The kids loving the dog.

Will was walking by the stairs and saw Liam and Maeby snuggling with Rincon.

Spencer wanting in on the attention.

Babysitting the chickens!

Melanie had been asked to baby-sit my friend’s chickens while they were out of town. One time I went over to check on her, because she had been gone forever, and I caught her sitting on the swing with two chickens feeding them. I ran back home to get my camera and here are some of the pictures. I think it was one of the best weeks of her life.

Conference Weekend!

Michael and Anna came to visit us one last time before we move to Australia. We had a great time hanging out and taking care of eight kids. The next time we see each other, we will have no kids in diapers, yeah! We took the kids to the park and the Children’s Discovery Museum. I am surprised to say that we were able to hear most of the conference talks with all the kids and with the help of my good friend, duck tape (just kidding).

Maeby loves doing this trick at the park and on the kitchen counters.

If we can't get Markus to do what we want, then all we have to say is "Don't you do that Markus!" This is how we got this cute smile out of him.

Emily on top of the slide.

Miriam and Emily hanging upside down.

Liam and Miriam climbing at the park.

Maeby and Zachary peeking through the slide.

Children’s Discovery Museum

Melanie and Maeby running down the trail.

Stepping on a rake doesn't just happen in cartoons!

Look at my beautiful fall colors, tis the season. I was working dillignetly in the yard trying to get it ready for winter, when all of the sudden, out of the blue...or green in this case, a bright orange handled rake jumped up and cracked me in the eye. After I realized what happened, and the stars and chirping birdies stopped spinning around my head, I began laughing hysterically. That abruptly stopped when my vision turned to red and I saw blood pouring down from above my left eye. I was at home with 5 children (my 4 and one of their friends), Willy was at work and unavailable. None of the neighbors were home to help watch the kids so I could go get checked out. After an hour of calling around, I was able to take the girls to Mel's friends and the boys to Liam's friends. Willy later met me at the urgent care, somewhat reminiscent of our early dating days when we spend the night in the ER after I got a penny shot into my eye by our dear friend Nameless. It was a nice date, and if the stitches are crooked, its because Willy kept making the Dr. laugh with his...well, jokes, if you can call them that. At least I still have an eyebrow!