Summer 2011

Summer is zipping right by, and we are loving every minute. We are so blessed. This past week has been in the 80*s every day and the 60*s at night and we are just loving and laughing and playing and working and enjoying life to the fullest. Here are some pictures of our summer.

While the big boys watch "Andy and Barney" Will is my helper with Sarah
These boys love to read :)

"Look Mom has the camera!"

Such a sweet little girl.... she is growing so fast! In July she cut 2 teeth, learned to crawl and sat up for the first time!! She is now crawling ALL over and sits and pulls her self up on stuff.

A big hit this summer, the squirters. Much easier to operate than a water gun. And great for soaking Mom when she is not expecting it!

Refill

Ready to soak!!!

Blueberry picking with Uncle Seth

These brothers love each other :)

Hi Mom!

Pictures from a camp out in the back yard Memorial Day weekend.

Getting the hot dogs ready... (or was it the marshmellows?)

Oh yeah, this is the good stuff!!!

Enjoying our wonderful trampoline!

Spring time

Today I was standing in the yard in short sleeves and enjoying the sun on my face. Although the calendar said it was spring a while ago, winter seems to have a hold this year. Or maybe winter always lasts longer in Nebraska. Yep, we moved and now live west of Lincoln. In February Scott and I felt it was time for a change. Scott especially was ready to be home nights, (He had been working nights as a deputy for a few months and it was really hard for our family.) off work on Sundays so we could go to church and off holidays. Basically, a chance to spend more time with family and friends.
To make a long story short, we prayed for direction and ended up in Nebraska. We are close to several dear friends and Scott is working as a welder at a factory in Seward. He now works 1st shift, and we are loving him being home every night! We also love living in the country! We have a great rental house that has a big yard and room for a garden. (YEAH!) The boys are loving it.
And these boys are such a blessing! The love their little sister and Sarah is so much fun! I love having a little girl and have had a great time picking out her clothes and dressing her up!

Scott telling the boys a story

Don't worry Marcus, the good guys win!

Our precious little girl!

Paul is a great artist, here with his cowboy, cactus and sand. Drawn all by himself.

Paul without training wheels!

These boys are such a help with their sister!

My little darling :)

Introducing......

Sarah Mae Anson

Born at home -February 3, 2011

8 lbs. 3 oz.

20 3/4 inches long

We are sooooo excited!!!!

A very happy family!

Blog issues

Contrary to all appearances, I have not forgotten about this blog. And I have not run out of pictures to post. And I have really tried to post 3 times in the past month. But every time I do, I have had blog issues, or Internet issues and I can't post pictures, and since I can't bear to post without pictures..... I have not posted. Until now.
I wanted to let you know we are alive, well, and looking forward to baby #5 arriving anytime. Hopefully by then I will have figured out what the picture issue is so we can post lots of great pictures of our new little one.
But, until then, I will share some of the great things happening around here.

Paul- Turned 5 the end of December and in the middle of a growth-spirt. I thought he would never out-grow 4T pants, and Marcus was going to pass him in weight and height, but it seems he is inching taller. He has loved playing in the snow. We have had snow on the ground for about 3 weeks straight, (amazing) and have done a lot of sledding and building snowmen. My treat from last year, (you can have one cup of hot chocolate after coming in from playing in the snow) has turned into a daily treat and I had to rein it back. So much for limiting sweets when you have snow this long!!

Marcus- Has a birthday Feb. 6th and has been counting down the days since the beginning of December. This is a big birthday at our house because it means you are old enough to chew gum. He CAN'T WAIT and is looking forward to going to the store with Scott and picking out his own gum. Marcus also has been enjoying the snow, although not as daring as Paul and after hitting a tree on the sled, he took a break for a while. :) He has decided that if the baby is a boy we need to name it "Roy Rogers" because we need a cowboy in the family.

Philip- Still a "little boy" he loves doing what the "big boys" are doing. And he can hold his own if they get into a scrap. We have worked on potty training all fall and winter and I think he is just about down with it. And not a moment too soon! Philip loves to sing and refuses to stop singing Christmas songs just because the season is over. I still hear Joy to the World and Go Tell it on the Mountain quite often. A bit of a slow talker at first, Philip's vocabulary has really grown this winter and one of his favorite words is "actually". "Actually MOm, that is a truck, not a car."

William - Affectionately called "Baby Will" by his brothers, there is not a lot baby like left about him. Always trying to keep up with the others, Will is constantly into things. I am challenged daily to keep him productive and out of trouble. He loves reading books, which has been great for the often times I need a moment to sit and catch my breath. His vocabulary is also growing by leaps and bounds. His 2 big words right now are "applesauce" and "chap stick".

Well, that's all for now! As soon as I can, I will get some pictures updated!

Matching boys

It was a little over a year ago when I first tried taking a "matching" picture of our boys. A friend had given me matching shirts for the crew right after William was born and we have loved dressing them the same on fun days out together.

This weekend at Walmart, I noticed a bunch of boys shirts on clearance and was able to replace the shirts, which were becoming quiet small.

Due to the beautiful weather, I decided today was a good day for another photo shoot, although I guess I should have checked with Will, he was not the happiest fellow and it was hard getting him to stay in the pictures, let alone smile! Stair steps
Peek-a-boo!

Smile all together

The older 3 clowns

They seem to know they are just too cute!

Trying to cheer someone up!

There is a smile!

William- 13 months

What a big boy!
Philip- 2 yrs

Marcus-3 1/2 yrs

Paul-4 ("Almost 5, Mom")

Welcome Felicity!

This past weekend we had the pleasure of visiting my Sister Rebecca and her family and help them welcome their new little baby, Felicity Anne. The first grand-daughter on the Ulmer side, I am sure she will not lack in pretty clothes or protective older boys. Our boys were quite delighted to hold a little baby again and can't wait until she is old enough to play with them! Thanks for having us down Shepards! The boys had a great time playing together.... usually something with guns or swords!

The proud big brother

Philip seems not to notice that Felicity is unhappy

Awwww :)

Paul with the magic touch, (Or was he just first in line to hold her? :)

God bless you Felicity!

Summer.... hot and busy!

I guess you could all figure out we are busy.... I am so behind in blogging!:)

We have really enjoyed our new home here and being closer to family and friends from the NE Kansas area. And our big yard continues to provide us with hours of fun outdoors. Even when the temps are in the upper 90*s, since we have such great shade, it makes it much nicer to be outside. (Well for some of us! :) Paul has been learning how to ride his two-wheeler bike with training wheels and would gladly be outside at 105* just for a chance to ride!

Here is a smattering of pictures from this summer. I hope you enjoy!

The new umbrellas from Grandma Sue are a huge hit!!

The wild west

Watch out for Indians!

We celebrated Philip's 2 birthday the end of July-

And we had Bryan and Grandma Sue here to share in the fun!

Ummm, cake and ice-cream

Philip LOVES balloons- his favorite part of his birthday!

Paul with all his cut and paste animals. This was Birthday present activity that he has loved all summer long. He was sad when he got all the animals done. He could cut and color and glue all day.

Someone else had a birthday this summer:)

In June we helped my folks set up their pool for the summer. Ahhh, how refreshing!

The boys love this story, "Thunder Cake". About a child who learns not to fear thunder by listening to the storms approach and helping her grandmother bake a cake. The recipe is in the back, and one rainy day we tried it!

Paul enjoys mixing the batter!

Also in June, we had the chance to meet Esther's husband to be- Micah Nelson. The boys decided to test him out and see "If he is a good wrestler" :)

Back in May we enjoyed a great visit with Shepards and had great fun with a cookout.

Paul sharing his smore :)

Enjoying Scott's new ride!

One highlight of the year was a visit to Chicago to see Tony and Lisa and the boys. We were privileged to be with them for the boy's baptisms.

Having fun with a giant bubble wand

And of course, time inside.

Well, it is getting late, hopefully I will get some more pictures on here soon!