The Wedding

Linnea was a bridesmaid in a friend's wedding last month.

I brought my camera but only got some pictures after the ceremony.

It wasn't until I sat down in the pew that I actually took stock of my situation;

I brought seven children ages 9, 8, 6, 5, 3, 2, and 10 months to a wedding 

where there would be no other adult or teen who could help me.

I sort of broke out in a cold sweat,

then reminded myself that I had put on my big girl pants and that I could do this.

I had to.

*gulp*

This was taken as the newly married couple exited the church.

Elizabeth wanted to stand next to Linnea, of course.

For the next week and half, Elizabeth told anyone she could that Linnea got married.

It was her way of saying "Linnea was in a wedding" but

three year olds have a way of losing things in translation.

 Those lashes!!!

 The bubbles were a lot of fun for my crew!

 Abram, like a moth to flame, was drawn to the black dirt

next to the sidwalk.

In light khaki shorts.

Obviously.

 Christopher was an excellent helper to me.

 Elijah

 These lovely ladies...

Cece and Linnea

 Our dear friend Amy was also in the wedding.

I love how this picture turned out of both of them.

 Ivy and Ruby wanted to each take turns with 

Linnea's bouquet.

This boy, though.

Can you stand how cute he is?!?!

Together

Few Things are Better

Few things are better than holding a sleeping baby.

Ruby thinks so, too.

They Say History Repeats Itself

Ruby and Ivy

November 2010

Ivy and Elizabeth

August 2014

Sometimes They Argue

Ruby told Ivy, "IVY, you are the meanest little sister in the WORLD!!" 

Ivy said, "RUBY! I'm NOT LITTLE!!!"

And Then One Day

 And then one day

my little girlie got so big

 that her biggest sister could 

French-braid her hair.

Poor Boy

He just didn't stand a chance, did he?

 With four sisters, 

it's remarkable it took this long.

Love--In a Picture

What We Did The Day of the Big Blizzard

This past Sunday church was cancelled due to a big blizzard.

I love me a big snowstorm so I was looking forward to it!

Since we didn't go to church, the morning felt "off" a bit.

What did we do instead?

Well--we had a delightful tea party.

There was a Ruby-ballerina who did her own hair for our party (it was so  wavy from braids left in overnight) .  And oh, look-- little nutella still left on her face from the breakfast I let them each find for themselves.

Our fancy tea, all spread on the piano bench.
My coffee cup looks surprisingly big next to the tea cups.

Ruby's favorite doll, Laura, was also in attendance, her schnazzy hair styled by the uber-talented Ruby.

(My mom made those clothes--isn't she aMAZing?)

Ivy was happy that morning (not "rumpy" like usual) so we let this picture suffice.

I can't recall why her arms were that way, but whatevs.

 LittleBit was a whole lotta trouble as she kept "stealing" all the dishes

and *GASP*

licking all the plates.

Ruby was horrified at her terrible tea party etiquette.

Elizabeth was oblivious.  

Or perhaps, intentional.

Oh YES!  I nearly forgot--Jessie and Woody!

Ivy's constant companions arrived for the party, too, and squished Ivy's sweet cheeks for a picture.

After the tea party and after a real-live dinner,

Dennis, Linnea and I played Scrabble.

Linnea won.

Then, while I took a real-live--although short--nap,

Linnea made snow candy, just like Ma Ingalls, all her idea and all on her own!

I was impressed.
I wish I'd taken a picture...

I'm such a homebody that I have really missed being snowed in these past snow-less winters.

Now that February is half over and winter is nearing an end, 

I find myself wishing for a few more snow falls!

I think snow falling is such a cozy feeling, and seeing as I rarely have anywhere to go and my husband is nearly always here on the farm (as opposed to trying to make it driving home from work in a storm) and all my children are nearly always under the same roof,

when I see snow forecasted,

I think to myself "BRING IT ON!"

Christopher and Elijah ventured out in the afternoon and had THE BEST time in the snow up to their waists. The recounting of their adventures when they came in after dark was quite something!

Lots of motioning with their hands and arms about how high or how far or how fast, replete with sound effects, rosy cheeks and snapping eyes.

It was good "brother time."

We had chicken wild rice stew for supper, a perfect complement to a pretty good day.

And that's what we did the day of the big blizzard.

Adoration

A sister's adoration...

it's mutual.

A Week of Wordless--Day Four: Sisters

Head to Head

If you know Ivy in real life,

you know she isn't afraid to go head to head with anyone in her way.

Maybe Linnea has finally met her match...

Good thing they were just fakin' it for the camera.

All Dressed Up

Everyone should have an 11 year old fashion consultant/wardrobe designer/big sister,

don'tcha think?

Sisters

Baby Sister

Big Sister

*love*

Wordless Wednesday: Can You Feel the Love?

Linnea's Locks

Linnea had been asking and asking

(and asking and asking and asking and asking)

about getting her hair cut.

She would often come to me with a ruler
and ask me to measure 10 inches up from the bottom.
I would,
and we would both agree that that would be a pretty drastic cut for her.

A few weeks would pass,
and she'd ask again.

Finally it dawned on me.
I told her,
"You know, you can get your hair cut even if it's not for Locks of Love."

Many of her friends have done that
and just about everyone who comments on her long hair
tells her how she should do "that Locks of Love thing."


Once I realized that this guilt of sorts was what was holding her back,
she asked if I would cut her hair.


Before:

After

I cut about six inches off,

which is what she decided she wanted.

It should come as no surprise that Miss Ruby,

who wants to do everything her big sister does,

wanted a "hair tut" too.

Her's was much less noticeable--I cut maybe 1/2 an inch.

I think it was more about me using the cape,

the squirty bottle, and combing through her hair

than about how much came off. :-)

Kisses

Sisters puckering

aaaaaaaaaaaaand contact.

MMMMUAH!!

Sisters

Linnea and Ruby

Ruby

Ivy Joy

I wonder if we will have another?

Or will it be a brother?