Dara turned 11!

 I'm way behind at posting pictures, but here they are! Since we had to be downstate for a family reunion on Saturday, we celebrated with family then and then had friends over on Sunday night for cake, ice-cream and bonfire.

 Pastor Willis, Dave Hoekwater, Casey, Toby, and Chad

 Grandma Sherry and Dale Larrick

 Mrs. Willis, Zion, Kimberly, and Gabe

 Mrs. Willis, Zion, Kimberly, Mrs. Hoekwater, Faith & Kelly

  

Dara blowing out her 11 candles

Littlest Pet Shop from Eva

 Cora gave me her puppy dog, pony, and Littlest Pet Shop

 Journal from Allyn

 Writing Kit from Grandpa and Grandma Carmichael

Money from Uncle Jim, Aunt Amy, Madalynn and James

Tissa--2 months old!

Tissa is now 2 months old! The time just flies so fast when they are young. She loves sitting in her Bumbo seat and watching everything around her. She flashes large, open-mouthed smiles when people talk to her. The last time she was weighed, she weighed 11 1/2 lbs. She rolls up on her side already and I'm sure it won't be long until she actually rolls over. She is just so cute and her sisters love her so much. They are almost always willing to help with anything she needs.

Rodeo Bible School

The girls had so much fun at Rodeo Bible School! Every night they had a bible lesson, did crafts, had snacks, and enjoyed participating in rodeo events. There was goat tying, mutton bustin', steer roping, buckin' bronco, and of course riding horses. On Friday night, they held a full rodeo for the parents, grandparents, friends and families. Each child was able to choose one event to participate in. We didn't get signed up in time to get their first choices, but they all signed up for something. When it came time to do the events, both Sabra and Martha decided they didn't want to do it in front of the crowd, but the other girls sure had fun!

 

Eva doing the steer roping.

All the children that attended RBS singing for the parents.

Allyn attempting to rope the steer.

Dara on her third attempt to rope the steer.

Cora riding out to do the goat tying.

 

Jaina just pulled the ribbon off the goat's tail.

Tissa--6 Weeks

Tissa is now 6 weeks old! At our check-up, she weighed 10 lbs. 14 oz. and measured 22 1/2" long. Laurie said she looked great and is doing well!

She is starting to smile more and more often and is staying awake more. She likes to watch her sisters play and she enjoys just sitting in their laps.

She sleeps all night except for getting up once or twice to eat and go back to sleep. I only have to be up for 15 minutes when she does wake. She usually eats every 3 hours, but is going longer at night.

She started lifting her head up a couple of weeks ago and does so more often as the days go by.

Gracious Daughter of the King: LifeWalk 2011

Gracious Daughter of the King: LifeWalk 2011: "Care Net of Cadillac's LifeWalk 2011 will be happening on June 4, 2011. Usually the walk is held in May, but thankfully it wasn't this year ..."

More of Tissa!

 Hava loves being a big sister!

 Jaina loves Tissa!

 Martha loves Tissa, too!

 Cora couldn't wait to hold Tissa!

 Papa Carmichael with his newest grandchild.

Papa Smith is great at putting babies to sleep. Of course, he's earned a nap as well!

Welcome Tissa Margaret Diane!

 We were blessed with the arrival of Tissa Margaret Diane on May 5th at 10:54 am. She weighs 8 lbs. 10 oz and is 22 inches long. She was born into the presence of just her Dad and Mom as the midwife did not make it in time as she was over 2 hours away.

Darcy started having contractions at 10 am; they came fast and hard. She called Chad to tell him to come home from work and to hurry. He arrived home with less than 10 minutes to spare before Tissa made her entrance. We are fortunate enough to have a retired nurse for a neighbor and she came over and stayed with us until  the back-up midwife arrived. The back-up midwife stayed until our midwife arrived. When Laurie arrived, she checked Tissa and Darcy and both got great reports.

 When Chad called one of our friends to let them know, she sent over her 18 year old daughter to take care of the girls and prepare meals. She was a life saver! She was here until Darcy's parents arrived with dinner. They are staying until Saturday when another young lady will be arriving and staying for two weeks to help out.

I hope you enjoy the pictures! I forgot to turn some of them before uploading them, but you can still see how beautiful she is and how adored she is by her sisters.

Happy 9th Birthday, Eva!

 Eva received $10 from Uncle Jim, Aunt Amy, Madalynn, and James.

 She is turning into such a beautiful young lady! It's hard to believe she's 9 now!

 She received a sand art kit from Grandpa Jerry and Grandma Sherry (our neighbors).

 Papa & Nana Smith gave her a new art curriculum video set.

 Finally, a new water bottle (from Papa & Nana Smith)!

 A book about pioneer life written by a Michigander from the West Michigan area (from Papa & Nana Smith).

 Pottery Wheel kit from Dad, Mom & sisters.

 Scrapbook, stamp, art kit from the Inglerights.

 Allyn drew Eva paints, a paintbrush, and an art palette.

 A Bible trivia game from Papa and Nana Carmichael.

 Sabra made her a bracelet.

Cora drew her a princess picture.

Eva made her own birthday cake to look like an artist's palette. She did a great job!