Casey is 7!

My sweet dimpled second born turned 7 today! Happy birthday buddy!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas is upon us once again! Thankful for all my loved ones but most of all that God sent His Son to be born in the most humble of places and take the punishment for my sin.

Picture from Christmas 2010

What happened to my babies?

The picture of the boys is from 2008 and the pic of grace is only a year old!

New toys

We got together with the cousins last night and exchanged gifts. We have three new minsters in the house and a fun little to for Grace!

It's a fedora!

One of my favorites

Follow the star to a place unexpected Would you believe, after all we've projected, A child in a manger? Lowly and small, the weakest of all Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in his mother's shawl - Just a child - Is this who we've waited for? 'cause... How many kings step down from their thrones? How many lords have abandoned their homes? How many greats have become the least for me? And how many gods have poured out their hearts To romance a world that is torn all apart How many fathers gave up their sons for me? Bringing our gifts for the newborn Savior All that we have, whether costly or meek Because we believe. Gold for his honor, and frankincense for his pleasure And myrrh for the cross he will suffer Do you believe? Is this who we've waited for? All for me... All for you... Lyrics for How many Kings by Downhere

Give Thanks

I will do a double day of THANKSGIVING because I didn't get this started on time like I wanted to.


1. I am THANKFUL for my little family. A husband that works hard to provide for us and 4 lovely little blessings.

2. I am THANKFUL for my wonderful camera and photoshop that allowed me to get rid of the color cast on the photos I took of Grace today!

The first picture is what all of the pics looked like straight out of the camera, all of them had this layer of blue over the pic.

 Here is the same picture after I removed the color cast and adjusted for skin tone

Grace was excited for Mama to take pics. I would take a few and then slip her coat right back on her since it was so cold out.

I LOVE this picture of Grace. Her little smirk and that dimple are just adorable.

I wanted to get a few pics of Grace in her Christmas outfit. 

I will be getting the two older boys' outfit tomorrow and hope to get 

some good shots of all the kids in the pretty fall colors we have right now. 

Wordless Wednesday

Almost all of them

This picture contains all but one of the puppies. We have males available if anyone is interested. With only three females they were spoken for quickly. We might have one but no promises. Lete know if you re interested.

Puppies!

The puppies are here. Well, as I type this I am still awaiting the arrival of number 8 but we have 7 right now. 4 boys and 3 girls. Wonder if the last one will tie things up. I am tired and so ready for bed but need to wait for the last little darling.

LadyBird

Nothing much has been happening here lately. 

We are patiently awaiting the arrival of puppies.

At least we think we are. 

We caught our two Golden's in the act over a 2.5 week period. 

Which means that I have a three week window of when the little bundles should arrive. 

We are a week and half into our wait. 

Lady's tummy is growing bigger  and she is beginning to leak. 

Hoping they come soon and that we will have no complications during delivery.

Can never be a more BEAUTIFUL you

When I was pregnant with a Grace (before knowing she was a she) there was a song that was just coming out on the Christian radio station. 

It is by Jonny Diaz

Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
Says she wants to look that way
But her hair isn't straight, her body isn't fake
And she's always felt overweight

Well, little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care, your skin, your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are

There could never be a more beautiful you
Don't buy the lies, disguises and hoops, they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you

Little girl twenty one the things that you've already done
Anything to get ahead
And you say you've got a man but He's got another plan
Only wants what you will do instead

Well, little girl twenty one you never thought that this would come
You starve yourself to play the part
But I can promise you there's a man whose love is true
And He'll treat you like the jewel you are

So turn around you're not too far
To back away be who you are
To change your path go another way
It's not too late, you can be saved
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forget
Can disappear, they can all be washed away

By the one who's strong, can right your wrongs
Can rid your fears dry, all your tears
And change the way you look at this big world
He will take your dark distorted view
And with His light, He will show you truth
And again you'll see through the eyes of a little girl

I prayed that if we were having a girl  that I would be able to teach her that no matter what the world says she is Beautiful. 

A few months ago I saw some canvas wall art that I wanted to purchase but it was to expensive. It was simple and spoke to what I wanted to remind Grace of. 

Fast forward to now.

My friend informed me that her daughter (who is currently a junior in high school) wanted me to take her senior pics next year. I said yes, but only if her daughter would paint me something for Grace's room. 

Her daughter is a gifted artist. She just won a rosette at the fair.

I talked with her daughter today and told her I would and what I would like in return.

She agreed.

Now I can't find the stuff I wanted to buy! ARGH!

So I am looking through lyrics and trying to find something I like and just letting her design it all.

Here are what I am thinking, if you like one more than the others or have another idea I would love to hear it!

There could never be a more beautiful you. 

You're covered with the fingerprints of God

Fashioned by God's hand 

and perfectly planned 

to be just who you are

You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you

This next one is just for fun and I would love to do something with it eventually

I am a Princess, my Father is the King of Kings

Foto Friday

Labor Day Weekend

 

Brian ended up with a 4 day weekend on Labor day weekend. 

He has been itching to go camping. 

After some planning with his parents to meet us out in the islands with their sailboat (and dinghy)

we were off!

We left Friday morning and did a little fishing before heading to the island and unloading our stuff on the beach. 

Brian then headed to the mooring buoy with the boat to await his dinghy service back to the island. 

See why we needed his parents :o)

The kids had a great time playing on the beach. 

Collecting rocks and helping gather firewood. 

Grace spent a lot of time snuggled up under blankets. 

The first few days there was pretty good wind a blowing and it was COLD!

Michael and Casey even slept in their own tent!

 Casey got sick the first night but was feeling much better by lunch time the next day.

 Our view from the island. It was a beautiful weekend. The weather was great.

 Our boat.

Love these two pictures of my Peyton. he is such a little goof ball. 

He had so much fun and kept asking us if we could stay and camp some more as we were 

packing up Sunday morning. 

Didn't get a lot of pictures because I didn't have my camera out a lot. 

Brian got some pictures on his iPhone that I will have upload soon.

Grace's quilt and matching pillow case

I made the quilt when Grace was born 2 years ago and just recently used left
over fabric to make a matching pillowcase.

Grace is 2

Grace had a great day celebrating being 2 with her cousins.
Auntie, Uncle, Isa and Kai gave her this pretty skirt.

I took these pictures below today.

I had lots of fun playing in photoshop today!

Grace Elizabeth

Two years ago today I was a week overdue with our 4th kiddo.
That's not a big surprise as my midwife tells me I am a 41 weeker.
This kiddo did however come quickly.
My shortest labor, 8 hours.
Born in the wee hours of the morning on August 20!

Grace you are such a blessing.
A feisty little red head.
Independent.
The one your brothers protect and would do anything for.
You love to sing and dance.
You like to do what the boys are doing.
But you also LOVE to play with your babies.
You love animals.
You love when you get to see Baby Westyn.

Happy 2nd Birthday little girl.

Weekend Getaway

I have been asking Brian to take me out on the boat, without kids, to Friday Harbor for awhile now. But, we can't go on the boat without fishing.
We found places for all the kids, reserved a slip for the boat at Rosario Resort.
It helps that we can sleep on the boat, so we didn't have to find a hotel and it saved a lot of money.
Headed out Saturday morning.
Fished for a few hours and then headed to Friday Harbor to play tourist. We had fun walking around and then we headed to the resort.
Rosario was great. They have three pools, a hot tub and deer.
That's right, three deer that are so use to people you can walk up and pet them.
I will have to post those photos later as they are on Brian's phone.
We enjoyed exploring the resort. Then we headed off to dinner. We had reservations at the mansion restaurant and had a spectacular food.
We spent all of Sunday fishing.
Ended up with three fish (2 kings and 1 pink) and only 3 crab.

My 14 lb king

My pink

My 8 lb king

beautiful sunrise Sunday morning.

Point lawn at Rosario

Stained glass windows in the organ room at the mansion

rod in the water waiting for a nibble

I loved being out in the islands

Our view at dinner. It was spectacular.

I had a wonderful time and the kids did too! So thankful for my sister and her family for taking Michael. Our friends Kevin and Alice for taking Casey. The Edmonds for staying at the house with Peyton and Grace. All the kids had great stories to tell and seemed to be trying to outdo each other with what they got to do while we were gone.

Fishing

This last Saturday marked Mr. Brandon's first trip out since the accident on July 4th.
I have to tell you that everytime my husband sent me a picture of Brandon doing something on the boat I got a big grin and proudly showed everyone around me!
He adapted and helped the guys out.
He reeled in rods to help clear the water.
Not easy to do left handed when all the reels are right handed.
He even gave some of the crabs some pay back!

Brian with the blood on the deck. Had to blur out the background for his post on bloodydecks, so not give the location away.

Casey even told me that Mr. Brandon let him play with his hook!
The boys were thrilled to go out with Brian's favorite crew again.
Thanks Mr. Calvin and Mr. Brandon.

Instagram

I LOVE the Instagram app on my phone
Makes taking the pics a little more fun

Daddy and Casey cracking open some crab, fresh out of the pot

Brian took the two older boys out a couple of weeks ago and they came back with
15 HUGE CRAB

One of the local pizza places offers an outdoor theater in the summer.
We took the boys last night to watch Ramona and Beezus