Pictures do not do justice to the density and roundness and rolls on the appendages of my most adorable little niece, who looks like a china doll and has an extremely laid back, relaxed disposition.  I could not get enough of her!  It was such turmoil to decide if I…

Above are my Great Auntie Carol and Great Auntie Bean, both were close by as I was growing up, and they are kind of like an extra set of grandmas to me.  Auntie Bean was also my first and second grade teacher, which is kind of special. Cousin Lisa arrives…

  It may have been a short, quick trip, but everywhere we went we made the most of pretty much every moment, and Saturday at my family’s farm was no exception.  There was food to be devoured, tickling to be done, catch to be played on the lawn, and snuggles…

It COULD be that the eldest sister started giving everyone directions about where to place their heavily endowed chests in order to fit around Grandma’s wheelchair that set off this ruckus.  But then again, I’d never write about that on the internet. Side note:  when I think of my aunts…

These two happen to be quite the pair of cousins, buddies who I am certain are going to do a lot of plotting and planning and executing whenever they are together in the future.  There’s always a large degree of freedom on the farm, and these two took advantage of…

Despite a shaky start, when one kidlet woke up and promptly vomited just an hour before we were set to leave for our quick weekend trip to North Dakota, the journey went well. I’m so grateful for that miracle anti-vomiting medicine my husband keeps around and administers in emergency situations.…

I love the way ferns so elegantly uncurl themselves in the spring.  After several cool, dark, wet weeks, suddenly we’ve had a string of warm days and sunshine, and the plants are exploding from bud to bloom and leaves are sprouting all over the place.  We’ve pulled out the sunscreen…

The reoccurring theme song of this Mother’s Day was:  Happy Mother’s Day to You!  You live in a Zoo!  Throughout the day it was boisterously sung by all the kidlets to the tune of “Happy Birthday,” and let me tell you, I really did feel like I was living in…

Out of the blue I had a random knock at the door this week, and it was the florist from around the corner with a beautiful bouquet of mixed flowers.  I’ve been admiring the outside of that floral shop for months every time I drive past it, and these flowers…

Mr. Trouble on Feet is our most cautious child yet.  He doesn’t climb out of the pack and play.  He doesn’t climb on furniture.  He backs up way, way, way before the stairs actually start and crawls down backwards in a very careful manner.  It took him a LONG time…