The Year That Was: April 2014

April was a month of incredible changes. Baby goats were born, Misty left and Pippin joined the family, the burned hillside burst in bloom, and, and, and ... Did I mention that seven baby goats were born? Because anyone with eight children needs seven baby goats to keep them company.

Misty, the lovebird, was Olivia's first birdy love. She was so pretty and sang such lovely songs, but she had a really nasty habit of trying to devour anyone who came near. So, Misty found a new home and Pippin, the green cheeked conure, arrived! He has a much nicer disposition and can often be found snuggling under Olivia's hair while she does her school work.

Lent, Holy Week, and Easter were celebrated with joy. 

And, I managed to blog about it: Lent & Easter

 On Holy Saturday, the first set of triplets were born. I cannot even begin to describe the elation and the fear that accompanied their births. However I do have pictures, lots and lots of pictures, which I will save for their very own post.

 

Gracie started writing her first novel at the age of eight.

This was our burnt mountainside one year after the big fire caused all the mayhem. I don't think I blogged about the fire, the evacuation with animals in tow, or the crazy trip down a fire road because it really wasn't such a lovely memory. However, it makes for great stories with the children along with their fond remembrance of the hike up the tippy top of the hill a year later. I stayed in the car with wee little Kolbe and took pictures while Daddy and company trooped to the peak. They were all so proud of themselves. Hurrah!

 Kolbe turned six months old in April. Baby Love!

Happy Birthday Olivia

Olivia is Fifteen!

1. She is almost 6' 2" which has volleyball coaches eyeing her enviously.

2. She still loves the beach and wants to swim and body surf all summer long.

3. School is much more interesting this year as she plows through Latin, astronomy, geometry, and an intense classical ancient history program.

4. Handwriting and spelling are still her nemesis.

5. She has started researching what needs to be accomplished so she can drive and get into college. (TAC is her favorite.) How in the world did we get to this point?

6. She loves routine - predicable tasty meals, school & work schedules, and time with friends keep her happy.

7. Kolbe and Marie Claire have captured her heart.

8. Researching parrots while grappling with her crazy lovebird, is her passion.

9. She inhales books. I keep finding new ones added to the Kindle account.

10. Her favorite evening is one spent watching a movie and eating mint chocolate chip ice cream.

I love you Olivia!

You are my favorite guinea pig!

Happy, Happy Birthday 

(belated, of course)

A Birthday Bonanza

Three of my lovelies have had birthday over my blogging hiatus. Each has gently inquired, "But Mom, where are my pictures?" Where indeed? Thus, without further excuse or procrastination, I give you Olivia, Dominic, and Collette.

Olivia is 14
Fourteen, really? Really? How does that happen? Stephen is teaching her drive the little car around and around the ranch while I patiently wait at home for the tales of triumph. Marie Claire adores her and everyone else is so pleased when she grants them a smile. High school has been quite an adjustment, but I think she is getting the hang of it now. The tears have generally vanished and she is back to romping around the property now and again, reading in front of the fire, training her lovebird, Misty, and playing chess with a friend far away. She spins tales of grand Roxaboxen buildings and diligently works for different families every week. My blue-eyed girl, you may be taller than me now, but I am still bigger! Happy very belated birthday. I love you!

I asked her to show me her baby blues. :-)

Dominic is 5

This is absolutely one of the most cuddliest, snuggliest, talkative children around. He reminds me constantly of the his great love with lots of hugs and kisses. I love it all! For his fifth birthday we headed off to the San Diego Zoo. Apparently, it is now tradition for five-year-old boys to go to the zoo and wear the lion shirt. Quinton did the same! Grandpa joined us for a perfect day. Really, the weather was gorgeous, the crowds were sparse, and the company was grand. After a day of romping around with the animals, we sat to eat lion cupcakes. Unfortunately, the camera battery died pretty much immediately so I only have a few pictures of monkeys and not my own. Thank goodness, I have Dominic to tell me stories and keep the memories alive. He is already planning his sixth birthday, oh my. Happy Birthday, Dominic!

Collette is 10

My sweet Collette, you are my fairy child. Somehow you always know just what to say to quiet crying babies, encourage toddlers to tidy up, and play games with sisters and friends who simply have no idea what to do. Your gift is precious indeed; use your powers for good! This year you received a stack of books and a real American Girl doll for your birthday. The joy on your face was precious for you had been waiting so patiently and hopefully for a real AG doll. Read and play and enjoy, my love. Happy Birthday!

Bunnies

My lovely Olivia made these sweet little bunnies for all of her siblings' Easter baskets. I am trying hard to encourage her to 'do it' rather than just surf around craft blogs gathering other's ideas. She came through wonderfully!

Inspired by: elsie marley's quick little bunny tutorial

These were made for all the girlies. Marie likes to chew on hers.

Inspired by: Craft Passion Bunny Sachet

Olivia stuffed her's with rice so that the boys could throw them around, because you know that is exactly what they would do!

Sarah @ Amongst Lovely Things, thank you for the little encouragement to get it done!

Happy Birthday Olivia!

Thirteen, Can you believe it?

 We officially have the most lovely and longest legged teenager on the block!

I love your big smile, your delicious breakfasts, your constant quest for a great story, your honesty, your elaborate ideas, and your helping hands.

Thirteen candles on a scrumptious lemon cake are easy and delicious but next year can I decorate a cake for you? Your actual birthday was quietly celebrated at home however,  a few days later you played and played at the water park for the first time. If I hadn't been so busy making sure no one drowned, I would have snapped a few pictures of you slipping and sliding down all those great courses. Hopefully, your memories stay bright and joyful like the sun on that hot fun-filled day!

What a happy coincidence!

Grandma Sally came to visit from Texas just in time for the big day.

Happy Thirteenth Birthday Lala Bear!

I love you!

UPDATED 

Here are a few photos from that wild water-soaked day:

An Update from the Mountain Top

A few happenings to remember:

Olivia has a reading buddy.

Collette's wonderful friend, Luke, visited for the day all the way from Seattle. 

Xavier discovered blueberries. 

Francis, the cat, became an activity choice for school.

The recent storm blessed us with double rainbows.

Our view out the back porch. Can I just sigh with contentment over God's grand beauty?

"Over there Daddy"

Happy 12th Birthday Olivia!

My beautiful Olivia is growing up. 

Our gift to her was braces the day before her birthday. While she did not think this was best gift ever, I know she will appreciate it at 18.  Oh, I can't even think about 18. Sometimes I wish that I could travel back to 6 when she was that sweet little girl sitting in the window watching Goofy dance and the waves roll by as we tucked into to breakfast on the Disney Cruise.

Happy Birthday My Love

7 Quick Takes Friday (vol.11)

1. My sister gave us a few straw hats when she was here visiting from Hawaii. Thank you Lisa! I love little girls in straw hats!

Although, Olivia is not so little anymore is she?

2. We went bowling with the Murphys. What fun on a hot summer day! I think this past time fits in very well with our new country hick image.

The big kids were quite competitive. 

Gracie was happy when the ball made it all the way down the lane without stopping.

And Dominic cheered at the fall of every pin.

Collette had pretty good form.

Shoes- you knew it was coming didn't you Claire? :-)

3. Grace is starting kindergarten this year. Where, oh where, did the time go? Just yesterday we were looking to build a house when this little pumpkin arrived:

And now the little boy is nearing the end of elementary school and the baby is beginning.  September, it takes my breath away every time.

4. Another first for my family- Stephen slaughtered one of our roosters for dinner. He was quite tasty. The chicken, of course. The little ones and I did not watch. Oh no. I'm okay with the whole chicken thing so long as it looks like a chicken ready for the pot. However, the blood and feathers are left up to the man of the house.

For posterity.

5. A prayer to start the day:

What is your will for me, O God?

I await your plan.

I want to live only for you

and be guided by you always.

Grant that your holy will be done in me.

~St. Jane de Chantal

If only this prayer could be answered with a quick and concrete checklist.

6. Grace

7. I'm off to plan and plan and plan for the new school year. We will be traveling through the Eastern Hemisphere with books and food and art. Collette will prepare for her First Holy Communion and Dominic will take his place as a preschooler-in-training.

Host by Jen @ Conversion Diary