it was easter

 it's a task gathering the children

 and making them stay put

 and encouraging them to look decent

and encouraging...

 now someone's been lectured and the results aren't pretty

(but the baby sure is cute)

 they feel relieved because they think it's over

 nope

those who like posing hang around

she was determined to sit here even though her dress was caught

she had some visitors

this was before all the baskets and treats (except what they got at church) and they are exceptionally patient. i love easter. i love to sit with my kids and the litigator in the pew.  i love the hymns and the depth of spirituality that can arise from really listening. i love the treats and little surprises and i love finding new sunday clothes for each little (or bigger) one. i'm grateful for my family and for days that require me to breathe a little slower and see a little more clearly. 

in september

church bathroom + sunday clothes = disaster

first strawberry

back to school feast

shultute

a stop at the skate park

shenanigans

duck pond

best friend

it was a long sunday for dad

first soccer game - goal in first minute!

 'our' team

 dance festival rehearsals (this is the swing dance)

when brother is at soccer, we swing

always entering Lego competitions

dad is getting older (there are eyeballs all over his cake)

these are not in order at all but because it took me 4 days to get this far, i'm calling it good!

mosquito bites are bad

that is all.

9 months

this is what she does when her brothers and sisters are nearby

 her usual face, unless you are a scary stranger

 her eyes are hazel

 oh! the sweetness!

 she has lots to say

grabbing her toes, one of our favorite tricks

she also began clapping last week. 

the taming of the shrew

i've been waiting to post these but i'm just going to go ahead even though i don't have all the pictures i took and i can't remember their names (bad mom).  i was so proud of them and enjoyed it so much. s especially had many many lines to remember and delivered them so well.

in april

building the new backyard swing set

after the first 8 hours

(with lots of help from the under 12s)

bad photo - but after 19 years of marriage -

we finally figured out how to make pot roast the right way

2 silver and 1 gold arrow point - and now he's a bear!

(something's wrong with my camera)

a new peony on the side of the house

five year old flip

always underfoot (and dirty from rolling in the yard)

homemade pitas

backyard roses - this was the litigators choice