Five Years

It is strange to think how quickly five years have passed. So much has changed in our lives and we have so much to be grateful for. Five years ago today Derek and I chose to begin our eternity. I am so grateful for a husband who desires the same goals as I do. I am grateful to have started our marriage in the House of the Lord. I continue to feel gratitude as I look at all we have accomplished since then. We have beautiful children, have almost accomplished Derek's career goals and have grown closer and more fond of each other than ever. He is truly the yin to my yang :) He is strong where I am weak and is truly an example and leader in our home. While 5 years seems so short and long all at the same time I am grateful to know there is so much more in the future. I love you Byron!

Bryce is 8 months

I'm not quite sure how it works yet, but I am pretty sure that the more children you have the faster they grow up! There is this part of me that just wants him to stop and stay his cute little self for just a bit longer. Yet, I am loving to see him grow, develop, change and amaze me. Over the last month he has gotten quite good at clapping. He has moved past his cute little slapping hand over hand into the real deal. To boot, if he even hears the word yay he automatically starts clapping. He continues to do well with crawling and walks holding on to things like the couch. He loves to follow the girls around the house while they play. I love that he already gets VERY upset if he is left out. If they close a door or I block his way he screams until his sisters are in sight. His sisters reciprocate though, they call for him regularly to follow around the house and I am constantly trying to patiently ask Hailey and Ashlyn to put him down! He is finally eating pretty well too. He has mastered the spoon and is finally excited to eat something besides breast milk. He also has his two bottom teeth in sight and we are waiting for the eruption.

So much snow!!

Over the four years here we haven't had too much snow... I'm not complaining. But, this year we've received record snow! What a good-bye party. Coming at the end of this Philadelphia journey I welcome it as a new experience and joyful. At the beginning, I'd have probably just complained. And although I still hate scraping my car, bitter wind, the thirty extra minutes to put children's coats again and again for one outing (if you haven't guessed, my children enjoy undressing after they are ready and before I have all three out the door) and despite silly snow drivers, I actually have really enjoyed having enough snow to cancel school and play with my children in. This is the kind of snow I enjoy.
Storm 1 began Feb 5 - 28 inches
Storm 2 began Feb 10 - 22 inches
(While we were out of town, Derek had the real storm 1 on Dec 19 - 24 inches)

These pictures are from storm two, Jeremy got to spend the day making a fort and Derek jumped in during the afternoon to help finish up Jeremy's hard work :)

Family Pictures

While we were in Arizona I begged and pleaded (okay, just asked) my amazing sister-in-law to take some family pictures for us. She does great work and did not dissappoint! Unfortunately though, my oldest daughter did. Hailey is consistantly AWFUL when it comes time to take pictures. At home, I could take them all day, get her where anyone else is watching and BAM - no good. Ashlyn on the other hand thought she was a model and ate it up. Bryce also did well. In the end, despite having to deal with our rowdy crew she turned out some beautiful photos! If you're ever in Arizona check here out here - http://redbucketphoto.blogspot.com/