Brody's 6th birthday

Brody finally felt good enough after a week of being sick. Thankfully he was better just in time for his birthday.  Aunt Angie brought us doughnuts and presents the day before so we were able to enjoy doughnuts for breakfast. 

He was excited to open his first present. Monopoly Junior. 

Darby & Ollie got their birthday presents too.  And Aunt Angie was so nice to get Colt a little something too.

I was able to go to school and read a book to Brody's class.  Then we donated the book to the classroom.  (they do this instead of birthday treats for the class.  I know, such a bummer) 

Brody and his birthday crown from school.  

Birthday lunch: Peanut Butter & Honey, chocolate pudding, and a really juicy orange (but apparently when he was talking about a really juicy orange he meant a satsuma).

Opening more presents from us and his brothers. 

Darby playing with her new vanity. 

Hat

I think I have a picture of all the boys in a baseball cap. It always makes them look so cute. Since I didn't have one of Darby I thought I would take a quick picture. Unfortunately you can see her swollen eye in these. I think we will have to do another photo shoot when her eye is better.But she still is pretty cute.

Reading

Brad took a picture of me reading to the boys. 

The Plague

This is what we have been doing the past week. Sitting around watching TV. We have had some gorgeous spring weather and we have been holed up inside fighting a virus that has hit our house. It feels like the plague. Ok, it isn't that bad but it sure has not been fun. 

 It started last Monday (as in over a week ago) when Darby had a fever. It lasted through Friday, even on her birthday. She ended up with an ear infection and an eye infection. The poor girl still has a little pink eye but now she is as happy as she normally is. 

On Friday, Brody woke up with a fever.  He missed school and was sick all weekend.   He stayed on the couch and watched TV.  Colt & Ollie were fine and did manage to get outside to play, thankfully.  Monday Colt woke up with a fever.  I decided to take them to the doctor.  We ruled out strep throat and determined we just had a virus that could take 7 - 10 days to get rid of.  

Later that day I ended up with a low fever and a sore throat.  It only took a day to feel a little better, but it was rough.  We are on the mend and things are looking up.  Ollie still has not gotten sick and we are praying he stays healthy (but won't be surprised if he gets sick too). 

 

Our stock of medicine

(thank goodness!)

This has been the worst sickness for our family, mostly because it has taken so long to get everyone healthy and we are still not all there.   But it is always a reminder that we have so much to be thankful for, especially for how healthy we are through most of the year.  

And thank goodness my boys are usually so anxious to get outside and play.  I'm looking forward to getting back to our normal routines. 

Happy Birthday Song

Papa Bob, Grandma Shari, Aunt Jessi, Gunner & Sayler called to sing Happy Birthday to Darby. I took a video hoping she would have a great reaction to it. She just kept playing with the phone. 

Somehow she didn't hang up on them this time. 

Darby's birthday present

My friend, Jamie came over with her two girls on Darby's birthday. They also brought her a birthday present. Unfortunately Darby slept the whole time they were here. So we had the boys open her present for her. I didn't take a picture of the gift but it was an adorable little hat, complete with flowers.

Laundry helper

Another reason I don't get much done around the house. I had all the kids' clothes sorted into their bins. Darby wanted to help me reorganize. (since she has been sick I just let her do it because it made her happy).

I love litle Darby

Last Monday Darby woke up sick. We were all sad for her. Without any prompting, Brody went off by himself to make this sign for Darby. What a sweet brother! 

Bartending Class

Our friends Mike & Heather hosted a party that included a bartender who taught us how to make drinks. These are friends we play soccer with so we also had to figure out how to entertain the kids during this time.   We were able to get two of Brad's cross country runners to watch the 14 kids downstairs while we mixed drinks upstairs.   

The bartender had a heavy French accent so it was a little hard to understand but we did learn a few things. 

Muddling the cucumbers.

Brad getting ready to shake his drink.

Taking a little sample. 

The kids downstairs watching a movie.

This is Brad's 3rd drink.

This is Darby's 1st.

His fourth drink. 

We always enjoy hanging out with this group of friends.  It was also something different than what we usually do so it made it quite fun.  

Happy 1st Birthday Darby!

I think I will always remember Darby's birth as the biggest surprise of my life. I was absolutely convinced that she was going to be my 4th son. When the doctor said "It's a girl!" I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. And I'm not even sure why. 

A few seconds later she let out an ear piercing cry and I just imagined her as a teenager.  What am I going to do?   Now I don't worry about her as a teenager, I'm just absolutely enjoying every moment of this sweet little girl.  She is such a blessing to our family and such a wonderful part of my life. 

And I'm pretty sure she has this one wrapped around her little finger. 

We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Darby Joyce!

Happy 1st Birthday!

Silly Leprechaun

The boys were excited for St. Patrick's Day and I'm not sure they really knew why. Brody was dressed in his green and even helped Colt find some green clothes to wear. The boys came downstairs and discovered that a leprechaun came to visit our house. 

He walked on the toilet seat and turned the water green. 

 

He also left a box of lucky charms and some green milk. 

Mom's note to self:  Next year the Leprechaun is going to need to find WAY more things to do to this house.  The boys were a little disappointed this was all he left behind. 

Lego Turtle

I LOVE LEGOS! I just love the creativity they inspire in kids. 

Brody made this turtle with no help from anyone.  We decided to take a picture so we can send it into the Lego Club catalog (hopefully I will follow through with that). 

Brushing her hair

After bath time, Brad brushed Darby's hair and then gave her the hairbrush. She loved brushing her hair. 

Preview pictures

We are having a dedication for Darby in a few weeks and our pastor asked for a few pictures. I wanted to get a few recent ones and was inspired to get one with all 4 kids. These are a few of the ones I got. I'm not sure which one they will use during the dedication. 

Cake & Presents

The Welke's joined us for Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup. 

Then it was Cake Time. 

Ollie helped decorate the cake (with my Christmas sprinkles). 

Brad took the older boys to the store to pick out presents for Ollie.  Apparently they had a very hard time staying focused and finding something for Ollie.  They did add lots of things to their own birthday lists. 

Brody & Colt got Ollie two new cars.  

He also got a baseball mitt and a baseball.

It was a perfect day of celebrating with Ollie! 

Love this little smiley guy!