Road Trip

Our dependable van has carried us all over the country and finally arrived at the 100,000 mile mark.

 Spring Break 2012 took us to AZ to first spend time with Sister #3 and her family-

she's the sister who's closest to me in age and taught me all the bad things I know. (Such a joke.)  I love her.
The Girls:

After viewing the Hunger Games movie. mostly LOVED it. 

After church taking advantage of a few photo opportunity moments.

We're Pals.

 Looking back, it probably wasn't my best picture.
Gross. A little gross.

The Boys:

Hmmmm.... I guess...
They also love each other. :)

These two were friends long before Sister #3 and I were in the picture.
They enjoyed their male bonding time.

The Kids:

Dressing up with cousin D

Lou is enjoying a ring pop he was rewarded with after being good in church.
Cute cousins!

The babies adore one another. 

Me with Lou and Baby A.

Couldn't squeeze my sister's kids tight enough.
 (Notice Lou in the background pouting because he couldn't be in the picture :(

The Beloved loving on Baby A.

Thanks Dear for traveling those long, grueling hours in the car with me to see my fam. I love you. 

Why must there always be things in my nose? 

Thanks "R" Family for your awesome hospitality.

I love you sister. 

Oh Child....

that I love - you drive me Coo Coo!

Ruckus' latest mischievous act involved a left out beard trimmer:

I was watching some of my friend's children that day and was so relieved that he didn't shave the little girls or her brother's heads as well that his punishment wasn't as severe as it otherwise would have been. He's a lucky fellow.

The Beloved and I decided to have Ruckus sport a Mohawk, but then were reminded that children who have this particular hairdo act like the Mohawk, so it will soon be removed. 

Oh my little Ruckus, what shall we do with you?

Aquarium

Boys gleefully trying to pet a shark...
except for Little C who had just jumped back in surprise after a shark swam toward him a little too quickly. :)

Little C brought along Flat Stanley on this adventure so he can mail him back to a friend in IL.

Lou petting a baby shark.

While trying to pet a shark Ruckus proclaimed, "Mom, I want to wash  my face in this!"
After receiving a disappointing "No" he somehow proceeded to get drenched anyway.

Discovering the clams.

Genetics -

Strikes again.

We love those cute big toes! - and the person they belong too!

The Happenings...

Update on the Boys -

Weekend Camp-out on the Floor.
They argue during the day but cuddle in the night.

Little C is getting so tall and at 9 yrs old is about the same height as some of the 5th graders in our neighborhood. Crazy. His feet are competitive in size to mine which is grand when I am out of athletic socks and can snag some of his.... I think. It's a convenient grateful feeling/gee I hoped I used enough bleach on these puppies (cringe).
He's our early riser and has started making me breakfast toast a couple times a week, serving me in bed. :)
I love listening to Little C's vocabulary as of late. The adjectives he squeezes in here and there are so entertaining to my ears. He described someone the other day as being a sly, little kiddo.
Cute. 

If the Baby is rolling on the ground you can guarantee Ruckus is also.

Ruckus loves, loves, loves the Baby. I mean - CAN'T GET ENOUGH.

If I set the Baby on the floor for a moment Ruckus has a sensor going off and will be there immediately.

The other day I moved the Baby to a different location and Ruckus freaked out,

"Where'd he go? Why'd you take him?"

(then looking down, appearing so sad)

"He's my best friend".

The Baby returns Ruckus' love but with a little more panic in his eyes,

"Mom, stay close. Please stay close. He's playing steam roller with me again and there's nothing I can do about it."

Can you believe our baby is 9 1/2 months old? Gosh, time goes by too fast. He's sitting up, rolling everywhere, and eating anything and everything you put in his mouth. His personality = perfect little sweetheart and has the most kissable cheeks alive.

Taking advantage of the perfect gaming opportunity.

The above picture is SO Lou. He eats, drinks, sleeps technology. If there is a DS, phone, tablet, anything game worthy sitting about he will grab it without second thought.

Anything Lou does he puts his whole self into. If he decides it is time to draw he'll sit at the table for about an hour drawing picture after picture or practice writing everyone in the family's name over and over again. He thought giving valentines away on Valentine's Day was so amazing that he's been making them for me everyday since.

Little C, Lou, Ruckus, the Baby -

I so enjoy being your mother.

Love you guys!