June visitors

Jacob's sister and her family came to visit for a few days, on their way to a summer

internship in DC. We had not seen them for quite a while and it was so fun to get
caught up, play with their adorable kids and just be around family. They are funny,
kind and didn't complain about the food we fed them. What a combination!

Plus, look how cute they are. Incredible yes?

Thanks for coming Justin, Angela, Wally and Adele. We sure love you guys!

Our soccer cheering club

Ben's sideline soccer season

Cam's soccer season

Annie's soccer season

Matt's soccer season

Music concerts

Annie had a couple of concerts toward the end of the school year that were really fun
to attend. She has been into music from the time she was very young and I'm so
grateful for every opportunity she has to be a part of anything musical.

We sure love our Annie girl!

Go Revs!

We were given six tickets to the New England Revolution game and Jacob took these cute kids tonight (along with a friend of Annie's, in order to attempt to even the gender field a little more). They had a great time and were thrilled the Revs won! The only downer was that there was lots of rain. Although it didn't phase them much and they came home just as happy as they left. I stayed home with little Nate, happy for them, but more happy for me and my dry self. A fun night for everyone involved!

I love this picture for at least five reasons:

1. Jacob is the best dad ever! Have I mentioned I am a huge fan of him? And that I adore him?
2. Matt just loves life, soccer and bacon. In that order. And seeing his big smile and how much he loves everything makes me want to squeeze him.
3. Ben was so excited to be included with the big kids he counted down for days. If you had seen him waving and smiling to me as he walked out the door with the other kids, your heart would have melted too.
4. Annie not only made a special headband with the Revs colors, but also painted her nails alternating blue and red. She is a girl through and through.
5. Cam is more than obsessed with soccer. He knew the stats of everyone on both teams and loved every second
of the game.

Those living at our house might love soccer a lot!

Matt's new look

Our Matt inherited his parent's great eye sight. Poor boy. But he also inherited
his dad's good looks. Lucky boy. Which is why when he had to get glasses,
none of us were very sad. This boy is super handsome. Glasses included.

I love this picture for so many reasons, one being that he has had his glasses for a couple of months and already, they are crooked and need to be adjusted. Matt lives life in one mode--high energy. His glasses take a beating. Gratefully, we picked the durable/inexpensive model. Because we knew our Matt and didn't think it would be worth any of us being stressed over his glasses. Smart move I'd say.

And one last little story before I end this post about our boy. When we went to pick up his glasses, the doctor went in the back to get them while we looked around the office a bit. Matt stopped to look at the cases for glasses and saw the regular ones, but had never seen the ones they have for someone to carry around their contact lens case. He picked one up, gave it a strange look and then turned to me and asked, "Is this for a monocle?"

I love this kid.

Sometimes we call him Don Pedro

Five

Want to entertain a four-year old for a very long time?

Literary award

A few weeks ago, Cam came home from school and told me his English teacher (or maybe his reading teacher, I don't remember) told the class that the school magazine was accepting short story submissions from the students. Campbell wanted to enter a story he had written to give Jacob and me for Christmas. He needed to edit the length, but thought he could do that easily. I looked at him like he might belong to someone else (our kids are way too brave for me most days, I was a wimp when it came to trying new things) and said go for it. "Oh yeah, Mom," he mentioned, "it's due tomorrow." Of course it is. He got it done and turned it in.

A few days later, he came home from school and started his homework and piano. He was home for quite a while when suddenly he said, "Oh yeah, guess what Mom? On the intercom this morning they announced the winners of the short story contest. There were eighty kids in 6th, 7th and 8th grade that entered. I took second." Good grief, my mother's heart swelled with pride.

Last night, Jacob, Campbell and I attended the middle school literary award night where they introduced the winners in each category and had them read a small section of his story. I'm completely aware that I am his mother and so I am biased, but honestly, his story is pretty incredible. This boy has a talent for writing and oh how I hope it keeps writing for a long time to come.

Way to go our Campbell! We definitely think you are amazing!

Six months

A quiet walk

What matters

Last night, after the kids were in bed and Jacob had a few things to do, I decided to take a walk.
It was kind of late and I didn't want to go too far from our house, so I decided to walk around
our block a few times. It was quiet and peaceful and the weather was perfect. As I got to the
end of our driveway, for some reason I turned back and looked at our house. Each of the kids'
windows had a soft glow coming from them, as well as the family room, where Jacob was
working. My heart caught in my chest and I was absolutely overwhelmed with all that
I had blessed with. Everything that truly mattered to me in this world, was in our
tiny little home. My five babies and their dad. Our home could have been empty,
except for them, and I would still be the most blessed woman in the world.

Happy Mother's Day to me indeed.

Our pet hawk

We have a hawk that has decided that our yard is a lovely place to roam about.
And to find food. And, I'm guessing, build a nest for its babies. It is pretty awesome
and we are all quite enthralled with it. Including Jacob who keeps trying to get a close
up with the camera. Our pet hawk. Who would have thought? Name suggestions welcome.

IronKamm

Last Monday, I received a package in the mail. It was from my oldest sister.
Inside was a wristband. Which I immediately put on my wrist and did not
remove, even for one second, until this morning at about 12:30am.

You see, this wristband was what my sister decided to order for all of the siblings
in my family, in support of our brother, Kamm, who would be running his first
Ironman race. The band told him that we believed in him, had the initials of all eight
of his siblings and also, just for fun and because he loves to say it, "Suck it up!!"

Fast forward to Saturday morning. I don't usually spend too much time on the computer on
Saturdays, they are always busy at our house. But this Saturday, I spent every free second
I had sitting in front of my computer screen. Staring at live video that looked something like
the above. And texting anyone who was there, watching my brother compete, in person.

And then, just after midnight my time, this guy appeared on the screen.
He had swam 2.4 miles, biked 112 miles and than ran a marathon.
And I sobbed as I watched him cross the finish line.

My brother.

My hero.

Baby boy

Annie and polar bears

Annie had a project due in school. She had to write a report on a particular
animal, illustrate the cover and then make that animal out of craft supplies.
She was assigned the polar bear. And did pretty fantastic, if I do say so myself.

(Especially as midway through the creation process, that bear above
looked a whole lot like a lamb and Annie and I could not quit laughing.
Gratefully, we were able to turn that fluffy lamb into a ferocious bear.
Okay, not so much ferocious, but it looks like a bear, so we're happy.)

The story of the easel

I've wanted something to fill up the corner of our dining room for many a while. But I didn't know what. Until many weeks ago when I realized I wanted an easel and blackboard so I could write quotes, scriptures, thoughts, etc. on it. Have you searched for large blackboard easels lately? I have. They are expensive. Yikes. So I decided on another route.

I went to IKEA. Where they sell easels for $14.99. No really, they do. Annie has one in her bedroom that she received for Christmas. She uses it constantly. The only catch is that they only sell one kind of easel and the wood is natural and the chalk holder is red. Not going to work in our dining room. But I picked it up anyway, because I knew it could be transformed.

Fast forward to Jacob's parents coming for Matt's baptism. His dad asked several times what one project he could do in the couple of days he was here that would be of help. I felt silly having him do work for us, when he should just be visiting and relaxing. But when he insisted, I gratefully (and a little sheepishly), asked if he wanted to stain an easel.

I picked up the necessary items, along with some black felt to cover up the red laminate on the chalk tray, and within a couple of hours, I had the easel I have always wanted.

You like? Boy howdy, you'd better believe I do. Can you stand at how

fantastically the stain matches our table? I know, neither can I.

So there you go, folks. The dining room easel of my dreams. I'm so very happy about it.

Thanks so much Rex! You are the staining king.

Matt's special day

A week ago Saturday, our sweet Matthew was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I hope I never forget the feelings of that day or the look on our boy's face after both his baptism and after receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.

We are so grateful that Jacob's parents were able to come and be a part of it. They each gave a beautiful talk and Jacob's dad gave a wonderful presentation for the children while we were waiting for Jacob and Matt to change their wet clothes and join us again.

We missed my parents, who would have come in a second if it were at all possible.

Mostly, we just felt such intense gratitude for this boy that is ours and for the choice he made to follow his Savior. It truly was a perfect day and we all were so grateful to be a part of it.

We love you so much Matthew! Thanks for being one amazing boy.

The break that is spring

Boy howdy, things have been a little busy here. Matt's baptism, Jacob's parents here to visit, the kids out of school all week...it has been wonderful. And busy. Did I mention that?

Just wanted to share that we're still alive and that photos of the wonderfulness of the past few days are coming. Eventually. Sometime. Most likely.

But while you are waiting, would you like me to tide you over with Jacob's new favorite photo? I thought so.

Um, come again? Would someone explain this photo to me? Because there is no explanation in my mind. Parts of the photo, sure. But the whole thing? No way. It is like dominoes. But the baby didn't get the memo about being in a row. And Annie had to fix her hair first. And Ben didn't know it wasn't fun to be pushed over onto your head. And I keep on bossing everyone around no matter how unsteady their feet are or how much they need a V8 today.

Anyway.

Stay tuned.

For more photos. Not for an explanation.

Because it isn't happening.

Nate and his daddy

Easter Sunday