8 months

8 months old!  Crawling faster and faster, cruising around furniture and a pro at getting up the stairs. Incredibly curious and loves to put EVERYTHING in his mouth!  I can't seem to keep the floors clean enough.  If there is a tiny piece of anything, anywhere within his reach, he will find it.  Keeps me very much on my toes! Loves people and smiles at pretty much anyone who glances his way when we are out in public.

First Day

The kids are back in school!  I only had one kid excited to go back this year, but they all seem to be doing just fine getting back into the routine!

 7th grade, second year of middle school, and feeling much more confident about navigating all her classes in the multi-story school building!

 1st grade and not nearly as excited as when he went off to Kindergarten!

5th grade, last year in the elementary, and excited for the school year as always!

Summer Fun

School is back in session and I am very much missing the lazy, fun days of summer! :)

We crammed the last week of summer with lots of fun activities!  Paul's parents took the three older kids to the State Fair on Monday, Tuesday we celebrated my Dad's birthday, Wednesday we took in the zoo and Thursday we visited a water park with my mom, sisters and niece and nephew.  We took Friday off to recover! :)

Cooling off at the zoo splash pad.  A little later it wouldn't be necessary since we got rained on! :)

Dakota wanted me to take a picture of him as he was "checking out these magnificent turtles!" That kid and the way he expresses himself cracks me up!!

The zoo had a really cool lego exhibit area there for a limited time.  The kids loved it!

Water park fun!

7 Months

7 months and getting into everything!  He's been crawling for over a month now but he recently added in climbing the stairs, pulling up on things and we had to lower his crib to the lowest setting! ;)  He is very much on the move!

In other family news:

We finished another season of t-ball

Cousin time and meeting Judah

We finished another year of 4-H!  The kids had several projects but Ali's sewing construction was the highest grade they had, with a reserve champion! Thanks Grandma Kathy for all of your help!

 More cousin time!  

What a crazy bunch!

Love those adorable eyes!

Giant slip n slide at a friends house

6 Months

6 Months old!  He's been working very hard at crawling and a few days ago he finally got it!  He's not very fast yet but he sure manages to get around. He has also just about mastered sitting up.  All the kids (and Mom!) are loving the slower pace of summer break!  We're currently busy with t-ball and getting 4-H projects finished on time. 

Before he could even crawl he was managing to scoot himself around and get into everything!

He enjoys his high chair too! 

He LOVES his carrier.  We spend many evenings walking the neighborhood to entertain him!

 Swinging brothers!

"Don't worry Mom.  I like it like this!" :) 

 T-ball time again!

 Look out world!  He's on the move!

 And lest you think he's always happy and smiling....this is a pretty normal face for him.  How dare mommy set him down!!

5 Months

He just keeps on growing! Learning to nap better, showing more personality and acting like he can't wait to keep up with his siblings!  He loves people and just lights up with smiles when anyone pays attention to him.

 Trae is his biggest fan!  Constantly asking to hold him and loves to entertain him!

 He's got some more growing to do to fit into big brother's t-ball hat!

He's getting a bit big for his bouncy seat but he still loves it!