Merry Christmas to me

We finally made the plunge. I couldn't be more excited to bring this piano home. Can't wait do delivery day!

Smiles for Miles

Loving this darling baby!  He gave me 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep last night, which makes for a happy momma. He's starting to follow me with his eyes as I  walk around the room and turn his head at the sound of my voice. He throws smiles easily,   and I've caught him laughing in his sleep. Must be sweet dreams.

Beat the Summer Boredom

I remember telling myself last summer to do anything/ everything possible to help my older boys find jobs or something that would keep them busy and productive this summer.  And here we are, a few weeks into this summer with nothing lined up. But thank goodness, they haven't driven me crazy. . . . . yet.  

This past week, Taylor and Mason have kept busy building a rocket launcher out of PVC pipe.  Perfect activity for teenage boys.

The boys have made two trips to Home Depot for parts and have spent lots of time on YouTube watching "how to" videos.  And then plenty of time in the backyard building, experimenting, and working on their project.  

I've been impressed with their creativity and ingenuity.  And I have especially appreciated how this project has kept them preoccupied and focused on things other than teasing siblings and eating me out of house and home.    

Hopefully next summer they'll both have jobs.

The newest member of our family

And it's not sweet baby Miles. . . He's upwards of a week old already.  We haven't named her yet.  Still trying to come up with something fitting.  John really likes the name "Peace-mobile".  I'm hoping it lives up to that.

Out with the old. . . 

Goodbye Yukon, you've served us well and have provided us many good times.  Nothing against you, we just don't fit anymore.  The big boys are getting bigger and don't fit in the back seat anymore, and there's always fighting over who sits where, who is touching who, who is breathing who's air, . . .

and plenty of issues over who gets to carry all the Costco groceries on their lap when I have all the kids in the car.  And debate over who gets to invite a friend or which cousin gets to come with us to the pool or some other activity, because there's only one tiny extra seat in the front row.  And last but definitely not least, there's the HUGE dilemma over where to put all the luggage for these 8 people (who are now nine) when we go on family trips.  So it's time for us to depart ways and move on.

In with the new. . . 

As our family grows, our family car does too.  John and I debated over a 12 passenger or 15 passenger.  John's philosophy is "go big or go home".  We plan to take out the back seat, which will give plenty of space for Costco, luggage, camping gear, etc. . . Still with room to spare for extra kids.

Welcome to the family, Peacemobile.  I am hopeful that you live up to your name!

He's Here!

Miles John LeSueur joined our family at 4:03 pm, weighing in at 7 lbs 13 ounces and 20 inches long.

Welcome to the family Miles!

16th Family Birthday Party

John and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary this past week.  Hard to believe its been so long, but at the same time I can't imagine my life without him by my side.  Living life with my best friend is pretty awesome.  He and I took off for a quick getaway a few weeks ago and had a great, relaxing time together.

To keep with tradition, we also had a family birthday party this past weekend, complete with presents to ourselves, singing happy birthday to ourselves, sharing what we loved about our family, birthday cake, and fun activities together.  We started last night by opening presents after dinner. All of us got a LeSueur tee shirt.

The front says 16 years- we're driving now.

And the back says "Driving on the right road. . . Together"

During dinner, we talked about what it means to stay on the "right" road, and also what it means to progress together as a family.  

Then we took everyone ice skating, except for me, of course.  Being 2 weeks away from delivery, John wasn't about to let me get on the ice.  I didn't think it was a big deal and put on Mason's ice skates while he was taking a break.  John saw me, shook his head "no", and shook his finger at me.  That was the end of my attempt to ice skate.

All the kids had fun, especially Kate.  It was her first time.  And she pretty much hung on Johns leg for her dear life.  But she never quit, got frustrated, cried, etc.  just kept trying and trying.

After ice skating, we went back home for the traditional mess of a dessert-chocolate lava cakes and ice cream on the special plate with 8 spoons.  I had the first bite, then let everyone else dig in.  It kind of grossed me out to share with that many mouths. 

Not surprisingly, Taylor and Buster finished it off and licked the plate clean.

This morning after chores were done, we visited Costco for lunch and to purchase a nice camera. . . finally, after years of wanting one.  It's my Mother's Day gift from John and the kids.  Then we took the kids to test drive a bunch of 15-passenger vans.  Once this baby comes, we'll be too large for our car and need to upgrade to something bigger.  The kids are super excited to have a little more room in the family car.  And John and I are super excited to drive in a "peace-mobile" without kids arguing about who is in whose space, who stinks, who is crossing the line of his seat, who doesn't have enough leg room, etc. .. Really, it's been quite ridiculous. 

Then we took the kids swimming, then John took them Mother's Day shopping, and now everyone is snuggling in the family room watching a movie together.  It's been a fun weekend, all focused on being together, and having fun with  each other, building memories, strengthening relationships with each other.  That's what family is all about!  And I'm pretty lucky to have the one I do.

Happy 16 years to me and my love, and happy 16 years to our family of almost 7 kids.  I couldn't ask for anything better!

It finally came.

One of these things is not like the other. . . 

We got the chickens as new babies on Christmas Day.  And we've waited, and waited, and waited.  Andersen was sure his was a rooster, so he named it Captain.  But so far, there are no signs of any of the 4 chickens being a rooster.  And yesterday, Abby finally found the first egg.  She was sure it came from Captain, which made Andersen a little confused and sad. . . Because he was so set on his chicken being a rooster.  Last night he decided that if the egg really did come from Captain, then he better rename him.  Because "Captain" is definitely a boys name, and Andersen's girl chicken shouldn't have a boys name anymore.

I'm just glad they haven't died since Christmas.  We'll see how they do in the heat of the summer.  Even with all the poop I keep finding on my patio, I have found myself getting quite fond of these little chickens.  Weird.  John. . . well, not so much.  But he tolerates them fine.  And now that we're starting to get eggs, it might be worth it.