fire!!

baby boy, watching football.  starting him young.  

fire dept day.  chris is behind e (in red), holding on to the rims.  best i could get with him.

trying to do handstands with his buddy, e.

my kids and me.  only time i saw chris smile that whole day...  he was super shy/not excited.  

a family walk the other night.  with a gorgeous view of the ocean.

running them before bed.

she finally lost a tooth!!!  

his smile.  and his "swun-glasses".  

eating his "home-us".  (pronounced with a real "greek" accent on the "home" part)

love watching this boy!

we are still falling in to a nice routine.  it seems that if i am really balanced in a few areas, something is lacking.  if the house is cleaned, dinner is made, dishes are done, and i am sewing a bit, then laundry is filling the house.  or laundry might be done, but i don't get to sew.  i am trying to find the balance, and so often, i also find that there are just not enough hours in the day!

i am also trying hard to cut down on my "screen" time.  less email, Facebook, pinterest.  trying to be better about that.  

we had a beautiful indian summer weekend.  we took the kids and dog to the beach and it was just lovely!  

a farm and a sew

nora really wanted to learn how to sew.  or more appropriately, teach herself to sew.  and she was frustrated when it didn't turn out.  i was so proud!  (and promised a REAL lesson.)  but, i loved watching her enthusiasm!  and willingness to try!

apple picking.  his FAVORITE food.  well, besides cheesy triangles (quesadillas).

inspecting.

is this okay?

eating their pickings.

my silly geese.

her new shoes!  sparkly sperrys.  such a new englander!

checking out the indian corn and flowers at the farm!

crazies.

photo bombed by p.

cuties!

we had a blast for about five minutes at our favorite farm last weekend.  i signed us up for apple picking and a farm tour.  should have left the kids at home for the tour.  i loved what i heard of it, but they were a little bored.  i think i got most of the meat of the tour, however!  

fun living...

new boots for fall! 

riding the dinosaur!

snuggles with me. 

until he fell asleep.  cause he's the fourth.  and i can!

broccoli.  i gave him this (cooked) piece after he finished his other food.  

it was fun to watch him with it!

moving on up.  the swing!

a note nora got from a friend about james.  awesome.

family movie night!

b wasn't super interested in the movie!

c loved to snuggle.  

and these guys...

snuggles!

i can't believe how fast this month has gone.  the days feel like they are flying.  it's so much fun!!!!

a LOT of the children's museum...

my girl and me.  and a photo bomb.  

nora braided my hair and then wanted to take a pic.  i was so proud!

this cheese.  i just love it.  

not sure who was having the most fun at the children's museum.  (see the two littles in the background, too!)

love watching them play.

and this one.  could have stayed here for hours!!!

rolling balls...

before her brothers got to it!

trying to squeeze his face!

more playing.

his picture.

my selfie with the sleeping baby!

a family portrait!!

future?

or this one?

maybe this one?

she really liked to serve...  

another potential career?

and this one...

showing promise!

crowding in to write...

my better half.

he  made a time machine.

he wanted to go back to when daddy was little so he could play with him.

i am treasuring these moments.  i know they are fleeting (even when they seem so long).  i want my children to know how loved and cherished they are.  that there is not much more important than them.  

i also am amazing at how MUCH laundry we make.  oh my goodness...  it's just catching up to me that we are a BIG family.  i love it.  but the work is never ending (please don't read this as complaining.  at least complaining too much... ).  it is making me be much more intentional about things!!!