Spruce Mountain

It has been a few years since Hubby and I have been able to go for a hike, so we thought we'd try it this summer with our boys in tow.  Prince N rode in the backpack most of the way, and Prince M only talked us into a few piggy back rides.  Prince K and Prince L practically raced each other up the mountain.  Our day started out muggy and sunny, but just when we started our way back down it began to downpour!  Our boys love rain, fortunately, and we all ran down the mountain together, dodging rain drops as we could under tree limbs.  Our clothes were soaked, our shoes were squisy, and our hearts were happy.

 

We plan to do more hiking next year, but somehow we ran out of summer this year before we ran out of things to do!  How does that keep happening?!

Valentine's Day 2013

Lots of love in this house... even if I do forget to post for a year or so at a time!

 

Prince L

I found this draft post hidden in my archives... I have no idea where I was going with it, but the photos are TOO cute not to post!  So while he's 7 now, not 4, I still want to remember it all!

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This little boy marches to the beat of his own drummer (and I love that about him!)...

Christmas Prep 2013

My FAVORITE time of year with my FAVORITE boys!

 

 

I thought I could get some good photos of the boys wrapped in Christmas lights for our card this year... they had fun, but we hardly got any "card-worthy" photos.  To my surprise, they were all fighting for the spot light.  Prince N has mastered the infamous "cheese!" every time I whip out the camera (or the remote.  Hehe.)

 

So we picked a relatively warm day to snap some photos by the railroad tracks.  A little tripod and a lot of patience, we ended up with a lot of cute shots!  The boys each have solo pics as well, looking very handsome, but it was too much to post on here!

 

 

Last weekend we had the army Christmas party, and as yearly tradition goes we get our tree immediately after at a local tree farm.  Landon chose the perfect tree for our house (once it was decorated, he declared it "the best tree ever!").

 

Each boy helped with a few ornaments, the bigger boys excited more this year than ever to hang their "specific" ornaments.  In the background we listed to Christmas music, and baked cookies in the oven.  It was about as picture-perfect as it can get around here. 

 

I had to laugh at the above picture - the boys were mesmerized with the tree cutting!  Hubby hit a rock during the process, so the dull hack saw got stuck and the boys scrambled to help.  I love them so!

 

Now we are counting down the days on our homemade advent calendar; 24 pockets filled with chocolates and legos this year.  And Prince M reminds me every day that he wants Santa to bring him the Star Wars Angry Bird "piggy ship."  Sigh.  I sure hope Santa is listening!

Family

There's a whole lotta love goin' on in this house.

Prince M loves to be the "big" brother and snuggle with Prince N!

Daddy gets lots of lovin' from this little guy!

Well, from all of them really.

Even our stuffed animals get a little TLC!

Momma is usually behind the camera, so a little mirror photo will have to do.

Brothers, helping each other out!

Goodbye For Now, Brutus

With much regret, we decided to find a new home for Brutus.  We love him dearly, but he just wasn't getting the attention he deserved at our house... especially after the addition of baby #4 and moving to our new house.  We found an amazing family for him, and hope to visit soon.  Our boys each wanted to take picture with Brut before he left, and Brut "gave" them each a stuffed yellow lab to remember him by.  We read books about saying goodbye, and prepared for his departure.  Nothing could have prepared me for how hard it was going to be to leave him at his new home though! Hubby and I both shed tears as we drove home without him in our car.  But knowing he will be happier makes it a little bit easier!

 

 

We are sad that Prince N will never know this precious pup as we all did...

 

Farewell, Brut, we'll see you soon!

Basketball

Prince L was sad to have missed the soccer season this year (he didn't want to play until he heard how much fun his friends were having), so when he heard he could play basketball he was super excited.  Watching a bunch of kindergarteners play sports is pretty comical, but they try really hard.  Prince Lwas striving to be the fastest on the court, and wanted to shoot at the higher baskets (instead of the kid-friendly lower ones they dug out for first practices).  He listened intently to his coach and tried to be the first to do the requested activities. 

 

 

I fully believe that sports at this age are more about socializing than skills and winning.  I love to watch them all interact!

 

Shoot for the stars, little buddy!

 

And of course, Prince N slept through the practices...

 

And on Prince L's final practice he was given a medal with his name on it - made all those early mornings well worth it! 

Snowshoes!

Our boys are explorers by nature.  I'm not sure if this is the case for all boys, but once our kiddos are outside they are GONE!  Prince K received a new pair of snowshoes for his birthday this year, complete with poles (thanks,Grandpa!), so naturally we had to put them to good use!  Prince M likes snowshoes, but only for short walks around the yard, so Hubby inevitably has to pull him in a sled.  Prince N snuggles safely in a baby carrier and takes a long nap. 

The bigger boys fill their pockets with gadgets, or carry a rescue pack... after all, you never know when you might need a flashlight or first aid kit! 

Bring on the snow!

Happy 2013!!!!

Ringing in the New Year with our kiddos has been an ever-changing tradition.  We used to visit our local First Night celebration, but our nearby town no longer has festivities, so we have made our own traditions!

We start out with a warm dip in a local hotel pool.  I am amazed from year to year at how much fun it is to take our boys swimming, and how quickly their skills progress.  Prince K is a proficient swimmer and is constantly in the deep end of the pool.  Prince L just learned to swim this summer, and is getting stronger and stronger as the months go by.  Prince M still uses his floaties, but is fearless in the water.  Seriously, this year he plunged into the pool before I was ready and sunk to the bottom.  So I quickly tossed what was in my hands, yelled no (as if it's would help) and dove in after him.  You'd think he'd be scared, but nope... he tried it again a few seconds later.  Sigh.  Needless to say, on went the floaties!!  Prince N appears to love water, but not cold pool water... I'm thinking he'll be a water bug by summer though, and will soon be crawling in after his big brothers!

After swimming, we warm up at a local restaurant for dinner.  Last year we ate dessert first (because Preggo Momma said so), but this year we at in the traditional order.  We even wore special New Years buttons we made at home that afternoon. 

 

We then went home for petit-fours and Sprite. 

Prince N went immediately to bed when we got home, exhasted at his usual time, so the party continued at the other end of the house with a dance party in Momma and Daddy's room!  We turned on the good 'ole clock radio, donned party hats, and danced the night away.

The party was a blast, except Prince L kept falling off the bed, and Prince K kept knocking his brothers with his flailing limbs.  I was laughing so hard that tears were streaming down my cheeks as Hubby showed off his dance moves to the kids!

I wish I could say we stayed up to ring in the New Year at midnight, but the kids were in bed by 8 o'clock, and Hubby and I crashed shortly after.  Maybe in 5 years or so we'll actually stay up to see the ball drop!

The following morning we had homemade biscuits (yes, in Mickey Mouse shapes with heart centers), eggs, oranges, and juice...

2013 is off to a good start!

9 Years Old!

Happy 9th Birthday (yesterday) to the boy who made me a Momma!

I can not believe how fast 9 years goes.  Seriously.  I remember the day he came into this world, wide eyed and curious.  Prince K never cried when he was born, just gazed at me and his surroundings.  So quiet and peaceful, tiny and precious.  I could never have known then how quickly time would pass, and what an amazing little boy he would turn out to be.  I seem glimpses of his teenage years from time to time, and it makes me just want to squeeze him a little tighter.  I can not wait to see the man he grows up to be, but at the same time I hate the thought of this fleeting moment being gone.  No more smudged walls, no more scattered toys, no more unmade beds.  I want to cherish it all while I can!  So today (or should I say yesterday) we celebrate.  Candles in your breakfast, cupcakes to share at school, the present you didn't get at Christmas and wanted to so badly, dinner out at your favorite restaurant, a celebratory button to wear, singing that almost embarrasses you already, and an extra long hug and kiss at bedtime.  Happy Birthday, my sweet boy, we love you more than you will ever know!

Skating, Snowmachines, and Sledding. Oh, My!

In an effort to keep our kiddos active this winter, we signed the boys up for ice skating lessons (in addition to archery for Prince K, and basketball for Prince L).  Prince M would only go out on the ice with me after his first lesson because he got scared (and there weren't enough hands for one-on-one help).   We have been skating as family, off and on, for years, but it was nice for the boys to get a little help and scheduled practice. 

Prince L was ready to get rid of his crate (for balancing assistance) after his first lesson.  I am so proud of him, and amazed at how brave he is!  He's got great balance for standing up again if he falls, too.

Prince K played hockey as a little guy (about 4 years old), but gave it up when they started getting into games.  He doesn't seem to enjoy the sport of a little competition, but loves to do just about anything for fun!  He took a while to get his balance and remember his old moves, but he got it in no time!

I love how the boys skated side-by-side most of the time, chatting to each other as they zoomed around the rink.  I can only imagine the things they were pretending!

Another winter pastime favorite of our family is snow machining.  Prince L has begged nearly every day to take out the kiddy kat, and of course Hubby is more than happy to oblige.

Prince K is on "snow and rescue" when the snow machine is running.  He's armed with just about anything he may need in emergencies, including a whistle!  These boys are all business!

Prince N is not very impressed with the cold weather this year, so he's looking forward to spring.  But we get him outside as much as we can, even for just a few minutes, in hopes that it will grow on him!

Our new house is situated on a little hill, so the kids have had a blast sledding and exploring.  On the other side of our driveway is a steep bank that they seem to love most.  They slide down on their bellies, face first, and then giggle and squeal as they try to climb back up.