Spring break holiday!

We just got back from a week of holidays spent with friends and family. It has been so nice having Brad off work this past week, it was a little sad seeing him leave for work this morning. We first headed north to stay with some friends and see some beautiful country that we hadn't visited before. Our days there included taking the kids swimming (Justin's first time), the older two girls skiing (for their first time), and a lot of relaxing and socializing. The 12 hour drive there had gone quite well, so we made a decision to add a couple days to our holiday and head east to visit Brad's family for a couple days before heading home. We were so glad we added this side trip! His sister-in-law gave birth to their first baby while we were driving there so we got to meet and cuddle with our new little niece, and Brad's sister and husband were visiting from out of town and she announced her first pregnancy - so two unexpected suprises made the trip extra special! We stayed with another of Brad's siblings and his wife who were great hosts, and the kids loved playing with their cousins.

our growing little guy . . .

Our little man will be six months old in a couple of days! He can now roll across the floor, blow bubbles, and does lots of babytalk. He loves attention (thankfully his big sisters help out with that), splashes like crazy in the bath, has the sweetest laugh, loves music, and plays with anything he can get his hands on.

a little update . . .

So I've still been battling an infection and finally went to a walk-in yesterday to start a round of antibiotics, something I should have done much sooner. Hopefully I have some more energy and less dizziness soon, and just in time for my upcoming night away at a quilter's retreat.

Here's some pics of our growing little man, we're still loving him to bits . . .

taking a sick week . . .

So it's been a quiet week around here. I came down with a virus that turned into a head cold and have been feeling like I'm in a wave pool for about four days now. I'm hoping my head stops swimming soon so I can get back to more than just laundry, and maybe even feel safe enough to drive somewhere. But I am so thankful that it has been an easy week so far - Brad had Monday off work, I was down to two kids that napped at the same time on Tues, the weather has been beautiful so the kids have been sent outside to play each day, the calendar had nothing important on it, and it's a three-day K week! So here's some pics to show off our mild February.

the growing kiddies again . . .

We've been having a pretty enjoyable week. I'm getting some time in the sewing room, the kids are getting along, and the sun has been shining . . .

Justin is such a happy little guy. This is one of his favorite places to hang out.

Our little Alyssa - I seriously don't remember the other girls being this cute at this age. It's been really nice having one-on-one time with her on Chantel's kindergarten days this year. She has a great vocabulary for her age and she still naps willingly every afternoon.

Chantel behaving during naptime by making a book (notice the new haircut? She has been asking for it like this for so long, I finally chopped it after her bath one night and she LOVES it!).

Elayna showing off her second lost tooth. But once again the new one had completely come through the surface behind it. Hopefully it finds its' way forward too.

another year older . . .

So this past week I had a birthday - my biggest roundest number yet. And I still haven't decided if I feel that old or when I look at my four kids, how it's possible that I'm still that young. Three of my close girlfriends are all reaching the same milestone within two months of me, so the grilling hasn't been too bad, since they're next :) Last night we hosted a houseful of friends and family to celebrate and I was thoroughly spoiled. Here's also some beautiful flowers that showed up at my door on my big day.

some cute pics of the kiddies . . .

loves her apples!There's just something about this pic that I love.

bed headsuch a cutieSO proud! the things that girls do for beauty . . .

having a snuggleI love this shirt!