Our very own "Hurricane Isaac"

Oh my, Isaac is at a wonderful stage.  He says the most funny things, and yes, he keeps us on our toes (wondering, at times, if we need to "run for cover"?!)  A few doozies this week....
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I had surgery last Thursday to repair an incisional hernia that I had leftover after four c-sections (thankfully, everything went fine, and I am recovering).  The night before my surgery, Isaac was asking many questions of Scott.... wondering if I would have "that thing in my nose" (the nasal cannula).  When Scott told him that I would have one of those again, Isaac immediately said, "So, is she bringing a baby home from the hospital with her this time?"  Because that is just what happens when mommy goes to the hospital, I guess.
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Dear friends of ours are delivering their precious babe today (YEA!!!)  At dinner last night, I said to the boys, "Guess who is having a baby tomorrow?!?!"  Isaac.... without missing a beat.... yells, "US?!?!?!"

Oh my, I guess he just has babies on the brain, and no matter how many times we tell him that no more babies will come out of mommy, he must not believe us!

As a little tyke, on his first birthday!

A little reality check for me

Vacations aren't always easy with kids!  In fact, I heard a great MOPS speaker once say to remember that when you are vacationing with little ones, it is actually much more work for you.... but worth it to try in order to make memories with them.  We are not always smiling at our house; we are not always smiling on vacation, and that is okay.  "Family" is about stretching and learning and growing together.... and because authenticity is a big deal.... I now present a few OTHER glimpses of our vacation....

Case #1:  The boys and their daddy climbed the fire tower at Brown County State Park (yes, that is our van down there!)  Isaac was still smiley after Scott said that he determined that it was unsafe to go all the way to the top....

Aaron... not so much.  He just couldn't understand why his dad wouldn't let him keep going.

AND.... Case #2:  This was our final night of vacation, and we went out to dinner at a steakhouse.  And Scott and I were nearly losing our minds at this point.  And Audrey was being very demanding.  And we made a decision to allow our children to use technology at the table until our food arrived.... something that we had never done before and something we have never done again since. 

But for that one meal, it kept mom and dad sane.... and it was worth it.

Fun in Columbus!

We had a great time at the HUGE playplace in Columbus and at the Children's Museum during our little getaway, too!

Standing inside a bubble wall

For those of you who know how much Scott "loves" bubbles and glitter, you can just imagine his excitement about the "Bubble-ology" room!

Amazing!

Summer Excursion

We had a fun little getaway to the Brown County area in early August. It was such a blessing to stay at our friends' home (thanks, Shane and Shannon!) and enjoy the beautiful camp where we were.  One of our kiddos' favorite things to do was hike in this dried up creek bed....

Getting ready to go!

There was a small obstacle course near the house.  Isaac decided to tackle the spider web!

First Day of School- 2012

Last week, school started!  Aaron was somewhat excited about kicking off 4th grade, and Isaac was HUGELY excited (and a touch nervous!) to start kindergarten!  The year is off to a great start, and we are already so thankful for the way that their teachers are caring for them and giving instruction.

On his way!  Our big kindergarten kiddo, leading the way!

15!

Celebrating 15 years with the most amazing man I have ever met!  Being Scott's wife and the momma to our kiddos is the greatest privilege of my life.... the road hasn't always been easy.... but it has been so, so good!  Looking forward to growing old with this handsome and CRAZY guy!  He still makes me laugh more than anyone else, and he is still the guy who catches my eye across a crowded room....

From the mouths of babes.....

We just returned from a great getaway to Brown County.  Scott took the three oldest of our littles to the Brown County State Park pool to swim while I entertained Audrey, did some laundry, and cleaned up around the house a bit.

After swimming 1 1/2 laps in the pool, Isaac declared, "I can beat Michael Phelps now!" (even though Phelps just won his 22nd Olympic medal, Isaac is very confident.... and has mentioned no less than 35 times that I need to buy him a swim cap SOON).

Also, on our vacation.... a stray kitty showed up at the door one day.... and we gave a homeless man a buck and some cheese crackers on our way home.  Isaac said, "We met two homeless things during our trip!!!"  I love to have teachable moments with kiddos.... teachable moments that include helping a child to understand that people are never "things".... that all people are created in the image of God.