Since Archer was born, we have been trying to lay low and keep life simple. So in recent months, we haven't been taking a lot of excursions our outings . . . and it has actually been really nice! It feels good to have just regular days doing the things we do, and not feel like we need to do more. Mostly, we have been savoring this precious time with three big boys and a sweet baby brother. Here is just a flavor of our normal days:
After-school snack time. Sam looks forward to this time every day! A chance to catch up with "the brothers" and give them all the updates from his end. As you can see, they are happy to include Archer - and happy to consume many processed snack foods.
Yummy "purple heart" chocolates sent from my Aunt Leslie in a package. You know, for the after-after-school-snack treat.
Play dates that include (thanks to Serik's good influence) a little piano show-off time.
Archer hanging with me and somewhat patiently enduring the madness that was me preparing for Family Game Night at the school.
Henry's creations: Wookie finger puppets for cousin Valentines
Discovered this in the hallway at parent teacher conference. :)
Finally a day warm enough for the park - and showing off a little hip!
LOTS of shirtless wrestling happening lately...
This was my family home evening lesson. I was talking about the four pillars of a testimony, and using the blocks to show how important it is to have those pillars in place. Henry caught on to the analogy and instantly swarmed in to add his own adaptations and insights. Pretty soon, all three of the big boys had taken over my lesson and were adding blocks right and left and saying, "But what if.....?"
Henry has enjoyed having CitiBlocks - which he got for Christmas. I was impressed with this trailer truck.
And then he made this castle, which was even more awesome (and Sam helped him with the fortifications)
and then the boys all worked together on this tower! Good times.
This is Archer's hand - and my hair! He pretty much pulls out at least this much hair from my head 2-3 times a day. He is vicious.
Really proud of this cupcake I decorated at Relief Society. Thanks for being my outlet for bragging.
Ice skating outings always give Ben a good workout! Actually Sam was pretty good, but he definitely depended on us for the first half. He worked up to being quite independent and confident, and he fell a bunch of times.
Ellis, on the other hand, cautious and careful. He didn't fall at all but took it really SLOW. Both boys have their way of succeeding!
Walking home from school and trying to keep up with these boys.
Ellis has been having play dates with his best friend Daniel nearly every Tuesday. We like having Daniel around.
This was the day Sam did a service by making my bed without being asked.
Brothers hanging out after school
We started Archer on baby food! When the boys saw Archie's face covered in purple, they all just about died of laughter! I hadn't even thought about it looking funny because, you know, this is my 4th baby boy and all. But if you're not used to it, man, it is pretty funny to see your brother covered in pear/blueberry purée!
Ellis wanted to make sure we got a picture of his crazy post-shower hair and the tattoos that didn't wash off in the shower. Plus the crazy angry face.
Typical moment: Boys loving Archer. Boys teasing each other. At the same time.
Here is another recent obsession that has come up during play time. The boys have been acting out Medieval Times, or the "knight show." They take turns being the announcer, and they each come in with their medieval weapons and show off their moves. Then two of them fight each other in a pre-planned, pre-choreographed battle. Then usually the one who was supposed to die ends up turning around and fighting back for the win, which goes against the plan. Actual real-live brother battle ensues.
