Assateague National Seashore

This is the first thing we saw when we drove into the park.

There were so many wild ponies and the kids absolutely loved seeing them!

Zachary and Joshua had a fantastic time using their boogie boards.

It took Madeline a while to brave the water, but once she did, she couldn't stop laughing as the waves came up and hit her feet.

Cameron worked really hard on this sand castle and

Zachary helped with some finishing touches.

Madeline and Brooklyn had the best time just playing in the sand.

Boogie boards! The boys have so much fun riding

the waves and this was a gorgeous day for doing that!

The three boys that I LOVE!

With my sweet and oh so adorable little princess that I LOVE!


We ate at a place that served seafood after spending the day at the beach.

The food was great, but the wait was long!

Emma and Madeline had so much fun together while waiting for their food. I can't believe how happy all the kids stayed. We were there for several hours, but it was a fun several hours!

4th of July Fun!

Cousins! We got together with Paul & Jennifer's family and Jeff & Shelly's family. Jeff and Shelly came to visit D.C. so we were able to spend the 4th together. Some weren't very happy to have their picture taken. Some were hiding, but if you look closely, you can see them all in this picture!

Madeline with her cousin, Cade. They are so stinkin cute together! I just can't get over it:)

I actually sewed this dress for Madeline. I was supposed to sew a matching skirt for me, but ran out of time...so hopefully soon it will happen.

Paul, the gourment chef. He cooked up some great meat for us all. Super Delicious!

Rachel and Nicole. We spent the 4th with cousins from my side and Mike's side.
These girls had a great time together!



Dishing up.




The boys played a great game of Uno.




Sparkler fun!!






More sparkler fun!







Fireworks.

Random shot of two lively girls! Emma and Madeline really hit it off. It's been a while since we've seen them. Madeline's already been asking when she gets to see Emma again.

Watching the fireworks.....on top of the car.

There are lots of trees here, so you have to get creative!

Boys atop a different car. It's funny how they split themselves up like that.

Ladies watching the fireworks. We had fun too!

Easter 2010

Madeline, Rachel, and Makena enjoyed watching the sheep next door. My brother and his wife live right next to a sheep farm. The kids love to watch the sheep and it was especially fun this time because there were tons of little baby sheep running around. Madeline adores any kind of baby.
Madeline with cousin Cade. So cute!

Rachel and I decorated these fabulous Easter cupcakes!


The cousins all waiting to make the mad dash for the eggs!

The little ones get to go first!

Madeline was fast!

Zachary got some eggs too.

Even Joshua, 13, had a great time running around finding eggs!

I think he must have been hungry.

Blizzard 2010!

Looking down our street. It was a true Winter Wonderland!

The kids are there, but where are the cars? It took quite a while to get the cars out from under all that snow, but it was oh so much fun!

Christmas 2009

The cutest little Joseph and Mary ever! Drew and Madeline played their part with perfection!

This is truly the best part of Christmas. Oma has this fabulous tradition every year. She loves to get her costumes out and have all the grandchildren act out the story of the Birth of Jesus. This always helps us to remember the real reason for the season and gives us all a great feeling. How did Uncle Paul get in there?....we have fun with it too!

Christmas wouldn't feel like Christmas without music. We all enjoyed listening to this wonderful quartet! My brothers are terrific singers and so is Lopaka.

This was Madeline's favorite present! Madeline thrives on stage!

Madeline and Uncle David with their guitars. What fun!

Teenager

Joshua actually became a teenager about 5 months ago, but life is so busy with a teenager in the house, that I'm finally posting about it.

He had about 15 teenagers come to his bowling party. We all had a great time!

(Madeline wanted to be in a picture holding balloons, of course.)

I cannot believe it's already been 13 years since Joshua entered our home. We didn't know exactly when he would present himself, since ultrasounds gave us 3 different due dates. He did pull a fast one on us, though, by coming before any of the due dates. I remember feeling like I just got the best (a little early) Christmas present ever! We were living in a tiny 1 bedroom apartment with no money, but I remember feeling like I wouldn't trade this little guy for all the money in the world. Joshua was easy going from day one. He rarely made a peep. I was told I'd be up all night with my newborn, so the first night we came home from the hospital, I couldn't sleep at all! It wasn't because he was fussy, though! It was because he was sleeping soundly and didn't make a peep. I think I woke up every half hour to make sure he was still breathing. I remember thinking he should cry when he's hungry, but I'm sure I can count on one hand the number of times when he cried.

Joshua grew and grew and grew (and now he's taller than me). Joshua now has a deeper voice than his father (sorry Mike) and his feet are the same size as his father's. I'm getting used to the deep voice, but at first I would wonder who that man was in the house.

(Joshua invited Zachary and Cameron to bowl too....he would never leave out his brothers!)

Joshua is good at just about everything. He has proven to be the dream child. Sorry, I really don't like to brag, but I'm going to. Joshua loves to do well in school. (Is this normal for a teenager??) Joshua is in the 7th grade, but has tested into all 9th grade classes and still pulls off straight A's. How does he do it? He's smart and responsible. Joshua also loves to read. He's the child that would sit on the playground with an 800 page book while all the other children are running around having a grand ole time. Joshua does love to play outside, though........if he's playing competetive sports. This boy thrives when it comes to competition (not a great thing all the time, but we're working on that part). Did I mention that Joshua is responsible? He is a superb babysitter, housecleaner, lawn mower, you say it and he is right there helping out. He's the oldest (and so was I, so why do I repeat the activity of slave-driving my oldest??). Well, he so happily helps out and I don't know what I would do without him...really! Joshua is also musical! He is a concert pianist (or I think so) and he plays the saxophone like no other! Joshua, what in the world would we EVER do without you!

We LOVE you!

Little Piggies

I just love these little piggies!!!