Baking Cookies With Grandma

Perhaps she is a bit overexcited????




Working side by side...





Being very careful!
Mmmmm...look at those gingersnaps!

These are a 2 thumbs up!
Sweet Success!!!

A Salespitch for Some of My Favorite Things

I want to let you know about an awesome home business. She didn't ask me to do this, but I am because her products are some of my favorite things. Laura of Laura's Lathers makes some fabulous soaps and soap products.
My absolute favorite is her shampoo and my favorite scent is cherry almond. Her shampoos and soaps are all natural and free of chemicals and products that are harsh on your skin and bad for your health. This is going to sound a bit odd maybe, but my scalp had been chronically hurting. If I ran my fingers through my hair or the wind blew my hair it would hurt to the touch. When I quit using commercial shampoos with their sulfates and other chemicals and started using Laura's natural shampoo it went away. I am not a total green freak(and I mean that freak in a good way ;-)) but it really made me start thinking about the products that we use, what is in them, and how to avoid harsh chemicals.
Besides her shampoos, I have been using her bar soaps for quite a while. Again, the cherry almond is my favorite. Her bars make a really soft generous lather and are better than any shaving cream. They leave your skin so soft and clean.
The last time I ordered, I tried some new products including lotion, liquid soap, and lip balm. It is all great and I especially love the peppermint ice lip balm. Oh and living in a place where mosquitos exist almost year round, I can't forget her bug off spray made with all natural ingredients. It really works!!! I love having something chemical free bug spray to put on my kids.
Check out Laura's Lathers. You won't be disappointed!!

Wordless Wednesday

We Are Thinking of Changing Her Name...

to Houdini! Do you know how hard these swaddle blankets are to wiggle out of?;-)

That For Which We Are Thankful...

On Saturday, November 27, 2010 around 3:00 my parents walked in after driving two days. I walked around for a few minutes and said to Jon, "I think we should go ahead and go to the hospital. I told my dad there was food in the freezer he could find for dinner and told the kids to be helpful. At 8:03 PM, we welcomed Mallory Jane Katharine into our family. She was 7lb 4oz and 19 1/2 in. She is simply beautiful.






Around 7:40 Jon called home to tell my parents to put the kids to bed as it looked like it would be a while. A few minutes later we changed our minds and he had to call them back so they could come see their new sister. I knew they wouldn't be able to sleep without meeting her so they all came up in their jammies!

Sucking her thumb!!
Grandma introducing her to Creed.


Creed was quite certain he could hold her all by himself and kept pushing my hands away.
Emma's turn...

Dressed and ready to go home after a very rough second night.
All snug in her carseat.
She was practically attacked coming through the door.
He is pretty pleased with her so far.
Jack keeps saying, "I just love Janey Kate!"


Elizabeth spent several hours holding her or sitting by her side.
Taking a snooze.
Sooooo Thankful for our Janey Kate!!!!

The Treasures I Found Today

Right before Knox was born, our digital camera broke so I took a regular film camera to the hospital. The rolls of film were ruined and so I had no pictures form the hospital with him...or so I thought. I found this, along with the card that went in his bassinet, in a box in the garage. I have no idea who took it, but a BIG THANK YOU to you!!

Newborn Pics

all at least 2 1/2 years old. ;-) My friend Marsha has been after me for a while to post baby pictures of all my kids for comparison as they tend to look a bit alike, but the first 4 were born pre-digital(or pre-digital for us) so I had a bit of difficulty finding and scanning just what I wanted but I think these will do. I did have a bit of trouble telling some of the hospital pics apart which is why there are none. Fortunately, Jack and Emma were the only two born in the same house so once we go them home the background is very telling!!!

First Anne Michal




Then Elizabeth Austen







Emma Claire...

The first boy...Jon Patrick (Jack)


Matthew Knox (Knox)


Simeon Creed (Creed)


And then for fun, pics of Jon and I as babies. Yep, they all look much more like their dad!!!