More Adele

I had the privilege of staying with Joe and Amy's boys while they ran off to the hospital. 

And so that also meant that I got to be the one to take them to meet their sister. 

I wont ever forget it. 

These boys have a super hero obsession. 

They asked if they could wear their capes to the hospital. 

And I figured every baby sister needs a couple of super heroes as brothers...

Their first look at Adele.   

Joshua is almost 5 and he could not have been more proud. 

Im not sure Hudson (3) knew quite what to think! 

I love being Aunt Becky. 

We now have 14 grandkids on the Earle side and 11 on the Dirks side, so I get to be Aunt Becky a lot. 

Again, oh my. 

I took my kids back to the hospital with the boys the next day. 

They thought baby Adele was pretty great too. 

Sullivan is SURE we need another baby. 

This little girl will be so well protected. 

Too cute and precious. 

She'll need to be protected from this particular cousin. 

Cuteness explosion. 

She could care for an infant better than me I bet. 

Welcome Adeline Elizabeth!

On Tuesday, June 24th my brother Joe and his wife Amy welcomed their third baby and first daughter into our family. 

Adeline (Adele) Elizabeth

(We now have an Adele on both sides of the family!)

 She's pretty perfect. 

And already sporting an 'Earle attitude'

Oh new born baby freshness...

We love you so much already sweet baby girl! 

Distractions...

Avery leaves today for a week at camp. 

Man alive I am struggling with letting her go! 

She's not quite as sure as Lauren was that this is all such a good idea!

And that makes me so nervous. 

I know she will have a fantastic time but....

Luckily for me while she's having a great week the other kids and I are headed to Joe's to babysit Joshua and Hudson while Joe and Amy run off and deliver a new niece for me!!!! 

I. CANNOT. WAIT!

24 hours away

Jordan and I started a fun tradition of taking the kids away for a night with us on their 10th birthdays. 

After Lauren's turn 2 years ago the other kids have talked about when their turns would come a lot. 

Jordan and I have loved listening to how much they look forward to it. 

And truth be told, Jordan and I look forward to it as much, if not more than they do. 

Avery had very specific plans for us. 

She and I shopped and then met Jordan after work. 

She wanted to eat at the Olive Garden in Des Moines. 

She was stuffed! 

(funny story..this was the first Olive Garden in Iowa 23 years ago...and I had requested coming here with my parents on my own birthday...we arrived and the wait was 3 hours...needless to say we didn't wait. It was kind of fun to take Avery and share the story with her.)

After supper we hit the pool at our hotel, ate all of Avery's candy, played board games and watched a movie...and then all smooshed into a king size bed when it was time for sleep. 

Pretty much a perfect night. 

The next day Avery and I were lazy and hit the pool again and then headed to the Fish Bowl to bowl and eat when Jordan was able to meet us. 

She wanted some pictures while we waited. 

The Fish Bowl is totally fun! 

And she's TEN!!!!! 

Happy 10th Birthday, Avery Elizabeth!!

A decade. 

An entire decade has passed since this beautiful girl landed in our arms. 

She's no longer my tiny peanut infant, no longer my crazy, out of control toddler, no longer my little girl...she's headed into those tween years. 

Oh Avery I am so sad to see you cross this huge milestone. 

I will forever miss the days when you would run around our home causing mischief and laughter. 

But I am so excited to watch your grow! 

You have the softest heart..often broken too easily, but always aware of others feelings. 

You are so empathetic and I love that about you. 

You are the one who seems to know when someone is hurting or needing a hug. 

You are the one who feels deeply when you see sadness on the news or across the street. 

God will use that for wonderful things. 

And I cant wait to see where He puts you. 

In the middle of some of the biggest storms of my life you have been there as bright light. 

You can always make us smile and laugh. 

In the middle of deep loss you have reminded me of all my blessings. 

You exude JOY! 

And beauty. 

 And a deep love for fun and laughter! 

What a fun big sister you are! 

And what a terrific friend...always ready to get into some trouble, especially with this girl. 

Avery the past 10 years have been a real wild ride with you! 

And I am prayerful that the next 10 might be a little less wild but just as much fun!

Every family should have an Avery in it. 

How blessed we are to call you ours. 

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!!!!!

Love, 

Mom & Dad

SLOW down.....

Its officially been summer vacation for less than 2 weeks. 

But we have been on the go just about every single day. 

The kids sickness and exhaustion yesterday showed me that we needed to slow down a bit...

So today we walked to the library to turn in our summer reading logs and then have just been lazy. 

We all need it. 

Once I had Torrance down for a nap the 4 kids and I went outside and spread out a big blanket. 

I love them.

 For our own 'read-aloud reading' time this summer the kids wanted to read books that have been made into movies. I love love love reading out loud to my older kids. It has to be one of my favorite things right now. We started out on the big blanket outside today with this one...

Judging from the laughter and questions generated from the first 3 chapters, it is going to be a hit. 

Zoo with Friends

Yesterday we went to the DSM zoo with our friends. 

(We are starting off summer with a BIG bang!)

Torrance was beyond excited to feed the goats. 

Avery and Ellie. 

The gang

Then this happened...fever of 102. 

And before we were home I had 2 more complaining that they might vomit. 

This mommy needs to wise up and slow some of our days down! 

kitty

Jordan stayed home and worked while we were in St. Louis. 

The last thing I said before leaving was, 

'PLEASE by nice to my cat!'

So he sent me pictures of the two of them bonding. 

Please pick me up!

This is unheard of when I am home. 

Jordan does not like my cat...he was really loving me by putting up with him! 

Ryan's Graduation

Right after Livvy's shower the kids and I headed to St. Louis 

for my nephew Ryan's graduation reception. 

It was a long drive and not without some drama from Miss Contessa who threw a raging half-awake fit when she woke up not knowing where she was about 1/2 way there. 

But we made it! 

Everyone slept HARD that night! 

I shared my bed with this monster who does not sleep without kicking and shoving!

My kids simply love being at Jeff's house. 

Between the constant activity, loads of food and attention from cousins...its one of their favorite places. 

Oh, and the animals! 

Ryan's party was on Sunday. 

He looks exactly like his dad. 

These two made me 'Aunt Becky'. 

Jordan and I spent so much time babysitting for them when we were in college. 

They were how I knew I wanted to be a mom. 

And now they are taller than me!?

Whatever. 

Tori getting some love from Christina. 

Sullivan was super excited to watch the Spurs/Heat game with Jeff. 

I think Jeff was excited too! 

I lose all authority when we enter the door. 

(I'd like to say though that this picture was staged...he did not get two pops or three bowls of chips. He did get pop though and thought he was in total heaven.)

 On Monday we went to the zoo. 

These hippos were all pressed up against the glass sleeping in a big lump. 

There was a fire at the zoo! 

A popcorn stand caught fire. 

Quite exciting! 

 Cuteness. 

These two were quite interested in us. 

They even grabbed for Ryan's camera which you can see in this pic. 

After the zoo we went to one of the kids favorite spots and rolled awhile! 

That night we went bowling...see constant activity.

Cheese!

Honestly.

 I cant stop. 

So excited! 

We headed home first thing Tuesday morning...the van was silent almost the whole ride home. 

Very tired kids! 

Livvy's Shower

My niece Olivia is getting married in a month. 

(I'm so sure)

This past weekend we attended a Bridal Shower for her. 

She was very excited about the present that Robert sent. 

It arrived in a bag that could only be compared to 'Santa's bag'!!

And she is adorable.

She'll be the most beautiful bride. 

And I'd like to note that she had heels on...I think I am still taller than her. 

Me, Livvy and Stacie (mother of the bride...again, Im so sure)