Welcome to the family!

 Jennifer felt out of place when she got back from her four day visit.  She needed lots of love!  But now, she seems to be settling in to the new routine.  She loves the new baby, and when she came home she said "Dey-eh".  (There it is!) 

 She was very happy that all this talking about baby actually did mean something, and there was a baby after all the commotion!

 Evelyn spends most of her time convincing herself that she is hungry!

Matthew had wanted a brother, but he didn't mind Evelyn at all.
"She has such tiny ears!"

 "What a cute baby!"

 "Dey-eh!"
Jennifer giggles and is very excited when Eveyln comes to the living room.
 

 Melanie wanted a sister.  "Because then there will be three girls and three boys.  And that would be fair!"

Nathan wanted a brother.  When he heard he had a sister he said "Oh."

And now he's said "If you have another baby, and it's a girl, then there will be more girls than boys!"  (He was not thrilled with this idea.)

"She is so cute!" says Daniel.

 He likes to look over her, and rub her head ever so gently.

"She is the cutest baby!"
We all agree!

Evelyn Sarah

 

We thank the Lord for making all things well!

Beautiful Children

40 weeks + 3 days

 Here's another belly shot, by Melanie.

  Just so Chris can feel slender. :)

38 weeks

Tick, tick.
38.5
38.75

Flying through Five!

 Matthew was kinda hoping he'd turn six or seven-he didn't dare hope for 8, that would be really big!  He wanted a cake with a point on it.  Instead he got a layered cake (actually 2-one with 2 layers, one with 3) and he had fun decorating it.

 The company was siblings-some where more excited than others to sing
"Happy Birthday to Matthew!"

 Don't worry, there are five candles on-we can count.  You just can see it that easily.

 And the rest of lovely singers warbled our best for Matthew!

 Jennifer joined in the listening, contemplating the quality and flavour of the cake.

 Just like the big bad wolf, Matthew huffed and puffed the candles out.  It did take him a while to get them-and his first attempt was a whistle!  He now whistles a LOT.  Often when he's working away at something he adds a musical accompaniment.

 Birthday cards made in secret are extra special.  The kids are getting so sneaky that even I don't see them 'til they're done! 

 Waiting to open presents is hard work, but nothing a  five year old can't handle!

We are happy to have had five years with Matthew!  He is a gift, as his name means!

Deep deep snow!

 Big snow piles are great for the imagination.  Daniel likes to be a mountain lion!

 Nathan Melanie and Matthew had a castle on the other side of the pile and had to defend it from bad guys!

 Jennifer couldn't manage the snow piles, so she just walked on the path instead.

 But it had some icy patches, which were difficult to navigate.

 Melanie made a snow dog-this is the first year that the kids managed snow men without my help.  Maybe it's because I just was unavailable, and the sticky snow opportunities were passing us by.  I gave advice, but that is all.

 "I'm cold now, Mommy!"

Jennifer is usually the first one back inside-and is very excited when someone comes back in to join her, and watches carefully to see that they are going to stay and play.

Nap time

 Jennifer naps on my bed, with her very own pillow-and she finds it very comfy.

 Daniel usually doesn't sleep, but plays around.  This time, however-coming down with a cold, he decided to climb into the baby's bed and try it out.

 Melanie likes to work on things-coloring, puzzling, etc.   She watches her clock very very carefully and starts opening the door and peeking out promptly at 2.

 Matthew likes being in the living room-since even if he's not prepared enough-he can always dig in the buffet or junk drawer and find something else to do.  Besides, Daddy naps on the couch too, so this is the place to be!

Nathan is always busy with something downstairs.  He's been working on this puzzle for a while now, and it's getting hard-so a few days off were helpful.  But he assures me he was just bored of it, and will finish it next time. He would rather be allowed to play outside-but I'm overprotective, and wouldn't be able to relax and sleep if he was.  Hopefully for him, I grow out of it soon. ;)

I, like Jennifer, sleep.  And do devotions.  Otherwise surviving the day wouldn't be possible.Yesterday we went down a half hour early 'cause of my cold and I was treated with an extra long snooze. :)