Looking back at 10 wonderful years

*Finally posting this which I should have finished and posted a week and a half ago. Sorry Bekah!

Sweet Rebekah. The very first thing we learned about Rebekah is that she loved to be cuddled. After Taryn, who didn't really like anybody to hold her and Joseph who really didn't seem to care, it was so wonderful to have Rebekah, who just wanted to be snuggled close. And if you weren't holding her, she wanted to be all wrapped and swaddled, super tight.


And then there were her cheeks. Super fat... and adorable. I love that we have this picture of Taryn meeting Rebekah for the first time and pointing out the obvious.


Rebekah's first Christmas. Love that smile!

Before Rebekah could walk, she would push around this little rocking chair to help her walk. She would sometimes carry a baby doll or something around in the chair like a funny little bag lady.


Rebekah has always loved babies. From the time she was little until now. Here it was a doll and then pictures with Sam and David and her cousin P.

Rebekah loves to bake... because Rebekah loves to eat. This is one of her most favorite things to bake.

No front teeth and perfect freckles.

Bestest sisters:

Rebekah, we love you. We're so thankful God gave you to us! Happy Birthday!

Going Greek

There was a Greek festival in Anderson this weekend. It's an annual thing, but we've never been before. Not because I haven't wanted to. Greek is my favorite cuisine! Even though we'd had a very busy day and we were tired, the food was calling me.

Yummy, yummy food! And big...


There is a playground at the Anderson Civic Center where the festival took place. The evening was pleasant and the kids enjoyed playing and exploring a playground they'd never been to.


There were activities for the kids at the festival...


Helicopter rides (which were not free, but watching them take off and land was)


Greek music and dancing...


And more yummy food. These were dessert called Loukoumades - a type of donut covered in a honey, cinnamon syrup.


Of course, because it's all about the food.

Overheard: Sam Edition

Holding out his arm toward me: I like to bite myself until I see the teeth marks. And see, right there is the tooth that is really far behind.
(Note to self... Call Orthodontist!)

Remember this video? Recently Sam accompanied John and I on a walk, and after he had been talking the entire time we had been walking, I commented that he had a lot to say. He quickly agreed. "Yes, If I have a word, I will speak it [pause] as long as there is a human to speak it to." Notice the distinction here between a person to talk to and a person who listens.

Him: I'm almost growing out of my bed Mommy.
Me: You can't be growing out of your bed (it's a regular twin)
Him: Well, my feet almost touch all the stuff at the bottom of my bed.

The little sister of the girls' friends came over and she played with the little boys. I was in my room and overheard Sam as they walked down the hall. "Have you ever seen a bunk bed before? You need to see ours. It's wooden and it is very climbable. Come in and see it and I'll show you some climbable moves."

Random Sightings That Made Me Smile

And some that make me raise my eyebrow and wonder what goes on inside the heads of my children.

Here, for instance, we have GIJoe figures stuck upside down to the ceiling in the boys' room.

Apparently they are prisoners, as the close-up reveals that their hands are bound as well.


Silly Bands in their castle.

This was their movie theater sign. They were showing a Little House on the Prairie episode and selling tickets as well as concessions. (Note to other moms... popcorn in a bedroom is a bad idea).

David was a band leader for their lunchtime theater. (Costume put together by Taryn)

Joseph, mid-haircut

Exercising (And I am pondering why my children, who are so skinny their clothes fall off, are all exercising and I am standing around taking pictures.)

Happy brothers, sharing a chair at lunch.