pictures almost forgotten about

I'm working on a project/present for my parents' anniversary. They celebrated in December, but I had a one-month old baby at the time and didn't have the gusto.. so they will get their gift 4 months late. (and they will love me just the same.)

Along with the project, I've been organizing the thousands of pictures on my computer. I am AMAZED at the amount of pictures/stories that have yet to be blogged about. How is this possible? I thought I was keeping up pretty well. Obviously, only the most important made the cut. Anyway, I have over a hundred pictures in a folder that are worthy of our end of the year blog book, but were almost forgotten about. Because I don't have a camera, now is probably a great time to post them. This is round one-- all of the pictures are random, in no particular order. I wish I had the time to tell the stories behind the pictures-- but at least I will have them documented.

The kids making their own bread on a field trip to Great Harvest..

At our favorite park in Blue Diamon. Dad came with us on a Tuesday afternoon!


We often see burros in this part of town, but not usually this many together. We LOVE where we live.. My cheapo camera didn't capture the beauty in the background.


I can't tell you how many times Simon fell asleep in the pink bumbo.


Aaron and Elijah-- one of Aaron's fave mission companions. They came to stay at our house the weekend of Simon's blessing. We LOVE the Garmons and had a great visit! Can't wait to visit them in San Fransisco!

Their offspring.. like fathers like sons.

Don't like this picture of me.. at all. But I love the beautiful girl sitting next to me. Melita doesn't know it, but I believe our late night conversations (3 am) were the beginning of my crawl out of postpartum depression. This picture was taken my lowest point.. mid January. Not everyone knows what it's like to have four kids and be married to an attorney. Melita does, and her words helped me so much. She is such a dear friend and I am SO glad her husband served with mine 12 years ago in Spain. When they left, my house was spotless and my life was on the mend.


Love this picture of my boys. It's so them. Ben is usually taking charge while I push the stroller. This was at the new City Center downtown. Fun Saturday afternoon with the Vickers.



Iron Man on his 4th birthday. He took off his mask only to blow out the candles :) Luke asked him what he wished for and without hesitation he proudly announced, "I want another baby brother!" Everyone laughed except for me.


We blessed Simon on Zack's birthday. It was special. These are just a few pictures to remember that day:


My aunts made it down for the special day!



Daddy has always been able to get Simon to laugh.


One windy afternoon, I headed to Blue Diamond library and park with three extra kids and one extra dog. Pepsi only wanted to sit on top of Simon-- and Simon loved it. Still have to upload the video... and this experience has taught me that I need to adopt a puppy for an afternoon more often.


Sebastian walking around the duck pond. Oh boy, he's a cutie!

Ben and Luke were so cute helping him walk everywhere.


Coloring Easter Eggs



This explains Zack's personality perfectly.


Ben a bit tired on a road trip.


These make me laugh. Zack is a good big brother when he wants to be.

I wonder where Zack gets his silly personality.

This is at the duck pond-- the day we were scolded by the Duck Whisperer.

The picture shows how emotionally damaged everyone was after the experience.

Simon watching everyone pull weeds in our front "yard".
He's just saying "Hi, y'all!"