Outrigger Island - VBS 2008

Bible School is very popular at our church. There was an average of 195 kids there each night. I was extremely impressed with the decorations throughout the church. The whole church was decked out. Addisyn's room had a goldfish pond. She thought it was VERY cool. It was a little crazy because the girls were still playing ball. There were various pick ups and drop offs throughout the week. Christy and I worked together to get everyone there as much as they possibly could be. Braelyn went for the first 3 nights and then had a melt down. Maybe next year. Addisyn memorized her bible verses and got to bring home a real fish at the end of the week. On Fri. night, they had a big feast for the family before the program. Over 600 people were fed and attended the program!!!

Our Island dinner!!

A boy and girl were picked to sit up on the lifeguard stand each night at closing.

The front of the church.
The crew.
Our kiddies!!!

The train!!!!

For anyone wanting to visit!!! The Amtrak train comes into DuQuoin - about 20 min from Benton. Mom decided that she would try it out. She was supposed to leave Champaign about 11:25. She didn't end up leaving until about 1. The girls thought it was neat going to get her from the train. Tayloran actually got to ride the train back. The others girls stayed back due to Avery having a ball game and Mom having to play for 3 church services on Sunday. We had to have them back to the train early on Sat. morning. I forgot my camera and didn't get any pictures of them getting back on.

Mustang League Champions

Tayloran's team played for the Championship game back a couple of weeks ago. They won!!!! We were all so excited. Tayloran learned to bunt and to slide. She actually LOVED to slide. We were so proud of her accomplishments this spring!!!

Tayloran bunting.

Ready in the field.
Her team

Father's Day

My girls are so lucky to have this man as their father. I can't think of one bad quality that Ryan has. He is a hands on Dad - the leader of our family. He gives baths, reads bedtime stories, plays games, checks homework, ..... On Father's Day, Ryan started off his day as a guest in Addisyn's Sunday School class. We came home for some snacks and then hit the pool. The weather was wonderful. It was one of the first days we've all had just to hang out together as a family. Thanks, Ryan, for being a wonderful father to our children! We Love You!!!!!!

WHAT A STUD!!!

DADDY & HIS GIRLS

THE GIRLS TRYING TO TURN HIM OVER

SUPER DAD!!!

IS THIS A CHEERLEADER STUNT???

Ladies Night Out

My wonderful friend, Christy, decided to get a few ladies together to go out to eat last Saturday night. Christy is the oldest of 4 girls. I find it so fascinating to listen to how they all relate with one another. I also love hearing her mom talk about raising them. It's also nice to know that she survived!!!! All of these ladies have been so nice to us since moving here. We went to eat at a fabulous place called Waltz. They served everything. we had the double decker pizza. It was wonderful. Christy also had a little cake to top off the evening. Thanks, ladies, for a night out!!! Ryan wasn't even too grouchy when we got home!!!

Softball

We have been up to our eyeballs in softball the last month and a half. It seems as if we are at the ball park almost EVERY night. There have only been two games where we have had to watch 2 fields at once. I took the camera to Tayloran's game last Fri, but I forgot to get it out of the bag until the game was over. She was very excited to have won the game. Addisyn and Braelyn's main focus is what they can have from the concession stand.

Tayloran, Addisyn & Braelyn!!!

This is Avery during her game on Sat. afternoon. It was SOOOO HOT!!! This wasn't great weather for a VERy prego Momma! Avery plays 3rd base.

Avery's fan club!

On deck

Avery's two good friends - Madison & Hannah

Collin - Madison's brother had a ballgame at noon also. Collin is Addisyn's good buddy!!!! They had a sleepover the other night. He told his mom is was alright, but that he was disappointed because he didn't get to sleep with Addisyn. Gotta love when they are sweet and innocent!!!

Extreme Cheer Slam Camp

Extreme Cheer Camp. Addisyn was so psyched. The week before, the older girls participated in a softball camp. Addisyn was counting down the days until "her" camp started. She went in the mornings, and the older girls went in the afternoon. Did I mention that it was in the 90's all week?? The facility wasn't air conditioned - so, the girls were worn out. It was nice to share the running with our friend, Christy, whose daughter also attended the afternoon session. We were exhausted after running to camp, to ballgames, etc. Poor Braelyn was exhausted by the end of the week.

Addisyn cheering her little heart out.

The morning session!!!

Tayloran, Avery, & Madison's group

Sunday - 6-8-08

These were pictures that I took last Sunday. I just couldn't seem to find the time to put them up there! We have had a very busy week. In a couple of weeks things should slow down a little. I'm looking forward to having a normal routine back in place.

Addisyn - just home from church

Noel - on her chain in the backyard. She tends to slip away if we aren't watching her!!!

The kids playing in the fountain that Ryan and "cool" Don hooked up.

Braelyn - drinking my drink!!! I think she thought that if she took it in the water - I wouldn't come after it!!!

33 weeks 1 day

I can hardly believe that in about 6 weeks we will have a baby. I am 33 weeks and 1 day along!!! He is still hanging out sideways - not so good. Hopefully when I go at the end of June the baby will have turned around.

Giant City

A couple of weeks ago we took off after church to take a ride to Giant City. It was about 86 outside and sunny. Perfect weather. When we were driving thru the park, we got a wild idea to take a hike. It didn't dawn on either Ryan or I that 1. I am over 8 months preg. 2. we all had on flip flops. We took a trail that Ryan had been on numerous times while in college. However, it's funny how your perspective on things changes after you become a parent. There were a couple of places where it was a little nerve wracking walking with 4 little girls - one of which is a toddler and the other which is a clutz. Ryan and I had them by the hands to keep them in line!!! Ryan commented that he didn't remember even thinking twice about that trail. When you are young - you are invincible. Theoldest two were begging to go on more trails. We decided one was good for now!!!!

4 D Sonogram

Ryan and I were both so excited for our 4d sonogram. Ryan had a coworker show him one that they had had taken, and he thought that if ours was as clear, we would be able to tell who our baby looked like. Our child was just as cooperative this time as he was the first time. He apparently doesn't want us to know what he looks like. He had one had covering his face and the other side of his face was crammed down on my uterine wall. the pictures don't show up tissue to tissue. The guy worked with us for about 30 min before we called it quits. The baby was sleeping so sound ( apparently like his father) and didn't move the whole time!!! We did get one picture of him trying to suck his hands, but that was it!!!! We were told we could come back and try it again. Great!!!! So, we went back this Tues. Avery's teacher told me to drink a Mountain Dew before we went. Great idea. On the way there I pounded a MD and the baby was ALL OVER THE PLACE. Perfect. We get in there and had to wait for 30 min. By the time we got in, he had crashed from his sugar high and was sleeping with his whole arm over the top of his head. We did get to see more than we saw the first time - he has chubby cheeks and we did see his eyes. However, you still couldn't see very well with his arm placement and then there was the umbilical cord right next to his face. I was determined to get a great picture and kept poking at him. He finally got mad and flipped both of his feet over his head. At least we know that he has 10 fingers and 10 toes. We have plenty of shots of his arms and hands. Leann, at this point I'm agreeing with you - it's a Miller!!! STUBBORN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I guess we will have to wait to see if it's a Taylor or a Miller. Who knows - maybe we have actually mixed our genes this time. The only other news - he changed from being head down to side to side. Wonderful. I hope he gets turned back around the right way. ***By the way, Ryan had both people double check, and it is still a boy!!!!

Addisyn's last day of preschool

Last Thursday was Addisyn's last day of preschool. I can't say enough wonderful things about this preschool. One of the ladies that Ryan works with set us up with this wonderful church. These ladies donated their time every Thurs. morning to teach and play with the kiddos. They learned about the alphabet, practiced writing their names, heard bible stories, played games, and socialized!!! Addisyn loved going. Every week they would have homework. If they brought their homework back, they got a prize. Addisyn will miss going to play with her new friends. This is the class. The most there on a Thurs was 8!!!

Elementary Track Meet

The girls participated in the elementary track meet. Tayloran got 2nd in the softball throw out of the 4th grade girls, 2nd in the 50 meter dash, and their relay received 3rd place. Avery received a 3rd place ribbon for her relay, and I'm going to have to ask her what other ribbons she received. I'm having a senior/prego moment. The girls and I got there just in time to see Avery run. We had a little break and Addisyn and Braelyn got to test out the track.

Avery in motion!

exausted after the race
Run, Braelyn, Run
Tayloran going strong! They each ran the 2nd leg of the relay.
Tayloran's relay team

Ball

Our life has been taken over by ball. The girls each have two games a week. We have all been freezing at the park. Some of the games haven't even started until 7:30,which makes for a late night for us all. This week we have four games during the week and we will play 3 make up games on Sat. The girls have been asking Ryan to take them over to the batting cage over at the school several times a week. The other night we loaded up the wagon and away we went. Braelyn even thought that she needed in on the show.

Ryan thought that he could eventually make the ball hit the bat. I don't think he ever had any luck with that! Braelyn thought that she was big stuff.


Addisyn swinging away! She will be good to go for next year!
On our way. Loaded up heading down the street. We probably looked like a 3 ring circus!!

Mother's Day

Me - the mom of almost 5!!! I can sometimes hardly believe how lucky I am. When I was in high school, I always had 2 feelings. 1) my dad would never walk me down the aisle 2) i wouldn't be able to have children. I have always wondered if one event had to happen so that the other would? I truly believe down deep that God believed that I could handle the death of my father more so than not being able to have children. I have ALWAYS wanted children. Aunt Karen always reminds me of how many packages of Pampers that my dad bought for me and my dolls at the Homer IGA. I played with my dolls WAY past the age that most girls do. In fact, I told Ryan the very first night that I met him that I wanted 6 kids!!! Can you believe that he didn't run??? In church Sunday, Ryan looks at me and I have tears running down my face. Yes, hormones are running high! He thinks something is wrong. I am crying because I can't believe how God has blessed me with these 4 beautiful girls!!!! I am so lucky! My present from the girls was this necklace with 4 mauve beads with one blue bead for their " no name " baby brother!!! Thanks, Mom, for helping them pick out their gift! My wonderful husband also chipped in with gifts. I got beautiful roses, a candle, and a raft to float on in the pool!!! Thanks, honey!!!

Rend Lake Water Festival Parade

Saturday morning we attended the Rend Lake Water Festival Parade. The girls got a ton of candy, so I guess that makes a good parade. There was also a small carnival on the square that we got to enjoy later on in the day. The girls definitely take after me - they love any kind of ride! Poor Ryan doesn't even like the ferris wheel:)

Waiting patiently

Tayloran & Mine

Ryan thinks that this will eventually be me - a "very into it" cheerleader mom!!