.

Prince K is too big for most of the travel rides at these small fairs, and the ones he can ride he's scared of, so he helped me take photos and looked around at the scarier rides happily.  Of course, I had to get a (very prego) pic of just me and my big boys!

Circus Palooza!

Every summer we take the kiddos to see some kind of circus performance.  Usually it is circus smirkus, but this year we tried a new tradition on for size:  Circus Palooza!  It was full of games and activities to keep the kids busy, in addition to a circus performance and free reign to explore the museum grounds.

It was our first really "trip" with all 4 kids since Prince N's birth, and I have to admit it was quite the production.  On top of being sleep deprived and exhausted, it was probably a million degrees out, and Prince M had a tinge of the tummy bug.  Prince K and Prince L had a blast with the activities, but were bored with the circus performance in general.  I spent a great portion of the day under the shade of any nearby tree, nursing my little newborn and snapping photos from afar.  Hubby was such a good sport, even carrying cranky kids (up hill in the heat!) out to the car at the end of the day.

I love how our kids can find joy in just about any adventure, even though doing things as a family is usually far from smooth!  Sometimes it just really is good to be a kid. 

Tub Time

Looking back at these pictures, I find myself shocked at how quickly time has passed.  Prince N was so tiny and new, and now he's growing up so quickly.  I am reminded of just how much I want to freeze time, keep them little and dependent on me - but since that is impossible, I am so thankful for photos!

Prince N's first tubby was in Grammy and Boppa's bathroom sink (since we were still living with them when Prince N was born - thanks, grandparents!).

He loved the warm water from the very beginning, and as long as you kept him submerged he'd be content for quite some time. 

Best Babies

From the time we were in kindergarten, Jo and I have been determined to raise our kiddos at the same time.  Life, however, had its own plans for a long time.  Finally, Jo had her first baby this summer, and Hubby and I welcomed our last.

Jo and I now live in different states, and get together very infrequently, but it is fun sharing the joys and trials of newborns together as we had once hoped.  I hope that Prince N and his new buddy grow into great friends one day (right now they are pretty much oblivious to each other).

I love the picture below - 3 good friends from high school, still keeping in touch, with all of our little ones.

The 2nd time Prince N and his buddy got to visit they were both much bigger and more aware of life, enjoying their toys side-by-side.  I just hope my kiddos are all able to make such good and lasting friendships as they continue to grow.  I have already witnessed them saying good-bye to dear friends as we moved, and attempt to find new buddies.  I have always seen them bid farewell to some of their newest friends as they move themselves.  It is heart wrenching, as a mom, to see your kids missing their friends, wondering what things will be like without them.  If only I could keep them in a bubble! 

Summer Fun

Clearly I am way behind, but here is another post from way back when!  I do love our boys!

 

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We spend a lot of time by the water in the summer months.  It entertains the kiddos for hours, keeps everyone cool, and ensures a good nigths sleep.  Prince N and I spent many hours on the shore this year, although I'm looking forward to a busier, more water-filled summer next year with him!  Prince N's big brothers are always there watching out for him though (in between splashes, of course).

 

Prince K passed the deep water test during the summer.  Again, I was so proud of him that I almost cried.  I guess it must have been the pregnancy hormones.  He spent hours (literally) jumping off the raft, swimming to shore, swimming back to the raft, and jumping again.  So much joy.  And what a tan little boy he was by the end of summer!

 

We took our annual (almost) trip to Chelsea to enjoy some time with the cousins and enjoy the pond.  The kids thought it was great to see the turtles, frogs, fish, and crayfish in the water but didn't want to actually catch any.  Can't blame them.  :-)

 

Prince K and Prince L discovered the joy of paddling a boat.  Their little arms must have been exhausted, but they paddled around and around in circles. 

 

Having passed the raft test gave Prince K a little too much confidence - as we headed down to the pond to swim, he jumped right in and started swimming across to the other side (alone!).  I had to flag him back and warn him of the dangers (which I'm sure went in one ear and out the other.  Hehe).  It's so great to see him so sure of his abilities though!

 

It feels like summer was a long time ago, I can hardly wait for next year! 

Thanksgiving 2012

We have so very much to be thankful for this year.  Our boys are happy, healthy, and adorable (not that I'm biased or anything).  We have a roof over our heads (a new one at that!), food in our belly's, warm blankets on our bed.

We have lots of family and friends to love, and much to look forward to each and every day.  We have each other.  What more could we ask for?

Our thanksgiving dinner this year was celebrated at our own dining room table with candles, with a long discussion of all the things we are thankful for (the kiddos lists included their beds, the trees, and their very best friends).  We will celebrate with family this weekend with a big turkey, but I am quite happy with our quite, happy evening at home.

Summertime, Baby

We spend a lot of time by the water in the summer months.  It entertains the kiddos for hours, keeps everyone cool, and ensures a good nights sleep.  Prince N and I spent many hours on the shore this year, although I'm looking forward to a busier, more water-filled summer next year with him!  Prince N's big brothers are always there watching out for him though (in between splashes, of course).

 

Prince K passed the deep water test during the summer.  Again, I was so proud of him that I almost cried.  I guess it must have been the pregnancy hormones.  He spent hours (literally) jumping off the raft, swimming to shore, swimming back to the raft, and jumping again.  So much joy.  And what a tan little boy he was by the end of summer!

 

We took our annual (almost) trip to Chelsea to enjoy some time with the cousins and enjoy the pond.  The kids thought it was great to see the turtles, frogs, fish, and crayfish in the water but didn't want to actually catch any.  Can't blame them.  :-)

 

Prince K and Prince L discovered the joy of paddling a boat.  Their little arms must have been exhausted, but they paddled around and around in circles. 

 

Having passed the raft test gave Prince K a little too much confidence - as we headed down to the pond to swim, he jumped right in and started swimming across to the other side (alone!).  I had to flag him back and warn him of the dangers (which I'm sure went in one ear and out the other.  Hehe).  It's so great to see him so sure of his abilities though!

 

It feels like summer was a long time ago, I can hardly wait for next year!