I love my kids!! We are having such a great time together. I am so thankful that God has blessed me with them. Today I realized how helpful they are I took a bad fall and tore up my legs. Hans and Elle helped me take care of Briella. Then later in the evening Elle went crashing down in her counter top stool on the porcelain tile. I screamed!!! Thankfully she is OK. I realized how she is coordinated just like me or maybe it is that we try to do more than we should.

The boys working out at sports camp. They are already training for football season.

This is why I had to get a minivan. I so didn't want to but when you have to drive other kids it is the best. I drive the boys to sports camp and Christine picks up the boys.

Ethelyn drove Christian to sports camp and he cried the first hour, so we decided it would be best for me to drive him and she could talk Elle. Thus the lack of crying for the teachers.

The kids had been looking forward to Shelby's b-day party. Rachael had horse, jumpers, the pool was open, and two pinatas. The kids came home with bags of candy!!

Hans spent most of his time in the moon walk. We spent hours at the party. The kids didn't want to leave. What party will ever amount to this one?

Elle is a natural at riding horses. She saw the horse and wanted to ride it.

Elle playing at the playground at Hans t-ball game.

Briella is growing so fast. I can't believe she is already six weeks. Last night she slept through the night. I thought Mark woke up with her and he thought that I did.

Our friends Kristen and Eric came over for dinner and a late night. They are friends that used to be in our small group until they decided to start their own. Mark was happy they treated to chinese again. Kristen and Mark love Chinese. We had such a great time!!

Ellie started her preschool the first day didn't go so well. We changed plans my friend Ethelyn started to drive her and now no more crying. Ethelyn says she has such a great time.

Ellie's second day of preschool

Waiting to go to preschool

Ellie's first day, she was so sad that I left. She is so my little girl. I love her so much!!!!!

When I was in Elmhurst Hans got to play with Anna Beth, and I got to spend time with Diane although not as much as I would have liked to. It was nice because we were able to visit with our Grandmothers they are both at the same place.

I haven't seen my dear friend Ada for three years and we were able to get together. We talked and talked how much we missed of each others lives!

Briella has found her smile!! She now smiles for us we are so excited.

I had to go into work and get what I need for next year to teach Chemistry in my room. Amber gave the kids all kinds of fun things. Her they are showing of their animals that grew in water. Also we gave them tattoo's. The had such a blast and want to go to mommy's school with the big kids.



Elle and I walked to the park. The whole time she was telling me I was going the wrong way. We ended up spending hours there. Elle made new friends and I ran into my students.

Elle and I made a bouquet of flowers. My roses are so beautiful this year.

Hans started sports camp this week. He is gone every day until 2. It is nice because we carpool with his friends. This is why we went and bought a mini van. It was the cutest I brought the four boys to camp and they all held hands as they walked in.

Her Brie is talking up a storm. She is getting more vocal.

Hillary's mom made me this beautiful blanket and Julie gave her this beautiful outfit. I am so thankful for everything Briella has received.

Hans is attached to his sisters. He will lay by brie and talk to her. She already is a good listener.

Elle is carries her baby in the bjorn. She is so proud of herself.

When Hans and Ell wake up from their naps they want to run outside and see if any of their friends are home.

Melissa and Brit came to see brie.

Ellie is having a hard time keeping up with me. She usually crashes by lunch. This day she didn't even make it through lunch.

Elle loves playing mommy's little helper with Briella. She throws out diapers, gets more, brings me pacifiers and what ever extra help I need. Her she is holding Brie.

There was a huge neighborhood garage sale and my friend Julie gave us 10 huge garbage bags of clothes for the girls, and a ton of stuff for me to give Kirsten too. They gave Brie this rocker and a take along swing. Elle got more porcelain dolls for her collection. My friend Dana sold some of Hans clothes for us at her garage sale, which was so nice of her!!!
Papa Rich and Grandma came up to see Hans play t-ball.

Amber, a teacher I work with and bf at work, came over to see Brie. Although Elle didn't give her a chance. She watches Elle in church and Elle thinks Amber is all hers!!

Scott and Taylor are my favorite couple at school. That could be because I kept encouraging them to start dating. I kept telling Scott when are you just going to ask her out. They have been dating most of this year. Scott made us the best bread and I walk into the kitchen and see crumbs everywhere. Hans ate most of it!! Although he was nice enough to save me a piece.

Mary came to visit and found Brie some cute outfits. One of them was a newborn outfit and it fit her perfectly.

Samantha came to see Briella and brought Hans a ton of rescue hero toys. It has been my saving grace. Hans and Elle play with them for hours.

Elle got the princess crown from Abby and has been wearing it since.

Hans second tball game. He knows the routine now.

Briella makes me laugh. Every time her pacifier gets put in her mouth she makes a face like she can't stand it. After I hold it in her mouth and move it around she adjusts and when you go to take it out she looks at you like what are you doing to me.

Hans started his first day of t-ball. He is improving every time he plays.

For Briella's first week celebration we took her to Chuckie cheese. Although I think it was more for Hans and Elle. She slept the entire time.

My good friend Rachel came over to see her little angel, that is what she calls Brie. Shelby came to play and picked out Brie some of the cutest gifts. Hans and Elle were thrilled to see Shelby.

Briella's first week was great!! We have given her the nickname easy breezy. She is such a good baby. She is now two weeks almost three weeks and my mom said today I think that is the first time I heard Brie cry. She loves to eat and sleep.

Briella Grace born May 6th at 10:40 am. Weight 9 lbs 4 oz, and 21 and 3/4 in.
She is the sweetest little girl!!

All you Star Wars Fans be jealous Hans just met the maker! Hans also got Howard the duck signed by George and Mark got a Star Wars photo of George directing episode 4 signed.

Briella Grace was born on May 6 at 10:40 am.
She definitely has my hands. She has perfect nails and is ready for a manicure.

We came home after 24 hrs. I really wanted to be home with Hans and Elle.

Leaving the hospital. When we came to the hospital on Thursday the weather was perfect. On Friday when we left it was fridged.

Hans is all about the baby. Today he laid down next to her for an hour and watched her sleep.
Elle likes to give Brie kisses, but then she is done.

I am so thankful for my many blessings and my wonderful family. Mark and I love and enjoy our kids so much!!

Mark took a final picture of me before I went to be induced. We left the house at 6:30. I was induced at 7:30, my water was broke at 9:30 and I had her at 10:40. Labor moved so quickly that it had to be a natural birth. There wasn't enough time for an epidural to kick-in. It was not what I had planned for, but the natural birth was not as hard as I thought it would be.