Our Little Big Girl!

We are having so much fun with Sadie lately! She is understanding so much and starting to say more words. Today she had an apple on her shirt (before it got drenched and she got this plain one) and I said "Can you say apple?" She did an awesome job at repeating the word and then kept saying it. She's trying to say almost anything I throw at her. It's so fun.

Then tonight Dana was playing a game with the kids and she was following them around and trying to play too. I just love how tiny she looks in this picture-which is also how she looks in real life :). They all started jumping and even though she's still wobbly on her feet she was bending her knees and then standing up again trying to jump too.


Today was kind of a stressful day because I was dealing with our new insurance company and on the phone half the day. Her bright, ever-ready smile (and inability to whine or complain about anything as of yet) kept me happy all day and just so grateful for her and that she's growing and for her health and all those priceless things that we take for granted everyday.

A Great Dad

Father's Day yesterday went by too fast like Sundays always do. I didn't really get anything for Dana except the breakfast-in-bed with the kids in the morning and a fairly lengthy nap after church. Because that was really his only gift, I was very protective of it and wouldn't let the kids disturb him. He did let Holly cuddle up next to him and fall asleep too which she desperetly needed.
I am so grateful to be married to a guy who constantly sacrifices for his family, always has a long "to do" list of things he wants to fix, keeps a reminder up in our room for himself that says "Have you played with the kids today?", and is just plain dedicated to our family. We are always #1. And I still love seeing him walk in the door at the end of the day.

Backyard Fun

I feel really lucky because my kids, overall, play really well together. They have become experts in imaginative play. Everyday they are some type of animal- kitties, doggies, wolves, tigers, dinosaurs, and the list goes on. They play elaborate make-believe games for hours sometimes. Well recently, to her delight (and mine), they have begun to incorporate Sadie into their role play. She does make a great baby-whatever they might need. Yesterday, they were in the backyard being kitties I believe, and this was their house. With 4 holes and 4 kids I couldn't pass up the photo opportunity!

Trip to California

We had a fun trip to California last week! Dana's mom and dad took Emma and her cousin Savannah to Disneyland. They have a neat tradition of taking a special trip with their grandkids the year they turn 8 and get baptized. So this year was Emma's turn! Grandma Kleven really made it a special trip by making matching outfits and sweatshirts- and pajamas for the girls. They loved that part! And all Disney themed of course!

I drove her down there for it and we all had fun in the process. It was wonderful to stay with my mom and grandma and grandpa. My other 3 had a great time as well. On Monday we all went to Baloboa Island together before the Disneyland part started.

Holly on the ferry ride over. Before she saw the boat she kept saying "Where's the fairy?"

When I tried to put Sadie on the Merry- Go-Round she held onto me with the death grip. Luckily they had these mini-horses that didn't move. She was nervous about it but got on and never cried.

Fun ferris wheel ride with Grandma Kleven, Savannah, and Emma. I got to ride with Holly and she LOVED it!




















Fun at the Beach!!!

It was my first time driving a long distance alone with my 4 kids. I was nervous but having 4 siblings who have no problem driving huge distances alone, I thought I better suck it up. I was super prepared and warned (threatened) my kids over and over that they needed to be good and patient. I had bought a bunch of snacks and the night before we left I had a great idea of how to get them around to the kids. I got a plain pillowcase and wrote on it "Snack Sack" in big letters. Then I dumped all the snacks in it, including baby snacks for Sadie. When the kids started saying they were hungry, I'd toss it back and tell them how many snacks they could choose. Emma was an awesome helper with Sadie. The DVD was my other big helper. Thank you DVD! I feel so blessed to have such wonderful family that made this trip so great! We got to go to the park with grandma and grandpa and feed the ducks one day. And even though my mom was super busy with school she took as much time as she could to be with us too. I love going "home"- a place where I always feel very loved :)