Happy 7th Birthday Katie!

happy birthday to you

happy birthday to you

happy birthday dear katie

happy birthday to you!!!

 

It's on days like today, I realize just how fast time is flying by.  7 years ago this morning we were on our way to the hospital to be induced.  We welcomed a dark haired, beautiful daughter.  She was our biggest baby (and currently is almost the smallest one) also the most content and quietest baby of the 4.  She's still a sweetheart, but has come out of her shell.  (smile)  She loves animals: the cats, horses, the calves/cow, puppies.  Her latest passion is drawing, coloring, painting, crafts.. anything art related.  Quite often she willingly offers to help around the house and the barn.  By no means is she a 'girly-girl'  She loves purple, dresses and frilly's, but she can tear up a storm outside on her bike, racing with the boys, playing in the mud/dirt/sand and tagging along on hunting trips in the woods.

 

I'm sure in the blink of an eye another 7 years will pass by.  But for today, I'm learning to live in the moment and cherish the little things, like early morning snuggles, while they last.

 

happy 7th birthday katie!  we love you!

 

love,

dad, mom, benji, carolyn and john

 

 

Things I want to remember:

The kids are all under the weather with a cold.  John came down with it first.  He was laying on my lap and looks up at me and says:

"Mom, I know how I got sick!  I slept with my mouth open and a 'bug' crawled in my mouth and got my mouth sick!"

Silly little bugger!  I'm hoping to keep my mouth shut when I sleep so I don't catch his 'bug'!  (smile)

Happy Birthday Daddy!

happy birthday to you
happy birthday to you
happy birthday dear daddy
happy birthday to you!!!

wishing the best daddy in the whole wide world a happy birthday!  we love you!!!

Benji, Carolyn, Katie and John

Our View Today

The calendar says spring, outside tells a different story.  It's been a long, snowy winter for us.  I've heard reports that we've received over 60" of snow this winter.  With more on the way.  We're enduring a colder snap, with lows dipping below zero tonight.  But the sun is shining today which makes me smile, as I sit snug and warm inside. 

According to the forcast spring isn't in the near future.  So we'll enjoy the clean, crisp, whiteness while it lasts.  After all, what else can we do? 

Just pour another cup of hot cocoa and snuggle up to the warm fire.

wordless wednesday- way out west

a very long over due update

Yes, I realize it has been a very long time since I've done a real blog post.  It isn't for a lack of things to post about.  It's the same 'ol song and dance about not having enough time. 

I can't believe we are already into MARCH!!  We've survived the blunt of 'ol man winter and are looking forward to having more sunshine and warmer weather that spring will bring.  (Luckily for us, we were able to escape to the southwest for 3 of the coldest weeks this winter)

Over the holiday's Tanya & Charles came back for a surprise visit.  It was great having all 10 cousins together.  Lots of fun was had.  But sadly I took very little pictures.  This is the best of the group pictures I got.  Blurry or not, it was a fun week that went by all too fast.

Lil Rosie, is not so little anymore.  Almost 5 months old!  This picture was taken almost 2 months ago!  At the time this was taken she was approx 26 lbs.  Almost a month ago, she was up to 41 lbs!  I'm quite certain she's growing quite a bit in the last month, judging by how big she is when she jumps on your lap.  :)   She is grown by leaps and bounds, continuing to be a good pup.  She had her first road trip the beginning of this year.  What a trooper.  Around 3000 miles and she did amazing! 

On our little trip, we made a stop in Dodge City, KS.  To be honest we were a bit disappointed, thinking it would be more of a cowboy/western town, considering it's history.  But just a very teeny, tiny portion of town reminded us of what Dodge City used to be.  The kids had a good time, but mostly because they were able to stretch their legs for a bit.. and mainly because they knew.......

....we'd be entering into CO later that day..... 

....and crashing Aunt Tanya and Uncle Charlie's house for awhile.  Once again, I wasn't very good at taking pictures.  But we did have a great time, even though it seemed our weeks were jammed packed.   As time permits, I'll share more pictures.

happy 30th lil sis!!

happy birthday to you
happy birthday to you
happy birthday dear jessica
happy birthday to you!!!

it's hard to believe you're turning 30.  hope you have a great birthday!

love and miss you,

benjamin, heather, benji, carolyn, katie and john