what's missing?

A sweet moment between Isaac and Grandpa - likely a lesson in chainsaw maintenance.  Only one thing is missing.  Can you tell what? Take a look.........

Isaac's pants!!

The stinker wandered away half way through getting his swimsuit on and this is where I found him!

movie daaay

I took this photo with my phone this weekend.  I just love the way Isaac is clutching my his soda while being perched on Andy's lap. Isaac and Cassidy both learned to sit for movies at a very young age because we have been pretty spoiled when it comes to going to the theater.  Having a member of the family who owns a theater comes in very handy on rainy (or snowy/cold weekends in winter). I remember Cassidy- couldn't have been any older than two, sitting on her booster with her popcorn between her legs, clutching that soda and trying to maneuver both without spilling.  I kindly attempted to take her soda to hold it for her and she ripped that thing out of my hands and repeatedly said 'mine! mine!' Makes me laugh at how possessive she was of it.  Soda and popcorn were a big treat then... and still are now:).

mini gardener

Isaac is up for pretty much anything outside.  When I pulled the mulch out of the back of the van, he had his gardening gloves already ready in his outstretched hand, "help me, Mama?".

And he is more than happy to help out daddy with his chores,  Whether it involves helping him to steer from his front row seat on daddy's lap, or following along and getting any spots dad missed, Isaac is always happy to pitch in ;).

Jack's Spring Concert and Dance

Jack is getting older and had told me he didn't want us to come to his concert this spring... until the night before.  He decided we should be there, and that I should bring my camera.  I was glad he still wanted us there.  It turns out he had a part in the program telling a joke, which he hadn't mentioned to me before.  It was really cute!

And he attended his first dance as well!  This was also a night before decision... (I am seeing a trend here.)  He had a blast, but told me he didn't dance.  He hung with his Buddies, ate cotton candy, played games, won a bunch of cupcakes at the cupcake walk and took these fun photos at a photo booth.

Super hero

Happy Memorial Day to all of the real Super Heroes out there who have served or are serving our country!

burn bin

Cass brought her project home from school like this the other day.  I guess this is a commentary on the number of pieces of artwork they have found in the burn bin lately.

Hogwarts

After receiving a letter of acceptance into Hogwart's Academy for Witchcraft and Wizardry, complete with a boarding pass for Platform 9 3/4, Lucy, Cassidy and Jack attended and became Wizards!  Jane and Elsie had an incredible Harry Potter themed birthday party!  Allison went all out and made them each robes, wands, brooms, and ties and bought them each glasses.  They were sorted into their houses, made potions, played quidditch, and had just a blast!

tender tootsies

Summers are full of running outside barefoot and getting dirty. We are just at the beginning of all of that fun, and Cassidy started us off with a bang!  Last weekend she stepped on a thorn mid-day.  By that evening, it was pretty tender to the touch and she complained a bit about walking on it.  When I investigated at bedtime, it  had developed a red swollen region around it.  The next morning the redness had spread and covered a good portion of the bottom of her foot, as well as a portion of the top.  It was very tender and I feared a pretty bad infection so I took her into the ER.  Sure enough, she had cellulitis!  We had an x-ray done to make sure all the thorn was removed and headed to the pharmacy to pick up a potent dose of antibiotics.  The redness cleared up after a couple days on the antibiotics and protective shoes and socks.  I sure am glad we caught it early because cellulitis can be a pretty nasty infection!

Batman sighting

It was bedtime.  The kids were getting their teeth brushed when all of a sudden Batman swooped into the room, snapped a few shots of me, grabbed Isaac's blankee and flew off.

home work outs...

home work outs go kinda like this...

...my workout partner usually one inch from my side, occasionally riding upon my back, intermittently crashing into me and most definitely asking me silly questions.

Spring Concert

Isaac and I went to the girls spring concerts this week.  They each sang some cute songs and Cassidy played the bells and Lucy played a piano solo.  Cassidy also played a mean air guitar here.

 Cassidy and Audrey (above) and Cassidy with Alexa (below)

Grandmas:  you can see Lu play here: https://youtu.be/47JfpjV_JQo

 Busted!  Too busy cheesing for the camera-- everyone else is making their 'sun'!

Lu and her good friend Janey poo (Jane Is Awesome).

life in pictures

Dear Little Man

Somehow these letters to Isaac never got published in 2011...

Dear Little Man,
11-11-11.  What a cool date.  We didn't even realize that this would be your birthday (if you decide to wait that long) when we scheduled your induction.  I am already dilated to a '3+' the doctor says.  We picked Friday because daddy has only a half day of work on Fridays.  It is all becoming so real now! I can hardly wait to hold you and kiss you and love you.  It seems like I have waited so long to get here to this point... but at the same time it seems like the time has flown by.  I love feeling you move inside of me and can tell that you are growing because your movements are more smooth, like you are a bit crowded.  I day dream about who you will look like, and pray that you will be strong and healthy.  Your siblings are so excited for you to come live with us.  Jack talks about snuggling you on the couch when we lay together to watch a show.  He even showed me just where he'd hold you.  Cassidy and Lucy play that they are having babies and feeding babies and changing babies.  Cass usually sticks a baby inside her 'Punzel dress for part of the day.  She loves to blow bubbles on my belly and put her face right up to my belly to tell you that she loves you.  Lucy is so excited to take care of you and change your diapers (yessss!) and share her room with you.  And you are always in their prayers. Oh how they love you so.  Grow big and chubby and strong, little man.  Before you know it you will be thrust from your warm, close, dark environment into a loud, unpredictable, loving (probably more than you can handle from these anxious siblings!) one.  We can't wait for you to get here!

Love,
Mom


Dear Little Man,
It amazes me that in no longer than one week, I will be holding you in my arms, loving, hugging and kissing you.  As I sat on the couch tonight, I marveled once again at how you can distort my stomach as you stretch and move around.  Oh how I love that... it is just simply magical. When you stretch you like to push on the inside of my hip bones. I don't remember any of the others pushing here.  I measured my waist tonight because I was curious how big around I was... 44 inches!  (Daddy guessed 60 when I asked him.  ha.ha.ha.) But I don't feel that uncomfortable.  Just some heartburn each evening, and a little stiffness if I sit in the same position for too long.  And you let me know if I am sitting in a way that makes you uncomfortable... squirm squirm squirm:)  Each day I am getting closer to feeling like I am prepared for your arrival.  ONE WEEK IS NOT LONG!  Keep growing strong little man.  Mama just can't wait to meet you.

xoxo

Cassism: Alien Baby

I was looking through my blog and happened upon some 'drafts' that never got published.  I thought these were too funny.  Cass has always had a knack for cracking us up...

9/20/11- On the way to Walmart today Cass breaks in "My alien baby is milking my nursey mom." I turn around and see her holding a 1 inch green alien figurine up to her chest, as if it is eating. Great.

9/22/11- Today Cass put 2 and 2 together and realized that since the baby is a boy he will have boy parts. Through out the day today she stopped whatever she is doing, and whispered to me "The baby has a dingy mom!" Chuckled to herself and went back to whatever she was doing.


And a conversation between Andy and I when I am near the end of my pregnancy with Isaac...

We all know that we are pretty particular planners in this house.  Some of us more than others. hmmm. Andy.  So the other day we had a conversation that went something like this:
A: We have this all planned out now, so if you have any contractions, I want you to stop what you are doing and just lay down.
K: No matter what I am doing?
A: No matter what.
K: What if I am at Walmart? Just lay down?
A: Yep. Keep that baby inside you.

So I decided I'd grab a blanket and pillow from housewares and text him what aisle to come to, to pick me up.

catching up...

Ahhh! This poor neglected blog!  Life has been moving at a running pace it seems.  The end of the school year is upon us and this year Lucy has started playing fast pitch softball. I am super excited to help out at her practices and games. I only hope that I can contain my competitiveness!  Jack is going to start a beginner golf league soon and both of the girls are happily plunking away at the pearly whites each week.

We have an accepted offer on a new house and are in the thick of inspections and such! We have had a few showings on our house too (woohoo!) and this whole adventure has proven to be so exciting and stressful and crazy!  This summer will be full of painting and moving and reorganizing and readjusting. So much newness, I just hope we can provide the stability the kids (especially Isaac) need with all the changes that will come.

I recently became the PAC vice president at the girls school.  I am also officially heading up the new fall fun-run fundraiser! So much (more) new territory for me to explore. I am excited for these new experiences and to get to help out there more!

This past weekend I got to help my photographer friend Jen Ruby at the Journey's Marathon in Eagle River.  The chamber asked Jen if her studio would sponsor the run and provide the photography for the event.  She asked me and a few other photographers to help her capture the essence of the event. My job was finish line photography- something I had never done before.  It was a cool experience as I witnessed and photographed SO MANY PEOPLE!  The cool part was observing the pride and sense of accomplishment many people exhibited as they finished the half and full marathon.  I got to experience what Jen calls 'squinty eye' and needed a good back adjustment after standing in a hunched position for 5 hours!  It was really special to get to help Jen as she is an amazingly talented photographer.  I was honored that she would ask me to help!

A week ago today marked the sad anniversary of the passing of our beloved brother Steve.  We commemorated the day with a group text from Abby, prompting us to each share a special memory of him. It was sad to remember all the emotions that surround his passing, but so nice to remember the kind, fun-loving man that we love so. I am thankful to Abby for having us do so- there are so many good memories that we need to keep alive.

One of my favorite pictures of Steve-O

Jack came home with two notes from school- one for student of the month in his gym class and the other a letter of recognition for his participation over and above on a class lesson on Racism.  He decided with a few of the other students to hold a penny drive (and to raise $ by selling items like his lego minifigures) to donate to the Ruby Bridges Foundation.  Needless to say I love getting letters like this!

Happy Mother's Day

These four are what make me, ME :)

visiting Great Grandma

Great-Grandma Lehman recently returned from Arizona so we went over to see her last weekend.  It had been since before Christmas since we had seen her last, and it was so great to catch up:)  The kids were excited to see grandma and to get to play out in her yard and near the lake. Grandma's dock was not out in the water yet, so we borrowed the neighbors for a while.  Their favorite things to do were to jump onto this raft and to feed the (very sparce) fish.

We helped Grandma clean up her yard and got the hammock set up and tested out.  (It still works great!)

 

I cannot tell you how much I love this picture of them!

Cass raided the closet and read just about every book in there to Grandma, who acted as if it was the first time she had ever heard them.  And can you guess what Isaac is doing in this picture??  Piling up cookies!  Both he and Cass were very small when they found out that Grandma never says no!