August in Pictures

AUGUST was AWESOME! We traveled and played and made lots of memories, per usual.

Family Pictures:

Another summer concert with my kiddos and some friends.

This was back when Gwendolyn wasn't sleeping well (thank you Jesus that's over) and she feel asleep with me and Conrad. Love this pic!

I was getting ready and peeked in from the bathroom to our room to find them like this...

Conrad got a bit upset shortly after that, so we moved on to plan B: the Bumbo seat. I have this getting all three of us ready in the morning business down pat. 

We started the month with a fabulous family vacation up north at our favorite place - Hidden Haven. I hope to get those pics wrapped up nicely in a little video for ya'll to see soon. Until then...below are a few of my absolute favorites.

I will say that preparing for vacation will bring a mom to.her.knees. It's not for the faint of heart. It's a lot of work and preparation and let's just say I didn't start early this year like I normally would. This is what Gwendolyn's room looked like only hours before take off. Lord help me. And He did!

As Gwendolyn says, I love these kids so much it huts ("hurts")! 

Some of my favorite moments....

A sissy reading to her baby brother.

May need this one on canvas...

If only you all had been there with us to have witnessed Gwendolyn and cousin Nathan. Along with Wyatt, we call them the triplets because they were all born within two months of each other. Nathan, being the youngest of the triplets, just kind of followed Gwendolyn around all week and did whatever she did. It was adorable. Here they are chasing after a dog and having the time of their lives. 

Another example would be when Gwendolyn accidentally walked into a tree because she wasn't paying attention. (It was a gentle collision.) Nathan...knowing exactly what he was doing...walked into the tree on purpose because he had seen Gwendolyn do the same thing. Squish! They had their occasional "miiiine!" moments but had us laughing all week.

One more of all the grand kids...I love these pictures!

Noah: 12

Hayden: 8

Jacob: 5

Weston: 4

Gwendolyn: 2

Wyatt: 2

Nathan: 2

Conrad: 3 months

Celebrating Erin's 29th birthday!

They're all mine. Sometimes it still boggles my mind!

We sometimes go to story time at the Cottage Grove library with our friends and are almost always the last to leave because we're busy chatting and playing. Here's Emily reading to Gwendolyn, Colby and Gavin - a rare moment when they aren't playing tag!

Miss Hailey - born in March.

Joshua - one week younger than Conrad.

And Conrad Cross!

It was a majorly hot day so we made our way to the splash park afterwards to cool off. I didn't really know what she'd think so I didn't bother putting her swim diaper and swimsuit on. 

Well, she loved it and got soaked. Now I know!

Biggest slip-n-slide ever for Rosa's 30th birthday!

(Notice Gwendolyn watching from a safe distance in the bottom right corner *smile)

Not posed. Just all them and their natural personalities.

Pics of Gwendolyn:

Shhhh...she's sleeping you guys...

What?! Papa got ME a doctor's kit?!

Hanging with Grandma and Jacob.

First nap in her big girl bed...took a while for her to fall asleep but eventually she did.

Just amazing.

(That's her "yeah" face. Kills me. Every.single.time.)

Pictures of one of her first nap times in her big girl bed - jumping up and down and then getting out. Thankfully it only improved. Phew.

After church and one of Conrad's bi-weekly pics...

You guys...this is August 2012 compared to August 2013.

Un.bee.leave.able.

A baby and now a little girl!

Pics of Conrad: 

Still sleepin' in his Rock-n-Play!

We attended a beautiful wedding on a riverboat. It was the perfect night to celebrate!

Muscle man...

While we were celebrating with friends, Gwendolyn was having her first sleep over at TrishyJohn's house.

Happy Meal.

Movies.

Treats.

Sleeping with TrishyJohn.

Does it get any better than that?!

Being so cute and patient while mommy got an oil change.

Upon returning from vacation, we decided to give the crib a try so this was his first time in it. (Don't mind the pink swaddle.)

It was also his last. It didn't go well. I compromised and we officially moved him to his room, but he's still sleeping in the Pack-n-Play. I get much better sleep not holding him all night!

There's one thing I'm really not good at and that's putting down a sleeping baby...

You just can't help but do this to his cheeks!

He smiles with his entire body. 

He's always lighting up the room...

I have about 2913 things on my to do list. And it keeps growing. But I'm trying to remember what is most important in life, and just taking one day at a time. 

For now "August in Pictures" can be crossed off the list! Just in time to get to work on "September in Pictures"! Ha. Ohhhhh shoot.

We are so blessed.