2600 miles

We are finally settling in after a journey that included 6 days of driving, 5 different hotels, 2 vehicles, 11 states(if you count the 10 miles we were in Iowa), 1 day delay due to car trouble, 1 round of mastitis, 4 adults, 5 children, and a cat! Whew!! I of course packed my camera to take pictures of all the different things we would see, only to not grab it once. Instead I documented here and there with my cell. It was handy it was easy, and that's all you get. So love it.

This is somewhere in Wyoming...

Once we got to our hotel in Nebraska we decided to walk to the Cabellas up the way. We told the kids it was like a zoo for dead animals. As we walked I got the sneaky suspicion we were being followed. Turns out I was right.

We were a little concerned that Aaron might have allergy trouble being in a new area and all. So here he is in one of his Benadryl induced naps.

The kids were so excited for our stay in Missouri because the Ramada had the Monkey cove water park! We pulled into the hotel Grandma ran into get us checked in and Yukon gave out on us. It was Saturday evening so we had to wait till Monday to have it checked out. It was great that the kids had the water park to play in, unfortunately that was the ONLY good thing about that hotel. St. Joseph Missouri is also the place where mastitis set in, I felt it coming and tried to do hotpacks, but there is only so much you can do in a car. My Dr. in Boise phoned me in some antibiotics.

The Missouri River

Royals and Chiefs Stadium in Kansas City

We stopped for Dinner at the Peace Arch in St. Louis.

Then crossed over the Mississippi River....

and on into Indianna for the night.

Next morning we did a little car hopping. I road in the Penske with Todd, Ben and the cat. Leaving the kids with Grandma and Grandpa in the Yukon. They said they only had to threaten to "tell mom and dad" once! I was glad to have a little break from the kids. It came on a good day because I had a fever. I was in and out of sleep and Unfortunately not great company. Good thing he had the cat.

I thought Kentucky was beautiful.

Here is just outside of Louisville.

Our last night was spent in Charlston West Virginia. The kids got their swimming in.

Finally home sweet home.

The End

Birthday girls

Somewhere in the middle of all this moving, my babies turned 5! I remember when they were infants thinking "if I can just make it till they turn 5..." Now I sit here trying to figure out how it all flew by so quickly.

They make me laugh, they keep me on my toes. They are perfect! Happy Birthday Claire and Paige!

Swimming

I had the girls do swimming lessons early this summer. They loved it and are swimming like little fishes. Aaron always had a great time while they swam and class was at the perfect time, so Ben always slept. They loved Miss Stacie!

At 2 months

If you have seen Ben recently you know he is well fed. Sporting a wrinkle on his wrist and four just on his thighs. He tips the scale at 14lbs 12oz(95%), and measures in at 24 1/4in(90%). He is strong, he is healthy, and he makes cellulite look good! Ben is becoming a great sleeper, bedtime between 7 or 8, and up once to eat around 3am! I am loving this.

I am also loving his smiles, his smell, his hair and his personality! What a guy. He is so easy going and doesn't mind being passed around to all his siblings, even when Aaron sticks his fingers in his eyes, mouth, and yes, even up his nose. We love our little Ben.

Being a young man of his size has earned him a few nicknames. He is loving called "The Meatball" by Uncle Scottie "My little Rollie Poly" by mom, and Grandma Anna calls him "Chubby Cheekers". He doesn't seem to mind, knowing there is just more of him to love.

5 Weeks

6 weeks

7 weeks

8 weeks

Friends Family Fireworks and Fun!

Father's Day

Dictionaries define a Father to be A) a male person whose sperm unites with an egg, resulting in the conception of a child, B) a male who adopts a child or C) a male who raises a child.

While yes, it is indeed all those things, it is also much more. It is a tough guy getting choked up holding that brand new baby. A grown man

talking silly just to get a

smile. It's watching a man playing with his child become a boy again. It's Kissing scrapes and bruises, piggy back rides and strong arms, encouragement when your feeling down. It's unconditional love, and so much more.

There is nothing that brings me more joy than watching my husband as a Father. It was a special Father's day this year. Here's to you baby!!

And For the man who brought me into this world

The man who raised me

And the man who treats me like I'm one of his own

You have all had a hand in the woman I have become. Happy Father's Day!