Raising Cubs in a Campground

Amelia is 6 months old today!  She is the easiest going baby I have ever met and so quick to share a smile.  Elsa LOVES to interact with her when she can get past Amelia's protector (her big sister, Josie).   We love you sweet pea!!!!

This week I surprised Julia with a 1/2 birthday party. She had been asking for a surprise party which isn't really feasible at this age so I kept mum about her upcoming half birthday and surprised her with half doughnuts for breakfast. She was thrilled (even if she wasn't quite awake yet). Tuesday also marked Elsa's 9 month well baby visit which meant it was time for her to start solids. I baked a yam before we left for her appointment. (I've used the Super Baby Food book for my other two kids but am on the look out for another option as I don't like the fact that she promotes the use of soy. Do I throw out all of her ideas because I don't agree with one aspect? I do have a book called Super Immunity that I will refer to as well. Weight check: 24 pounds, 10 ounces of pure love. Still 24 pounds 10 ounces since her first experience with solids didn't go over very well. (Unless you count the huge mess she made.) Calm winds (rare!!!) and sunshine meant ...

Notable this week: Sat up for the first time on the 26th (in a pile of wrapping paper during Christmas #5) Slept 8 hours on New Year's Eve Dear Elsa, You are the sunrise in our days with your huge grins and babbles first thing in the mornings. Sam and Julia fight over who gets to play with you while you lounge on Mommy & Daddy's bed when you wake up. I don't know how you do it considering how often you wake at night, but all thoughts of those sleepless nights for Mommy vanish when I look in your beautiful eyes. They are four shades of blue those eyes of yours. Navy on the outer edges, blueberry mixed with periwinkle comes next, and a steel blue right around the irises. Somehow your half birthday is upon us and I can't help but choke up at the thought of how blessed we are to have you in our lives. Three children were not part of 'our plan' but thankfully God's plan for our lives is so.much.better. YOU make me better. You help me slow down and br...

Liz had me cracking up when I read that quote from the movie in her comment yesterday. She guessed correctly that Julia is going to be Lucy from The Chronicles of Narnia and that Sam is going to be Peter. It only took her two guessed to figure out that Elsa is going to be Aslan, the lion.  Way to go Liz!!! That leaves Edmond and Susan for PapaBear and I. Luckily Walmart sells bow and arrow sets for $6!  I enjoyed hearing from you on whether or not you decorate for Halloween or not and found myself nodding in agreement with everyone. We have spent more time prepping for this Halloween than all others combined, but the house is coming together nicely for our first ever Halloween Party. PapaBear hammered, drilled, & cut while I traced, cut, tied, & taped today. Tomorrow I'll make a Target run for a few things I didn't get the other day and we'll shop for the food. Our menu is pretty simple because everyone brings an appetizer or dessert to share. We're making ...

I do my very best to make the most of every day with my kids. Celebrating half birthdays is just one of the ways we do that. Way back in 2007 we celebrated Sam's very first half birthday by going out to eat. In 2008 we were preparing for the big move to BearCountry during April so we celebrated half birthdays in the new house...on the floor, with picnics. Look how big my baby boy is now! His smile melts my heart and makes me want to wrap my arms around him forever. He wouldn't mind and has even told me that he wants to snuggle forever. He's my sensitive one, my thinker, my builder, my teaser. He looks at me with his dark blue eyes and all I see is love. He is sweet, kind, considerate, and helpful....as long as he's gotten enough sleep. In need of a nap and then it's a whole new ballgame. He's grown two inches since his 5th birthday back in October. He's worn at least a dozen holes in his pants. He doesn't like veggies much anymore, but will eat th...

Five and a half years of sweat loving from this son of ours. We are blessed. More pictures to come from his half birthday photoshoot, but for now I'm off to enjoy the rest of the day with my family! Hope YOU are having a great day too!

It was very windy when Julia and I went outside for her 1/2 birthday photo shoot and even though she had to brush her hair out of her face time and time again, she did great. She was completely engrossed in our game of Bear Detective. I would throw our toy snake into the rocks and she'd pretend to be Snuff and go find it. In between our game of make believe I was able to snap a few portraits of our three and a half year old. She's grown so much! This picture was taken on her very first half birthday. (The day we discovered her first curls.)