Happy 1st birthday, Oliver!

Happy 1st birthday to our Oliver!  He is the sweetest guy in the whole wide world.  We love his snuggles.  We love his ability to go with the flow.  We love how he adores his brother and sisters.  We love watching him grow and change.  This year has flown.  Trying to treasure the moments as they seem to be passing by so quickly.  Looking forward to this next year in his life.  Oliver Dale, the Lord is going to use you in big ways!!

My loves

My friend Amber captured the four of our crazy kiddos yesterday.  I love how much they are the same and how much they are so very different.  Despite the occasional fights, they really do love each other and take care of each other well.  I am blessed to be able to raise them.  I treasure these moments.  :)

11 months old

It's crazy that we are about to have a one year old.  No more baby.  Kind-of exciting yet kind-of sad, being that he's our last... our baby forever, I guess ;)  I'm trying to hold onto these little things that still make him a baby-- cuddles after night-time bottle feeding and open-mouth kisses, and of course still wanting to be held as much as possible.  Won't last for long, so I'm trying to treasure the moments.  We think the world of this little guy.  Our sweet Oliver.

Happy 3rd birthday, Izzy!!!

We LOVE you!!!

Can you tell I have four kids!?

Too busy to post regularly, and for that, I am sorry!!

 Oliver is 10 months old and walking!!  Craziness!  Walks across the room from one of us to another.  Hasn't attempted standing/walking on his own yet, but I'm sure that's just around the corner.  Went up ten steps the other day as well.  My life is about to change... :)  He's been sick with a cold/cough for far too long so super needy.  Can hardly put him down.  He wants to be held all the time.  But I'm trying to enjoy it cause he's my last and he's not a baby for much longer :(

 Sweet, spunky, and sassy!  Izzy will be three years old this Saturday.  She's counting down the days.  We think the world of her and love her spunk.  She can definitely be the most challenging in our day-to-day, but she can also be the sweetest.  Looking forward to see what the next year brings for her!

 Eli is becoming a Dad's boy.  Finally ;)  He even prefers Brandt when he's hurt or sad!  That's a change!  He loves playing football and basketball with Dad in the basement.  He has started collecting football cards.  He still enjoys preschool, but tells me it's too easy and that he's ready for Kindergarten.  I am not, on the other hand, ready for Kindergarten.  I cry every time I think about it.  We adore this boy.

 My new favorite pic.

Sweet Addie.  Love her.  She's got an incredible heart for the Lord.  She's obedient.  She's bold for Christ.  She genuinely loves her family, friends, school, sports, and life.  Her joy for life is contagious.  She challenges me to be a better person.  Love.  

It's been awhile...

A few faves from our trip to Colorado and Christmas!!  Colorado was so much fun.  Long drive, but such an adventure!  My parents and brother were able to join us for the week, which was perfect.  Older two skied with us and did great.  The weather was perfect.  There was no one there.  It was wonderful. 
Christmas included lots of family time!  Kids were spoiled, but seemed to enjoy giving the gifts they picked out for each other and us just as much as they enjoyed receiving gifts.  We've done a lot of hanging out, but we are all ready to get back into school, work, sports, ect... a normal routine starts tomorrow!  
Happy 2015!!  It's going to be a fantastic year!

A sneak peek...

 Had our pics taken by Auntie Jess this last week...

 These aren't my favorites, but runner's up, for sure...

 My favorite ones you will see in this year's Christmas card...

 Including the one pic we got of all the kiddos together, looking fairly decent... ;)

 We are thankful to have such an amazing photographer in our family... Thank you, Auntie Jess!

home away from home

We have been living with my parents for the past two weeks while our kitchen is being remodeled.  We will stay one more week and then come home to the basement while they put finishing touches on.  The kids have been fabulous!  They have adjusted well.  They are sleeping well.  They love having Grammy and Grandpa around.  I love the help.  We are so thankful to have family so close that will take in our large, loud, crazy family!  Looking forward to seeing the finished product and then using our kitchen to bless others.  Pictures to come...

Happy Halloween!

One of my favorite holidays!!!  We love Halloween!!!!!

6 months!

Time flies!  This guy is still as sweet as can be.  He's been eating baby food for about a month now.  He enjoys being on his tummy, finally!  He loves the jumparoo!  He still thinks the world of his siblings.  He is constantly laughing and smiling.  He is taking three naps a day, but is also super flexible cause we run around a lot.  We are so thankful for this little man. 

Jess and Aaron's wedding

What a perfect day!  Congrats, Uncle Aaron and Auntie Jess!!