Woo hoo! I got a new bike!

Wow! What excitement! The boys used some birthday money that Grandma had given them, and I had tucked away for something special, to buy their new bicycles. Neither had ever had a brand new bike so this was even more exciting! Thank you, Grandma!

It does "take a village."

It is just not possible to mother 4 children without accepting help once in a while. I have been so blessed with very supportive family and friends. You can imagine it takes a lot of coordination to get 3 other kids settled for an outpatient procedure that takes me away from home for 10-12 hours. Thank you to all of you who pitch in to make sure my kids are taken care of. I don't have to worry about them while tending to Tracy and that relieves so very much stress. I am so grateful!

The 4th and hopefully the final surgery!

No more smiley faces to mark the correct ear! Now doctors initial the area they will work on!

Below: Tracy is not quite as relaxed about surgery as it may appear. She had already had the pre-anesthesia drink that relaxes one!

Our Chef and Away We Go!

Marney loves to help with the cooking which I enthusiastically encourage and teach what little I know about cooking! The presentation of the pancakes; however, is all Marney! How cool.


One of Sam's friend's outgrew this car and passed it on to the boys--it looks like Sam has as well, but he still enjoys giving it a spin! Jack can now make it go on his own as well, in the Fall his little legs were not quite long enough!