Our second celebration started in the wee hours of the morning with the kids running down the stairs to check out the treasures Santa left. I tried to convince Sam that 5:30 was WAY too early but neither he or Rock were having it so down we went to get the party started. Jo was the only one who took my advice and slept a little later(of course the only morning she's not the first one up)! Sam scored a Sounders jersey from Grandma and Papa. Sounders gear was quite a theme this year...more to come in part 3.
Maggie in her new soccer shirt. She looks so old to me in this picture. Quit changing so fast Lu!
Josie was more than thrilled with her new toothbrush and toothpaste. If this was all she got she would have been perfectly happy! The girl is all about good dental hygiene.
Millie with her new baby "Molly." Not the cutest picture of the girls but it cracks me up for some reason. They were taking in a little "Max and Ruby" while waiting for round two of the morning celebration.
And Mr. O! Is that the sweetest face or what? He was so much fun...taking in all the Christmas chaos and rolling with it! Even adding in lots of his own squeaky commentary. He makes the cutest noices I've ever heard. Even when he's ticked off I can't help but giggle at the cuteness!Giving thanks for this sweet little bean. Last Christmas we were praying for a new baby to join the family. Little did we know just a week later we'd get the best new year's gift with the announcement of his impending arrival. Owen you were the perfect addition to our Christmas morning tradition!

So instead of one REALLY long post I decided to break the Christmas post into three parts. We really had three different celebrations so it's fitting to do it this way. Our first party was back at the beginning of December with Rocky's sisters and their families. The Wood family had made plans to spend the holiday in Hawaii so we celebrated a little early. It was so nice to all be together and the time went by too fast. The kiddos played so great and ate up their time together. It warms my heart to see Maggie and Bij play and Coco and Millie just naturally fall into their own agenda...sometimes following the "big girls" but most of the time doing their own thing which often includes chasing the "big boys" around! It will be so fun next year to watch Jo and Atti trying to keep up with all of the above! And of course Madi is such a sweetie moving seamlessly back and forth between the kiddos and the adults. So hard to believe that next year at this time she'll be home from college. I'm sad that we hardly got any pictures from the day. Rock did get some good video but we're sorely lacking in the picture department.
I had to share these sweet pictures of Atti and Jo. Atti was such a good sport to take all the lovin' Jo was pushing on him! Get used to it buddy...you have a lot of ladies that will be wanting to mother and smother you!
I am so thankful for our families and know that I have been so richly blessed by the family I gained when I married Rock. We both are eternally grateful for the gift of our families and the love and support that they give. Stay tuned for Part 2 of the celebrating!

We've been busy, busy and sick and more sick. The tummy bug hit our house about two weeks ago and and has made the rounds...and then made them again. Maggie and Jo had the worst of it. Hopefully that was it and we can stay healthy for the rest of the winter...haha! Despite all the tummy trouble we managed to get to a couple Christmas programs and parties. The first was Amelia's preschool party and performance. Above is Mils and her great buddy Jaxson. These two are sweet friends and Jaxson is never short on hugs for Millie.
Ringing the bells to the sing along. I wish you could see Jo in the background. She climbed right up on stage with the rest of the kids and tried her best to follow along with all the movements and singing.
Millie and Jo trying to get herself some frosting at the cookie decorating table.
Our little Christmas program at church was this past Sunday. Sam wasn't feeling great that morning so I just took the two big girls. It was Millie's first year singing in the kid's choir and she loved being a little sheep. I think by the second performance her costume was driving her nuts though.

Millie had her first ballet recital Monday night. It was so entertaining and such fun to see her be the one in the spotlight for once. She's spent so much of her life being a spectator at her sibling's activities that she was just eating up finally be the one to watch! This is her with her best buddies from ballet and preschool. Group photo time! Their actual dance lasted about two and a half minutes but they were on the stage for about twenty minutes for posed pictures. Maggie has a great picture of her with her bouquet but I'll let her post that on her blog.
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So the month of December is already zipping by. We've already enjoyed lots of fun traditions and even celebrated an early Christmas with the Wood and Zehm families(another post for another day). We ventured out for our Santa visit and pictures last week. I went with very low expectations of capturing a picture with all four kids in the shot. After all, Jo is not so sure about strange people...especially one dressed in a red velvet suit and an extremely hairy face. She completely surprised us though and made it through without even a whimper. Not sure if she was really digging Santa or if she was just stunned and still half asleep since we had just woken her from a nap in the car. Requests were made to Santa..some a bit more realistic than others. Sam has one thing on his list...a unicycle! Yes, I know, broken arm written all over that one! Maggie would like an ipod Nano and a PSP(get real girl) and Millie had one sweet request for a jewelry box that plays music and has a ballerina when you open it up. Pretty sure Santa can fill that order!

I'm trying very hard to slow down a bit and REALLY enjoy the reason for the season. It sounds so cliche but I want so badly to soak in the incredible gift that this holiday resembles. A gift that we don't deserve but a gift that God so graciously gave us. At times it's hard to let go of all the hoopla and traditions but hopefully we can adjust the traditions and festivities to reflect our joy and celebration for our King.

But the angel said to them,"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." Luke 2:10

We had a really nice Thanksgiving and enjoyed spending time with family and stuffing ourselves sick! My cousin Steve and his wife Denise hosted the huge crew this year and they did such a great job and were the most gracious of hosts! Thank you for taking on all the family....11 kids, 10 and under is no easy feat!

The kids had five half days before the actual Thanksgiving break began so it felt a little strange dropping them off for a whole day of school this morning. Millie was in tears as we pulled away..."I miss Maggie and Sammy." We had a great little break that included some tree hunting, a date night for Rock and I and a very early morning outside Sears waiting to get the hot deal on a washer and dryer! Thank you boys! You sure love me:) We've started on the Christmas decorating so hopefully I'll get to that post soon!

We have so much to give thanks for...our health, our sweet, funny monkeys, our incredible families, a warm home and food on the table. But what I am most thankful for is a Father in heaven that loves little ol' messy me with all my weaknesses and flaws. A Father that grieves when I run the other way and a Father that rejoices when I return. I am thankful for His grace and mercy and I am thankful that he can take the least of us, pick us up, brush us off and use us for His purpose. Today I give thanks for so much and wish many blessings to all of you! Happy Thanksgiving!

to post and I should be in bed sleeping! I've been working like crazy to get ready for the Festival of Crafts this weekend. I'll post some pictures on the polka dot barn blog after the weekend. For now I just wanted to share a sweet shot of Jo from a couple weeks ago. She is keeping us on our toes these days!

Today I'm giving thanks for....
1. My Jo's chubby, kissable cheeks and her baby breath.
2. My head and jaw have been so much better lately...huge praise!
3. Bible study and the amazing women I get so spend my Friday mornings with.
4. Our family never has to worry about clean drinking water (more to come on this subject).
5. Two great teacher conferences tonight...we have ourselves a couple of smart cookies. Keep up the good work Sam and Lu!
Happy Friday!

Never a dull moment with this one! I had to share a conversation we had last night that went a little something like this...
Millie: Mom, lets play petend (pretend)
Me: Okay Mils, what do you want to play?
Millie: I'm going to be a princess, JoJo is going to be a princess and Maggie is going to be the queen.
Me: Who am I going to be?
Millie: You're going to be the dragon!
Me: The dragon? Why do I have to be the dragon?
Millie: Because you have dragon breath!
Me: Oh geez, thanks Mils!
Thought that might be worth a chuckle:)

A sweet shot of Millie and Owen snuggling up on the couch. Everytime I look at this picture I swear he looks like a doll...perfect little head and features. He has already changed so much since this picture was taken just a couple weeks ago. We sure love this little man!
Today I am thankful for...
1. Lisa for taking our big kids overnight. Just having two at home seems like a date:) Rock and I were even able to watch a complete movie! Yeah!
2. My sweet little nephews Owen and Atticus! We love your snuggles!
3. Pumpkin Spice creamer:)
4. the sun that's peeking out today.
5. Most of all today I am thankful for those that have sacrificed so much for my freedom. Please let us never forget.

For obvious reasons I can't get enough of these cheeks! I just want to kiss them all day! Jo is developing such a funny little personality and cracks us all up! I especially love our sweet alone moments when the rest of the kids are at school. So fun for her to get some undivided mom time, as short as it may be.
I also wanted to take some time to share a few things I'm thankful for today.
1. The beautiful fall we have in the northwest. I don't think I could ever tire of the amazing colors and smell that's in the air this time of year. We have been so fortunate to have an abundance of sunny days as an added bonus.
2. My kids have all managed to stay healthy! Thank you Lord!
3. Taco salad...it's easy and the whole family loves it! Seems like such a small thing but a meal that everyone enjoys and only takes 10 minutes to prepare is truly something to be thankful for!
4. Our associate pastor and his family that will be moving to Germany in a week. So thankful for the time we had to know them and pray for many blessings on them as they follow God's lead.
5. For God's grace...enough said.

It was Sam's turn for a little change. During his physical in June his doctor recommended we take him to have his vision checked. I finally got him there in October (only 4 months later) and sure enough...he needs glasses. We went the next day and picked out frames and waited for the glasses to arrive. He's doing a great job caring for them and seems to be wearing them as often as needed. One of his friends was over last week so I asked him if Sam actually keeps his glasses on at school and he said "yep, all day except recess." So glad he's using them and they're doing more than just making him look so grown up...and quite handsome too!
And while I'm on the subject of Sam, I just want to take this opportunity to say how proud I am to be his mom. For so many reasons...he's a fantastic big brother, a total bookworm that devours books by the dozens, he's working so hard at school and not just on academics but at making good choices with his attitude and behavior. He has worked incredibly hard this football season that started long ago in July and has not ONCE complained about ANYTHING! Sure, he would love to get in the game and play more but he's never voiced that as a complaint but merely a strong desire. What I love most about Sam is his heart. He has a big heart that has the capacity to hurt along with others and that is not something I ever want to take for granted or pass up the chance to say how much I love the way he loves! I love you to pieces Sammy and thank God for you everyday!

A little belated Halloween post to preserve the memories! We had a fun Halloween week that included three parties, trick or treating with great friends and LOADS of sugar! We even had a bonus visit from Auntie Shelly and kids and Auntie Stacy and kids on Friday.

As with every year the kids were deciding on costumes right up until the day. At one point Sam was going to dress as a cheerleader to compliment Maggie in her football garb. At the last minute he changed his mind and went with the "nerd" attire which was continually mistaken for Harry Potter. Millie went back and forth between Little Bo Peep and Snow White. As you can see the princess won out in the end. And of course the frog... and a feisty frog she was! Lil miss J has become one very independent girl and wanted to do all the trick or treating on her own. Rock and I were sweating by the end trying to keep her contained. Of course she crashed after two minutes in the car. The two big kiddos had the chance to stay out a little longer and tag along with some family friends. They had a blast and came home literally bouncing off the walls. Maggie claimed she at 28 pieces of candy....clearly she was NOT exaggerating! Fun times...thanks Eilertsons for taking our kids! They loved every minute of it!

there's nothing better than sisters playing together!

To truly appreciate this statement you must understand that prior to September I WAS NOT a soccer fan....my apologies to all the die hards out there but I just didn't care for the sport. We have been very encouraging with all sports and extracurricular activities the kids wanted to try...all but soccer. I've just never been a big fan. I had no desire to stand out in the rain in the mud to watch a game that may end in a tie. So when Maggie brought home the flyer last spring and announced "I'm going to play next year" I did everything but tell her "no." I tried to sway her with the nasty weather conditions, told her she may not have any friends on her team, even offered up gymnastics as an alternative. But nope, her mind was set and that was that. Fast forward half way through her soccer season and I have a new favorite sport. I'm having so much fun watching her and her teammates. We have been so blessed with amazing coaches and super sweet girls on her team....not to mention they're REALLY good. Lu has blown me away with her aggressiveness and willingness to try any position. She's such a fast little runner and best of all she's having.so.much.fun! And so am I....now if I could just keep Miss J off the field I could enjoy the games even more!


PS this is what she looks like most days for school. My little princess has turned into a full blown Tomboy!

Here's a shot of Maggie Lu before we left for the orthodontist yesterday.
And here's the after...she looks so old! She chose Kelly green bands to match her soccer jersey...love it!

Before the summer officially comes to an end I thought I'd better do a little summer re-cap blog. I will warn you this is long and full of pictures so either grab your cup of coffee and sit back or feel free to check out now. Our summer started as it always does with a birthday celebration for Sam. His birthday fell on the last day of school so it was a great way to bring in the summer. We skipped the big family shindig and instead Sammy invited a couple friends over for dinner and cake followed by a Rainiers game. He loved it and I'm still trying to come to grips with that fact that I'm a mom to a double digit!
Our next fun event was a surprise birthday party for my cousin Stacy. The party was at Auntie Frankie and Bob's house right on the water. The kids had so much fun playing in the water and sand. The hightlight of our time there was catching these little tiny crabs. They had a bucket full by the end of the evening.
Grandma and her little girls.

We caught the ferry on the way home and enjoyed some good cousin time!
We were so lucky to start our summer off with an extended visit from Ali and the kids. They came down to spend the week at mom and dads and we got to spend time with them everyday. It was truly like a mini vacation. The kids practically lived in the pool and only took breaks to jump on the trampoline and ride scooters. We made a trip to the library, coffee breaks at Starbucks, a walk around the Lake and of course a campfire and smores. I have to admit I was pretty blue when they went home. I got awful used to having them so close. Dear Navid, please convince your parents to move closer! Love, Auntie
Jo and Lua soaking up the sun!


Diving in!
The kids had a very short career on the summer track team. We made it to one meet and even though they had a great time it just didn't seem to fit into the summer schedule. So we have a few pictures and a couple ribbons to prove that indeed they were tracksters for a short while.
Mille and her competition!
We celebrated this little sweetie turning one!
At the King County Fair

A trip to the zoo

Josie loved the sea life!

Then we celebrated a few more birthdays! Liv and Navid turned 8 and Auntie Ali had a birthday too!
The water olympics were a blast and perfect for the heat wave we were experiencing!

This little girl started climbing...on everything!
We even tried to do a little schoolwork-you can see how thrilled they are! Pretty safe to say that homeschooling will never be an option at our house!
A hike around Deep Lake and lots of rock throwing. That's Jo peeking out behind the tree!
The highlight of our summer happened on August 29th when this sweet babe was born! Another summer birthday to celebrate...yeah! And we're so happy to have another boy in the family!
We made one last trip over to Grandma and Papa's before the crazy fall schedule is in full swing. Jo getting some love from Papa.
Our annual Labor day barbecue at Grandma and Papa Dacey's. Such a great way to wrap up the summer.
Navid is so smitten with his new cousin Owen.
Some quality cousin time, chilling on top of the dog house!

So long summer, we will miss you! You were so good to us this year with lots of warm, sunny days! So many special memories and milestones. We look forward to seeing you again next year but for now we are going to embrace the coming fall and all the joys this season brings!