The Big "Littles"

Yesterday I shared a photo of my family...all fifteen of us!  

We took it about two weeks before Kevin and his family moved to Texas.  

This week I'll be sharing some other photos we took the same day.  

All I can say is "what a bunch we are"!!

The Big "Littles"!  I LOVE photos of these three together. 

Cousins and the best buddies.  Close in age and closer in friendship.

Elijah was born in January of 2008, Charlotte in May of 2008, 

and Penelope in March of 2009.  

I wondered when grandchildren would come, and then to have three 

within 14 months was amazing!

I'm going to make it a priority to ask them to pose together every opportunity 

we have.  And I know they're going to want to do it...look how happy they are 

to be together!!  It'll be a little difficult now...but I can hope!

All the Littles

My daughter-in-law took the photos of Penelope's recent birthday celebration....I already shared several of them HERE.  Here are some photos she took of all the littles.

Elijah is very serious about this mustache!

Penelope and Charlotte are not being serious at all.

Caleb wasn't happy about something...very unusual for him.

Sweet Lulu.

Love those pearly whites Fletcher!

Two of these cuties are going to be moving to another state soon.
I'm one sad Gramma.
(and that's no April Fools' joke!)

Thanks for the photos Jacqi!

The littlest "Littles"

Caleb ~ Lulu ~ Fletcher

Three...three years old and younger.

At least for a few more months.

They're so focused...intent on whatever it is they're doing.

Sometimes they hold still.

Sometimes they look at me.

Sometimes they smile.

Every now and then they do all three.

Hold still.

Look at Gramma.

Smile.

Thanks Fletcher!

Such sweeties!

Each one!!

Christmas is a Promise

Bill and I buy the "littles" Christmas sleepwear each year...we give them the pjs and nightgowns on Thanksgiving so they have plenty of pre-Christmas time to wear them.  It's also a good day to try and get a photo of them all together...looking festive! 

It's a good thing that I'm not really attached to formal, posed photos. That seldom turns out well around here....click HERE to see what I mean!  

They were all tired, the light was all wrong, and, as usual, I had too many helpers (all over the room) saying "Here, look here!"

But I love these photos....I love the promise they hold.  My family's future. The promise of things to come!  

The three biggest "littles" are already sensing what's to come later this month.  They've thought about their Christmas wishes and wants...a lot!  Their warm, cozy, red & green outfits remind them...'tis the season!

They also understand the "real reason for the season"....I so look forward to the day 

that they really understand just how wonderful the promise of Christmas is!  

The promise...the certain Hope...of Him to come!

"Christmas Encouragement" Summary Sentence, Day 3:

"Christmas is a promise!"

Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,

Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh...Romans 1:2-3

Ain't Life Grand!

I borrowed some photos from the Instagram feeds of Katie, Joe, and Johanna; and from Jacqi's Facebook page.  I love visiting them...it's the best place to see some really adorable kids!

Lots of fun for the "littles" the past couple weeks!

Charlotte on her first day of 1st grade...showing off her toothy grin!

Caleb visited the State Fair on Sunday....here he is cruising in a banana!

Elijah went to the fair too!  Look at all the stuffed animals he won!

Lulu knows the importance of exercise....she loves her giraffe cycle!

Fletcher loves beets, Penelope loves the Tire park, and yes, they definitely
look like brother and sister!

I am so grateful to have these sweet children in my life!

Busy Weekend

I love it when I have a productive weekend.  Saturday, Bill and I spent the day hanging some new wall art and otherwise adding some color to our living room.

. 

The sunflower painting is a new purchase form Hobby Lobby. I've really been craving some bright colors in this room...this bright area satisfies that craving!

We've had these old window frames hanging above the couch for many years.  On Saturday Bill wired these vintage paint by numbers pieces to them.  I am SO HAPPY with how this looks!

I spent some more time working on the playroom for the littles.  I'm hoping to get it finished this week. The rug is from Ikea...the littles have seen it and they LOVE it!  This is going to be such a bright and happy space! I'm hoping to share photos of all of it soon!

On Sunday, we spent the afternoon and evening working on Katie's laundry room.  When we left, it was a bright and happy space too!

Now it's back to my 9 to 5 job....good thing, 'cause I need a little bit of rest!!  : )

Photo Shoot

 

Last Sunday we decided to do a little photo shoot in my front yard.  When there are six "littles", who are six years old and under getting one really good shot might seem like quite a challenge.  But I guess that depends on the definition of a good shot!  I love how these photos capture the memories of the moment!!

Not one photo has everyone perfectly posed...but each one is pretty perfect!

 

The boys were in a much more cooperative mood than the girls were.  

 

Each of the three big "littles" wanted to sit with a cousin...not their brother or sister...in these shots.

 

  

Then I talked them into sibling shots.

These are my favorite group shots.  I am so very blessed to have these dear little ones nearby.  It's such a treat to spend regular time with them!!

 

 

This little guy is the reason this photo shoot happened.  His mommy and daddy wanted some photos of him to give to some therapists he won't be working with any longer.  I think he knew that some of the photos taken would be given to special people.  He cooperated the best of all!

LOVE this photo of him!

 

 

Instagram Dump

It was a very full weekend.

Here's a look at my Instagram phone photos from the last couple days. They're a bit blurry...but it will give an idea of what my weekend was filled with.

Hope you had a Happy 4th of July weekend!

Community fireworks scheduled for July 3rd were cancelled.

I spent the 4th working on the new playroom for the "littles".

Lulu celebrated with a flag and Cheerios at Gramma's house!

The community fireworks were re-scheduled for July 5th.
I asked them where the Fireworks would be....they could be anywhere!

Sunday was a perfect day for swimming.

It was perfect for jumping in too!

Sunday was also a great day for a photo shoot.



Caleb is such a happy boy!

Getting 6 of them ready is quite a process!

We add them in one at a time....

...and then hope for the best.

Mr. Man...Fletcher.  AKA "the drool monster".

Uncle Joe bought some fireworks to entertain us with.

Waiting for the show....

...and painting toe nails!

Sunday evening ended with a blast!



 Now it's Monday....I needed to get back to work so I could rest up from my holiday weekend!!  : )