SIX!

Happy birthday to our sweet Christmas Eve elf! Born December 24, 2003 at 3:29 p.m. at our house in Iowa City, Iowa, she weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces and was a due date baby who was caught by her daddy.

Then:

 

Now:

And for kicks, in utero, 2 weeks before birth:

Santa

Bass Pro Shop (no relation) hosted Santa again this year, so we trooped on over there for a little visit the other day...there was quite a Winter Wonderland to keep kids busy while waiting to give Santa their wishlists!

 

 

 

Finally, our turn! C asked for clothes for her dolls (the 18" ones...think American Girl style), and E has no particular gift desires. L (with a bit of prompting from big sis) asked for a "Mighty Machine" and some Thomas (the train) toys...

 

We also took advantage of the store's impressive fireplace, and got a nice woman to take a rare family picture (click to see the whole thing):

We are currently in the process of putting up some lights and festive decorations...our tree this year will be two small potted pines which we hope to keep alive and plant in the yard for years of enjoyment (and shade, down the road...)!

Up next: E's birthday! Stay tuned...

November

It looks like I've been negligent around here again...sorry!

November passed quickly this year - we had a visit from my parents early in the month, D's birthday in the middle, and a camping excursion at the end...some quicky updates and pics:

OP loved working with Gpa during his visit:

The boys are starting to really play well together:

E is loving school, making new friends this year, enjoying the new teacher, and getting ready to be SIX on Xmas Eve:

OP is busy-busy. He enjoys exploring the house, going up and down our single stair, escaping outside with his siblings, and eating like a teenager!

C is doing great at school - she produced a play for the talent show, is still a reading machine, and continues to be a fantastic helper at home, especially playing and helping with the babies.

Thanksgiving weekend we headed out East, near Safford, AZ, and stayed in a great little State Park cabin:

 

We had to break out our winter wear and fleece blankets for chilly mornings and nights

C seems to have warmer blood than some of us!

 

 

OP loved being outside so much!

There was a great playground, artesian spring (with minnows!) and kid-friendly hike nearby:

At the end of the hike was an interpretive Indian village, with examples of different houses used by local peoples over the years...our favorite was the pueblo:

 

...though the mud hut was fun, too!

Evidence that I was also on this trip...

 

Our cabin was nestled among the cattails, which provided hours of entertainment for the big kids:

What is a camping trip without marshmallows?

Our trip ended with a double rainbow to guide us home...(of course, that was nearly impossible to capture on camera):

...and that pretty much wraps up last month for the Bass gang!

Four in one!

Four kids, one picture, that is...

And for a change, mama!

If you want to see more, here you go :)






Happy November everyone!

Halloween 2009

A few pictures from tonight...hoping for some better pics in the morning (I know, I know). We went to the LDS church 2 streets up for the annual chili/fry bread/root beer dinner...got back just before 7, and kids were too excited or too tired to want to pose for me. I got nothing post-worthy of my skeleton boy, but here are my two bats and a witch:

Hope you all had a haunted Halloween!

This week

Monday
    not much happened - went for a walk to a nice park on the canal system...with a big new climbing structure for L

Tuesday
    L had his weekly playgroup, which was a little Halloween party. I dressed up both the boys in easy-travel costumes...

This super easy skeleton has also been worn and loved by both big sisters...

C, 2003

C, 2004

E, 2005

Wednesday
     Got called around 10 to pick up C from school, as she was feverish and lethargic. She and L watched movies most of the afternoon.

Thursday
     Never left the house!

Friday
     (a little ahead of myself)

The girls have a half day and the school Fall Festival, which we'll all attend. I made aprons to contribute to the money-raising raffle...

Side A1

Side B1

Side A2

Side B2

My smallest helper: