Nick walking in Lexie's Shoes

And baby makes 7....

Ok, so I know it's early to be announcing this to the world, but I just can't help it. We're expecting baby # 5 in May (sometime around Andy's birthday - May 22nd). Andy is desperately hoping for another boy so things can be a bit more balanced in the house - and so that Nick will have a playmate that doesn't want to wear princess dresses.
I haven't even had my first doctor's appointment yet, so hopefully everything is okay :)
Wow, we're going to have a full house - and car!

Best Friends

Ellie was outside playing fetch with Buster today and I caught this picture :) Notice all of the leaves which have already fallen. The days are getting shorter and colder up here. I worked at a troop garage sale this weekend for about 6 hours. It was 22 degrees out when I got there and it warmed up to maybe 45 by mid-day. I was very thankful for my new Lands End coat which came in the mail last week. I am definitely going to need to invest in some long johns though....
I am hoping that Buster doesn't get too fiesty this winter being inside so much. He is definitely an inside dog (and doesn't like to be left out for very long) but he has tons of energy which I prefer he burns off OUTSIDE.

The kids

Man is it hard to get them all to look at the camera at the same time!! Aren't they all getting so big?

The men

Here are the men of the house, enjoying some boy time :)

Busy, busy...

We have been so busy lately that I have rarely gotten on here. Ellie and Kate have both started gymnastics and they are getting GREAT workouts. I have been really impressed with the gym even though it's extremely expensive - luckily the charter school pays for it. Ellie has also started ballet and Highland dance. I just love watching her do the Highland fling and I cant' wait to get her a kilt :) Lexie is also starting tumbling this week and we're looking for a violin teacher for Ellie. We're waiting to hear back from the Girl Scout troops too - Ellie is going to be a Junior and Katie a Daisy. Oh yeah, I forgot - Ellie and Kate are also in a bowling league/class starting next week. Wow, we're busy!
We're trying hard to keep up with schoolwork - which has been a chore with the little ones underfoot. It's hard keeping Nick happy and out of everything at the same time that I'm trying to give lessons. I'm just waiting for us to in a groove... hopefully that will happen soon! Ellie is studying French this year (her choice - I would have preferred German or Russian!), and we're also studying Life Science (currently plants) and we're on the Constitution in history studies.
Kate is really starting to read much quicker and I have found that she is a total math whiz - where she got it from I don't know.
I've also been keeping busy with spouse's cofees and FRG events. Last week we went canoeing down the Chena River - it was so much fun!! I rarely get a chance to get out and do something like that without the kids, so it was a real treat.
Well, I suppose I should tarry off to bed so I can be up and at it again in the morning :)

Warmies

With Winter fast approaching, we're having to do some shopping for warm clothes! Here is Nick in his new winter boots :)