I know, I know

I know that it has been FOREVER since I have posted and for those of you who check the blog regularly, I apologize!  Life with 4 kids is crazy - especially considering we had croup and strep, Christmas, New Years, Maggie's baptism, and lots and lots of doctor appointments!!  But I am going to play catch-up and have TONS of pictures to post.  For now, enjoy some recent shots of Maggie.  She is growing like a weed and I think that she will be walking before the month is out.  She has taken a few steps here and there and is very determined.

Standing on her own!

pushing the cart!

I took this today after the doctor's appointment.  Her hair is crazy but you can see how much it has grown.  I can't wait to get some bows in her hair!!

She is always smiling!!

Ward is her favorite!!!

On Maggie's First Birthday

Maggie is one today.  When I look at her petite frame I can hardly believe it.  I still marvel at this wonderful gift that God has given us and how blessed we already are by her addition to our family.  However, my thoughts all day today were on Maggie's birth mother.  What was she feeling today?  Was she thinking about Maggie and wondering where she was?  Was she remembering the delivery?  Did she even see Maggie before she wrote the statement that gave her up for adoption?  So many questions were running through my head all day.

But my prayer is that she is comforted by the Ultimate Comforter that her baby girl is with a family who loves her more than life.  A family that will take care of her and lead her on the right path.  A family who will always do what's best for her - even when she doesn't know it or appreciate it!  (That's what good parents do, right?)   We don't know much about Maggie's birth mother, but I pray for her salvation and protection.  She brought life to Maggie and for that I am forever grateful.  When I look at Maggie, I know deep in my heart that she was always meant for our family.  There is not one ounce of doubt in that.  But I know that it took a great sacrifice on the part of a woman whom I will most likely never meet.  I will always pray for her and will continue to praise God for the choice she made that cold December morning in Moscow, Russia on December 19, 2011.

Happy Birthday Maggie!!!

Mom to an 8 year old

I can't believe that I am actually the mother of an 8 year old.  Eight?  How in the world could he be eight?  I mean, I am still 27 right?  In all seriousness, I could not be any more blessed by this little 8 year old than I am.  Yes, we have our moments, we all do, but when I see into Ward's heart, I see the beginnings of a man that I know will make a great husband and father.  I see a little boy who loves Jesus and tries to do the right thing (most of the time).  I see a little boy who is giving and kind and even shares his brand new birthday toys with his 3 year old brother.  I see a little boy who loves the outdoors and everything in it - frogs, lizards, birds and bugs, just to name a few.  I also see a little boy who loves to climb trees and discover the world around him.  A little boy with a gigantic imagination who is always coming up with fun new games and creative ways to entertain the neighborhood who always ends up in our yard.  Most of all, I see a little boy who I love with my whole heart - more than I love myself.  I don't know how that can be but God knew what he was doing when he gave me Ward as my first-born.  He may not be perfect, and may have his challenges, but I wouldn't trade him or anything about him for the world.  I love you buddy!

with his little turtle he caught this summer at the lake

(with his requested birthday cookies - he is his father's son!!)

Boo!

Halloween was crazy, as usual, in the Holt household.  Our neighborhood turns into a mob scene - thanks to the band that sets up across the street and the fact that everyone knows that our neighborhood celeb, Sara Evans, will sing at some point during the night.  This year was no different.  The somewhat good part about this year, however, was that we did not have our usual party at our house where I am entertaining (and feeding) about 5 other couples as well as their kids.  That made my life a TON less stressful.

We decided against our typical party this year for a couple of reasons: (1) Halloween was in the middle of the week and (2) our yard is not complete and is a total mud pit (the main reason).  The landscaping is almost done (sod goes in tomorrow!!) so we had the landscapers fence off everything except for a pathway to the front door.  That did not stop the over 500 trick-or-treaters that we had visit the house however.  They started at 4:35, right after the parade in Crestline village and we ran out of the approximately 500 pieces of candy I had purchased at about 7:45.  And we only allowed one piece of candy per visitor.  We did have some "repeat customers" but I am sure that we had close to 500 kids (and some adults which I still find VERY strange - why do some parents also have a bag and collect candy?).

Sara Evans did not disappoint.  She is really great and the kids love her.  Her son always plays the drums for a couple of songs and she sings.  Her daughter and her friends also make up a little dance to an "of the moment" song and she sings it.  This year it was "Call Me Maybe" (of course).  It was really cute.

I did not do a very good job of documenting the night, but I did get some pictures of the kids in their costumes.  Enjoy!

An Indian spirit warrior, Batman, and a Batwitch

Batwitch and Batman

having a little fun!

Batman!!!

Batwitch!!

Celebration of Sam, the Three Year Old

Two Wednesdays ago, we finished the day by celebrating our wild, crazy, and sometimes terrible resident three year old.  Sam requested a bouncy house and a Buzz Lightyear theme.  He got both.  But mama wised up and only invited six other little boys.  Along with siblings, there were about 10-12 kids total and somehow I avoided having my house wrecked.  We also kept the bog kids and little kids separate in the bouncy house which was really great.  The little ones had the best time bouncing and things got really fun (or funny however you look at it) when Papa joined in the fun.  It was a blast, and I drank a well-deserved glass of wine, or three, after it was over.

yellow cupcakes with white icing (a very specific request from a three year old!)

Cher Cher getting a little loving before our friends got there

Ward and Ladd Bailey having fun

Ward helping Sam blow out his 3 candles!

Paul Vincent left a little icing for later!

the bad big boys!

Papa joined in the fun!

Sam tackling Papa!

So much fun!

a picture of mama (to prove I was there!)

New Orleans

This weekend we took the whole family to New Orleans to spend time with Aunt Bean, Silly Uncle Martin, Tripp, Ashton and baby Liam.  To say that we had a great time would be an understatement.  The kids got along great and I rarely heard a cross word.  The adults got two nights out on the town and I think that I gained at least 5 pounds from the amount of food and drink that I consumed!

Friday night was special because my dad's sister, Aunt Ginger, and her husband, Uncle Tom, were in town for a convention.  They came to the house, played with the kids for a bit and then we had a great dinner catching up and hearing old stories as well.

Saturday was a bit rainy but that didn't stop us!  We headed down to the aquarium where the kids had a blast!   I took a couple of pictures on my phone (so excuse the quality):

everyone is in love with Ashton!!

waiting patiently for the aquarium to open

Loving Tripp's pose here!

  The shark tank (you can kinda see one of the sharks in the back).  Cheese!

Where is the shark?

We love New Orleans!!!

After the aquarium, the kids and moms rode the street car (a fun, but long ride because of all the stops!) to Tripp's favorite place to eat - New Orleans Hamburger and Seafood.  I can't speak for the seafood, but the hamburgers were great!  Martin's dad met us for lunch which was also a special treat for everyone.

Ann Park on the street car

Sam on the street car

Woo hoo!

Tripp and Ann Park eating at a table by themselves!  So cute

Ward loved just about everything and is already asking me when we are going back!

Also on Saturday, Ted's sister Julie was sweet enough to drive over with her two kids (they live about 45 minutes away) and spend some times with the kids.  Ward loved seeing John Benton and Ann Park wants to be Ann Margaret, I think!  I just hope that she is as sweet to the younger kids as Ann Margaret is!

Saturday ended with a walk down Bourbon Street (adults only!) and an amazing dinner at Irene's.  I will go out on a limb and put that dinner in one of my top 5 favorites.  Delicous food, great wine, and the company was okay too!  This morning we packed and played at the park before we had to come back home.  A quick trip, but well worth it to see the bonds between cousins expanding and the wonderful memories made.

Soccer

Ann Park had a great time this weekend at the soccer festival.  Ted is her coach and she is really starting to understand the game.  Her skills are improving each time I see her play.  Like father, like daughter.  It is so great to see the two of them spending such quality time together too.  Another mom took some great pictures of the last game and I thought that I would share a few!

About to start the game

Dribbling to the goal!

taking it by this girl . . .

one more girl to pass!

and she scores!!! (although you can't see it in this picture, she did!)

running to give daddy a high five!

yes!

Easter Weekend (WARNING: Long post)

We had a great Easter.  It was jam-packed full of activities and the kids had a blast.  They were out of school on Thursday, Friday and Monday so that made it extra fun for them.

On Thursday morning I took the kids down to Grey Rocks.  Both my sisters and their families were down there for the entire Easter weekend and I could not resist getting together with them for a few days.  We had to come home on Friday afternoon, but they all had a great time together.  Definitely a preview of what is to come on the Upchurch family vacation to Palmetto Bluff at the end of next month!

Ann Park and Tripp have the best time together!

But she also loves herself some Ashton!

Sam and Tripp singing some tunes

Ashton and Sam playing

Cher Cher feeding Billy

Ward and Louise

Sam and Sampson

Tripp driving the mule!

Hope in the pick-up truck

Pushing Ashton on the four-wheeler

The beloved rock pile!

Louise in her favorite attire - her chicken costume!!

Ann Park loves posing in hats!!!

Sam in Louise's chicken outfit

After we left on Friday, we rushed home and had dinner with Grandmom since we would not be with her over Easter.  (She went to visit Julie in Louisiana.)  Saturday was pretty typical - it started with soccer for Ann Park and then for Ward.  But then we had to rush to the Mountain Brook Club for the annual Easter Egg hunt.  The kids had a blast and Sam even took his picture with the Easter Bunny!

Saturday afternoon we rested and then had some of our cousins over for dinner.  Sunday morning we woke up to goodies from the Easter bunny.  Sam didn't really know what was going on, but he sure loved his candy and his Toy Story toys!  Oh and I promise that I feed Ward.  He truly looks like he is starving in the pictures without his shirt on!!

Star Wars clock!

Legos!!!

Peeps!  Ward's favorite (and they make me gag!!)

Look! Look!

After some quick showers, we headed to 8:30 Mass.  It was packed (as to be expected) but we got our usual seat on the third row.  Mass is a little longer at Easter but the kids did remarkably well for an hour and 20 minute service.  After Mass they had the church Easter Egg hunt, with more candy (but also a lot of stickers, rings, bracelets and other trinkets).  Then we came home and got some pictures of the kids in their nice outfits.  (We tried to do this after Mass but Ann Park would not cooperate - go figure.)    Ann Park wore a gorgeous handmade gown passed down to her from her godparents.

Sam's face in this picture cracks me up!

Ann Park and her beloved Abagail!  Thanks Cher Cher for a great Easter gift!

We ended Easter on a high note as well.  We had an Easter egg hunt at Lynn and Bryan's house.  The younger cousins got to play and the adults watched (or should I say tried to watch) the Masters.  Everyone had a great time.  The kids were so exhausted (as was I) and I was really glad that they got to stay home on Monday and just get things back to normal! 

We had to get a couple of group shots before the egg hunt!

Counting Sam's eggs (not sure what Ward is doing in this picture!)

Mama and Sam (who is never far from my feet these days!)

Ann Park and Katelynn