DOUBLE DIGITS for Abby

Our sweet niece, Abigail Michelle, turned TEN last weekend.  Don't get me started on how that is even possible, because it felt like yesterday that Brady called us and coined the phrase: "Grab your socks and your jocks!  We're having a baby!!!" Abby had a soccer tournament in Spokane on her birthday, so that meant two things:  She got to spend the night with us, AND her team helped her celebrate her birthday at SkyHigh Sports!

Gracie was more than happy to join the older girls at the party--and Katie said she talked everyone's ear off on the way home.

Josh and Grace were very excited to join the three soccer players and Megan for a sleepover in the basement.  The older girls were out instantly, while our kids were chatty, wired, and then nervous.  Poor Katie didn't get much sleep that night being the downstairs chaperone!

And it just so happened that the next day was Joshy's birthday party, so Jeff and I were up making the birthday cake--our tradition.  But this year we were done by 11:15--that seems to be a record!

Oozma Kappa cake from Monster's University

 And Micah got his share of soccer player attention.  :)

 Abby was so nice to share him.  :)

We Love This Little Guy

Starting to take note of the world around him.

Little go-to-sleep-wimpers.  Precious.

"I know, Bubba…"

"…it's hard being a baby."  -Gracie

("Look, Mom, he likes to suck on my finger!")

Auntie Julie is Coming?!?

YAYYYYYY!  She's coming up for a few days of her spring break.  (Wait until they find out we're going to see her for a few days of OUR break…)

The Lone Tooth

This tooth is completely cracking me up!  It is literally hanging by a thread, and Gracie pops it out of her mouth all by itself to make me laugh.

Stay tuned…I'm sure soon you'll be seeing pictures of a girl with her two front teeth missing!

We love Aunt Beth and her Packages!

Our Debbie's Aunt Beth spoils our kids once a year or so…by sending a box in the mail filled with treasure!  This time around she sent these shirts…and night lights, and books, and stickers, and cups…it was just like Christmas!  Thank you, Aunt Beth!!!  We are ready for you to move to Spokane!

The Author

I just had to document the beginnings of a great author:  Grace Lochhead.  She's suddenly stapling pages together and illustrating stories about crazy things!  I think Daddy helped her with some spelling on this one, but she's getting more and more excited to record words!  This story actually has a problem and solution.  Later on it says that the mean monster had a baby monster and then became a nice monster.  :)

I wonder if this monster that scared Auntie Julie was a Lightning Monster…  :)

Hiking Season Opens!

Mark it on the calendar:  March 16 we went on our first hike of 2014!  The Van Sickles invited us to go burn off some energy at Indian Painted Rocks and we were more than happy to join them!

The kids did GREAT on the 1.7 mile hike to the end of the trail.  But it was a LONG 1.7 mile hike back!  :)  Here are some tired hikers with me--we had to pretend to hike like bears and kangaroos and snakes…to get their tired feet off of their minds!

It was an awesome first hike of the year!  It gave Jeff and I lots of hope for the hiking season before us. And seeing that little bit of green grass was food for the soul!

Bon Voyage, G'ma and Papa!

G'ma Joan and Papa Greg left earlier this month for Israel!  I called the night before and found out they were having a Bon Voyage party…without us!  :)  That's what happens when you live two hours away…  But we sent G'ma and Papa a little love text (pic) as they were leaving the country.

Micah Boy…These Days...

Sleeping in his own room.  Pulling out his own binky.  Liking the sound of his own voice.  Giggling now and then--usually when his arms get stuck in his onesie coming off.  Reaching for toys on the mat--and now the highchair.  Holding his head up for a few minutes during Tummy Time.  Still scratching his head, so often his hands are in time-out inside socks.  Smiling with his whole body--smile, wiggle, wiggle!  Cat naps in the morning, long nap in the afternoon, 5-6 hours at a time at night!