Wow, where have I been?!?! Most of my Internet time is done while feeding Kate and typing one handed is a slow process for me. There...that's my excuse. :)

We are really enjoying the beautiful weather that God has blessed us with the past few days. We have also unfortunately been dealing with sick kids for the past week. I thought today would be a great start to a healthy week but I was wrong. Bethany is down for the count again with a 103 temp and vomiting. To put it mildly...she's miserable. :(

Fun things around our house...

1. Kate is now 6 months old. She is so much fun to have around! We have her dr. appointment tomorrow so I'll have the official stats then but I'm thinking she's 12-12.5 lbs. She loves the independence of sitting on her own and grabbing the toys out of her little box. She would like it if someone was sitting by her the entire day long, but after a few minutes of crying she usually calms down and realizes she can play on her own. She has discovered a love for the outdoors. This will come in handy in the next couple of months when we have ball games to attend. Kate thinks Erica is the funniest person ever and is constantly giggling at the silly things she does.

2. Erica just got registered for preschool. It's so hard to imagine sending her off to school, but she is so very excited. Finally something for her instead of just going to Jaren & Bethany's events. Erica is a riot and is constantly making us laugh. It's very hard to take anything she says or does seriously. Right now we have to play "What time is it Mrs. Fox?" every single day. Kate also seems to thoroughly enjoy this game. Erica stays busy by going to story time at the library once a week and KidShine every other week. Last week we ventured out to go roller skating. She loved it and was bummed that we had to miss this week due to her being sick. Hopefully this week we'll be able to go again.

3. Bethany is buzzing right along in Kindergarten. She has made so many good friends this year. I think we're going to have to have some playdates over the summer so this little social butterfly can play with her friends. Bethany is also participating in gymnastics once a week and is loving it. She wasn't interested in t-ball or soccer but really wanted to do gymnastics to we thought we'd give it a try. She has gone out of her comfort zone quite a few times with what the teacher has asked them to do (she's not much of a dare devil). Bethany had her first friends party this year for her birthday and had a blast. The girls could have danced the entire time. Something I'll have to think about for next year. :)

4. Jaren is so ready for spring/summer when baseball will start. He has 1-1/2 weeks until practice and about a month before his first game. He would like to try and pitch this year so I think we'd better get out there and work with him. Jaren still enjoys school...especially PE and recess. He is a great help at home but at the same time can be very frustrating with his know-it-all attitude that every child goes through. :) He is probably the most excited for the camping season to start. The roasted carmels w/ ritz crackers is high on his camping priority list. Jaren's biggest concern right now is "What will I watch if football gets canceled next season.?" :)

Sorry for the lack of pictures of Jaren. All the most recent ones are on my camera which has been misplaced - I'll find it soon and then do a whole post of just Jaren. :)

I'll try to be a little more faithful in updating the blog but I don't promise anything. :)

I guess I should update my blog since I'm starting to get harassed about the lack of updates. I personally thought I was doing fairly well considering everything going on around here. :)

It's time to have a blog dedicated to our Betty Lou. She is such a blessing for God for our family. She is a great big sister, has quite the bossy disposition (typical oldest girl), very tender hearted and I could go on and on. She is loving kindergarten, unfortunately not for the learning aspect but for the social. She is so much like her grandmas. :) Bethany could spend most of her time doing craft projects. If you give her a container of craft supplies she would be a very happy camper for the whole day. Nothing is junk in her opinion; everything can be used for a craft. We have to sneak a lot of things out of the house. Bethany is growing up very quickly and is so fun watching what has in store for her life. Enjoy these wonderful pictures of our precious girl.

Bethany's class performed at the Christmas tea at school. Here they are performing "Little Drummer Boy"

Enjoying her time with Kate

Play dough cookies

Cornucopia

Anyone know which of our children is going to be featured based on the title? Probably not since it has nothing to do with her actual name; it's just a new name that daddy likes to call her and she thinks it's funny.
There are so many words I can use to describe Erica, but I think she would want me to say that she is a princess. Between dressing up like a princess and playing barbies she is pretty set for the day. She walks around in high heeled shoes all day so we are always hearing the click-clack of the heals on the hard wood floors. She walks and dances better in those shoes than I'd be able to. Erica loves to make us laugh and thinks she is the funniest person in the whole world. :)

Bethany & Erica are best of friends most of the time. Here Erica came up with a great way to fancy herself up by hanging princess ornaments from their ears. (Don't worry, they were strings, not hooks.)
Erica, being the fancy little girl that she is, was delighted to go to her first real tea party. She's had tea parties before at Grandma's house, but nothing compares to going to a real one with pretty decorated cookies & your choice of tea flavors.
Yes, she still sucks her thumb though her time is coming to an end. Harsh reality will hit on approximately Feb. 3 right after her birthday. :) She also loves reading books.

Erica enjoys playing games on the computer. Just look at that ornery face. :)

Erica just being herself.

And the below picture just speaks for itself. She struck this pose all by herself and it just cracks me up. :)

Yeah!!! We finally have our Internet back up and running normally. So now it's time to get caught up on pictures. This blog is going to be all about Kate. Check back soon for pictures of one of the other three monkeys we have around here. :)

Kate continues to be such a blessing to our family. She is getting more and more active everyday and loves play time much more than napping. She'll let us know when she's bored and wants attention and then just smiles and "talks" to us when she gets her way. :)

Kate is still a little peanut. I just weighed her on Sunday and she was exactly 9 lbs. We're hoping for 9-1/2 by Jan. 6, but I'm thinking that will be a long shot. She can still wear most of the newborn clothes and some of her 3 month outfits...though with her skinny waist some of the bottoms come off easily.

Kate loves laying on her play mat to play, especially if the giraffe toy is within playing distance. She loves to pull and chew on his long legs. She is also starting to sit-up with the boppy pillow for assistance and loves this new found trick.

Kate is by far my best sleeper baby wise. She goes to bed around 8:30-9:00 and sleeps until 3 or 4. She then goes back to bed for a few more hours. My other children made sure to get up about 3 times a night until they were at least 6 months old. God knew that I couldn't handle that now that I'm older. :)

Enjoy the pictures of our little Kate. She'll melt your heart just like she's down to all of ours. (I'm not biased at all.) :)

Kate was baptized on Nov. 21. We a blessing that we have to be

able to promise to raise her to fear and love the Lord.
I just love the way she likes to lay and kick nonstop.
And she loves it when we let her lay with very few clothes on.

This is Kate and her bear, Bella, at 1 month. I completely forgot to get her 2 month picture, but I will make sure to remind myself for the 3 month shot of her and Bella.

Kate got to experience her first snowfall/blizzard. I bundled her all up for a 30 sec. photo session. She was less than thrilled with the bitter winds, but I'm sure deep down she thought the snow was pretty. :)

Erica & Kate enjoying a cuddly moment. Kate is not a big snuggler so we take the snuggles when she hands them out.

I just love the big, wide-mouth smiles that she gives us. She is such a happy girl...most of the time.

All bundled up and ready to go for another car ride. Thankfully she doesn't mind the car seat once we're in the car moving.

still here!

We are still here, but our Internet has been taking several vacations lately. This post is all words and no pictures...sorry to disappoint. You can thank the Internet for the lack of pictures on this post.

We have been very busy since the last post and loving most of it.

Jaren continues to love 2nd grade. It's hard to believe that Jaren will be 8 on Monday...that's half way to 16 already!!! He has adjusted very well to having three sisters, but still mentions that it would be nice to have a brother...sorry bud, it's not going to happen. :) He just lost another tooth so he's proudly sporting a toothless grin. He loves reading, especially about sports & history, but better yet the history of sports facts & figures.

Bethany is still our dramatic, tender-hearted girl. She loves school days and can't wait to go every day. When she's home there is always an adventure happening depending on what costume she picks. And when she's not out on an adventure, Bethany's busy coming up with craft projects. God has truly blessed her with a great imagination. She is learning how to read and loves impressing us with what she has learned.

Erica is our silly monkey. She lives for making us laugh and says some of the silliest things. She loves playing with Bethany and having Jaren read her stories. Erica loves playing princess or with her princess castle, dancing & singing. She loves to remind us that she is almost 4 and then it will be her turn to go to preschool. For now she is really enjoying Sunday school and KidShine at church.

Kate is such a precious little girl. Her smiles will melt anyone's heart and her little coos will win you over. Kate obviously has me wrapped around her little finger. She loves playing on her playmat, taking baths, and doing "so big". She also loves it when we sing to her, especially "Jingle Bells"...probably because we do silly faces and help her dance along. :) She does have her crabby times, but her happy moments definitely outweigh them. We had Kate baptized in November and it was such a special day for all of us.

Kurtis has been putting in very long hours between harvest and now trucking. We look forward to Sundays when we are together as a family. I enjoy my times with MomShine, our mom's group at church & SONshine Preschool where I serve on the board.

God has truly blessed Kurtis and me with beautiful, healthy children and we are so thankful. Our lives are busy, but so full of blessings.

We hope you and your families have a very blessed Christmas!

Happy 3 week & 32nd Birthday

I've been trying all week to get this blog finished, but it won't let me post all the pictures for some reason. Stay tuned to another blog in the near future with more adorable pictures of Kate and Kurtis' birthday.

First of all I have to say happy birthday to my wonderful husband. He of course did not take the day off and is busy working until sometime late tonight again. I guess that's the bummer of having a fall birthday when you are a farmer. We do appreciate all the hard work he does to provide for our family.
It's so hard to believe that Kate has been with us for 3 weeks already. The time has gone very quickly and we have enjoyed every moment...yes, even when she's very crabby and won't sleep. :) Jaren, Bethany & Erica have adjusted so well and are very understanding when I can't help them with things right away. We've managed to get Jaren & Bethany to school on time even though some days are quite chaotic getting out the door.

Kate gets more kisses and hugs and there is always someone wanting to hold her. She is a very spoiled little girl who has won the hearts of many already.

Bethany looking at a book with her sisters...

...not such a baby friendly book though. :) I guess they'll all be prepared when that wild tiger comes after them. This is what I saw one morning when I came downstairs. Priceless.

Kate during one of her not so happy moments. I didn't want anyone to think that she never cries.

Our beautiful baby girl

On Wednesday, Oct. 6, we were blessed with the birth of our beautiful baby girl, Kate Joelle. She is our smallest weighing only 7 lbs. I thought she was going to be closer to 8 lbs. but I think she was just very stretched out. :) Her brother and sisters think she is the greatest and love her so much already. I hope you enjoy the pictures of our newest miracle.

Kate Joelle - a blessing from God

Proud daddy...I hope his lap is big enough for his 3 little girls. :)
Erica & Kate

Playing dress-up in the hospital

God has blessed our family so much!

Jaren & Kate

Bethany & Kate

One very proud mommy!

Our great dr. who delivered all of our children.

First picture.