Babies be gone...

Look at that smile? Don't you want to get on a plane and kiss those cheeks. It's hard over the course of 12 + years to live away from family. If it wasn't for Lee & Colette living here!! WE love sharing life with them....

My nephew Otto will soon be one and Dane will follow soon behind and most likely these will be the last babies .... the youngest grandchildren and their first year is over.

Fall is here....

10 Months old...

It's hard to say where this child is in his "normal growth" of a 10 month old cause he gets shlepped everywhere with everyone!! He is so smiley and still find his way under the table, now in the drawers and cabinets and is walking around furniture!!

The Next Generation

Michelle and Marissa flew to Texas for their 4 day weekend!! They left snow and came to 100 degree heat index!! We spent our first afternoon running through sprinklers at the boardwalk with sweat dripping down our backs. The next day a "soft cool front" came through and we were able to enjoy the outdoors!! So fun to see Audra and Marissa are friends/cousins just like Michelle and me! We had so much fun although....I think we thoroughly exhausted them to go back from their vacation!

Our "King of All Wild Things"

Here is our soon to be 4 year old and we are celebrating with his favorite book "Where the Wild Things Are!!" This king of all wild things has some very funny one liners lately. We've had so much fun since the kids have gone back to school. He's coming into his own.

On the way home from school a couple of weeks ago Anders asked flatly "what is a swine?" I responded.... it's a pig. Hhhmmmm. Much later he said "Mom, pigs can't fly??" I said "Nope, pigs can't fly". Under his breath I hear him saying.... "the swine flew?? The swine flew??" aaaaaaahhhhh No baby..... The Swine Flu!!!!!!!!!

badabomp!!

He's a keeper

Follies from the field

Audra playing goalie in last weekend's match up against Santa Fe (TX that is!)
Her aggressive run towards the ball in sweltering heat!

Oh we've had some good laughs in observing our childrens' personalities as brought out "on the field". Two weekends ago Chris took Audra to her early morning game with just Anders along as a cheerleader. Chris said she was playing, quite good as goalie when she turned to Chris in the middle of the game, hands on hip and said "where is Anders??" Chris said... what? Audra keep playing..... "Dad! Where is Anders I don't see him!!!" Chris reassured his eldest child "He's on the playground with some other kids.....STAY FOCUSED!" Ah....that's Audra. Worried about her little brother's safety in the middle of the game (or more... aware of his absence?)

Gunnar on the other hand....
Chris and Gunnar headed out to his game later that morning while Dane was still asleep. Chris is the coach! I rounded up the other three and we went to Sonic for a drink before the mid-morning game. It's just too hot!! Still!! as we parked our chairs on the sidelines, the game full steam GUNNAR waves and shouts mid-play!! DID YOU GET ME A SONIC??? I waved him on (Gunnar keep playing.....all parents eyes on me) Gunnar runs over to the sideline (MID PLAY!) What kind did you get me mom??!!!! aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!! Learning.... still learning!