Life, Liberty and 113 degrees

So, it has been a little while since I posted. Almost 4 months. Is that a sentence? It's been hot here. Not a lot new there.

In that short time frame we found a house. Bought it. Moved in. Etc. We're just trying to unpack and get settled in. Graeme just finished 2 months of Summer Swim team. In the prelims, he came in 13th out of 50 5-7 year olds in the freestyle. He rocked it! I can't swim the butterfly and he makes it look effortless.

One of Graeme's swim meets....note the hard core Mohawk and Amber necklace. His swim teacher liked it, so he wanted to give her one as a thank you. The necklace, not the mohawk. It was sweet.

Not in the water yet (looking down in the water - 2nd in line behind the dude squatting)

Backstroke - top of picture.

He's in the closest lane in this one (freestyle).

A brief (thankfully) Star Wars obsession thanks to Aunt Cacie.

The two older kids love to help Kaatje try to walk. She enjoys it.

When I can't find Kaatje, she has usually curled up in her favorite chair just sitting there all by herself.

Heidi is a great big sister. :)

See, I love it when Heidi reads to me. Note the stools. Kaatje is sitting on Grandpa Jimmy's handmade stool and Heidi is sitting on Grandma Be Be's.
Well, it's official. I LOVE blackberries.

Playdate with a friend at the new house.

Blue Lily

So we had a wonderful photography session at a local hot spot for special occasions by an awesome photographer recommend by my dear friend Rachel. We sooo needed a family picture!

Here are some of the shots....and I actually have to CHOOSE which ones to frame. Who can choose???

Aren't they ADORABLE....

One of my favorites of K

Back on the home front...

Valentine's Day Playgroup party

One of our "wheels day" playdates at our house.

One of our couple friends had a wonderful idea for Valentine's Day date night....a kid trade. We were both able to go out that weekend and have a few precious hours of good conversation...and our kids had a blast playing together.

Two cuties born just days apart!

More of the cuties mastering their sitting techniques....

The two Hs doing what they do best....pretending!

Daddy & H at the zoo on our favorite animal...the carousel!

Our mommies group has signed up to host a Music Together like class every week at the park. The kids LOVE it!!

Been a while...massive updates

Seth's parents and brother came out for Christmas. We all had a good time enjoying the weather...and opening gifts. We had to bag up three bags of previously loved toys to give away to make room for this year's generosity.

H as a moose, courtesy of Uncle Kirk.

G loved the rifle that Grandpa Jimmy got him...here he is trying to figure out how to load the caps.

A dish set and a Rubix cube...two happy kiddos. :)

Grandpa John and Baby K

H loved her purse. It's a big hit with the gals when they come over for dress up.

In January, the baby started sitting up by herself. I love progression even though I know it's supposed to happen and she is doing everything in a typical way, it is still amazing to watch.

The kids and I went back to Illinois in for almost 4 weeks...I wish I could say it was all fun....but I was working the whole time. We called it typing. H still tells stories of mommy having to go "type." We actually moved the store into our MUCH larger space AND worked on taxes....AH!

Here is a little of what Bon and I worked on....

While we were slaving away....the kids had a blast playing in the snow!

Uncle Ethan took the kids sledding - WF style. :) He couldn't find a sled, so he hooked up the top of a wheelbarrow to the 4-wheeler for a rocking good time. The kids loved it!

Some families like to play games together, have a meal together, share a laugh...mine engages in family play(dough) night....what can I say, I come by my love of playdough honestly. Yes, the kids made playdough with grandma. We wouldn't dream of making such fun shapes out of the canned stuff. LOL.
















A little taste of the snow storm....and there goes Grandma Bebe's awing....


















Uncle Ethan and friends....


















Great Grandma Harriet and friends, F is posing...



















Grandpa Jimmy and Grandma Trena and friends....
still posing....and a great picture of the sprained wrist of little I
























And who wouldn't love it when their big sister reads to them....