45 of 52

********************52 Weeks*******************
52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!

**********************************

Katie's classic grin... and.... Benji goofing around in the background!

Even though I got mostly cut off on this picture, for some reason I happen to love this picture of my 2 girls.

** to those who have asked.... these 2 are not twins.  There is approx. 14-1/2 mos between them! :)

44 of 52

********************52 Weeks*******************
52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!

**********************************

For nearly a week we enjoyed the company of Boppa, Gma, Jacob and Emily. It was sure hard to say goodbye yesterday morning. I never dreamt that the house could be so quiet and lonely with just four kids. But it is. We had a great time while they were here. Here are some pictures that Gma L captured on her camera...

Our family Sunday a.m. (Katie-bug's 4th bday!) Mommy and John (we were at a little railroad museum) If you know John you know he likes loves trains. While we were looking at the museum, 2 trains rolled thru on the track beside it. John was in his glory!! We are waiting for train #2 to roll by us.. John is telling Gma about the train! :)
We took a road trip down to Chattanooga. It ended up being rainy, cloudy, foggy when we got to Lookout Mtn. But we enjoyed a picnic lunch anyways.

Happy Birthday Katie!

Happy 4th Birthday Katie bug!!
I cannot believe it's been four years ago that we waited and waited and waited and waited for you. (She was a week late, but Carolyn was 2 wks early, so we thought... maybe...) You've changed so much over the past 4 years. Each day is full of laughter, smiles, adventure and excitement because of you. Wishing you a very Happy Birthday!! Hurray!! The day you've been waiting for is finally here! You're FOUR!!

I Love You,

Mommy

Have you ever?

Put one of these things together?It came in a million boxes. All inside one giant box.
We love to grill out. Especially now that it seems like summer time down here, it gave us the itch for grilling. Having family coming for the weekend put the spur under the saddle. Naturally I procrastinated and bought it Thurs. morning. Company was coming... Thurs. nite. That meant.. Thurs. afternoon... I had to put it together.

It was a long, hot afternoon on the deck. Reading directions. Finding pieces. Figuring out the left side vs. the right side (after I was over 1/2 way finished I realized there was a difference and had to take it all apart and start over). But the important thing is.. I.put.this.grill.together.all.by.myself. And it worked! mmm.. those hamburgers and brats were extra delicious on the grill (that I put together!) :)

I am woman. Hear me roar.

43 of 52

Before you get to my pictures.. my dear blogging buddy, Alison, is having a giveaway! Go check it out.. right now!!

********************52 Weeks*******************
52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!

**********************************

Sunburnt faces. Dirty, sweaty kids. Picnics on the deck. Fresh-cut lilacs, tulips and dandelions. Blossoms everywhere. Fresh cut grass. Another summer-like day.

The heat must be getting to somebunny.

All in a (half) day's work.

• between last night and today, I spent over 3 long, hot, sweaty hours, yes, t-h-r-e-e hours cutting our grass (with a push mower) He says its about alittle over an acre. I say it's much closer to 2 acres, if not over since it took forever. i need the exercise, i need the exercise, i need the exercise.. i got the exercise, i got the exercise, i got the exercise! :o)
• the swimming pool is half - full of water and the rest is grass. while i had the hose filling it up, the kids were happy to swim in the cold-numbing water for over an hour. Until I had to drag them in for lunch and down for naps.
• by tomorrow night the 'surprise' for the kids should be here. (so, so excited to see their reaction)
• I've done countless loads of laundry already.
• cleaned and mopped the kitchen/dining room.
• picked up (and I know it won't last past tonight nap time) and vacuumed the living room.
• cleaned both bathrooms.
• switched the beds in the kids room. moved the full size into the other.. and the (2) twin beds into the other room.
• vacuumed the kids rooms (thought about picking them up.. but the idea passed as quickly as it came).
• started an ever-growing list of things to get in town tomorrow.

And we're not done yet...

• we need to find something for a quick and easy (early) supper.
• get the kids and mom in the shower.
• be dressed, ready to go as soon we're done eating.
• there's that load of laundry sitting in the dryer... yet..but it ain't going nowhere.

Tomorrow will be another busy, full day. But we are so, so, so excited for the kids to see their surprise tomorrow... I don't mind the busyness!! And yet I some how managed to find the time to post this...hmm!

SUNday

As I type this post, I can hear the sound of 3 happy kids playing outside together. (John is happily playing with... Thomas the Train.) They've been playing horse outside for at least an hour. Each of them has a string (from their lace up cards {ahem.. those aren't suppose to be outside}). Naturally, those are the reins. Then they gallop as fast as their little legs will carry them. Back and forth in the yard. To and from the barn. Up and down the driveway. They'll sleep good tonight!

All 3 are wearing their {shudder} Sunday morning clothes. Carolyn had curlers in her hair last night: her hair is was neatly twisted up with a pile of curls on top for this morning. {no pic} I love watching them run in their long dresses, being chased by an adorable cowboy in his boots and hat in the warm (mid-upper 70s) sunshine. I'll deal with the laundry later.

We have 2 smaller lilac bushes in our yard. They were just starting to bloom when we arrived. The smell of fresh cut lilacs is filling the house. Trees are budding and leafing out. The green grass almost needs cut again. We have an assortment of fresh picked flowers (and weeds) on our kitchen table every day. Compliments of Lil Benji. And one stick (compliments of John).

Earlier this week I was working on a post, that published before I was finished. I deleted the post, but a few of you have seen it, but then couldn't find it. I have decided to not re-publish it. I'll just say this: I've been in a blogging funk with this blog, because I've learned the hard way about being open, honest and sharing the events taking place in our life. I realize everyone is different and is entitled to make (different) choices in the best interest for them/their family. But I wasn't prepared for the feedback, comments, opinions and so on. I haven't decided whether or not I'll quit this blog and just keep our family one. Or continue with this one, just not sharing specifics or anything personal. (Which in my opinion defeats the whole purpose of this blog for me.)

To end on a positive note.. we had a great weekend. Supper around the campfire with friends. Enjoyed the warm sunshine. Played at the park. Ate pizza on the deck. Had a wonderful Sunday. This week is looking good. Sunshine and 80*. Little Miss Katie bug turns four next Sunday. And there may even be a surprise in store for her (and the other 3) we'll see how things turn out. Watch the kids blog for pictures from this past week.

** And the 3 horses kids are still playing outside together. Nicely.

42 of 52

********************52 Weeks*******************
52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!

**********************************

Easter Sunday 4-4-10 We had a few minutes to spare before we had to leave.. so we tried to get a picture...
Not exactly perfect shots. But its Mommy and her kids!

41 of 52

********************52 Weeks*******************
52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!

**********************************

Why are we smiling?

It's the 1st day of April. It's sunny.

Temps are in the 70's. Short sleeves. No coats. Playing with cousins And... Gpa, Gma and Aunt Jess are coming for the weekend!!!