First Haircuts

I took Rachel and Sarah Kathryn for their first haircuts about three weeks ago.  They thought it was a lot of fun.  They've seen the other girls get haircuts from Ms. Meagan and seemed excited it was their turn to sit in the chair.  It was difficult to get Rachel to hold still.  I had to play a movie on my cell phone so she'd hold still while Ms. Meagan cut the back of her hair.

A Fun Day

We had good day with the kids today, especially after weeks of everyone being sick.  We took the kids to Home Depot for the children's craft of the month and our friends, the Powells, showed up.  After we finished making bookends at Home Depot we went to the Overlook Park with our friends.  The weather was beautiful and the kids really enjoyed being out of the house.  We came home for lunch, watched "The Last Airbender" and relaxed for a while.  I even took a little nap.  Brent took the kids outside to play baseball and ride bikes and then the Powells came over for dinner (taco salads) and a movie (Despicable Me 2).  When the movie was over the kids decided to dance and our friends took this picture of Joseph dancing with their daughter Madison.  So cute!  They danced this way for a few songs.  Joseph was having so much fun.  Even at 5 he knows a pretty girl when he sees one!  Madison's been telling her mom she's going to marry Joseph.

Rachel and Jackson compare their handiwork.  They're in Nursery together at church.

I'm always amazed at how much the children are capable of.  They never cease to amaze me.  Even Rachel hammers the nails into place and puts the pieces together.  Brent reads the building instructions to Joseph and Emily and they put it together themselves.  Every time they finish a project they get a special pin to put on their Home Depot aprons.  It's pretty cute and so much fun.

Fun With Natalie

I love all these pictures of the kids with Natalie.  It's always nice to bring home a baby and the kids love the new baby as much as Brent and I do.  It's fun to watch them be friends, play together, defend each other and serve each other. They're so lucky to have each other.  I think it will only be more fun as they get older.

 Joseph adores Natalie.

 It's like Rachel is saying, "It's never to early to start".

 This is typical:  the kids are running around playing and they stop to play with Natalie or they make her part of the game.

 It's a good thing Natalie likes all the love and attention.  We've learned that she prefers it.  At first I would put her in the crib for a break from the noise and commotion, but she would start to cry.  She likes being in the middle of it all, watching the kids and being part of the fun.

 There's a good explanation for the duck tape on Natalie's head:  We use it to keep Rachel's diapers on.  Rachel started tearing off her diapers a few months ago and Brent's mom suggested I use duck tape.  We've since realized that Rachel is potty training herself, which we are embracing, despite the mess.  The issue is at night...she takes off her diaper and urinates in the crib.  Brent got creative.  He puts her in those footie pajamas that zip all the way to the neck and puts a piece of duck tape over the zipper.  The kids think it's funny to pick out the duck tape Rachel will wear.  They always want me to buy the Hello Kitty or Minnie Mouse duck tape.

 Taking turns holding Natalie.

 "If you're holding her, I can hold her too!"  Rachel still thinks Natalie is her baby.  She didn't like that Sarah Kathryn was having a turn.

Sarah Kathryn looked so happy holding the baby I had to take a picture.

Today Natalie is at Grammy and PopPop's house.  I'm sure Grammy, PopPop and Mamaw are spoiling her shamelessly.  On Monday Rachel came down with rotavirus which is dangerous for infants so Natalie stayed with our friends for a couple of days and then went to Grandma and Papa's house.  She went to work with them and Papa said he enjoyed having her so much he wasn't sure he was going to give her back.  Natalie went to Albertville on Friday.  Everyone says she's been such a good baby and so much fun to have around.  We miss Natalie and it's been strange not having her with us.  It's amazing that someone so small makes such a difference and that you can love someone so much in an instant.  We had other friends lined up to take Natalie in case we couldn't get to Grammy's house (because of the snow.)  They called me on Friday and were disappointed that they didn't get to take the baby.  One said, "Maybe we can get her another day."  My other friend takes her on Sundays while Brent and I teach a class at church.  I'm not bragging on my kid, I think it's just a good example that Natalie really is special and we're not the only ones who notice.