A weak moment...

...will get you one of these! Austin fell in love with these puppies at Thanksgiving and by his birthday he had mom & dad doing a "trial period" with one from the puppy litter. Once he was named by day 2 I knew deep down, he was a keeper. Sucker! Percy joined us 2 months ago already and while he was a normal new puppy at first (peeing everywhere) he did train fairly easily and is bell trained. He has caught on quick and most days is totally accident free. Of course, he is in the bite everything stage now....so that is our next challenge. A year from now he will be a great kids dog I believe and for now is cute enough to get away with a little mischief :) Kinda like our kids, ha! 

 First night at our house

 First days at our home...Austin just loved up on him all the time.

 Just watching for Jaxon to come home from school...

Welcome little one! You are lucky I have had no sleep and my judgment has been thrown off a bit...why not add a puppy in the middle of winter over the holidays with a sick baby at home.... why not? :)

Carson 6(1/2) month pics

Carson turned 6 months, but was in no shape to have his pictures taken. I am SO blessed to have SUCH a talented sister-in-law who can photograph our family. Seriously, it is such a blessing to be able to capture so many milestones and stages through her creative and beautiful work. I can't say it enough...THANK YOU, Aunt Holly!!!! These are more like Carson's 6.5 month pics and almost became his 7 month pics....whew, what a couple months this poor boy has had. He is feeling pretty normal finally, I think, and I am grateful for some daily smiles, giggles, and him letting me put him down from time to time :)

 A typical baby in a sea of crazy big boys at our house!

 These boys make every event something to laugh about...

 I love the "old" look of everything...and these photos capture the old wood floors that are scratched and worn from these boys playing, crawling, scooting, sliding, jumping, walking, and dancing on them. The old blanket is one an old friend made for me for my birthday one year. It's become a favorite back drop for almost all of Carson's professional pics and still one of my favorite to cuddle under with a good book!

And I had some great pictures to redesign our blog too! Thanks Holly... I am so grateful.

all smiles

This is one of the little babes I have watched one morning a week this school year. These two were rarely awake together, but just more recently have had a little time to meet and greet while still happy before they snoozed. This month their family has a new schedule, so we don't see Jacers anymore during the week...but I'm sure we'll be planning play-dates before we know it for these two little boys :)

snowy days

Winter seems to have started late this year, which is fine with me, but my boys still have a few things on their lists to do before all the snow is gone. The weather has been perfect to get outside this year almost everyday. I love when we can spend even 20 minutes out in the fresh air. Luckily, my kids will spend 2 hours out there on a nice day! I throw their winter gear soaking wet into the bath tub to hang dry at least 3 times a week and sometimes into the dryer because their gear isn't dry yet still the next time they want to go out! Signs of much snow fun :) And on the days when it's too cold to play in the white stuff...we just bring it inside of course!

 Mini snow men on a chilly winter day...

 Down the street there is a church parking lot that makes great snow hills for my boys... they march down the neighbors yards often to explore these things! I love our neighborhood and the fact that I can trust my kids down there playing with or without me and always just a head out the door views away.

 One beautiful Iowa winter afternoon Carson took an amazing 2 hour nap and the big boys and I created a whole family of snow people... Austin has been reading Snowballs, by Lois Ehlert, and has been waiting to make a family of snow people!

 Even Carson doesn't mind the outdoors on warm afternoons :)

Finished product...good job boys!

(notice the baby snowman on the sled... one neighbor asked if this was our three boys and one "on the way"...no, no... just how the family of snow people turned out. Do not be fooled, no baby news here!!!)

Dells '12, at the parks!

This is post two of our Dells trip... I decided half way through the week that a vacation with children should be called a family trip instead. The term vacation leads me to believe that there may be much down time and lazy moments and relaxation. Don't get me wrong, we had some of that... but we had A LOT of busy fun time too!!! I think I need a vacation after our family trip :) Another great thing about the Dells...PLENTY to do right where we stay! There are 4 indoor water-parks and an indoor playground and huge arcade. We have so much fun down at the waters and the kids always sleep well after a day there! We had a fun crew with the Homan crew and the Rogers and Hoskinson's were there the same week too. Lots of kids, lots of laughs, lots of fun! Can't wait for next year... I may be ready to go back by then :)

 mastering the water obstacles... I attempted this and my arms about fell off!

 Monster did it too! I loved hearing Jaxon cheer him on!

 Austin lives for this green slide! He loves it! I must agree, it's pretty fun to go down with them on here :)

 Carson was a trooper, for the most part. He came into the trip with double ear infection... but the parks and wave pool were a nice distraction for him (and mom!!).

 Austin braved a few tube slides this time... he was pretty proud of himself.

 Vacation neighbors! Too fun!

 More vacation neighbors... Hoskinson's. Mark is always up for being the "fun guy" wherever we go... what a great place to be that chosen guy :)

 Jaxon & Amber spent an entire morning in the wave pool. That night as Jax fell asleep he said he felt like he was floating away :)

 Carson only got in a couple times, but he loved both tries. Yes, another water baby! Makes this mama happy!

 Family pic

 Lazy river!

 Uncle Aaron seemed to just keep getting kids dumped on him in the lazy river... oops, thanks Uncle Aaron!!

 Miss Eisley was the youngest on this trip... she did great! (I think?) :)

 Jaxon convinced me to do the Hurricane. Being a mom of all boys, I know I have have lots of years of going out of my comfort zone to do many "big and exciting" ventures... including water rides that shoot you out at full speed and spin you around until you almost fly off the tube. Welcome to my life. I have to admit. It was kinda fun :)

 Jaxon also convinced our friend, Katie :) (sorry about that)

 Brothers chasing down the green slide

 Dad trying to hide, I think? :)

 We did go out for 1 meal. This restaurant delivers your drinks and food by train. Pretty cool! Entertaining baby brother here as we wait.

 Austin thought this was the coolest thing ever!

Our Dells partners in crime :) Thanks Homan's for another fun trip! Thanks friends for making it a great week!