We're still here!

We're still here! Sorry for the lack of updates on the blog, life is so busy with 5 kids! I rarely have a minute to sit down, let alone update the blog. But I so enjoy reading other friends' posts and since I don't journal or scrapbook, I'd like to capture some memories of some of our life! We are so blessed with these kids and life is very full...

Jace is almost 12, how did this happen? He's heading up to a Gonzaga Basketball camp with his buddy Merit for 3 nights as I type this. I'm missing him already. Other than being our sports fanatic, he's a great big brother and just a fun kid to be around. He's worked really hard on the farm this summer, I'm proud of the responsible young man he's turning into. When we talk about the apples or cherries, he knows more than me! It's a little embarrassing. It's so fun watching him grow and mature. He had an awesome 5th grade year, loved his teacher and has great friends. He'll be a 6th grader this fall. I love our talks, his insight and perspective on things is mature. It's so nice to have his help around the house and with the little ones too. 

Jace with friends Kate & Colin at Jump Rope for Heart

Jace & his buddy Merit

these boys like cool cars

Cade is determined, focused and a go-getter around here. He never has idle hands...always building something lego, bouncing a ball, playing on my phone, or just fidgeting. He'll be taking his first pig for 4-H in just a few weeks and "Meg" is a sweet hog. He's enjoyed his pig project so far. Like Jace, he's been busy helping his dad on the farm...he's "head gopher trapper" in the orchards and says he "thinks Gopher" now! His gopher trapping stories are entertaining. He had a farm accident this spring while driving a forklift, luckily he just had to have stitches. It could have been so much worse! He had crutches for a week and his ankle has healed nicely. He's our emotional one, when he's happy its so contagious and when he's, well... you get the point. Cade is deep, thoughtful, and he has a sense of justice and loyalty that I admire! 

Scouts Pine Wood Derby

Rug Rat Nation 3 on 3...his team was the champs!

Pitching for the Royals - Spring baseball league in Moses Lake

Maddie is still in a growth spurt! This girl is T-A-L-L! She is as sweet as ever and really balances out these boys. They all adore their sister and she's the princess around here still. She likes to refer to herself as a sporty girl and tries to keep up with her brothers outside on the basketball court. She learned to ride a bike this summer, she was determined and it only took one lap with me holding the bike and chasing her for her to say "Ok, let go mom, I've got it" and she was off! I hope she'll always attack life with that mantra, "I've got it!" It's a moment I don't want to ever forget. Maddie is trying out a 6 week gymnastics camp this summer. She enjoys playing outside with her brothers, dancing and singing in the mirror, packing around Luke, and just being my side kick. I love having a daughter, she makes life so much sweeter around here. She loves to sneak into my makeup, jewelry, finger nail polish or put any ol' knick-knack in purses and bags. She's a pack rat! Maddie loves hanging out with her cousins and friends too, and I can't believe she'll be in 2nd grade. 

Maddie rockin' the 80's for dance

Maddie & cousin Jilly at Easter

Maddie & cousin Kylie before their baseball game

Sam is busy, wild, naughty, cute, smart, fast, stubborn, tender, curious, athletic, and did I say busy? Whew, he tires me out. He's done things my other 3 have never even thought of. He marches to his own beat for sure. Other than being a stinker most of the time, he's also our most loving and cuddly one. Thank goodness for his tender nature...we're still potty training...going on 8 months now. He's finally making some progress. Sam only does things on his terms. He's re-defined parenting for me. He's my patience tester for sure! I love watching him explore and learn, he's truly an amazing, bright boy and has lots of talent and more determination than I can handle most days. Now just to channel that in the right direction! We love our Sammer Jammer! He makes things pretty spicy around here. As I'm typing this, he just ran in singing "ev-wee ting is awesome, ev-wee ting is tool when you pot of a team!" Our team wouldn't be the same without this little dude on it.

Skiing at Schweitzer after Christmas. Sam enjoyed the snow-snow as we didn't get any this winter!

"gwasses like daddy" (pretend ones)

This boy loves dirt!

Luke is now 10 months and taking steps! Yes, I thought I had a baby too but he's proving me wrong. He is quick to change, grow up and is reaching milestones before this mama is ready. He's in the 20th percentile for his weight, 60th for his height and 90th for his head! He's got a noggin on him! He's a dear, mellow, quiet, sweet little guy. We love having Lukie Doodles as our baby boy...he's spoiled, carried around and cuddled most of the day and is used to being on the go with his older siblings and their activities. I've "worn" him the most as I've needed free hands and have so enjoyed having him attached. I'm so thankful we decided to have a 5th and we feel so blessed with this little guy.Pukie Lukie is another name he's acquired ;)

Wearing my babe!

Easter Egg Hunt

Bananas are Luke's fave

Bryan and I are doing well, we've been together for 18 years! We'll celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary this December. He is truly my rock. He works so hard for our family and is admired by everyone in this family. I can get pretty razzed up with these kids and he knows how to handle me! We've had to go through some tough changes lately with my family and I can't imagine going through all of this without him. He's fair, honest, and exudes strength. I'm one blessed girl to have him in my life and feel so fortunate to have him as my best friend. 

Enjoying a Mariners Game with the boys! We loved sitting in the Diamond Club seating, what a treat!

 A father's day golfing excursion

Cade caught a salamander & a bull frog one morning while working with Dad on a pump. They lasted 24 hours. We need to institute a "catch & release program" for the pets these kids catch around here.

Lukie's first 4th at Derek & Carly's 

Silverwood!

Suncadia!

Disneyland!

During Spring Break, we took a quick girls trip to Disneyland. Although 2 nights and 3 days was short, we did get a LOT in! Our goal was to meet princesses, watch parades and of course go on some favorite rides. Since the boys have been a few times, they were really understanding about it all. They enjoyed all of that boy time with dad anyway!

The weather was so beautiful...upper 70's. Our group was Nany (my mom), Maddie and I as well as my sister-in-law Jessica, cousin Kylie and her Grandma Rose Mary.

Rapunzel was the first princess we met. She was so sweet and after standing in line for a half-hour, it was well worth it, even with a shy Maddie at first. This didn't last long, she warmed up quite well to the princesses!

Then there was Merida from Brave...

We spent quite a bit of our time in Fantasy Land...she loved riding the carousel :)

We made appointments for the girls at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique which was so much fun! I was wanting Mooms to go with more of the traditional princess look but she chose the Princess Diva :) SO funny! Of course, it was pink!

If you look in the mirror, you can see the girls hugging after Kylie was "revealed" in the mirror by her Fairy Godmother in training :) It was very magical and cute. Along with the hairdo, the girls got their make-up done, nails painted as well as were given a sash & bag. Nothing is cheap in Disneyland but I thought this was soo worth the money!

After their make-overs, we were off to see some more princesses! It was a short line and they hit the jackpot- getting to see Aurora, Ariel and Cinderella!

Ariel was our favorite...taking time with the girls, answering their questions, visiting with them at their eye-level. She was wonderful!

 



Nany & Maddie enjoying Casey Junior's Train ride

Pinochio's ride

Our second day, we got up early and hit a fun character breakfast at the Pink Plaza on Main Street. Maddie was excited about Minnie...I teared up thinking about Mia when I saw Minnie. She did chose a Minnie Doll as her souvenier for the trip. I guess I chose the same doll when I was 4 and at Disneyland for the first time :) I love that Minnie doesn't go out of style.

It did take her awhile to warm up...she's come a long way with these types of dressed-up characters!

 

 Pixar Parade in the Disney California Park

 That evening, Bryan surprised me by having dinner reservations all made and paid for at the Rainforest Cafe for my birthday! Here's Nany & Maddie being silly together :) The next morning, my real birthday, he had room service delivered. Such a sweet guy I have and I really missed him and the boys while away.

 

Then we saw Belle...

She loved Splash Mountain! So much fun! This was the "biggest" ride we hit and I'm afraid we have a thrill-seeker on our hands...she wanted to go again right away!

We also had the opportunity of meeting up with our California heart friends, the Masons!

Carlie & Maddie are both Right Hypoplasts...having very similar hearts. Carlie is now in 1st grade and doing fabulous! She's an amazing little dancer. She's always an inspiration to see and it's always so great to visit with Shannon :)



And right before we were to get on our shuttle to the airport, guess who we chased after...Goofy!?!

 

What a wonderful trip, filled with so many fun memories. I'm so glad we were able to get away and do the "princess experience" for our little princesses. Thanks to Bryan for handling everything at home and with the boys so well, and thanks to Aunt Lesa and family too for their help while we were away!

Let's get caught up!

Sam is now 16 months! He's starting to talk and mimic us, which is super cute and we love getting him to say "dora", "oh man", "uh-oh", "ooh ya". He catches on really quick and keeps us entertained! Sam's a great eater but a petite little guy...his nickname from Papa was "Stubby" since he has the shortest legs of any of our kids, maybe taking after his grandpa?

 Maddie just finished up Hoopster Tots...she enjoyed it but had to sit down and catch her breath a couple of times at each practice. She's satting in the upper 80's now which is ok- wished she was into the 90's, maybe she'd have a little more stamina. I'm glad she's learning to self-monitor herself and she's not afraid to tell me or the coach that she needs a break. She turns 5 on Wednesday and we're busy gearing up for her party!

Jace won 2nd place at the Scouts Pinewood Derby...thanks to Dad and our cousin Bud for helping him build a fast Hot Dog car!

We enjoyed a little get-away to Silver Mountain in Kellogg, ID in February. The kids absolutely love this place- skiing during the day and swimming in the evening! There were several families from Royal who went as well which made it such a fun trip!

 Maddie even tried out skiing one day! I wouldn't say she loved it but she's given it another go since! We'll see...I'm not super pumped but Daddy would love her to be able to ski.

Preschool is keeping us busy! This is my last year...I'll miss it but my family keeps me busy enough :) These kids are so social and a blast...lots of characters in this class!

 My mother-in-law treated me, her sister and my sister-in-law to a fun weekend trip to Las Vegas. I hadn't been there in 13 years and whoa, it's changed! We enjoyed shopping, the warm weather & seeing Carrie Underwood in concert. Lesa and I also went to Bodies...so incredible. I highly recommend it! Amazing seeing the many hearts, especially a fetus' heart- made me cry.

Have I mentioned we've taken on skiing as a new hobby? We've went more this season than I have probably skied my entire life! We've made a lot of fun memories with the boys this winter. Caden is a spectacular skiier. Really. He's a natural and now enjoys going over jumps, skiing backwards, doing 360's down the hill as he skis. He'd also like to race he tells us...

I can't keep up with these guys anymore and frequently hear them yelling, "Come on Mom!" Cautious, that's me with these three dare-devils :) Fun times!