Best pregnant picture EVER!

Okay, it took me four pregnancies to get it, but thanks to my friend/photographer, Lynn, I finally got the best pregnant picture I've ever had! I think there must be something key to the fact that you can only see my silhouette. No one can look at it and say, "Wow, her face is really swollen." I love this picture. I might even get it enlarged and hang it up somewhere. I was up at Lynn's cabin for a D6 (our church's family ministry) writing session and Lynn came up with the idea to take this. Thanks, Lynn! I think it only right that Baby #4 gets the best "in mommy's tummy" picture.

First Day of School

Yep, my two boys went off to all-day school this year. They were both so excited they couldn't even eat breakfast that morning. I miss them, but they seem to be doing really well. They have made friends and like their teachers. And, they even seem to be learning something!

Here's Caleb, my big kindergartner. He ate only his cheesestick and his oatmeal cream pie the first two days of school.
Danny, my second grader. His favorite thing about the first day of school was getting his new supplies in/out of his very own desk. I homeschooled him last year for first grade.

And my three (almost four!) great kids. I'm thankful for each day with them! I think Sophie is enjoying having mommy to herself. And I seem to be getting a lot more done around the house. Plus, I usually nap with Sophie! However, I do miss my boys....

Vacation Update

We returned from our annual family vacation with all of my extended family at the end of July. We had a great time, and, as always, it went by way too fast. There were a few tears shed as we got in the van to come back home (not by me or Eric!)

Eric's highlight was spending 6 hours on the Yellow River kayaking with his brother-in-law, Brad. I believe they swam some, hiked up a cliff without any idea of how they were going to get back down, and generally had a blast. (I'm always careful not to ask too many questions about the stuff they do....better not to know:)

Holly's highlight was minimal cooking and polishing off about 4 thick novels. Who doesn't love a good book? And right now reading time at home is somewhat limited.....

Danny's highlight was seeing five deer over the course of the week and swimming at the local pool. And of course, playing almost nonstop with all of the cousins. They literally would leave our cabin right after (sometimes before) breakfast and I wouldn't see them until supper. I'm not sure what they did for lunch all of those days.

Caleb loved swimming and catching crawdads in the fresh stream water. Making s'mores is also a favorite.

Sophie's favorite part was playing with her new twin cousins, Gabe and Sam. They are 5 months old and she could've spent all day "helping" feed them, change their diapers, put their socks on and off, read to them, etc.....she hated it when it was their nap time. She also bonded with her cousin, Johnnie. Let me say that girl play is SO different from boy play. The girls would sit in our cabin for hours and play with dishes and dolls. The boys would carry swords all day and if you left the cabin, they would attack you. A couple of girl interactions I caught...

Johnnie (to Sophie): Do you want me to call you Sophie or Mommy?
Sophie: Mommy.
Johnnie: Okay, Mommy.

Johnnie: Can I borrow your keys?
Sophie: Sure. (She casually slips one strap of her purse off her shoulder, reaches into the purse to pull out the keys, and hands them to Johnnie. Then readjusts her purse.) Let's go.

(She can mimick me carrying a purse WAY better than Eric can.)

A few photos...

Sophie playing in the stream.


The boy cousins (minus their much younger ones), L to R, Caleb, Moses, Danny, Eli. This is when I told them to smile.

This is when I didn't tell them what to do.....

Sophie enjoying the pool. Yes, she's loud and stubborn, but also very cute.

Yes, and you've been waiting for it.....Holly at about 7 months. In a swimsuit, no less!

This may end up being my only pregnancy picture this time around. :)

School starts in less than a week, so look for first day of school pictures soon! The boys are so excited!