July, in all it's splendor!

Having a great time!

This summer with us not doing to much travel with me being very pregnant and Spencer's internship being really flexible, we've at least tried to go to a lot of the parks in Moscow. They have some nice ones and it's fun for a change.

Aaron is happy (even says on his shirt).

Spencer was experimenting with the camera at the park and got some cute pictures of the kids.

A balancing act...

I especially liked this one of the boys sword fighting with their sticks. Boys can make anything into weapons. Stick horses can be rifles, legos can be built into hand guns, and sticks can be anything! My boys have a special affinity for sticks. We've gotten collections a few times of different shaped ones (piles) on our front porch of sticks they want to save!

In preparation for Nathan's birthday, I got some balloons and the kids just didn't want to wait till his birthday to have just one balloon each blown up. Then they wanted me to put faces on them and then they were putting them in front of their faces. It was just inevitable and I thought it was so funny! My kids are such goofs sometimes.

Here's another park, Aaron hanging out!

Spencer has been practicing catching and throwing with Nathan and a little with Gracey. I'm glad he's been able to do a lot more with the kids this summer. We got a new soccer ball too and he and the kids kick it around. The kids get such a 'kick' out of him kicking the ball really high up in the air. Well, needless to say, we lost the new soccer ball, (don't worry it was cheap) in the tall (tall as me) grass at the edge of the above park. The kids wouldn't let Spencer live it down since we had just gotten it, and after searching for it for a long while and getting everyone especially itchy and sneezy, (Spencer in particular because of allergies) we just decided to go to Wal-mart and get another one. Oh well, live and learn.

Becca, my posing child. She likes to stike a pose. She's a sweetheart and hung out with me in the shade and we just talked for awhile, when everyone else was playing. Gracey and Spencer are in the background playing catch.

Gracey and I had an afternoon out and got our hair cut. She had 10 inches cut off and sent it in for Locks of Love. Doesn't she look cute with her new do!

Nathan's birthday cake that he picked out. As much fun as I have had making cakes for the kids this year, I think after this year I'm only going to make a special cake if there is going to be a friend birthday party. We always end up with too much cake (cause I usually have to make two round pans of cake for the design or too much extra junk -candies and such for decoration) and too many tummy aches, not to mention all the time involved. Too much sugar! We need smaller, simpler desserts.

Nathan is such a sweet boy. He tries hard to be extra kind to the other kids and frequently gives up something to stop some sibling from whining or someone who is having a hard time. He is affectionate and he tries hard to be a good boy. We are so happy to have him in our family! Happy Birthday Nathan!

Blow the candles out my dear and make your wish come true!
(Bit of trivia: What Disney movie is that from?)

Last thing... Waiting.... and waiting....
I have had so many contractions this last few days, and a few days ago, even a couple of hours of consistent 5 min. contractions that I mistook for labor. All this is doing is making me all the more impatient! More and more uncomfortable and irritable! Even more so than the last four. I can tell I'm getting older and more worn down with each kid. The "false" labor threw me into a flurry of activity afterward and in the last two days (Friday and Saturday) I made this blanket (above). That is some kind of record for me! Usually, I have a lot of unfinished projects I'm working on. It matches the bumper I made for the crib when Aaron was little. I didn't even get to use it much with him, because he was about 6 months when I finished it. The picture makes it seem brighter than it is. In reality it is softer pastel colors and a Winnie the Pooh theme, with a satin blanket binding. I am finished with both thank goodness and the house is mostly clean. I'm ready for this baby to come! Hopefully, in a couple days, Spencer can put up a post saying that our baby boy is here!