Is there another doctor in the house?

David thinks it would be really cool if one of his kids became a doctor like him, so when Benson showed some interest in David's stethascope the other day what did David do?

Why, re-enforce such good behavior with ice cream of course (no pressure though Benson... you can be whatever you want when you grow up).

a GREAT day!

David's grandparents came to visit us for the 4th of July on their way to Rhode Island for the summer. They could only stay for a couple of hours, but it was so fun to see them. Gracie loved giving them a tour of our house and Sammy and Benson loved Grandpa's shiny pennies. We are so happy when the GREAT Grandparents get to come around!

We love you Great Grandma Ro and Great Grandpa Jack!

Tumbling UP the stairs

This is what Sammy does for fun on an otherwise pretty dull day.

Big White Belly

Okay, so I definitely was NOT planning on posting this picture. First off, my mother thinks it is scandalous. Second, it really just looks kind of fat to me. I know it is a pregnant belly and I should not think about the fatness thing, but it just looks soft and kind of squishy... And third, my skin is just so white! I remember when I was a young girl I got a hand me down swim suit from my sister that was probably about the same color as my shirt in this picture. My family went to the lake somewhere to go swimming and my mom told me from a distance I looked naked because my skin matched the swimming suit. I should remember that and not wear this color huh? Anyway, so I wasn't planning on posting this picture, but today something happened that made me so happy!!! I was sitting on the couch talking to my mom on the phone and Benson lifted up my shirt and started poking my belly and saying, "Baby, baby, baby." He has started lifting up my shirt recently to look at my tummy, but a couple of days ago I pointed to it and said baby when he did this hoping he would start to understand. I wasn't really paying attention to him very much when he did it this morning but when I realized what he was saying I was surprised that he rememberd. It was so sweet and made me so happy that I just wanted to share. Of course after that he started jumping on my belly and trying to smash it... Omen of behaviors to come? Hopefully not.

Slippin' and a slidin' and a... drinkin'?

We bought a slip and slide for the back yard and the older kids really love it. I sent David out to play with them a few days ago while I stayed in the nice cool house. :) He took these cute pictures of the kids DRINKING from the slip and slide. I just thought they were funny.

Benson doesn't really love the slip and slide. He doesn't have to get too wet before he is ready to just play with toys. This ball and the flower pot next to it kept him entertained for quite a while.

Gracie is the only one who really slides on the slip and slide. Sammy mostly jumps on the hose in it and makes the water squirt out higher. Still a lot of fun on a hot day.

Mommy and Benson=BFF's

Benson is a little momma's boy. Every time I pick him up this is what happens. He snuggles in to give me a hug, sticks his thumb in his mouth and gives me love! He loves being the baby and boy is he going to be in for a rude awakening when his new brother comes along. He and Sammy already fight about who gets to sit on mom's lap (while I still have one). As you can see it will be overwhelmed with belly hugeness soon. :)

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day Sweetheart! I love you so much! I am so proud of you. I can't believe we have been married for almost 9 years. We have 3 children with another one due in September. You are about to start residency on Wednesday and I am so excited (especially for the paycheck). We have been through a lot, some good and some bad, but I am grateful to have gone through it all with you! Happy Father's Day!

Lovin' Summer!

David's brother and sister-in-law invited us to go to a splash pad today! It was the perfect day for it. Hot! Thanks Micah and Sarah for helping me keep track of Benson (who felt like he just needed to wander... what is it with my children and running away?).

There was a playground right next door that the kids got to play on when they were done playing in the water.

This is what Micah and Sara's baby, Elsa, did the entire time we were there. I think she had a good time too. What an angel!

Thanks for inviting us Micah and Sarah. We will have to do it again soon!

The many faces of Sammy

Sammy is one of the more facially expressive children we have. This is a collage of his many facial expressions.

David

I think I am in LOVE!!!

I don't know if any of you remember that my sweet husband bought me a new camera when Benson was born. It was darling and pink and I loved it. But sadly it met a very unfortunate demise when Sammy decided to become a photographer one day several months ago. I shed a few tears, placed it lovingly in a shoe box, and buried it in the back yard. I didn't think I would ever get over it; my heart was broken. I am happy to say that today my heart mended. A new camera arrived on our doorstep today and I am in love. This is only the first day of taking pictures with it, but in the package with my lovely new camera came a book about how to take great pictures, so hopefully there are better things to come!

For Mary

These pictures are for my sister Mary. She has been asking me for pictures for a while now. I just started month 6 and I feel ENORMOUS. Is that because this is number 4? Does anyone else have any experience with this. I feel so huge that I am a little embarassed to post these pictures. Oh well here they are anyway...