More Love....

This dude loves the little guy. Eli was 9lbs, 4 oz and Simon was 9lbs, 3 oz. Wonder if Simon will keep up with Eli all the way through? This little girl is obsessed with her baby. Poor Simon! Grandma!

Grandpa!

Everyone Loves Simon!

The most doted upon baby in all of Minnesota........ He certainly has Anna's coloring. We have come full circle.

Yikes. This looks like a big family.

The proud biggest sister. Anna told me that she could spend hours just looking at Simon.

Biggest big brother who is in LOVE with having another little brother. He doesn't yet see the negative of sharing one room with two little bros.

How Disfunctional is Your Family?

We were eating dinner the other night, and I realized that we could certainly be considered dysfunctional. Sit back and listen in on our conversation about Anna stepping on a nail. Mark: Where was the nail? Anna: In the back shed with all the extra wood. Mark: How did you get in there? Jonah: I held on with my hands on one side and pushed the other side with my feet. I used all my strength to open the doors. Mark: I had the doors closed for a reason - so you wouldn't go in there and step on a nail. What should we do to keep you guys out of there? Anna: I know! Put a padlock on the door. Mark: Do you think we could just tell you to not go in? Jonah: I have a better idea. Maybe you could break my legs so I can't open the doors. Geez. Should I worry about his future now?

Sarah Stories

Sarah is old enough to have her own "hall of fame" stories. Geez. I took the younger three to get their haircut at the neighbor's. In the country neighbors aren't just neighbors. They are the people who cut your hair, deliver your mail, snow blow your driveway, and attend your church. Everyone is very inter-related. Eli & Sarah were outside playing while Jonah was getting his haircut and I was chatting with the neighbor. Eli burst through the door and excitedly reported, "Mom! Sarah pooped on the grass!!" We are the neighbors who fertilize yards. Then, yesterday Sarah proudly reported from the bathroom, "Mom! I went potty in the cup!" I checked on her, and she was right. She managed to go in a plastic cup, just like she sees me do at the doctor office. What a great skill to master at 2yo.

A delightful fall afternoon at our house

Sarah is taking a nap. Big Mark is working on the ceiling in the winter room. Yippee!

Little Mark is sliding down the stairs on left-over thermal barrier.

I am making cookies.

Anna & Jonah are making domino creations in the garage. They charge $0.10/person per show. Do you think they are budding businessmen or scammers?

Baby Prep

Life is all about cramming projects before baby comes. This week I surprised everyone by turning the swing on our refrigerator door. Only took me most of an afternoon. Now I am in cleaning mode. Yuck. Today we are working on the ceiling in the warm room, finishing the bunk beds, and running baby errands in South Dakota. Tomorrow we are *hopefully* finishing the ceiling and moving the deep freezer into the laundry room. Here's my cutie pie. Oh, I guess I have more cutie pies.