No doubt he's loved.

I get asked quite frequently... how are the older boys adjusting to the new baby? And I can honestly report that they are still thrilled to pieces with him. Each morning, they greet him with a majorally enthusiastic, "Baby Quinn!", and practically smother him with attention. (I'll admit, I can't leave him unsupervised with them for long, being afraid of just how they will try to 'comfort' him, or 'play with' him.)
I have not even yet seen one glimpse of animosity or resentment, even when they have to wait to have their needs met because of his.

Thought these pictures communicated well their love for him. I often find Quinn surrounded with somebody's "lovey", which they don't share with just anyone.

My Knight in Shining Armor

We celebrated Aidan's birthday with a party last Saturday; a much anticipated knight- themed party. He had a blast, of course, as did his brothers.





















































Sir Hugs-a-Lot




















Ethan, Aidan, Caleb, and Kellan





















Kellan, after he rescued the princess during a jousting/horse riding relay.






















The Dragon Cake



















Our big 4-year-old.

>

Happy 4th Birthday Aidan!

We love you!

more Quinn

Couldn't wait. Had to share these pics of our cutie.

Teaser

I know a post about Quinn is long overdue... but even finding a few spare minutes lately seems next to impossible. So here is, at least, a preview of some pictures.

God working in the heart of a little boy.

We recently celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and like all good little kindergarten classrooms, the boys and girls in Caleb's class learned a bit about the peace-making dreams of this great man. One project they did was to draw and write about their own 'dream'. While I was volunteering last week, I noticed these up on the bulletin board in the school hallway, and I stopped to ponder over Caleb's. I honestly couldn't quite figure out what it was. I just didn't get the picture, and couldn't quite decipher the words.

A few days ago he brought it home in his backpack, so I was able to ask him about it. He couldn't quite read his own writing or remember his exact words, but he expressed that his dream was for everyone to have a family. Then I realized what it said, "My dream... is that there would be no orphans." (or orfuns, as he thought it should be spelled) The picture is of a family coming to pick up a little child who is all alone.

Okay, so of course I started crying as I hugged and affirmed him. Wow.

We've talked a little with him about orphans, and our desire to adopt, but it is definitely God in him taking this more to the forefront of his heart.

Christmas Eve Pictures

Okay, I just might attempt to try catching up on blogging from some of the events of these last 6 weeks... I am starting to come out of the fog, but am also still adjusting to even less sleep than usual, and dealing with 4 little boys cooped up inside during the intense winter weather we've been having. Sigh.

Anyways, here are some pictures from Christmas Eve, right before we headed off to church.

Our family of 7. :)



Ethan, Caleb, and Kellan (notice Aidan sulking in the background with his blankie, never did get a picture of all four)



Ethan, Aidan, and Kellan. Why am I ever surprised when people continually mistake them for triplets?



Quinn, not amused in his Santa Hat.


























Right before bed, after opening up their Christmas Jammies. And my, were they wired that night. It was all grandma Joy and I could do to go through the bedtime routines and wrangle them to bed.

Caleb

It is so fun to watch the growth of Caleb's understanding and use of language. He is developing quite the sense of humor. We love hearing him use higher vocabulary (even when he doesn't get it quite right) and new expressions. A few recent examples...

Caleb: Mom, would you play checkers with me?

Me: I'd love to, but I'll probably win. (in a fun teasing tone)

Caleb, shrugging his shoulders after some serious pondering and with a twinge of sarcasm: I'm okay with that.


Then, after I hugged and tickled him a bit, telling him what a clever silly kid he was, and I guess I got my hand in his eye a bit, he says with a grin, "Mom, you almost lost my eyesight."


Last week, we were playing a word game at the dinner table, in which you had to think of something, give a couple clues, and then have others guess what you were thinking of, he comes up with this:

"What is white with black spots?" (we guess, a dalmation)
"Another clue? it goes with milk" (we guess, a cookie?)
"Nope," he says, "a cow, goes with milk, get it?"

Another time he was just playing verbally with daddy:
Caleb: I'm thinking of a two letter word.
Weston: it?
Caleb: no
Weston: he?
Caleb: no
Weston: me?
Caleb: no
Weston, sensing this could go on a really long time: okay buddy, I give up, what is it?
Caleb, with a smirk: I'll give you a hint, I was saying it over and over again. "no"

Had to buy a present for Quinn.

We took the older boys to the dollar store to pick out some Christmas presents. Always fun to see what they come up with, and their pride upon giving it. We decided not to have them buy for the one-week old... but Caleb insisted. With his own money, he bought him this lizard (salamander?). He was so excited to wrap it, and give it to him on Christmas morning. And he loves to put it near him whenever he cries. Too sweet.

More Pictures from Quinn's Arrival

Here he is with mommy soon after his birth.



The big boys were SO excited to meet their new little bro. I love this picture, and how it shows the amazement on their faces.


Sweet big brothers.




































Finally big brothers.


































































With Daddy.

























With Grandma Joy.