New House--sort of

So, apparently, I never published this post.  This was from July 2011.

New siding being installed.

A Whole New World

A lot has happened since I last got onto this blog.

We moved!  Derrell started a new job!  The kids grew and grew and grew!

It's Mother's Day tomorrow.  I'm grateful to be a mother.  I'm grateful my children have a wonderful dad.

Valentine's Day 2012

Ethan high up in our white pine tree, March 2012

Anna after just getting her ears pierced on her 12th birthday, 2012

Fun at the Beach

Recently, we went to the Outer Banks, North Carolina with friends.  We had fun at both the beaches we visited!  Naomi's most memorable event was being knocked off her feet by a wave.  She hadn't planned on getting in the water at the time, but the ocean had other thoughts.

Soundside

Oceanside

Careers

Five-year-old Naomi had a very enlightening experience at Career Day.  Her new philosophy:

I think I know how people choose what they're going to do. It's because of their hair and body. If a person has the hair and body of a nurse, then they'll become a nurse. If they have the hair and body of a fire fighter, then they'll choose to be a fire fighter. If they have the hair and body of a veterinarian, then they'll learn how to be a  veterinarian.

And my favorite:

If they have the hair and body of a rock star, they'll be a rock  star!

Fun with Bubbles

The girls decided to "grow" facial hair.  Or something like that.

Oatmeal

Four of the five children like oatmeal.  And the other one tolerates it most of the time.  Especially when there's a good deal of sweetener added!  It's a quick, wholesome, and filling go-to breakfast around here.  I throw in a variety of goodies to keep it interesting.  In the past we've seen:

• chocolate protein powder & peanut butter--they say it's like eating a candy bar
• frozen fruit & honey or agave syrup
• maple syrup & chopped nuts
• vanilla protein powder, almond butter and strawberries--my favorite

You get the idea.   Just about anything is fair game.  Or so I thought...

Today a new ingredient was requested.

Marshmallows!

I had to think about that one.  Sorta makes it into a dessert instead of breakfast, in my mind.  In the end I conceded just so the oatmeal would get consumed.  Granted, since I didn't stipulate a maximum number, the bowls ended up looking like marshmallows with a touch of oatmeal instead of the other way around.

Oh, well.  Once in a while dessert for breakfast makes for a fun childhood memory, I suppose.  :)

Laundry Surprise

One of my daughters used the hamper as a garbage can. 

While separating out the "whites" just now, at least a fourth of the articles ended up being used tissues.  Fun.

I guess I should at least be happy that they were thrown in some sort of receptacle and not just on the floor...

Snow Fun

Five hours.

That's how long the kids stayed outside playing with the neighbors instead of going to school.

Snowball fights!  Guess who usually had the upper hand?

Just happy to be included.

Showing off his ammunition.

Her Indian name is Runs In Snow With Apple.

Playing Fox & Geese

I think this one should say, "And here we have a nice red minivan driving by for your viewing pleasure."

And what was Abigail doing this whole time?  Reading books, playing with lacing cards, and prancing around like all good three-year-old girls...

...in her swimsuit.