Visit in Illinois

 In January, we made our annual trip down to visit Kent's mom and Bud.  We always have so much fun just being together for a weekend. 

Kent's sitting with his nephew Jordan.  Kade really liked this guy, often still mentioning, "My cousin, my Jordan."  And when we went to a restaurant recently, he asked, "Will my Jordan cousin be there?"  So cute.

Kent's brother Kevin and wife Sheila and their family

Venita had some special time with Cody!

This vehicle was lots of fun and got driven around quite a bit.  The little boys kept asking for their turn and our girls were pretty nice to take them all around the farmland.

DJ turned 9

The brothers get in on helping...as always it must involve tasting!

The birthday boy and friends celebrate in "firemen style"

DJ blows out all 9 candles...house afire.

Very fun gift from Grandpa Stacy and Grandma Carol

The cake...Playmobile pieces contributed by the boys, trees found in the cupboard from previous years, log cabin crafted by dad, design by mom.  So much fun.

Can it be?  Nine years old.  For some reason, this birthday has me feeling quite sentimental about DJ.  Every other birthday seemed right... still very little boy.  Nine just has the ring of growing up...of leaving little boyhood behind.  Don't get me wrong.  He's not all grown-up yet.  I savored a cuddling time today which he ended promptly after I kissed him too many times.  He was my first baby, even at 2.  My first little person to call me mom.  The first time I felt that unprecedented love that a mother feels for her child.  Even though I'm going to miss his littleness, I'm excited about watching him grow into a young man, with the prayer that he will walk in God's ways with a heart that draws near to our Father.

DJ Highlights

Likes to cook eggs for breakfast

Can't wait to go shooting at the indoor archery range

Asked Dad tonight if they could build a trap to catch a squirrel

Gets distracted from school work when using the dictionary :)

Knows more facts about animals than mom

Is memorizing James 1

Loves to keep recyclables even though mom tries to sneak them out of the house to the trash

Loves to chase his brothers and hold Cody

Is hearing mom read aloud a children's biography about Teddy Roosevelt

Is developing questions about his spiritual walk and future new birth

Is building a bike with Dad

Cody is 7 months

Cody's mom isn't keeping up on scrapbooking every month during his first year, so she's pretty glad for blogging to keep quick records of what he's doing.  Of course, Cody's not doing anything remarkably different from any other baby, but it's still remarkable!!  His mom and dad are enjoying each and every new stage, knowing that it goes ever so quickly.

Cody...
- rolls over and over
-enjoys playing on the floor more than before
-ate bananas for the first time...and liked it
-cries when mom leaves the room
-still likes most people unless he's tired
-just moved from pack-and-play bassinet to crib
-put himself to sleep for the first time today!
-weighs around 18 lbs.
-has 2 bottom teeth
-isn't super cuddly and would rather look all around
-can sit up unsupported and rarely falls over anymore
-loves peek-a-boo
-still is our little "piggy" because he "snorts" a lot
-ends up in mom and dad's bed every night because that's the only way he'll sleep (oh well! it will pass)
-is a generally happy and content baby, as long as there's activity to watch (and there's usually plenty of it!)
-likes taking a bath with his brothers but is very scared of running water or the shower

Make/watch a "Burp Rocket"

The video didn't post so I'll work on that tonight.  Sorry.  It's pretty cool to watch the rocket take off. :)

With just three simple supplies you can make this amazingly fun "rocket" with your children.  We learned about it last week from Aurora Lipper, a science lady who does stuff like this all the time.  You will be amazed!  Here's DJ's version.

Needed:  A white film canister (the lid needs to snap inside, so the black kind doesn't work)
               an effervescent tablet (like Alka-seltzer, but a generic brand is fine)
               water

Valentine Craft/Cards

 We've been crafting our Valentines for our home school co-op party this Thursday.  Here's what we accomplished today...even with a couple sick boys.  I love, love this holiday because I love all the things you can make with hearts and candy, and pink and red!!

 This caterpillar was DJ's original creation!  The only thing we had to purchase for these crafts was gum and Hershey's kisses.  The rest of the supplies were hanging out around our house.

This is a more grown-up valentine for one of my girls. :)

Christmas Memories

I like dressing my babies up in strange little outfits, especially on Christmas Day!  These pictures have been waiting to be posted for quite some time.  Our month of company, celebration, girls home from college was lots of fun, but too busy for blogging.  And now it's February.  How can it be?

This was Daddy and DJ's surprise for Levi and Kade on Christmas morning...their very own semi-truck.

Grandpa Wayne and Grandma Betty arrived Christmas evening.  I thought this picture was priceless!

Cousins Kylee and Zane came, along with their daddy and mommy!

We made a gingerbread train together and this is Zane carefully rolling out the dough.

Cody Joel - 5 months

We had our 2nd annual tea party.

The weather was nice enough to play outside for hours!

Kylee and DJ had fun sliding down our sled track and into this tunnel!

Zane and Kade took the tea party quite seriously!

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Merry Christmas!