more emily

She's still really tiny, though I am sure she's growing!

So here are some more pictures of our new little sis.

I think the hardest part of life with a newborn for me is the unpredictability that she brings, (hmm, does that reveal that I like control?),

but all things considered,

I think we are all adjusting well to life as a family of SIX!

do you know how long it's been?

Welcome Back Uncle Brian!!

Jason's brother returned last week from a 12-month long deployment with his National Guard unit to Kosovo. The year went fast in some regards, slow in others. Our kids missed him terribly, and time seemed to drag each time they asked me how much longer til Uncle Brian comes home. We tried to send him packages and pictures the kids made and goodies periodically to help the kids during the wait, and for fun for Brian too. But alot happened while he was away. 3 kids grew a ton, and we added a member to our family!!

Needless to say, we were all thrilled to see him Friday night and we spent lots of time with him for the next few days and then had a welcome home cookout for him Sunday. The kids went fishing with him Saturday, something they've been talking about with him on email for months! During our time with him, it kept being revisited, "do you know how long it's been since..." (fill in the blank) ...Since he ate cheddar brats, since he had cheesecake, since he went to a movie, or fishing, since he bought worms, etc. You get the idea. We were all completing this phrase for him after a couple of days! anyways, we are so thankful for Uncle Brian's safe return and appreciate his willing heart to serve.

4th of July fun

well, we did it! we ventured out for our regular 4th of July festivities with Emily in tow. this was the 6th year that we've participated in this event... what started as someone else's tradition we've adopted as well. and we love it. it's become jason's favorite holiday! We weren't even late for breakfast, we made it by about 7:30 at the park. It was a beautiful day, which are few and far between for the 4th. It's usually one extreme or another; miserably hot or chilly and rainy. This year was neither. It was perfect.

so, yeah, breakfast at the park, followed by parade til about lunch time. then rest at home and playing outside in water, sprinklers or slip and slide, and then back to the park at dinnertime. huge game of wiffleball followed by smores and then fireworks. Jason and I drove separate though, so that Emily and I could leave prior to the fireworks. I didn't figure she'd mind missing them this year, and we were able to get home for that last feeding and then get to bed early.

anyways, enough talk, here's a few shots from the days' fun.