I don't want to forget....

This is the look I get when I ask EJ to smile for the camera. Can't you hear her saying "CHEESE"? Such a silly girl we have!

Keith took AC to the GA banquet at church a few days after Valentine's Day. I love that she got to spend some special one-on-one time with her Daddy. Thankful for both of them! :)

Another year older...it's crazy how fast time flies. Four kids keep me quite busy. EK turned 11 on Monday. We celebrated with a family party that evening and she had cupcakes at school with her teachers and classmates.  Praying this would be a great year for her.  We got her this tent for her room. It's difficult sometimes finding something to get her as a gift (besides clothing) because she doesn't play with anything and can't tell me what she'd like. She really liked hanging out in her tent. I think we'll spend some time in it over breaks and during the summer. She especially loved that her siblings were there with her. EJ and AK love it too. EK, you are a blessing to us! You're a beautiful young lady whose smile lights up a room. Your laughter is contagious. Some days are harder than others but I'm thankful for you. You are my firstborn and will always have a special place in my heart. You've changed me for the better. I've l...

It wasn't much but it was SNOW!! And it was a great motivator for AC to finish her math so she could go out and play. EK was at school and EJ was napping so it was just the middles who ventured out. :)

Our Christmas was quite different this year. Keith had to have emergency surgery the Monday before Christmas and was in the hospital for 9 days. And since Christmas was on a Sunday, we also went to church. It was odd being at church without my husband there, but it was good to be with my church family and remember the true meaning of Christmas! I woke the kids up early so they could at least open stocking presents and eat breakfast (monkey bread) before church. They actually were able to open all their gifts before we had to get dressed and out the door. Amazing how fast they go through wrapping paper, isn't it? EJ was so excited to open gifts this year. It didn't matter if it was hers or not. Ha! After church we went to the hospital to see Keith. Thankfully he was feeling much better and I think a visit from his kids did him some good. :) You never know when you bring four kids to a hospital... We went to Keith's parents for lunch and the kids had some more gifts to open....

Goodness, Keith and I have some beautiful kids!  Playing around with my camera, trying to make EK smile. :) My handsome boy! AC and one of her good friends at church. The kids sang in the evening service a few weeks ago. They did a fabulous job! (Notice AC has braces!! She's so happy!) Our little ham! Mimi goes shopping at Easter and Christmas so all the Hoyer cousins match (SO BLESSED!) but getting a picture of all 9 is quite the challenge. The poor babies were worn out after a morning of playing in the nursery. They did NOT want their pictures taken! Then we had AK's preschool Christmas program. This is EJ when she realized her daddy was talking. It was so cute!! "my dadda" Cousin C walking in Our boy...such a difference a year makes. Last year he said he was sick and didn't want to do the program. This year, he owned it! Front and center...sang all the words, did all the motions, watched his teacher. Go Andrew! ...

Some may look forward to getting pictures done, but I am always cautiously optimistic. :) I am so thankful for digital cameras that allow me to see right away if we have one or two that may work or know that we need to keep trying. Ha! Trying to take a picture with four kids is hard enough. Having a daughter with special needs who will smile when she wants to and has trouble sitting still AND a toddler who has a mind of her own is a challenge. AC and AK did much better about just smiling the entire time but then I had glare at times from AK's glasses. (We paid more for the non-glare coating earlier this year but it actually allowed more scratches on his glasses than we've ever had! So now we're back to regular lenses which are holding up better but then allow glare if his chin isn't tilted just right. It's always something...) Look at Little Miss pushing her big sister away. EJ thought her shoe was very interesting... EJ, what are you looking at? I...