California's a long way away

Hayden: "I like Dad...but I like him a lot more when he's here."

Eventual blackmail photos

His father and I are so proud.

My Auntie Gina gave me this outfit...

...and I like it!

They're not fighting!

After-bath brother-bonding while watching Monsters Inc. So rare I had to take a picture to document the unusual event. Shortly after, things returned to normal:-(

Sometimes my sissy and I sleep together

And I think she's just as comfortable as I am.

Slip slidin' away

Summer surprise

After the kids spent a lot of time on the Slip-N-Slide, Daddy came home from the store with a new toy!

Look at me! I'm learning how to smile.

Good times

A long-time-no-see friend stopped by our house yesterday and spent the day reminiscing. Mark, whom Jimmy last saw when Mark was 11 years old (and he was even younger when I knew him), has grown into a fine young man. He is one of seven children in his own family so he fit right in around here, even calming a cranky Peyton with his expertise in babies.

He played several songs for us and he is AMAZING! Currently, he plays for weddings and DJ's receptions for extra money to make ends meet while going to college. But watch for him in the near future as he writes his own songs and performs them, as well as some popular tunes, beautifully.

You can listen to several of his songs by going to this site. Do yourself a favor, go there now and turn up the volume. You'll be proud to say you knew him "when."

"Watch and learn, Grasshopper"

Remember when I mentioned here that my family is going a little crazy for the TV show, Ninja Warrior. Well, to further our little obsession, Keaton and Hayden began Tae Kwon Do classes yesterday.

The rest of us are a little hesitant, but these two are quite confident. Watch out Jackie Chan!

The first picture began seriously:

















In the next picture they started feeling pretty good about their new-found skills:

















Then our goofy little martial-artists hammed it up:

















"Ki Ya!"

Pre-church pretty girls' photo op

Daddy's plane was delayed...TWICE!

And as hards as I tried, I couldn't stay awake until he got home. However, snuggle-sleeping with Keaton's pink blanket in Dad's chair made the wait a little easier.

When my children argue about this, I get tickled...

Mom (feigning concern): "Oh, Peyton. You're diaper really needs changing, doesn't it?"

I watch as three sets of daughter ears perk up and each girl lunges toward said baby with needy diaper.

Reagan (enthusiastic as usual): "I got it!"

Sutton (irritated at Reagan's eagerness): "No, Reagan! I'll do it.
You got to do it last time."

Keaton (always feeling left out): "I wanna help!"

Sutton (frustrated teenager): "Keaton, no. Reagan back up."

Reagan (losing her perky demeanor) "I said I would do it, so stop!"

Sutton: "Reagan, you're being selfish."

Keaton: "What about me?!"


The argument continues until I pick a "winner." (Insert wicked mommy laugh here.)

Under the heading: "Is Nothing Sacred in Our House?"

Keaton (screaming from the kitchen): "Mom! Landon's poopin' in the pantry!"

Landon (quietly from behind pantry door): "No I not."

Keaton: "Yes you are and you're making our food stinky."

Landon (shamefully): "Oh."

We watched as Landon ran by, flying towards Daddy's closet to continues his "job."

Sorry Daddy.

Reason 416 why it's fun being a girl...

...playing dress-up.

My biggest sister makes me smile

Did I mention how much Peyton loves ceiling fans?

As soon as someone picks her up, she throws her head straight back and searches diligently until she spies the fan. She then stares at it for long stretches of time, allowing me to steal hundreds of "neck sugars."

Like her mother, she's easily amused.

Answer: 82 1/2

Question: Number of days left of summer break before everyone goes back to school.

(Maybe I can just sleep through it.)

I'm ashamed to admit it but...

...my family watches this program. It's silly, it's funny and completely addictive. Jimmy tries to mimic the announcers and "busts a gut" when the contestants fall into the murky water. Laughing at him is almost as fun as the action on the TV.

Hopefully, our children will eventually forget our lapse in television-watching judgement. This show is in no way educational but anytime we can get all eight of us in one room laughing simultaneously, priceless memories are being made.

A stinky record

Who: Peyton and still-adjusting-to-all-the-changes Landon

What: Five dirty diapers that soiled two outfits, one pair of socks, a changing pad, a baby blanket and required half a box of wipes and the help of a less-than-thrilled twelve year old sister.

Where: Landon hid out in his "poop spot" (my closet), while Peyton started her messy contribution in the living room and moved to the changing table for three more blustery explosions.

When: Yesterday, in the span of five minutes!

Why: Not positive, but I think they discussed this plan ahead of time just to keep me on my toes and to remind me who's really in charge.

Look Ma! No hands!

Hair twins

In a family of children with light hair and blue eyes, Keaton has been so thrilled to have a sibling with dark hair and brown (we think) eyes. She told me that while I was pregnant she prayed for a baby sister that looked like her. Looks like God filled her order...right side dimple and all.

Man of the house

Yesterday while Peyton was unhappily grunting loudly...

Hayden (sweetly and reassuring to baby sister): "I know you're sad that your Daddy is gone, but your Hayden is here."