Benji

A rare moment - affection for Mommy

At times he was extra 'snuggily' while we were in TN. Mainly during the times he missed Jacob and being back at home with the girls. Which happened alot. (He was with Jacob for 9 days straight just before we left..)What happened to my little boy?That sweet, mischievous, handsome smile.. *sigh*.. he looks so much like his Daddy!I forgot about this one... We don't have a TV at home, so cartoons were a HUGE hit! The cabin could have burned down around him and he wouldn't have noticed unless the power would cut out the cartoons! :) Okay.. he wasn't that bad!

Walking in a (deep) winter wonderland!

We woke up to a deep winter wonderland the other day. The kids could hardly get ready fast enough! The snow was SO deep, poor John couldn't even walk in it. Katie had an equally hard time, but she remembers playing in the snow last year.. so she wasn't easily deterred. Carolyn and Benji braved the deepest snow to blaze trails all over the yard. Benji would have stayed out all day IF I would have let him. (I only got pictures of Benji playing outside. When I was outside with the other 3 I didn't bring my camera.. I was too busy trying to keep John above the snow) Have you ever carried a chunky 2 year old in knee deep snow? It's good exercise :)

Anyone wanna grill steaks tonight?
He has wanted so long for snow... and he finally got his wish. All 1-1/2 feet of it.. or how ever much we ended up getting.
Happy lil snow angel

Katie bug

John, Carolyn and Katie watching Boppa plow our driveway.

One tired boy.

Sweet dreams.

Ready or not.. Winter has begun!

Happy Birthday Larissa

Happy 4th Birthday Larissa!! We can't believe it was 4 years ago, on that snowy day that we met you in the hospital. Nor will we ever forget the 1st months of your life. But we are glad for the cutie-patootie niece/cousin we have today!! Hope your day is as special as you!!

Love,

Benji, Carolyn, Katie,John

U. Benjamin and A. Heather

3 boys and 1 girl to TN

Bright and early... ready to hit the road

Drawing, coloring, writing... passing time
Letting loose at the rest area.

The boys were thrilled with this 'stand-up' teeter-totter.

Monkey see, Monkey do. Nothing is too high or too hard for John to climb.

Unlike other trips.. this time we felt like we never left home. It was cold, windy and dreary most days. We had some sun, got some snow, but the temps got as low as 20's. We saw alot of 30's, an occasional 40. BRR. We wore hats, gloves, boots and wished we would have brought our snow pants along.

It snowed while we were in TN. Just enough to make things white, until the sun came out.

A fold-out couch provided hours of entertainment.

"What in the world am I suppose to do with this big pink treat?" (don't worry.. he figured it out!)

I found this picture of Katie. I think it was during hunting season. But it's a pretty good picture of how I feel. Exhausted. The boys did great traveling; considering how looong the trip is. But after so many days away from home, everyone is ready to get back to normal.
And to those who have asked, or those wondering about all these trips to TN we take with Daddy... he's completing an album.

Home Sweet Home

*Another impromptu trip with Daddy to TN. This time it was John and Benji. (Carolyn and Katie spent their time between Emily's and Gma's house) We left early last Tuesday AM.

*Because of a winter storm warning.. we decided to drive straight thru yesterday. We left TN around 10:00... and arrived home last night around 12:00.

*(this morning we woke up to only a few scattered flurries on the ground.. who knows what it really did in the southern part) Yet, we are happy to be home..snow or no snow. yet.

*This morning, the boys are more than ready to go.. and Mom is wishing it was nap time. Yet I can hardly wait to get the girls back.. and start on unpacking!

*Of course I have pictures to share... but another time!

Happy Anniversary...

Happy Anniversary to you...

Gpa Ray and Gma Joyce!!!

Love,

Benji, Carolyn, Katie & John

Deer hunting.. (normal size)

Because 'smilebox' ended up being so teeny-tiney I decided to post some of the 'deer hunting widow' week pictures this way. This isn't all of them.. but you'll get the idea. We had 7 kids, 2 moms for 9 days. (We crashed A. Tanya's house one day.. so then it was 9 kids and 3 moms!) We had lots of fun, not alot of naps, too much junk food and lots of fun, and did I mention we had lots of fun?!

Cowboy John (@ A. Tanya's)

Catching up on her keyboard laptop in her princess skirt, while eating an apple.
too much fun + not enough sleep = meltdowns
3 'does'
One of the mighty hunters.. with some of their guns (these 2 boys have plenty of guns we found out!)

A not-so-successful attempt to get a picture of all 9 grandkids/cousins

The mighty hunters mapping out their morning hunt!

Benji and Jacob's buck! (and yes, it does have antlers.. you just can't see them.. or so I'm told!)

Home made playdough kept these kids entertained for hours!!!

On opening morning, we the kids made mini pizza's. They were such a hit, we had them the following Saturday too!

Thanksgiving went well. I was a tad pre-occupied, so I didn't snag any pictures. I'll have to wait until my MIL or SIL's share some with me.. hint.. hint...