Stripes and Dots

Here are the latest pictures of the kids. They're all doing well. Kaitlyn has learned to ride her bike, Meghan has taken up roller blading, Ryan is very close to being potty trained (yeah!!), and Allison... well, she just eats, sleeps and poops. :) She's growing very fast and it's going so fast! We're getting ready to take a trip to TX in a few weeks to visit family and are looking forward to seeing you all down there.


David thought is was cute how Ryan and Allison matched so he got this cute picture. Ryan is such a good big brother to his little sister!

Meghan's 8th Birthday

Last weekend was Meghan's 8th birthday. On Saturday we had a play time at the park with all her friends from church. Meghan brought a pinata that she had made. After figuring out a way to hang it up, 3 or 4 of the kids took turns taking a wack at it before it finally broke. On Sunday, Meghan's actual birthday, we had Grandma & Grandpa over along with Levi, Jenny, and the boys. Meghan decorated her own birthday cake this year and did a really good job on it. She picked a theme of ballerina not knowing that we had bought her a ballerine outfit for her birthday. Below are some pictures from the weekend.


Meghan preparing to take her first swing.


Cousin Carson attempting a swing.

The onlooking crowd all kept a very safe distance from the blindfolded swingers.

Let the mad scramble for candy begin!

Meghan decorating her cake with Kaitlyn looking on.

Meghan and her cookie cake.

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Opening cards and presents

Aunt Jenny and the boys watching Meghan

Meghan with her new ballerina outfit

Ryan helping Meghan blow out her 8 candles

Grandparents in town

A few weeks ago Wyman and Joy made a visit up here to meet their 2 newest grandchildren. (Allison and Daniel). Below are a few pictures from the time as well as some other random pictures.


Cousins Daniel (left) & Allison (right)


Joy with Allison


Wyman and Ryan

Our good friend Sarah with Allison

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And our good friend Brandon with Allison

Meghan, Kaitlyn, & Ryan dressing up with bandanas.

Enjoying Allison

We've all had a good weekend. The kids are all doing great with their new sister. Ryan enjoyed his first time holding Allison, as seen in some pictures below. The girls are having to learn to share time holding her. We are certainly never without some hands to hold her.
Here are some pictures from our weekend together.


Allison never has an opportunity to be lonely.


Ryan's first time to hold his baby sister.


Sweet kisses.

Ryan pointing to Allison's nose.

Kaitlyn is proud to be a big sister.

Meghan already has "multi-tasking" down pat.

Praise the LORD

Well, our house is quiet as everyone takes a nap and I now have time to post... how can I not say something in honor of my Father after all He has done for me!

David and the three older children were sitting on the couch last night reading and I was watching and thinking of what a blessing we have! "Behold children are a gift of the Lord!" Psalm 127:3

I can't tell you how many prayers God has answered from little things to big things throughout this pregnancy; and how many details He worked out that I didn't even think to ask about.

Praise the Lord for:

-the privilege of being His child!
-the number of brothers and sisters I have scattered throughout the US!
-for the prayers of those brothers and sisters!
-for delighting to hear our prayers!
-for delighting to answer those prayers!
-for doing "exceeding abundantly above all we could ask or think"!
-for always being true to His Word and promises! for His faithfulness!
-for "gently leading those that are with young" Isaiah 40:11
-for my husband who is so quick to serve me in every way so that I can tend solely to our new baby girl; for taking care of the children, cleaning the house, preparing and serving me meals, cooking... I am truly blessed beyond measure!!! (how much I have to be thankful for!)
-for my husband who loves his children and loves his new "little pea"
I could keep going and going, but this song seems to sum it up best. As the years pass and my walk with the Lord grows in years, this song rings more and more true! How thankful I am to be His child! How thankful I am to be surrounded by and engulfed in His love!

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.

Refrain: Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.

When hoary (old, ancient) time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

Welcome Home

We made it home yesterday evening. Allison was just over 24 hours old when we left the hospital. The girls were thrilled to have their new sister at home. Ryan still doesn't know what to make of it all. Our first night was a typical night with a newborn...little sleep and a lot of baby holding time. Allison had an appointment with our pediatrician today. Again, the report was good and everything seems normal with her. Praise the Lord!


Daddy holding Allison in her new "going home outfit".


Allison all bundled up and ready for the drive home.

Big sister Meghan with Allison.

Big sister Kaitlyn with Allison.

Going Home

11:55 A.M. The pediatrician met with us this morning and said that everything looks great with Allison. They did another X-Ray this morning and the preliminary results show that there is nothing abnormal in her chest. This cyst that we prayed so much about appears to have been healed by the Great Physician! The pediatrician and OB doctors both said that Deann and Allison are okay to go home today. There is still a lot of bloodwork, paperwork, and waiting ahead but we plan to be home in our own beds tonight.

Praise the Saviour you who know Him

Who can tell how much we owe Him

Gladly let us render to Him

All we have and are!