SEPTEMBER 2010

Madelyn's Girl Scout day to the Renaissance Festival. That is her BFF, Sophia, on the far right. They have been besties since K4, even though they go to different schools now. They had an awesome time!

I took no other pics on September... or August even. I'm not sure why. I didn't even take "first day of school pics this year";) BUT I'm officially caught up with this blog. WHEW!!! September and the summer hold such wonderful memories for us... Camps (VBS, Girl Scouts, Delaney's first sleep-away at Camp Istrouma, Camp Nana, Theater Camp, CSI Science Camp, Cheerleading Camp, Rock Climbing Camp, Fit As A Firefighter Camp and Spanish Camp), trips (Gulf Shores, Lake D'Arbonne, Waveland Beach, NOLA), Maddy's birthday celebrations, first day of school, etc. We are currently fully engulfed in school and after-school activities. This year has just flown!
Jacob is such an amazing baby! Thankfully, he just goes with the flow. He loves his big sisters, loves riding in the car, doesn't mind being woken up from his usual 3-hour naps, and sleeps anywhere. He ALWAYS has a smile on his face:) His 9 month Well-Baby Check-up was 2 weeks ago. He's 25lbs. and 29in. long!!! He's a tank. He's up rocking on all fours, but hasn't figured out the forward motion yet.... and I'm not encouraging it, either;) I quite enjoy the fact that he's still in "potted plant" status and I'm not having to totally babyproof yet. He does roll everywhere, but he's so big that he's not at all fast. I know it's just a matter of time and I'll be chasing him everywhere pulling him down off the tops of furniture. Why can't they just stay tiny forever? This is my 4th time saying that. HAHA!
Ryan is doing great! He loves his job, although he's been incredibly busy and not home much:( He got moved to the "Gangs and Narcotics" division. He's exited... me, not so much. At least it's not many nights and weekends. My dream of him having a normal 8am-4pm is fading. Will I ever accept that? Also, he's fully engulfed in everything football right now, fantasy and reality.
Me? Same 'ole. Working a lot, parenting more, cleaning most, repeat. I love my life! It is hard and exhausting, but full of laughter and hugs and kisses and joy and smiles. There is never a dull moment. I am never alone. I always have someone to snuggle with and share dreams with. Isn't that what life is all about?

AUGUST 2010

On August 30, 2010, Jacob Ryan was officially adopted into our family!!! It was a glorious, happy day full of family celebration! We let the girls miss school and enjoyed their reactions when the judge asked if they'd like to keep Jacob forever. It was awesome! God has blessed us over and over and over and over again!!! We are so lucky to be able to parent this little boy and his three wonderful sisters!!


Ryan was outta town and we thought we'd take some pics and send them to him saying "Daddy come home! Save me!"


He makes a cute girl, though.  Sophie calls him "Bella".  ;)

See, Delaney can be "girly" sometimes;)

JULY 2010

Jake and D-Daddy


Sophie stealing the show


Sweet boy


Concentrating hard on that burp cloth;)

4th of July was spent at Lake D'Arbonne with wonderful family and friends. We had a fantastic time!!


Austin and Nick joined us. Dixie drove them down after they spent 2 weeks with her and we drove them the rest of the way home:)

Madelyn and Hannah


Cohen and Hannah

Fun in the lake...


Ryan's ginormous fish!


The paddle boat


Nick taking me for a cruise in the little boat;) He rode in that thing for hours!

My 4th of July Firecrackers!!!

My oldest and youngest;)


Had a little too much drink I think...



Cousins!!


Nana, D-Daddy, and Cousins!!

Danger: Baby rolling ahead!!
At 7 months he decided to roll over... I mean really roll over, not the flopping from front to back thing, that doesn't really count;) The pediatrician said he's just too big to be too mobile, but he's figuring it out finally.

He's also and expert sitter now. He's been sitting since 5 months but no longer needs a boppy behind him to catch him if he flops backwards;)

Big Sister Helper - All of the girls are wonderful helpers. One of Sophie's favorite things to do is feed him... and she's very good at it!!! She adores him so much... sometimes TOO much... I have to make her back off because he gets frustrated with her in his face all the time;) I'm so happy that she loves him, though. There is, and never has been, any jealousy with her. She is amazing!

Nana, D-Daddy, KK, and Cohen came for Maddy's actual birth DAY (the 18th) and took her to celebrate at her FAVORITE EVER restaurant, Osaka. It has been her dream for a couple years to be a chef at Osaka... and on this special day, her dream came true... she got to make the "flaming volcano". She was beyond thrilled:)
(click pic to enlarge)
Check out Ryan catching the flying egg in the bottom-lefthand pic... hilarious!

Nick and Austin stayed a week with us during July. They and Delaney went to rock climbing camp and had a blast!!
This was Delaney's second year. Funny for the girl who is scared of heights... but she rocks it;)
(click to enlarge)

For Madelyn's 7th birthday, she wanted her present to be a camping trip. So... we went "glamping". We rented a cabin at Tickfaw State Park, toured the Nature Center, went on nature hikes, cooked out, made s'mores, the whole nine yards... we just didn't sleep in tents (yeah, mama don't play dat;) Austin and Nicholas had spent the prior week with us so we brought them along, and Keri met us there. Also, the Hays family came over and spent one night with us. It was a great time!!

No, this is not the cabin... it's part of the Nature Center display.

The water playground was the absolute best part of the state park!
It was great for all ages -
as you'll see, Ryan had quite a good time there, too!

Doodlebug


Maddalicious


SodaPop


Waterbaby - like Sophie, he has NEVER had a fear of water and is totally drawn to it.
He loves it on his face, in his mouth, everywhere!!
(click to enlarge)