Our Storyteller

Gretchen is our storyteller.  She loves making up stories to act out with whatever little toys or figures she has in front of her.  I read this book to her (the story of Jesus' birth) and then she asked to take a turn.  Some parts are hard to understand, but if you listen closely you'll hear a new version of Jesus' birth which includes references to his death, soldiers who "melt down" (knelt down) before they tried to kill the baby, and then Mary married the baby!  

Blackberries

The kids and I took advantage of a sunny Saturday morning to pick blackberries.  Rooke was territorial about his bucket and couldn't make up his mind about what we should do with the ones we pick.  Gretchen couldn't stop eating them long enough to actually bring any home in her bucket!  We put them on ice cream for dessert that night and over pancakes for breakfast the next morning - yum!   

She was a scavenger, not letting the thorns keep her for getting her fill of berries!

Pretty Gretch

Gretchen and I played beauty parlor last week.  She chose six different colors of nail polish, two yellow clips, and lip gloss!  Then she found a treat in Daddy's desk during our little photo shoot and enjoyed trying out gum for the first time!  

  

Bridgette at Six Months

"What did you say?  I'm already six months old?!"

It's true.  Our littlest Payne is an adorable six months old.

So far, Bridgette is a pretty laid back child.  She's our content, happy, easy-going, sweet little girl.  She loves her siblings (despite the excess of affection they offer) and smiles any time they give her even the slightest bit of attention.  She rolls around all over the floor, reaching for toys and talking about what she sees.  She doesn't laugh much yet, but she smiles all the time!  She usually takes two good naps and almost always wants at least one snack in the middle of the night.  In the past couple of weeks, she's tried out several new foods and is getting the hang of the rice cereal.  She's also learned to sit on her own!  

And the hair!!!

The McTaggarts Come to Town {part 2}

We spent a day in Cambridge with the McTaggarts!  As my sister so perfectly put it: it was crazy and wonderful all at the same time.  With kids at ages four, three, two, ten-months and six-months we looked and sounded like North America on parade.

We walked around, had a yummy lunch, rented out a large boat with guide to take us along the River Cam, cooled off with some ice cream, and just enjoyed the city on a bustling Saturday.

Beautiful.

This guy set up and started playing right next to where we were snacking.  Creative!

Sunday lunch at home

Maisy shared one of her teething crackers with Bridgette, who had fun trying to eat it.

Big Daddy and Kaye K were in grandkid heaven!  Konnor and Tana will add to the bunch soon with their first baby due in January!

The McTaggarts Come to Town {part 1}

Aubyn and her family came for a visit this month!  My sister bucket had been on empty for far too long.  It was so great getting to spend time with the McT clan!  Bridgette and Maisy got to meet everyone for the first time.  Rooke, Evelynn, and Gretchen had a lot of fun playing together.  I just tried to soak up every minute of getting to be with family.  It could only have been made better if Konnor and Tana had been with us, too.  

The "big kid" cousins . . . . Rooke was smitten with little Maisy

Bridgette liked getting to know her Auntie Auby

My parents graciously shared their paralympic tickets and they watched the big kids for the day!  Scott, Aubyn, Ryan and I took the babies and spent the day walking around the Olympic park (which is huge!) and caught a game of USA vs. GB soccer.  

I was more interested in looking at these precious girls than the game - what cuties!

Gretchen visited Auntie Auby's beauty parlor.

"Don't smile until I say '3' . . . one, two . . ."

". . . .three!!!"

I'm already missing her so much.