Cole Laughing

Cole has been laughing for about a month now, but never like this. Marc took this video yesterday afternoon while I was gone. This was my surprise when I got home. I LOVED it! I hope it puts a smile on your face today!

Boo!

We had a great time trick-or-treating this year. Even though it was cold out and we didn't go to nearly the amount of homes that we have in the past, the girls still had a great time going to a few select places. They each picked out their own costumes this year with the exception of Cole. Here are just a few pictures showing you how cute they were.

Emma's been very much in the Harry Potter series. She's read the first book through 6 times and has seen the first two movies. As if you couldn't tell, she's "Hermione Granger".

Lily loved this costume when we first saw it on the internet. And there was no question who she wanted to be - "Strawberry Shortcake" - pink hair and all!

Maggie went back and forth and finally decided on "Raggedy Ann". I LOVED this costume and she now wears it almost every day!

My happy little man - a Tootsie Roll! Everyone loved this costume. I thought he looked pretty cute!!!

Hope you all had a very Happy Halloween!

Truly Amazing

We had a few experiences in our home this week that I would really rather not ever have happen again. The first happened this past Tuesday. Cole had woken up early and he was a little fussy. His belly had been bothering him and since there was nothing I could do for him, I decided to let him cry it out for just a little bit. So, I quickly jumped in the shower and got myself ready for the day. It didn't take me that long, maybe 20 minutes. After I was done, I turned on the monitor and could hear him breathing. He had fallen back asleep. I started my day and then got the girls up and ready. Finally, I went in to wake Cole up at his normal time. I had gotten to his closed door and I could hear him crying inside, so I hurried in to get him. I noticed as soon as I opened the door that his cry was muffled. When I got to his crib, I saw what no mother would want to see. Somehow he had rolled over onto his back (he's been doing this for quite awhile now), scooted his body to the head of the crib, turned around and scooted back down to the end. In this process, his head got underneath his blanket. Normally I wouldn't be overly concerned, but his blanket had gotten wrapped tightly around his head! I don't know how that happened, but I immediately was in panic mode. I ripped that blanket off his head, scooped him up in my arms and we cried together. Under the blanket was about a foot circle of sweat and tears. I don't know how long he had been like that but when I took the blanket off his head, he was struggling to take in full breaths. It was hot under there. His entire head was covered in sweat and dripping down his face. His hair was slicked back. It was amazing that this little guy didn't suffocate. I've heard of babies dying for unknown reasons in their cribs. God totally had His hand on my son for that to not have happened to him.

Then, last night after I got home from the gym, we were putting the girls to bed. I tucked in Lily and Maggie and then was heading down to Emma's room to pray with her and say goodnight. I picked Cole up off from the living room floor to take him down with me. About 1/3 of the way down, my left ankle buckled and we fell down the stairs together. Amazingly enough, Cole never hit the stairs or the wall. He stayed in my arms the whole time. The only time he cried was when I was screaming to Marc to come and get him. God, again, had His hand on my son. The second time in two days. He truly is amazing!!! And I am thanking Him daily for protecting Cole.

Kercher's Apple Orchard

A few days ago we took the kids to Kercher's Apple Orchard in Goshen. It was for a field trip for our homeschool group and we had a great time. Thankfully the rain stopped in time for the adventure. It was muddy, but it was warming up and the kids all had a great time. Each person was able to pick three apples and one gourd. The kids were also given coloring books and everyone had apple cider (which was AMAZING)!!! Anyway, here are some pictures from this great day!

The view around the orchard! It was gorgeous!!!

(Unfortunately it was still hazy out from the rain)

Posing in the corn maze.

Walking through the corn maze.

Daddy and his son.

Emma picking her Red Delicious apple.

Lily picking her Red Delicious apple.

Maggie picking her Golden Delicious apple.

We had a great time and we're looking forward to doing it again next year.

Miscellaneous

So much has happened in the last few weeks around our home. Nothing major, but it just seems that we're always on the go. So, to sit down and spend some time on the computer is a luxury at the moment. I am babysitting for some friends, but the kids are all sitting down and watching "Wallace and Gromit". On a side note, if you want a cute movie that will make you laugh, you've gotta watch these. My kids love them and I think Marc and I love them as much as they do. O.K. On to the next thing.

Last weekend Marc and I were able to get away for a few hours without the kids. It's been a long time since we've been on a date. I know it's so important to date your spouse after you get married, but it's so hard when you have more than two children. Not because they're not well-behaved (they generally are) but because it's hard to find someone to watch 4 kids. And on top of that, it's hard not to pay out the nose for a sitter. So, it had been at least 5 years since our last date. Some good friends of ours watched the kids for us last Saturday night. We're going to take turns with them. They watch our kids one month and then we watch theirs the next. No calls to check on how they're doing...just enjoying our time together. And that's just what we did. We laughed and had a great time together. We missed each other. I brought my camera to take pictures and never did. Just was too caught up in the moment. I remembered some of the reasons that I married this man. And I would do it all over again.

I LOVE this man!

I had taken this picture of Cole and my dad when we were in NY for a big family visit. I love this picture of the two of them. I love my dad - so much so that Cole has his middle name. And I adore my son.

We had another first in our house last week. Lily lost her first tooth! It started getting loose on Tuesday and by Thursday she had pulled it out on her own! She was SO proud of herself.

We had to go out and buy the girls new winter jackets a few weeks ago. Maggie's came with and orange hat and she wanted to pose. Check out that ornery grin.

Mags and me. She wanted her picture taken with mom.

So did Lil.

They harvested all the beans last week. The girls love that time of year because they get to go for rides in the combine. Unfortunately I couldn't go and take pictures of them because I had to stay inside with Cole as he was napping. Hopefully next year he'll be able to go for a ride, too!

My son is growing so fast! Even though he only weighs 13 lbs., the doctor said it was o.k. to start him on baby food. So, the above picture is of him with his first taste of cereal. He really enjoyed it. The lower picture is of his first taste of squash. That took a little more of getting used to, but he loves it now! It's so hard to believe Cole's over 18 weeks old now. He's such a good baby. Only cries when he's tired, hungry or has a nasty diaper. He sleeps 12 hours at night and takes a 4 1/2 hour nap in the afternoon. He smiles all the time!

So, that's what we've been up to lately. Busy? Yes. I do wish it would slow down a little. But since it's not, I'll just have to enjoy what I can at this very moment. And right now I'm going to go and enjoy watching "Strawberry Shortcake" with my girls!

In Love

Lately I've been singing "You Are My Sunshine" to Cole. It seems as if all my children, from the moment they were born, have been in love with music. It's soothing, relaxing, etc. But they all love it. So, when I started singing this song to Cole, he would smile, coo, try to giggle, make noises (I think it's his "joyful" noise). Now in this video, you will see him smile. He didn't really do any of the other things. It's funny, whenever I get the video camera in front of him, he becomes really timid. I know that's pretty common, but I wanted to show you his reaction. Of course, the singing isn't the greatest. I started a little too high for my voice and it's just not the best. But I wanted you to see what I see in this little boy. Pure love. Maybe not necessarily for music, but for his mom. You can see it in his eyes. I've been really busy these last few nights and Marc has had all the kids. Cole was a little fussy during one of these times and Marc decided to sit down and turn on this video so Cole could hear my singing. He said it was amazing - Cole knew it was me right away and stopped fussing. He knew my voice and tried to find the sound. Kind of how it states in John 10:27 - "My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow Me.". Am I just like Cole? Do I know the voice of my Savior and do I do whatever I can to find Him and follow Him? Sometimes I do, but there are times that I ignore that voice. I know that time will be coming with Cole - a time when he hears me call to him and he decides not to follow. But right now I'm relishing in the time that he does try to find me all the time. Maybe that's a little bit of how Christ feels when I decide to follow him. Like a proud, loving parent.

Vacation

It seems like it's been so long since I've blogged. And it has, really, been awhile. Recently we took a vacation to New York. I've missed being home so much! But the most awesome thing about it was that both my brothers and their families could be there at the same time. This is the first time in almost 2 years that we've all been together. So, it was great! Now, I'm not saying that every moment was perfect. Of course there were personality clashes, disobedience from the kids, but it was great nontheless. The kids played so well together. They just enjoyed being around each other. This was also the first time that my brothers were able to see Cole. So, he made a huge hit! Anyway, here are some pictures from our week at home.

This is what I woke up to in the van on our way. We left at 3 AM Saturday morning to start out our trip. This picture doesn't do it justice, but it was so cloudy and this little patch of sun was shining through giving the area around us that glowing look. I love that look. I always thought that this showed where heaven was. A beautiful brightness and glow among the darkness.

My handsome man doing most of the driving.

All the grandkids (minus Cole and my nephew Ben) sang at my parents church on Sunday morning. They all wanted Mimi up there to sing with them, so she did. They sang "This is the Day" and "God is so Good" accompanied by my dad on guitar.

Mimi and Kate - I just LOVE this picture!

My brother, Brett, and his son, Jack. Jack just adores his daddy!

My gorgeous man again! I just can't seem to get enough of this guy! =)

My brother, Dan.

My dad and my grandmother (his mom). I haven't seen her in such a long time. I do love my grandma.

My dad with his dad and stepmom (my grandma, too). When my grandfather first saw me when we were home, he stood up, kissed my cheek, hugged me, and then asked me who I was! It's been a few years since I've seen him and with the black hair I have now, he didn't recognize me. That's o.k. I thought it was so funny! And I just adore my grandfather!!

All the most important men in my life (excluding my husband and my son).

From left to right - Dan, Dad, Grandpa, Brett

I think they're a handsome group!!!

It was just gorgeous while we were in NY. So much so that the kids were able to go in the river and ride around in the kayaks. I wish I would have gotten more pictures. These aren't the greatest. Also, my brothers and I were able to go kayaking, too. Didn't get any pictures of us either. Oh well. My brother got some videos that I'll have to post when I get them.

More kayaking kids - and dogs, too. Yes, my parents have miniature daschunds, and they go kayaking and biking with my parents.

Dan

Brett

Marc

My sister-in-law Melissa and my nephew Ben. I just love these two!

On our last day in NY, we took the girls to the marina close by. They had so much fun looking at the boats and wandering around on the rocks. Here are a few pictures of our excursion there.

Marc wanted me to take some pictures of the rocks. We thought they looked pretty cool!

Lily

Maggie

Emma

I didn't take too many pictures of Cole last week. I don't know why, it just didn't happen. I would have loved to have gotten some pictures of him on the rocks, but being that he's so small still, that didn't work. Maybe soon. But for now, this picture of him roughing it will have to suffice.

The girls looking at the boats. They loved every minute of it!

It was so nice being with everyone, but also great to be back in our own beds! We miss everyone so much and we're looking forward to maybe doing this again next year. So, for now...

We miss you...

Papa

Mimi

Uncle Dan

Aunt Missy

Alex

Kate

Ben

Uncle Brett

Aunt Em

Jack

Baby to be

Grandma LePage

Grandpa Winters

Grandma Winters

...and love you, too!