Family Pictures

These were taken several weeks ago and I am finally getting around to posting some on my blog. I was really happy with the way they turned out. Enjoy and thanks to my friend Jessica for taking them!

Elaina's Baby Blessing

We had Elaina's baby blessing today. I was so greatful to have family show up. Especially since our sacrament starts at 8:30 in the morning. John did a great job on the blessing. It is always a tender moment for me to see John take our little baby in his arms and give them a blessing. Here are some highlights from the day.

My two older sister's enjoying the food. Everyone was nice enough to help with the food so it was super easy for me.

Elaina in her dress. The hat was a little too small but it seemed to work out okay.

Ben just loves Elaina and is always trying to hug and kiss her. Plus he loves to be the in the picture.

Here is Jacob who also loves to give Elaina lots of attention. He also loves to do whatever Ben has done.

Family Picture. Oh I love my little family. We are all laughing because everyone was trying to get Katelyn to smile.

Ben again trying to get in on the pictures and Katelyn just trying to run around with cousins.

Brothers. These two boys get along really well and love to play with each other. Aren't they cute!

Siblings

There is nothing I love more than seeing my kids take care of each other. The other day Jacob sat down to read Elaina a story. She loved having him read to her.

Seeing this picture reminds me of another time when Ben was reading to Katelyn.

What could be sweeter than seeing a big brother take care of his little sister.

First Day of School

Here are some pictures from Ben's first day of school. I have to say I am sad to see him gone all day. He has been a big help with the new baby. But he has been enjoying it and really likes his teacher. He also loves eating lunch a school.

The other kids want to get in on the pictures too.

My Life

My life has been a bit crazy as of late. New babies are a lot of work. My kids (especially the 3 year old) have learned that when I am feeding the baby I am too busy to notice what they are doing. Tuesday night was a particularly busy night with Back to School night and Home Teaching apts. While John was gone and I was feeding the baby this is what Jacob and Katie were doing.




When I found the mess I just felt tired, why do kids have to be so messy. A few days before Jacob had dumped out all of the toys in the toy room. Then he had come and emptied the shredder draw. When I found them Ben & Jacob were pretending that is was snowing paper. That was a bigger mess that took the whole family all evening to clean up. One day I will look back on this an laugh, right?? Or maybe in the meantime I should hide all of there toys and let them play in an empty toy room with a ball.

Elaina Marie Halladay

Elaina was born on Wednesday July 22nd at 2:26 pm. She weighed 6 lbs 8 oz and was 19 1/2 inches. She was delivered 3 weeks early due to me getting preeclampsia. We were blessed that she was born healthy. She did spend her first night in the NICU to watch her oxygen levels. She did well that night and we were able to bring her home Friday when we were both discharged.

The kids have been very excited to have her here. Jacob has been frustrated that she sleeps so much. He keeps asking me to wake her up. All the kids love to hold her. Ben has been a big help. Katelyn of course loves the baby too much and we have to constantly be on our guard. We are so happy to have her here.

Here are a few pictures.

At the Hospital

Being held by Ben

Ben, Dad, Katie & Elaina

Katie & Elaina

Ben & Elaina

Jacob, Ben & Elaina

A few things we have been up to.

Here is a picture of Katie trying on the boy's swim goggles. She really liked wearing these.

This is a picture from the bird nest we had this year. The kids loved watching the birds. It was fun while it lasted but they made a huge mess. I am glad they are gone. Plus it is nice to go out the back door with out a bird diving down at you.

One day while Katie was suppose to be taking a nap Jacob sneaked in to have some fun. He pulled all of the blankets out of his drawers and threw them in her crib. When I found them they were jumping up and down on all of the blankets.

Ben had a great time playing t-ball this year. His games were a lot of fun to watch.