Mama's helpers

Ellie with baby Addison. She is constantly wanting to hold her. When I tell her no because Addison is getting overstimulated she says, "Can I just kiss her foot then?" She made me very proud the other day when she says, "Do you know what I want to be when I grow up?" I came up with the usual responses like, Teacher, librarian, policewoman etc. And she says, "Nope, I want to be a Mother and have 4 children and 1 baby." Glad to know she is aspiring to be a Mom and recognizes that that in itself is an amazing path!!!

Taylor holding her baby. This little one is going to be a great Mom. She knows all the tricks to help soothe Addison.

Growing Baby!!!

Addison loves to be with her familyand is getting a little spoiled as all she has to do is whimper a little bit and one of her 5 Mamas will come running (myself included) Taylor is especially good with her, of course. Now is over 15 and a half pounds and looks thicker than the rest of our kids. Just a little biased, but isn't she beautiful????

Trip to the downtown Bakery

We love going downtown to the bakery for treats. People know us downtown and at the market now because of our big brood. I love the fact that we live in such a small community that you get to know and recognize people and families.
Note my teenager who has decided it is not that cool to hang out with her family and get her picture taken. (What is she thinking? She is only 13)

Family Tradition!!!

Us girls love to watch American Idol from the get go and see if we can pick the ultimate winner. We have done pretty good as we picked Carrie Underwood and ..... (okay, I guess that's it) Now we have Addison to help as well. We take this very seriously!!! Note the concentration.

weekend fun!!!!!!

Mt. Walker Trail in the Olympics. Beautiful, sunny, but cold day. Here I am wondering what we thought in taking five girls up the trail. Addison decided she didn't like hiking and fussed all the way up and most of the way down.

Of course when we were done she decides to fall asleep. Why is that????

We decided to try a day hike last week up Mt. Walker. All the complaining and crying later we wondered why. However, we really think the girls did enjoy it. We didn't make it all the way up as Addison had two big poopies and we ran out of diapers. We wrapped her in a blanket as a diaper to make sure she had some sort of barrier between her and me. An adventure!!!

Reality Check!

I have to share a recent reality check. Today I went into Central Market with Addison in the front pack and holding onto Ellie's hand. A kind older gentleman (maybe 75-80) came up to me and patted me on the arm and said,"Bless you, Bless you." "You look like you need a nap."
Didnt quite know what to say, so I just smiled and wondered how big the bags under my eyes are. It might be time to try a new under eye concealer. No, I am not posting a picture!

Multi-Tasking

Taylor is always willing to help. Here she is doing flashcard homework while kickin' back with Addy

Great question!

We know Ellie is learning the gospel. She recently asked me if Santa Claus was going to be resurected. I told her I would get back to her on that question. Any ideas for a good reply??

I thought we had girls!

These girls remind me of boys sometimes. Here they are playing horses after they had just been wrestling. I am surprized we have not had more ER visits

Smiley Girl

Full of smiles and laughs now! Doesn't take much to give us a smile. Loves looking at her sisters!

Tummy Crunches

Addison is always moving. If you lay her on her back, up come her feet and head like she is doing sit-ups. It's hillarious!

Busy Baby!!

This little baby is always moving. She is now rolling from tummy to back and here is practicing her tummy crunches.

Immodest?? ......Modest!!!!

Here is Ellie all dressed for church on Sunday in a dress that was Taylors but now fits her. She made multiple comments about herself in this dress like, "I feel like I am getting married", and "I look like a princess." Then she says, "Mom, I better wear a shirt underneath this because it is immodest." WOW!! Maybe I am doing something right! What an amazing little person!!!

Here she is with her shirt underneath all ready for church!

New Toys

Taylor with her new Christmas American Girl Doll Horse. We picked names and Hannah picked Taylors name and she knew that Taylor had been wanting this horse but couldn't afford it with her limitted allowance (3 bucks a month) So she saved up her paper route money and helped her Mom and Dad buy this for Taylor for Christmas. Taylor loves it.

Christmas Vacation

We went to Wenatche with our good friends the Machens to their cabin. Had lots of fun night sledding with bonfire and smores at the bottom of the hill, playing games (air hockey, skeet ball, pinball machines, and of course phase ten and skipbo) Here are the girls doing the ATV's which was fun to watch. They got a little crazy once they got the hang of it. Ellie is on a little 50 engine ATV and was able to go around the track several times. I was able to go snowshoeing with my friend Kristen and got somewhat lost. Took us about 3 hours to find our way back. Ate lots of good food and played hard. Great Vacation.

Fatty, McLatty, Atty!!!

New nickname for Addie. Not sure how we came up with it, other than she eats like crazy and getting rolls to prove it. She is getting happier and we can definitely elicit smiles on command. Can't image the Uffens without her.

Good Fudge!!

Yes this is our 5th so we are much more laid back. Addison here at 2 months trying her first bit of chocolate. Grandpa Uffens' fudge. I think she liked it!

Phrase of the Year!!!

5 year old Ellie seems wise beyond her years. Here she is playing with her new Christmas toys, "Littlest Pet Shop." She tells me, "Mom, I know who makes everything in the whole world." Curious Mom says, "Oh, really, who?" "Well, she says, of course, Jesus and China." I think she has been reading the back of all her toys that say Made in China!!