Saturday, October 27, 2012

Pumpkin Carving




 I promise to add photos of Anna soon... she was sleeping when I took these:)
 This is the first year the girls have actually put their hands inside a pumpkin.
 Morgan's choice... daddy helped gut, mommy carved.
Jenna chose the big pumpkin and this design, while Taryn chose a tiny one she initially thought was fun to throw around.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Taryn is Two!!

 "Swiper, no swiping.... ohh, Maaaan!" Is a favorite phrase of Taryn.  We love her and her many talents.  She surprised her mommy and daddy by learning the alphabet by sight a few weeks before her birthday!  She has an excellent memory, likes to go to "da busstop, get Jenna", "go to da park", "go in da car", and "jump on da tramboline."  Oh, and of course "watch de dora."
 She also likes to say "Come on!", to recruit a sister or mom to play with her.
 Hooray, a smile!
Upset by something a sister did, but not for long.
Happy birthday, Taryn!!!

Stocker Farms



 Jenna, cousin McKenzie and Morgan... 3 little marshmallows:)

 My handsome man with Special Agent T.


 We managed one picture with cousin Wyatt!  He's a busy boy and hard to catch on camera:)
 
Did the 3rd picture throw anyone off?  The first two are Taryn and Anna, and the last two are of Jenna and Morgan.  Aside from the matching shirts, I do think Jenna and Taryn look similar, and Morgan and Anna look VERY much alike.


Thomasson Family Farm

 Here's a random pic of our silly Taryn.  She took us literally when we told her this was her new toddler bed.  She slept in it for a couple weeks, waking up each night because she would fall out of it.  Now she sleeps in Morgan's bed.  Night 1 - Morgan and Taryn, Night 2 - Jenna steps up and offers to sleep in the double bed with Taryn and Morgan gladly took Jenna's bed, Night 3 - Jenna had enough of Taryn's tossing and turning and returned to her own bed, Morgan slept in the toddler bed, and Taryn won the spot of Queen Bee in the big bed all by herself.  Musical Beds.
 I LOVE to visit pumpkin patchs / farms in the fall!!! These duck races are a classic attraction at farms around Seattle and Portland, it seems.
 Giant bubbles... a toddler's dream come true?
 Horse tire swings.
 Corn!!!




We will have to go back when Jenna and Daddy can join us.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Smiles!




Kidz Love Soccer

 Jenna really enjoyed her first soccer experience at Lake Wilderness Park, so she is going to keep playing.

Morgan did a  great job and enjoyed herself once she got out there.  She will take dance in the fall and try some other new activities:)

Hiking at Twin Falls

Our first hike in our new neck of the woods was really fun with cousins!  Twin Falls.
 The girls rocked this hike, even after playing soccer that morning.
 They found a cool rock to climb.  Taryn did great in daddy's backpack, Anna in mommy's front pack.
Time for a little raisen break!

1st Day of 1st Grade and Preschool - 2012

 Although a little reluctant to pose for this picture at the bus stop, Jenna was ready and excited for her 1st day of school!  Our routine will be all four girls and I parading to the bus stop twice each day with our bikes and double stroller.  We love the fresh air and meeting our Jenna...also a good time to teach Taryn to stay on the sidewalk:{
 Our 6, 4 and almost 2 yr-olds.  Baby Anna was comfy in the stroller.
 Thanks for humoring me with a smile, beautiful Jenna dear.
Our back-to-school "bash" complete with neighbor friends and a pinata.  There are few things in this world our kids love more than a pinata.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

July 4th, Soccer, Blessing!







Welcome, Baby Anna!

Caution: Labor and Delivery story ahead:
On Monday, June 11th I called the doctor's office who had been holding my records hostage without communicating with me for over a week and was ready to demand to be seen.  The receptionist on the other line heard my name and quickly replied, "oh, we've been trying to get in touch with you since last week, but lost your phone number, and the doctor needs to see you!"  Finally!  With my due date fast approaching (June 15th), I met my doctor for the first time that day, then went into labor Tuesday morning.  A friend I had just met from church, who lives 5 houses down from us, offered to watch my girls that morning while I went to the grocery store.  Although I was having the same sparatic contractions I had been for days, I felt different and wondered if I would deliver soon.  When I talked to mom on the phone that morning, I shared my prediction with her that I would deliver that day or the next.  Walking around the store, I felt the contractions more frequently.  About noon is when Jenna and I decided to start timing the contractions.  She kept the log, and after an hour we called Justin to announce "this baby's coming!"  He rushed home, and his sister, Shirley came over with our niece.  Then we hung out at home doing our typical analysis of "should we go NOW, or should we wait a little... ugh, I don't want to be at the hospital forever, nor do I want to deliver this baby on the side of the freeway."  So, we left about 4:30, were admitted at 5:30, epidural around 7:30ish, ready to push at 8:30ish, and our beautiful baby, Anna arrived at 9:45pm.  We all adore her and feel blessed to have her in our family.  Jenna loves to hold Anna, and is very helpful about bringing me things for the baby.  She also plays well with Morgan and helps Taryn a lot.  I am so grateful for Jenna, and I love watching her be a responsible and loving big sister.  Morgan is very sweet and caring toward Anna.  I love Morgan's sense of humor.  I can count on her for a clever comment that always makes me laugh.  Taryn likes to walk up to Anna while she is in the swing, and put her head on her tummy, then points out Anna's facial features: nose, eyes, mouth.  Justin is a wonderful father to all four of our girls.  I love his determination to help each one of our girls learn, grow and succeed.