Visit to cousins

We visited cousins a couple hours west of home yesterday.  It had been years since we've seen these great people.  They live on a dairy farm and the kids had a blast. They saw goats, chickens, peacocks, and cows.  They even saw the dairy barn in action.  Maurice is 85 years old and my late grandpa's cousin.  It was really sweet to hear him say how he missed my grandpa.  We miss him too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 (I definitely needed another take)

One year old!

My little Rosemary is one year old yesterday!  This little girl is such a charming, sweet baby.  We celebrated with a visit to cousins.  She got her presents before bed and then we had her cake today.  Chocolate, of course.  She has two little teeth poking through; still a long ways from walking; and a million dollar smile. 

 

Recent fun

We had a great time in the NC mountains this last weekend.

Easter 2012

 Things to note in the following pictures: 

• The fancy duds were sent down from the kids' grandma in Maryland. We love them! 

• Any pictures taken with all four kids in these fancy clothes are completely worthless and just sad. You'd think with 2pm church, we'd have our act together enough to be ready and take pictures before church, but no...
   
• The Easter egg hunt was cool enough for sweaters. My boys showed their love for me and wore their handknit pullovers
   
• In an email my grandma asked if Rosemary is really that happy (referencing a recent pic on facebook) -- She actually is a very happy baby, but not every second of the day. See our miserable girl in the mix below. I changed her quick and laid her in bed and her crying stopped immediately. She needs her sleep, just like her mama.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snow Day

We thought we'd get through this winter with no snow, but here we go...



I bundled Rosemary up so she should get out and enjoy her first snow.  She bore it well, but really just had no idea what all the fuss was about.  

The county delayed school and Ben's office started late -- BUT, Tim's school was not in session and Ben had requested the day off.  So not an official "snow day," but the kids had fun.  They started playing at 7:30 this morning and then came in for hot chocolate.  Good thing they started early because it was all gone a few hours later.  

Half a year

My little Rosemary is 6 months old. She seriously has been an awesome addition to the family. Super sweet and smiley and can handle three older siblings with style. Everyone, including her three year old brother, loves her. The smiling and cooing never, ever gets old. I used to call Joe my little runt.  But she has definitely taken over the title.  At her well-child this visit, she weighed just 13 pounds 9 ounces and 25 inches long.  That safely puts her in the 5th and 25th percentiles

Don't you love the warm winter?  We walked to the park one afternoon:




My sister Mary took some great pictures of the kids right after new year's:

And here is a picture of me as a babe.  This one popped up on the screen saver a few weeks back and I was stunned by how much it looks like Rosie (or Ro, Ro-Ro, Roey, etc)