Why, More Cute Kids, What Else?

 Just going through my camera and see lots of good ones.

 Shoosh, do I have cute kids or what?

 Yep, more evidence of cuteness.  By the way, this little chick was flirting with the baby boy behind us at church yesterday.  She was jabbering away at him and made the little boy cry.  :)  Already a heart-breaker.

We've had some wonderful sunny days lately with temperatures getting up to 40.  I know, like a real heat wave, huh?  My kids think so.  Ellie was begging to put shorts on.  They spent all of Saturday afternoon out in the backyard.  Can we hear a hip-hip-hurray!?  Totally wore this kid out:

 And Sunday was Australia Day.  As always, we celebrated with some of our favorite food:

 Aussie Burgers.  A party in the mouth if I ever knew one.  What makes an Aussie Burger?  Fried egg, beet root (or beets as we know them here), pineapple, and sometimes, carrot shreds and cheese.  Mine also had grilled onions, tomato, lettuce, and bacon.  Oh, and Nick made homemade pretzel roll buns, which were just delicious.  This is the way a burger is meant to be done.

And, we must not forget Pavlova:

Yum!  I love Australia Day.  And, a shout out to our favorite Aussie!  We love you, Jai!

Family Pics

 Family picture time.  I'm so happy about these cute pics, I could just pop.

 Ellie will be baptized in a few weeks.  Grandma made the dress.

What a beautiful family I have.  I am so blessed.

Half

 I'm going to prove my genius (or lack of it) here, but do you remember learning about that law in some science class where forces left to themselves will automatically turn to chaos?  Well, whoever came up with that law had kids, I'm certain of it.  When I am not an active part in our household, our house turns to chaos.  I'm reminded of this because I've been using all my "spare" time to complete last year's photo book, and oh baby, our house is a disaster area.  Like it should probably just be taped off and we can start over.  Ok, maybe not that bad, but close to it.  I have a lot to do this morning, but wanted to take a moment to share these cute photos with you.  

It's about time I spend some "school" time with this little guy:

Everett's first attempt at writing his name:

Pretty good.

And Miss Daisy:

 She's so sweet.  She's been making this face lately, which cracks me up:

 She's loving food more and more and is sleeping better at night too, hurray!  She also smacks her lips after a delicious bite of food.  :)

She's six months old now.  A whole half of a year.

 And so darn cute I can hardly stand it.

Alright, those dishes aren't going to wash themselves, I'd better get to it.

Ellie's Day

 Ellie's birthday celebration began on Saturday.  She requested we go swimming and she chose to take her cousin with us.  It was a great time!  I'm so impressed with her swimming skills.  It is very nice to take independent children to the pool.

For her birthday, she wanted to have a homemade pizza party.  We invited lots of family and had one crazy, noisy, happy evening.

Ellie decorated her cake:

Cousin round-up:

 It was a tad difficult to get a good photo of Ellie opening presents with being surrounded by the mobs and all, but she was thrilled to get a pair of Rollerblades:

 This is what she's looked like ever since:

 Ellie loves to share her birthday with Grandpa:

By the way, Grandpa is not 430.  He is 70.  We do what we can with what we've got.  :)

It was a very Happy Birthday.  Here's to many more.

Eight is Great!

 Ellie, two days old

Ellie,

Today you are 8.  Oh my.  I don't like that you are growing so fast!  You've been counting the days and are so excited that your day is finally here.  You are especially excited to be baptized in a few weeks.  We are so proud of you and your desire to do what is right.  

Eight years ago today, I became a mother.  The day of your birth was so surreal to me, a whirlwind of things I had never experienced before.  I was handed this bundle of baby with a funny shaped head and she was mine.  Something that had grown inside of me.  I remember holding you close, smelling you, checking out all your little pieces and completely falling in love.  A love that can't be described except to say a "Mother's Love".  You will forever be my first, and with that comes some good, some bad.  Being the oldest, I expect a lot from you.  I need you.  You are so good to me.  You clean when I need things cleaned.  You play with your brother and sisters when they need your attention.  You get your school-work done when it needs done.  You are happy and creative and beautiful, inside and out.  You are a natural born leader.  You like to come up with 'games' and want everyone to be involved with the fun and get frustrated when others aren't as excited as you are.  You are thoughtful and kind.  Thank you for being your wonderful self and making our home what it is.

Ellie, we all love you so very much.

Love,

Your Mom